Forecasters issued a heat advisory covering the entire state of Alabama as temperatures are expected to approach or surpass 100 degrees. The National Weather Service said the heat advisory will be in effect through Sunday night.
Jericho Demonstration
Several members of the Save Ourselves Movement for Equal Justice and Democracy gathered Friday at the Alabama State Capitol to begin their weeklong march for Jericho. The goal of the biblical-inspired event is to rally citizens in the fight for Medicaid expansion, immigrant justice, fair housing and other social issues. Marchers will complete one lap around the state Capitol for the next five days. They will then circle the Capitol building seven times on the seventh day.
Barron Appeal
The state attorney general's office has lost its appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court in its prosecution of former state Senate leader Lowell Barron of Fyffe. The Supreme Court declined unanimously Friday to review pre-trial ruling that Attorney General Luther Strange's office says are fatal to its case. Barron's attorney, Joe Espy, says the attorney general should now dismiss the case. Barron and a former campaign aide were indicted last year on charges accusing them of misusing money from Barron's unsuccessful re-election campaign in 2010. The attorney general's office appealed rulings by Circuit Judge Randall Cole that Barron could present evidence about how other candidates use campaign funds.
Ethics Charges
A district attorney in west Alabama says a Hale County grand jury will review a complaint against former Greensboro High School principal Dyana Thomas. The state Ethics Commission decided Aug. 6 that there was probable cause to believe Thomas may have violated the ethics law. It sent the case to District Attorney Michael Jackson. Jackson said Friday he will present the case to the next grand jury, which should convene before the end of the year. Jackson said the complaint involves whether Tomas used his school position for personal gain.