The Montgomery Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation after 44-year-old Luke Nelson was found shot to death Wednesday night. Officials found Nelson shot around 9:25 after receiving a report of a subject in the road. Nelson became the city's 20th death and its designated 17th homicide. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 215-STOP or the Secret Witness line at 262-4000.
Lab Tech Indictment
The Auburn University lab technician accused of selling large quantities of a date rape drug to an undercover police officer was indicted by a federal grand jury on six charges. Court records show 64-year-old Stephen Howard was indicted on three counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; two counts of brandishing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; and possession of methamphetamine. Howard is set to be arraigned in federal court in Montgomery on June 16th.
Shaw Layoffs
Shaw Industries has announced it is cutting 160 jobs from its plant in the northeast Alabama town of Valley Head. The company is the largest employer in the small DeKalb County town. Officials at the Dalton, Georgia-based company, which produces flooring products, say the cuts are due to a shift in customer preferences.
Queen Honey Bee
Alabama legislators have elevated the queen honey bee to the official agricultural insect of the state. Senators gave final passage Thursday to the bill honoring the bee. The agriculture distinction is needed, because the state already has an official state insect, the monarch butterfly.