A winter storm system is set to trudge across Alabama Wednesday, bringing sleet and snow to the northern part of the state and rain in the southern half. The dividing line between snow and rain seems to fluctuate with storms like these, Chief scientist for the National Weather Service office in Birmingham, Kevin Laws, says the wintry mix is trending farther north. Laws says the system will move slowly across the state from the west to the east, enter Alabama around 10 a.m. and exiting close to midnight.
Wage Inequality
Alabama House Representative Darrio Melton will make another attempt at raising the minimum wage in the state. The Democrat from Selma introduced a similar bill in the House last year that never made it out of committee. Melton says wage inequality is a serious issue and he hopes that reintroducing the measure will give the proposal some positive traction this year. If the bill makes it through the legislature it will also go before voters who must approve it in order for the measure to take effect.
Voting Rights
State Senator Hank Sanders say he and others are seeking to inspire a new generation of civil rights activists. Sanders says that's one of the reasons why various groups that include the SCLC will re-live the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March next month. The 54 mile march begins Sunday, March 8th and will conclude Friday, March 13th on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol.
HIV Medicine
HIV medicine will be available at a reduced cost to children in more than 90 developing countries. Drugmaker Merck & Co. is granting a free license to allow one of its pediatric HIV medicines to be made and sold inexpensively. The group Medicines Patent Pool works with brand-name drugmakers to find ways to make less expensive HIV medicine that's still covered by patents.