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March is Women's History Month!

WVAS Local News

A federal judge says he will decide today whether to temporarily block a new Alabama law that requires doctors at abortion clinics to have approval to admit patients to a nearby hospital.  U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson hear arguments from attorneys on both sides Thursday.  The law is supposed to go into effect Monday.  Plaintiffs says it is difficult for abortion clinic physicians to get hospital admitting privileges and the law would shut down three of Alabama's five licensed abortion clinics.  Attorneys for the state say the law will enhance the safety of women seeking abortions. 

Voting Rights

Alabama civil rights leaders say they'll be creative as they plan ways to protest the Supreme Court decision to throw out part of the landmark Voting Rights Act.  Democratic state Sen. Hank Sanders of Selma urged Alabama residents to participate in an August 24 recreation of the March on Washington.  He also encouraged local protests of the ruling, which black leaders say pushes back gains made since the 1960s. 

Sunken Boat

A sunken riverboat in the Alabama River is refusing to become unsunk.  For a second day a wrecker service worked to raise the riverboat from a spot near the Montgomery Marina.  According to a story in the Montgomery Advertiser the boat is owned by the Capitol Oyster Bar.  Its sank last April.  The boat is about two-thirds of the way out of the water now now crews will try again today to finish the job.  Once the vessel is removed, Sabel Steel is set to salvage the parts. 

Birmingham Intervention

State officials say an intervention in the Birmingham school district could extend into September 2014.  Former State Superintendent Ed Richardson, who leads the intervention team, said the state board of education should not end the intervention prematurely.  The effort marks the state's fourth intervention in the local school system in 12 years.