Members of the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus along with civil rights leader, the Reverend Jesse Jackson held press conferences in Birmingham and Montgomery Wednesday protesting the closure of 31 driver's license offices. The group contends that the closures will impact voters in rural and poor counties by making it harder for them to obtain driver's licenses. Democratic Representative Louise Alexander of Bessemer says the governor and secretary of State's argument that people can get photos IDs from probate judges and board of registrars is a non-starter. The Caucus was set to meet with Governor Robert Bentley and Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill Wednesday afternoon on the matter.
Run Hide Fight
Alabama State University's Police Chief Jim Grayboys is urging the public to think ahead when it comes to active shooter scenarios. Grayboys says for the past two year the department has been busy educating the campus community about public safety. He says the department has sent videos and emails about the run, hide, fight message campus wide. Grayboys says the department will continue conducting safety training scenarios both on and around the campus.
Body Found
Prattville Police have identified a 72-year-old man whose body was found in Autauga Creek Tuesday morning. Authorities said Wednesday the victim is Eugene Bernard of Prattville. A group of kayakers made the grisly discovery in an area off Doster Road. Prattville authorities said Mr. Bernard had been the subject of a missing persons report that was issued last Thursday, October 1st.
Four Arrests
Tuscaloosa County authorities say four men accused of raping an unconscious woman have been arrested. Metro Homicide Unit Commander Gary Hood says witnesses told police Tuesday that the 22-year-old victim knowingly drank a beverage laced with a controlled substance and passed out inside an apartment. Hood says the men admitted to having sex with the victim and are being held on $30,000 bond each. Authorities say the woman's condition doesn't appear to be life threatening.