WVAS Local

Several inches of rain fell in a few hours across much of the state causing flash flooding  in low-lying areas.  People had to be rescued from their homes in parts of Shelby and Jefferson Counties.  While the rain has stopped, the rivers and creeks will continue to swell from the runoff.  Autauga County Emergency Management Agency Director Ernie Baggett says those people along the Alabama river need to pay attention to the latest crest forecasts.  The National Weather Service predicts most waterways to crest by Thursday afternoon and begin to recede if there is no more rainfall. 

The Elmore County Emergency Management Agency reports that several large trees are down across the county blocking roadways, including in the communities of Lightwood, Owens Road and Millport.  Drivers should exercise extreme caution, many roads and highways are wet and slick due to standing water, that can result in hydroplaning.  Also, remember never drive across a flooded road.  Turn around , don't drown. 

Governor's Signature

Authorities say they don't expect to file charges against a central Alabama woman who shot and killed a teenager during a break-in.  Autauga County sheriff's officials say an 18-year-old armed with a knife tried to force his way into a home in the Booth community overnight.  Officials say the female homeowner opened fire and shot the teenager, killing him.  He was pronounced dead early Friday. Authorities say it's unlikely the homeowner will face charges. 

Selma Teacher

A tornado watch remains in effect for large parts of northern and central Alabama.  The National Weather Service says the watch over 23 counties and includes Birmingham, Huntsville and Florence.  Forecasters have said high winds will be the main threat from the storms.  A second storm is expected to enter the state Sunday night and impact much of south central Alabama. 

Alabama Legislature

Residents are urged to stay alert for severe weather over the next few days.  Forecasters with the National Weather Service say storms will move into northwest Alabama early Friday morning, bringing a chance of severe thunderstorms.  The main threat will be damaging straight line winds.  Also, a few strong storms could be possible across other locations along and west of a line from Livingston to Tuscaloosa. 

Welfare Benefits Bill

Stay informed about possible severe weather over the next few days, forecasters say storms with potentially damaging winds are expected to move into parts of Alabama.  The National Weather Service the high winds will be the main threat from a line of storms expected to move into Alabama from the west, mainly during the morning on Friday.  The line of storms is expected to enter west Alabama by around 3 a.m.

Alabama lawmakers have shot down a bill to let people carry loaded handguns in their cars without a concealed carry permit.  The House Public Safety Committee did not advance the bill Wednesday after several sheriffs and police chiefs said they were concerned that it could lead to more violence. 

Poultry Plant Closing

Forecasters say a pair of storm systems will bring the threat of isolated tornadoes to parts of Alabama.  The National Weather Service expects severe weather to move into the state late Thursday into early Friday, with isolated tornadoes possible.  However, forecasters say the larger threat will be straight-line winds.  A second storm system is expected to develop late Sunday afternoon, again bringing the threat of isolated tornadoes and damaging straight-ling winds through Monday morning. 

Two Appointees Rejected

Hundreds of Alabamians rushed to sign up before last night's deadline elapsed to apply for health insurance under the federal health care law.  Jim Carnes, a policy analyst for the advocacy group Alabama Arise, said he is optimistic Alabama will get close to the federal government's original enrollment forecast.  He said interest picked up in the closing weeks of enrollment as people learned more about the tax credits they could get.  The federal government's original goal for Alabama was 82,000 enrollments through Monday.  An unofficial federal report recently put Alabama's enrollment at 7

Alabama's attorney general says law enforcement agents have seized more than 1,000 gambling machines and cash from casinos in Green County.  Luther Strange said in a news release that the seizures came as law enforcement agents served search warrants at four casinos.  He said the action came in response to allegations of illegal gambling operations.  The search warrants were served this Monday morning at Greenetrack and Greene Charity in Eutaw, Alabama, and at Frontier Bingo and River's Edge in Knoxville, Alabama.  Strange says an investigation over the last several months led to the search