The governor's office has responded to an online petition that calls for Alabama to break away from the U.S.Government. Governor Robert Bentley said in a statement Tuesday that he will not support the petition to secede. A spokeswoman said the governor believes state can be laboratories of change, despite the frustration with the federal government. The petition to secede was filed on the White House website and has garnered more than 20,000 signatures. The push for secession was launched by Derrick Belcher who lives in Mobile County. MPS Finances
The overall finances of Montgomery Public Schools are positive. That's according to a report issued at Tuesday's meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Education. Schools Superintendent Barbara Thompson said the system closed the 2012 fiscal year with an operating fund balance of 11.5 million dollars. Thompson said the school system's poor financial health was impacted by four years of proration that resulted in the loss of $37 million dollars.
Double Shooting
A double shooting last night in a west Montgomery neighborhood is under investigation. Montgomery police said two people were shot on Collinwood Drive and a search continues for the shooter. Police said both victims suffered serious injuries that are considered life threatening. The victims' names and the motive behind the shootings were not disclosed.