Of the 565 people that have been tested for Tuberculosis at Alabama State University over the last week, nine tested positive for the disease, according to public health officials. But none of those are believed to be an active case like the one that triggered the screenings of almost 600 students and faculty deemed to have come into close contact with student. Director of the Tuberculosis Control Division of the Alabama Department of Public Health Pam Fortner says it's no uncommon for a small percentage of the population to carry TB in a dormant form. Fortner says only 25 individuals remain to be tested. Then retests will be conducted the first week in December. That's because tuberculosis has a two to ten week incubation period.
Red Ribbon
Several hundred fourth and fifth graders from the Montgomery area attended the campus of Alabama State University Friday. The annual Central Alabama Red Ribbon Week campaign kicked off in the Dunn-Oliver Acadome. Red Ribbon Week runs from October 21st through the 25th.
Richard Boone
A well-known name from the civil rights movement has died. The Reverend Richard Boone of Montgomery died recently after a struggle with cancer. He was 76 years old. Boone served as director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and co-founded the National Democratic Party of Alabama. He is also credited with helping to locate the Interpretive Center for the Selma to Montgomery Historic Trail at ASU.