Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan is visiting Macon County and the City of Tuskegee. Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford said in a statement he is looking forward to presenting Minister Farrakhan with a key to the city. Ford said he invited Farrakhan to Tuskegee because of his positive leadership on issues ranging from black on black crime and his support for historically black colleges.
AEA Lawsuit
A Montgomery judge has asked the Alabama Supreme Court to weigh in on the question of whether GOP lawmakers have legislative immunity from a new lawsuit challenging the Alabama Accountability Act. The Republican lawmakers in a court filing argued that they can't be served with lawsuit papers while in session. Montgomery Circuit Judge Gene Reese Thursday refused to dismiss the lawsuit over the immunity claims. The Alabama Education Association filed the lawsuit seeking to overturn the law that will give tax credits to families zoned for "failing" schools to pay tuition at a private school or a better public school.
Suspect Surrenders
An Opelika man sought in connection with a March 17th homicide has turned himself in. Opelika Police said in a statement that Montavious Askew surrendered to officers Thursday afternoon. Askew faces a murder charge in connection with the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Andrew Jones, also of Opelika. Authorities said the victim was found lying in a driveway on Dogwood Avenue. Askew is being held in the Lee County Detention Facility.
Hank Williams
A bill pending in the state Legislature would allow the city of Montgomery to assume ownership of one of the capital city's tourist attractions, the cemetery where Hank Williams is buried. The state Insurance Department assumed responsibility for the Oakwood Cemetery Annex in 2004 after the owner died and didn't leave any plans for succession. Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange says the city has been maintaining the cemetery since 2009 because Williams' grave draws so many visitors. Mayor Todd Strange said the maintenance runs about $5,000 to $7,000 per year.