Forecasters say overnight temperatures across Alabama could plummet into the teens or single digits as a powerful winter weather system moves through the South. The National Weather Service has posted a wind advisory until 6 p.m. A hard freeze warning is in effect between midnight and noon on Tuesday. The extremely cold air mass will hover over central Alabama through at least Tuesday. Overnight lows are expected to reach the single digits tonight. Daytime temperatures are expected to stay below freezing today. Area residents are reminded to check water pipes, plants and pets.
New ASU President
The Trustees of Alabama State University approved a two-year contract that pays new president Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd $300,000 dollars annually. The board, including Governor Robert Bentley, approved the contract unanimously on Friday. Dr. Boyd will assume the president's post on February 1st.
Third Victim
Authorities say a third victim died from wounds he suffered in a shooting over the Christmas holiday in Montgomery. 20-year-old Timnorius Hamilton was pronounced dead Friday after being fatally wounded in a shooting December 28th at the Centennial Hill Bar and Grill on Highland Avenue. Hamilton's death raised the number of homicides in Montgomery to 50 for 2013. He is the third victim to die in the attack. Funerals for two other victims, Kimberle Johnson and Glenn Thomas were held on Saturday. Two suspects in the shooting are each charged with multiple counts of capital murder.
Record Sales
2013 was a good year for the Hyundai car brand. The automaker said it set a record for sales in December and for yearly sales in North America. Hyundai, said in a statement, that is sold more than 60,000 vehicles in December. Sales were led by the Montgomery built Sonata and Elantra cars. Hyundai said its full year sales climbed 2.5 percent from the previous year. Workers at the Hyundai assembly plant in West Montgomery also set a record-building nearly 400,000 vehicles last year.
Legalize Substance?
A bill planned for the upcoming session of the Alabama Legislature would legalize a substance derived from marijuana that is believed to help control seizures in children. Republican Representative Mike Ball of Madison said he plans to sponsor the bill to allow parents of children with certain neurological and epileptic disorders to possess cannabidiol. The substance does not produce a high and has no street value. Democratic state Representative Patricia Todd of Birmingham said she plans to co-sponsor the bill.
Small Business
Alabamians trying to start small businesses in a tough credit market may soon have a new method that will allow them to raise small amounts of capital from many Alabama investors. Republican Arthur Orr of Decatur said he will sponsor a bill in the upcoming legislative session to allow "crowd funding." It would cap investors at $5,000 dollars each and would limit crowd funding to $1 million dollar per business. The director of the Alabama Securities Commission, Joe Borg, said it's an idea whose time has come.