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March is Women's History Month!

WVAS Local News

Keep those seatbelts buckled, the advice comes from the Alabama Department of Public Safety for people traveling through the state during the long Memorial Day weekend.  Motorists can expect to see extra troopers on roads and highways participating in the nationwide "Click It Or Ticket" campaign.  Many of the state's city and county law enforcement agencies are participating.  Troopers, officers and sheriff's deputies also will enforce speeding and other traffic laws. 

Alabama Accountability

State Schools Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice told the Board of Education Thursday that the biggest challenge in implementing the new Alabama Accountability Act is determining how to define a so-called "failing school."  Bice says the law's formula of targeting schools in the bottom 6 percent of math and reading assessments over the last six years is incorrect, because some of those schools could have made strides in the last three years.  He says there have also been legal questions raised about the new law.  The Accountability Act will give parents tax credits to assist them in moving their children from underperforming schools to non-failing schools.  A question still to be answered is if parent with children already in private school will be eligible for the tax credits.  The law also gives schools more flexibility in complying with state regulations. 

Montgomery Food Bank

The Montgomery Area Food Bank is expanding its reach.  The agency broke ground Thursday on a site to build an additional warehouse.  Food bank director, Parke Hinman said soaring demand for services prompted the expansion.  The Montgomery Area Food Bank is the largest distributing food bank in the state and doles out food in 35 of Alabama's 67 counties. 

Fatal Shooting

Montgomery Police are investigating a fatal shooting on the city's west side.  Authorities said an adult male was found shot to death Thursday evening in the 1000 block of Early Street.  Lt. Regina Duckett, a police spokeswoman, said detectives are conducting a death investigation.  No other information has been available.  The victim's name was withheld and no arrests were made.