A federal judge in Montgomery has delayed his decision on an Alabama law that could close some abortion clinics. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson told attorneys in June that he hopes to rule by the end of July. But Thompson told lawyers Thursday that he needs extra time and will issue a ruling by Monday. The judge said he needs more time to consider a federal appeals court ruling this week that blocked a similar law in Mississippi. Alabama's law requires doctors at abortion clinics to have approval to admit patients to nearby hospitals.
Child Abuse
A Montgomery woman is facing child abuse charges after being accused of seriously injuring a three-year-old boy she was babysitting. Montgomery Police allege that 31-year-old Javonda Weeks of Cherry Street struck the boy with a blunt force object and struck him with her hands. The youngster suffered a fractured skull and a broken arm. He was taken to Children's Hospital in Birmingham for additional treatments. Weeks was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse. She was also charged with multiple counts of writing bad checks. Bond for Weeks was set at $63,000.
Davis 2015
Artur Davis is testing the political waters in Montgomery. The former 7th District Congressman is weighing the possibility of running for mayor in 2015. Davis, in an interview with WVAS, said he has something to offer. Davis said its likely that he won't make a final decision until the end of the year.
Execution Chemicals
A state lawmaker says it will be next spring before the state can resume executing death row inmates. Republican Senator Cam Ward of Shelby County, chairman of a prison reform task force, says the spring of 2015 will be the earliest that lawmakers will be able to pass new legislation allowing Alabama to receive drugs used for executions. Ward tells a Florence newspaper that the state is "basically out of chemicals." Pharmaceutical companies are refusing to sell Alabama more drugs until they can get some type of protection or "immunity." There are 16 death row inmates who have exhausted appeals and await execution.