There has been a change in leadership at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System. Director James Talton and chief of staff Dr. Cliff Robinson have been placed on administrative leave. VA officials said Robin Jackson, the agency's deputy network director will replace Talton while Dr. Srinivas Ginjupalli will take over as acting chief of staff. In a statement released Thursday, the VA Southeast Network in Atlanta said it will begin assessing VA medical facilities in Montgomery and Tuskegee. Both facilities have been under scrutiny after audits found problems with patient scheduling and records manipulation.
Youth Director Arrested
Montgomery Police say the director of an at-risk program for inner-city youth has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor. 43-year-old Glenn Veasy was arrested Wednesday. He faces two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Police said the alleged victim is a child under age of 18 and the sexual abuse occurred in 2013. Veasy, the operator of the Team Achievers Discipline Academy, was being held under bonds totaling $30,000.
Teacher Resigns
The Elmore County School Board has accepted the resignation of a 7th grade teacher who has been under investigation by the Department of Human Resources and Millbrook Police. The school board held an emergency meeting Thursday and voted to accept the resignation of Millbrook Middle School Teacher Michelle Beisel. Elmore County School Superintendent Jeff Langham declined to say why Beisel stepped down.
Dragon Boat Racing
The Montgomery Riverfront will be home once again to a fleet of dragon boats as the 5th Annual Dragon Boat Race and Festival is set for this weekend. Festival Executive Director, Andrew Szymanski says 70 teams are competing this year. Dragon boat racing has it roots in China. The competition starts as 8 a.m. Saturday.
Hubbard Strange Debate
The Democratic challenger to Attorney General Luther Strange accuses him of being an absentee officeholder more interested in cracking down on bingo than violent crime. Strange said his opponent, Democrat Joe Hubbard, has a campaign largely financed by gambling interests. During a speech Thursday in Orange Beach, Hubbard criticized Strange's efforts to shut down electronic bingo casinos. Hubbard said the casino customers aren't a threat to the state, and Strange is wasting resources. Hubbard said he will make fighting violent crime and corruption his priority.