Selma will be in the national spotlight this week when thousands of people will descend on the west Alabama city to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March. On Sunday afternoon, some 2,000 people, black and white, participated in a "Unity Walk" across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to kick off the commemorative civil rights march. Selma residents walked behind a large quilt sewn by citizens who were living in Selma during the 1960s. President Obama and former President George W. Bush and a large congressional delegation will be among those attending the anniversary of "Bloody Sunday."
Lives Lost
State Troopers say four people were killed in a two-vehicle crash in north Alabama. Troopers say the wreck happened shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday in eastern Limestone County. The deadly crash occurred on U.S. 72 near the Madison County line. State Troopers say one vehicle went through a stop sign and struck another vehicle.
Alcohol Sales
The Alabama Supreme Court is siding with ministers from Blount County and overturning a state law that let some towns vote on whether to allow alcohol sales. The justices ruled Friday that the 2009 law is unconstitutional since it prohibited residents in Blount, Clay and Randolph counties from holding such votes. Cities in Alabama's 64 other counties with at least 1,000 residents are allowed to hold wet-dry votes, and the court says the law is invalid since it carves out the three counties as an exception. Dozens of Alabama cities could be affected by the decision, but the state's high court did not say which ones.
Ethics Charges
State prosecutors released e-mails involving indicted House Speaker Mike Hubbard that show the powerful politician was having financial problems and was hitting up high-placed lobbyists and friends for assistance. The court filing is the first glimpse of evidence against Hubbard who will go to trial on ethics charges in October. Hubbard's defense lawyer said the filings were designed to mislead the public.
Deadlines Extension
Alabama revenue officials are extending some of the state's tax deadlines because of last week's winter storm. The agency says February deadlines for motor vehicles registrations, renewals, transfers and tax payments are being pushed back until Friday, March 6th. The change involves any counties where offices were closed from last Wednesday on.