Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell plans to ask the Justice Department to investigate Alabama's closure of 31 rural drivers' license offices. The 7th District Democrat said the closing are disproportionately hitting the state's poor, rural and African-American residents. Sewell said she is particularly appalled because Alabama requires a photo-identification to vote. Sewell also says transportation is already a problem for many rural residents. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says drivers' license renewals can still be done in all counties and online.
EJI News Conference
The Montgomery-based Equal Justice Initiative and will hold a news conference today. EJI Director Bryan Stevenson will discuss the case of a Montgomery man who was freed from prison last week after serving nearly 21 years for a murder he did not commit. Beniah Dandridge was released from Kilby Prison after evidence determined he was not guilty of the December 1994 killing of Riley Manning. EJI Director and attorney Bryan Stevenson said there are more innocent people in Alabama's prisons and jails.
Runoff Election
Tuesday is Montgomery municipal runoff election day in four city council districts. Montgomery city voters in districts two, four, five and six will decide who will be represent their communities on the city council. Incumbents are vying to stay in office in three of the four runoff races. The WVAS News team will have complete coverage of Tuesday's runoff vote.
Return Machines
A Montgomery judge has ruled that Alabama must return seized gambling machines and money to VictoryLand unless it takes legal action against other bingo casinos in the state. Circuit Judge William Shashy handed down the order on Friday. Shashy says Alabama must return the machines and cash to VictoryLand unless it takes action within 45 days against six open casinos in the state. Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford has applauded the ruling.