The fight over redistricting is headed back to federal court. A three-judge federal panel will hear arguments Tuesday in Montgomery over whether legislators relied too much on race when they drew legislative district lines. A divided U.S. Supreme Court in March sent the map back for an additional review. The Legislative Black Caucus had challenged the lines that were drawn by the newly elected GOP legislative majority. Black lawmakers said Republicans "stacked and packed" black voters into designated minority districts, limiting their ability to influence elections elsewhere. Lawmakers said they complied with the Voting Rights Act by preserving minority representation in the Alabama Legislature.
Death Row
The latest Alabama inmate seeking freedom from death row says the state is wrongly ignoring his claims of innocence while his health fails. Legal arguments filed by Donnis Musgrove maintain the state is arguing about technicalities rather than addressing legitimate concerns about his 1988 conviction and death sentence. Musgrove was sentenced to die for the gunshot killing of Coy Eugene Barron in 1986. His attorneys maintain the prosecution falsified evidence. They are asking a federal judge in Birmingham to overturn Musgrove's conviction. His attorneys filed a brief late Friday accusing the state of failing to address questions about innocence. Prosecutors did not have any immediate response.
Little Miss Pageants
Alabama State University is accepting applicants for its inaugural "Little Miss ASU" and "Little Miss Hornet" pageants. Young ladies, ages 4 to 9 are eligible. An organizer of the competitions is current Miss ASU Muriel Pannell. She says the girls will participate in several standard pageant activities. "Little Miss Hornet" is geared to the 4 to 6 year old; "Little Miss ASU" is for the 7 to 9 year old group. The theme for the event is "I Just Can't Wait to be Queen." Registration can be conducted online at alasu.edu/littlemiss or by calling (334) 229-5620. Deadline for entries is September 3rd. The pageants will be held October 3rd.