WVAS Local

The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has launched an initiative to stop underage and binge drinking in the state.  ABC Board members and law enforcement officials addressed students at Prattville High School Wednesday.  ABC Board Administrator Mac Gipson says underage and binge drinking remain problems for high school and college students.  Gipson says informing schools about the dangers of abusing alcohol will be a major emphasis. 

No Second Term

A local jury has sided with some landowners and said the group is entitled to millions of dollars for property now used by the Hyundai plant in west Montgomery.  The Montgomery Advertiser reports that the jury returned the verdict Tuesday in the long-running dispute.  The jury found that the Montgomery Industrial Development Board owes some landowners more than $4.8 million dollars.  The decades-old controversy began when local and state officials faced with the danger of Hyundai losing interest in the site, agreed on a last minute deal to pay $12,000 per acre for land owned by sisters, Joy

A former prison supervisor was sentenced to 30 years in prison for fatally beating an inmate.  Federal Judge Myron Thompson imposed the sentence Monday for former lieutenant Michael Smith for the August 2010 death of Rocrast Mack.  Three former prison employees got lesser sentences for participating in hitting Mack or covering up what happened.  The other defendants report to prison January 6th. 

Prisoner Dies

About 90,000 Alabamians will have to find new health insurance policies because their current policies don't meet the requirements of the federal health care law.  The state Department of Insurance says it doesn't have figures on the issue.  The Associated Press compiled the 90,000 figure by contacting Alabama's major health insurance companies.  Alabama's largest health insurance provider is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.  It has 87,000 customers who have been notified that their plans don't meet the law's requirements.  They are being enrolled in a new plan that complies with the

Hyundai Motor Manufacturing has released its sales report for October.  The company sold nearly 54,000 units last month, up seven percent versus the same time period last year.  Robert Burns with Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Montgomery says the large numbers of sales can be credited to the Elantra and the Sonata. 

Failing Grade

Alabama is among three states that received grades of F for high premature birth rates from the March of Dimes.  Louisiana and Mississippi were the two other states.   Puerto Rico also received a grade of F. 

A federal judge plans to announce the sentences Monday for four former prison employees who were involved in the fatal beating of an inmate or tried to cover it up.  U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson listened Thursday as family and friends of the defendants described them good, church-going men with no history of violence.  The four are awaiting sentencing in the August 2010 beating death of Rocrast Mack at a state prison in Clayton. 

Deadly Wreck

The state of Alabama has agreed to settle the remaining challenges over its toughest-in-the-nation crackdown against illegal immigration.  The state and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a proposed settlement Tuesday that would end a federal lawsuit over the law.  An ACLU lawyer says the state also is settling a suit filed by the Justice Department.  The deal follows the Supreme Court's decision earlier this year rejecting Alabama's appeal to revive parts of the law.  The state's Republican-controlled Legislature passed the law in 2011 and Governor Robert Bentley signed it. 

There were no fireworks Monday's meeting between Governor Robert Bentley and the Alabama State University Board of Trustees but there were some pointed exchanges and differences of opinion.  The governor focused attention on the preliminary findings of a recent forensic audit of the university; particularly a one million dollar Medicaid contract.  Board members railed against the governor's release of the report without allowing more time for ASU to examine it.  Most of those in attendance felt the meeting was beneficial.  The school's ongoing presidential search stirred disagreement, with

Abortion opponents are asking the state to impose tighter restrictions on doctors performing the medical procedure in Alabama.  The state health agency held a public hearing Thursday on a proposed rule that would drastically reduce the number of abortions a physician's office can perform without being considered an abortion clinic.  A state health committee will decide later on the final rule. 

Walmart Proposal

If you have prescription drugs that have expired or are unused.  State and federal law enforcement agencies will participate in the annual Drug Take-Back day on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.  The Alabama Department of Public Health is urging the public to bring their medication to a nearby location for disposal.  A collection sit can be found on the public health department's website, adph.org and click on the "Got Drugs" link. 

Common Core