The Poarch Band of Creek Indians has launched a new television ad urging the state to enter into a gambling compact with the tribe. The ad features people discussing the state budget crisis. They say a compact would generate revenue to benefit "you and me" and that, "Poarch can fix this deficit mess." The commercial debuted this week after legislators began a special session on a projected budget shortfall. The tribe has said it would like exclusive rights to run gambling in Alabama.
Learning Program
The Brain Forest Summer Learning program is wrapping up its third year in Montgomery Public Schools. The pilot program was created as a way to stem brain drain for students over the summer months. Ann Sikes is the Executive Director of the Montgomery Education Foundation, which administers the program. This year 200 rising 4th, 5th and 6th graders participated in Brain Forest at 28 elementary schools in the city. The program was spotlighted Thursday at Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange's weekly press briefing.
Harris Candidacy
Another mayoral hopeful officially filed his candidacy Thursday in Montgomery. County Commissioner Dan Harris says he will bring a fresh approach to managing the capital city. Harris says from the last two mayoral debates he believes his message is getting out to voters. The Montgomery mayoral election is August 25th.
Allen Legislation
An Alabama state senator wants to pass legislation prohibiting the removal of historic monuments, markers and school names following debate over the display of Confederate emblems on public property. Republican state Sen. Gerald Allen said the legislation would protect all history in the state. Allen filed the bill in the special legislative session that began Monday. However, Allen must get the support of two thirds of state lawmakers since the bill is outside Gov. Robert Bentley's call for the special session. Allen said the bill is not meant as a reaction to the governor's decision to remove four Confederate flags from a monument next to the Capitol. Bentley says he has no plans to remove any other Confederate monuments on Capitol grounds.