One of the oldest Catholic schools in the state is closing its doors. The St. Jude Educational Institute on West Fairview Avenue will graduate its final senior class when the school term ends this month. In a statement issued Wednesday by the Archdiocese of Mobile, St. Jude is closing because of lingering financial problems and low enrollment. The news shocked and angered many St. Judge students and parents after they were informed about the school's closing. St. Jude Educational Institute has operated for 76 years.
Teen Freed
A Montgomery teenager is free today after a Circuit Court jury found him not guilty in connection with the October 2012 robbery and murder of a 59-year-old man. 18-year-old Ladarious Frazier was acquitted Wednesday on all charges, including attempted murder and first-degree robbery. Frazier has been accused of killing 59-year-old John Scoggins and shooting a 43-year-old man on Crouson Street. The second victim has since recovered. A co-defendant, 20-year-old Jaqunicy Croskey of Montgomery, will go on trial at a later date.
Payroll Deductions
A lawsuit has been filed to block state education officials from allowing payroll deductions from public school employees to fund the Alabama Education Association. A Hoover woman who filed the suit in Shelby County Circuit Court Wednesday says the AEA hasn't ensured that dues being paid by public school employees won't be used to fund Alabama Voices for Teachers for Education, the AEA's political action committee.
Tax Relief
Victims of the severe storms and flooding last week in Alabama may qualify for some tax relief. The Internal Revenue Service says some tax deadlines between April 28th and October 15th have been postponed. This includes the May 15th deadline for tax-exempt organizations to file their annual Form 990. It also includes the June 16th and September 1th deadlines for making quarterly estimated tax payments. A variety of business tax deadlines are affected, including the April 30th and July 31st deadlines for quarterly payroll and excise tax returns.