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March is Women's History Month!

Slight Decline in Alabama's Unemployment Rate

Gov. Robert Bentley says Alabama's unemployment rate for March is 5.7 percent, down slightly from the previous month.  The rate remains below the 7.2 percent seasonally adjusted rate from the same time a year ago.  Bentley says the state's jobless rate hasn't been at 5.7 percent or below since July 2008.  According to Friday's announcement the largest gains in the last month came from about 3,800 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sectors, followed by about 1,800 additions in trade, transportation and utilities.  

Spice Update

State and local officials Friday offered an update on the recent rise in medical emergencies due to use of synthetic marijuana.  A death investigation Friday morning in Montgomery shows signs of being related to the drug that's often called "spice."  State health officer Dr. Don Williamson says spice should not be considered a safe alternative to regular marijuana.  

New Trial

A judge is refusing a new trial for the man convicted of murder in a triple killing in Auburn.  Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker reused to grant Desmonte Leonard a second trial in a ruling Thursday.  The decision means the 25-year-old Leonard can now challenge his conviction before a state appeals court.  Leonard is serving life without parole after being convicted last year of fatally shooting three people during a party at an apartment complex in Auburn in June 2012.  The victims included two former Auburn University football players.  The defense contends the judge didn't instruct jurors on the law properly.  Prosecutors objected to a second trial.