A federal health official will discuss the state's rising infant mortality rate at Alabama State University. Yvonne Maddox of the National Institutes of Health will be the keynote speaker today at the ASU Student Center. Maddox is acting director of the NIH's National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. According to the state Department of Public Health, Alabama's infant mortality rate rose from 8.1 deaths per 1,000 to 8.9 per 1,000 between 2011 and 2012.
More Indictments
An Elmore County grand jury has returned new indictments against a Tallassee couple charged in connection with a massive child sex case. A grand jury recently indicted Stephen Conrad on multiple counts of rape, sex abuse of a child under 12, sodomy, child abuse and sexual torture. Also indicted was Brandy Conrad, she also is facing similar sex-related offenses. The couple was originally arrested in April of last year and charged with more than 100 criminal counts, but those charges were dismissed after investigators learned that Stephan Conrad's confession was illegally obtained.
Gas Station Shooting
A fatal shooting at a gas station in Tallassee that involved law enforcement is under investigation by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. Only a few details have been released. According to Trooper Sgt. Steve Jarrett, the ABI is handling the inquiry at the request of the State Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Elmore County District Attorney Randall Houston tells Al.com that a preliminary investigation indicated that a man pulled a gun in the presence of an officer and then killed himself. It's unclear if the officer fired his weapon.
Drug Take Back
The public has an opportunity to dispose of leftover prescription drugs at a number of disposal sites this Saturday. The Drug Enforcement Administration and area law enforcement will be taking up the drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Assistant U.S. Attorney of Alabama's Middle District, Clark Morris says people don't always realize what a hazard unused prescription drugs present. For an entire list of area disposal sites, you can call 1-800-882-9539 or go to the DEA Diversion website.