Preparations have begun for the 73rd Annual Magic City Classic Football Game in Birmingham. Saturday's annual match-up between Alabama State and Alabama A&M Universities is expected to attract thousands of alumni and spectators to Legion Field. At a Magic City news conference Wednesday in Birmingham, ASU Head football coach Reggie Barlow said the game is all about bragging rights. The Magic City Classic parade in downtown Birmingham gets underway Saturday morning at 8 a.m., kick-off time is 2:30 p.m.
Joyner at ASU
Tom Joyner, nationally syndicated radio show host, visited the Capital city Thursday. Joyner stopped by the campus of Alabama State University as part of the Tom Joyner Radio Tour. He encourages all students to value their experiences at historically black colleges. So far Joyner has raised right at $3 million dollars for Alabama State University, the October school of the month.
Illegal Hunting
The owners of a safari company that operated in part out of Autauga County have been charged with conspiracy to sell illegal rhinoceros hunts in South Africa to American hunters. 46-year-old Dawie Groenwald and his brother Janneman Groenwald also face mail fraud and money laundering charges in their efforts to cover up reporting requirements. Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Dan Ashe says 11 hunters were misled into participating in the hunts. From 2005 to 2010, the South African brothers, operating as Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris, traveled throughout the U.S. attending hunting conventions and gun shows were they sold their services. Janneman lived in Autagaville during this period. The illegal hunts cost between $3,500 and $15,000.