Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
March is Women's History Month!

Unemployment Compensation Law Changes

Alabama's unemployment compensation law has been changed so that retirement benefits will no longer affect monthly jobless benefits.  Under previous policy, if an employee lost their job and withdrew funds from their pension plan or 401K, their unemployment benefits would be deducted by the amount withdrawn.  The new law will no longer penalize individuals for taking money from their retirement account.  State Representative Napolean Bracy of Prichard sponsored the bill.  Governor Bentley has signed the bill.  It will go into effect September 1st.  

Favorable Report

The Montgomery Regional Airport says 2015 has been a good year for the facility.  The airport is marking 11 consecutive months of passenger growth.  American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and U.S. Airways each report more than 80 percent of their available seats filled in and out of Montgomery.  Airport officials also have announced the launch of a new user-friendly website to improve passenger travel tools.  The site is www.flymgm.com.  

Pot Plants 

The Macon County Sheriff's Office says a sizable quantity of marijuana plants were recently seized in a raid.  Sheriff Andre Brunson said deputies uprooted more than 1,700 pot plants from an area in eastern Macon County.  The sheriff said a tip led authorities to the illegal crop, which will be burned.  Last week, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced the seizure of more than 2,000 marijuana plants authorities have declined to say where the plants were found.  

Flag Removal

Support is building in South Carolina for removing the Confederate flag from public display.  South Carolina's governor and a number of lawmakers say its use as a symbol of hatred by the man accused of murdering nine black church members has made the flag too divisive.  Similar sentiment has been expressed in Mississippi and Tennessee.  Also, Wal-Mart announced it is removing Confederate flag items from its store shelves.  

All-Star Game

Montgomery's Riverwalk Stadium is the site for this year's Southern League All-Star Game.  Many of baseball top AA prospects arrived the capital city Monday.  Three players from the Montgomery Biscuits are in tonight's starting lineup.  The events include a home run derby that will start at 6 p.m.  The first pitch for the All-Star game should be around 7:30 p.m.