Governor Robert Bentley has asked legislators to bring him ideas on how to address the state's yearly general fund problems, and one notion being raise sis a gambling compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. In most years, that possibility has been rebuffed outright by Republican leaders, but some are now agreeing to put everything on the table. On the Democratic side, Montgomery Representative John Knight says it would be unfair to leave out private business. A compact would allow the tribe to offer casino-style table games and slot machines in exchange for sharing revenue with the state. Knight believes some types of state funs generated from gambling is lone overdue in Alabama. More than that though, he would like to see a revamping of the state's tax structure.
Foster Murder
Union Springs Police Chief Danny Jackson is mourning the death of his daughter. 23-year-old Brittany Foster was shot and killed early Sunday morning in a restaurant parking lot. Police in Columbus, Mississippi, say Foster, an employee of Buffalo Wild Wings, was shot multiple times. Another woman also was targeted, but she was not injured. Authorities in the west Mississippi city have charged 25-year-old Tarkesha Carter, also of Columbus, Mississippi, with Foster's Murder. No motive was given. Carter is being held on bonds totaling $600,000.
More VA Scandal
Second District Congresswoman Martha Roby is reacting to a story that has stunned many people. Roby is again criticizing the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System after a Montgomery newspaper reported that a VA employee at the Tuskegee Campus took a patient out in March to buy crack cocaine and solicit prostitutes. The alleged incident occurred in March at the VA drug treatment program. Roby said she has been unable to determine if the employee still works at the VA Hospital. There has been no comment from VA officials.
ASU NSF Grant
The National Science Foundation has awarded Alabama State University nearly $400,000 in grant money to create a big data analytics lab. The lab will be the first of its kind in the region and will allow ASU students to obtain first hand experience with solving complex IT challenges. Associate Dean for the College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Dr. Carl Pettis, believes this new lab will provide outstanding opportunities for ASU students. ASU students will partner with students from Auburn University to conduct research for the project. The grant ends in July 2017.