The intense heat has returned to Alabama.
Forecasters have issued a heat advisory today for much of central and south Alabama. Expect temperatures to range from the mid to upper 90s, meaning heat index values likely will soar around 105 degrees this afternoon. State health officials say take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside.
Spigner Charged
A hostage situation at a business on Lower Wetumpka Road ended in the arrest of a 40-year-old Prattville man. Montgomery Police said David Spigner was charged with second- degree kidnapping and two counts of menacing. A spokeswoman for the Department of Public Safety said police negotiators persuaded Spigner to surrender. Police said Spigner was placed in the Montgomery County Detention facility.
Alabama Health Care
Governor Robert Bentley said no decision will be made on whether or not Alabama will expand Medicaid until after November's election. But, Bentley said the state will have a contingency plan. The recent Supreme Court ruling gives states the choice of expanding Medicaid as the Affordable Care Act would have mandated.
Hospital Closing
Greil Memorial Psychiatric Hospital will shut its door as part of a nationwide move to put patients into community-based care. The hospital will stop taking patients by August 17th and focus on placing its 62 residents elsewhere. Mental Health Commissioner Jim Reddoch said the facility on Upper Wetumpka Road will close its doors on August 31st.
Investigative Committee
A government investigative committee says BP and the drilling contractor it hired to operate the Deepwater Horizon rig that exploded two years ago focused too closely on personal safety at the expense of preventing major hazards. The conclusions are contained in the preliminary findings of an investigation into the April 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill conducted by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.