An Enterprise lawmaker accused of perjury says he was truthful when he testified before a grand jury investigating public corruption. Rep. Barry Moore Wednesday took the witness stand in his own defense. Prosecutors say Moore lied when he denied telling his primary opponent, Josh Pipkin, that the speaker of the house would hold up economic development funds if Pipkin jumped in the race. Moore says he never said the funds were in danger. He also wondered whether he was being set up because of frequent calls he got from Pipkin. Prosecutors on Tuesday played a tape of Moore saying he'll tell the speaker that Pipkin will withdraw if they get the project. Moore said the didn't recall saying that.
Chilton Fatal Accident
Troopers are investigating a fatal accident in Chilton County. They say 20-year-old Daniel Ryan McDowell of Selma was killed when the pickup truck he was driving ran off the road and struck a tree. No other vehicles were involved. The crash occurred Tuesday morning around 8:15 on Alabama Highway 22, some five miles west of Maplesville. Troopers say McDowell was not wearing a seatbelt. No other information is available at this time.
Gas Prices
How low will gas prices go? Currently in Alabama gasoline is averaging $2.82 a gallon and has been falling for weeks. AAA spokesman for the state Clay Ingram says all indicators point to even lower prices. Stagnant consumer demand and lower crude oil prices helped to trigger the decrease. Unfortunately Ingram does expect prices to trend back up in February and March.
Band Battle
Alabama State University's Marching Band has been invited to the 13th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands Nationwide Invitational Showcase. The Mighty Marching Hornets are one of only eight bands selected to compete. By virtue of the invite, the band is awarded $20,000 to support music education at the university. ASU's band will join a group of bands representing America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities on January 14, 2015 at the Georgia Dome. That's the same month the band will be featured in a new documentary on the A&E network.