The Associated Press

Ala. Legislature Rejects Bentley's 2-Year-Delay

The Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:30:58 +0000

The Republican majority in the Alabama Legislature has handed the Republican governor a major defeat by rejecting his proposal to delay the start of private school tax credits for two years.

The House voted against the governor's proposal 57-10 Monday. Then the Senate agreed 19-15 at the urging of the architect of the tax credits, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh. Republicans provided the decisive votes.

Alabama Schools Get Authority To Hire Security

The Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:24:56 +0000

The Alabama Legislature has authorized city and county school systems to hire armed security guards to protect students.

The Senate voted 21-0 Monday to go along with changes the House made to a school security bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Dick Brewbaker of Montgomery. The bill now goes to the governor for review.

Bond Issue Approved For Alabama Schools

The Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:19:13 +0000

The Alabama Legislature has approved selling bonds to borrow $30 million to repair tornado-damaged schools.

The Senate voted 26-6 Monday afternoon to give final passage to the bond legislation. The bill now goes to the governor for his review.

Alabama Democrats Fail In Expanding Medicaid

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:43:40 +0000

Democrats in the Alabama Legislature failed to achieve their top goal for the 2013 session.

When the session began in February, Democratic legislators said their No. 1 goal was expanding Alabama's Medicaid program under the federal Affordable Care Act. But they conceded on the session's last day Monday that their goal had failed. A bill to expand the program drew opposition from Gov. Robert Bentley and never went anywhere.

The leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus, Vivian Davis Figures of Mobile, said an expansion could have provided health care to 300,000 Alabamians.

Alabama House Rejects Bentley's 2-Year-Delay On Tax Credits

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:28:55 +0000

The Alabama House has rejected Gov. Robert Bentley's proposal to delay private school tax credits for two years.

The House voted 57-10 Monday to reject the governor's proposal. Now the proposal goes to the Senate on the last meeting day of the legislative session.

The new Alabama Accountability Act provides state tax credits of about $3,500 for parents who enroll a child in a private school or non-failing public school rather than a public school rated as failing.

Dothan Museum Hosts Exhibit of World War II Images

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:23:16 +0000

A new exhibit at a southeast Alabama museum includes dozens of photographs from World War II.

The exhibit, "Memories of World War II Photographs from the Archives of The Associated Press," will be on display at the Wiregrass Museum in Dothan now through July 14.

The Dothan Eagle reports (http://bit.ly/14nBr1z) that the museum becomes one of more than 20 museums throughout the U.S. that have shown the exhibit since it originally opened to the public on May 24, 2004, at Washington's Union Station.

Ala. Community Colleges Expanding Business Courses

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:16:36 +0000

Alabama community colleges are expanding their course offerings that prepare students to start and run their own businesses.

Al.com reports (http://bit.ly/10MrpTO ) the Alabama Community College System plans to add classes in entrepreneurship and support programs. Gadsden State Community College this semester rolled out an entrepreneurship program to train students how to deal with common financial and marketing issues.

'Duck Dynasty' Stars to Appear at Auburn Event

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:12:52 +0000

Two stars from the popular reality show "Duck Dynasty" are planning to attend an event in Auburn.

The Opelika-Auburn News reports (http://bit.ly/11QbYRb) that Silas "Uncle Si" Robertson and Alan Robertson, both from the A&E cable show, are among celebrities set to appear at the Aug. 24 event at Auburn Arena.

Tickets for the event are being sold through Youth First and Youth for Christ in Auburn, with proceeds from the event going toward Youth for Christ.

Alabama Legislature Returns for Last Day

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:28:04 +0000

Alabama legislators are getting ready for the final day of their 2013 session.

The Legislature convenes at 9 a.m. Monday. Both chambers will have to decide whether to accept or reject the governor's proposal to delay tax credits for private school attendance for two years.

Pending in the House is a bill that would allow workers to keep guns locked in their vehicles while on the job. The House could also consider a bill requiring drug testing for welfare applicants if they have had a drug conviction in the last five years.

Alabama to Practice Hurricane Traffic Reversal

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:35:51 +0000

Motorist traveling along Interstate 65 between Baldwin County and Montgomery on Wednesday afternoon will see plenty of state troopers, National Guard personnel and state Transportation Department workers.

Transportation officials say they will be conducting their annual exercise to simulate reversing traffic on I-65 so that all four lanes are headed north to allow evacuation from the Alabama coast. State personnel have been conducting annual practice sessions since 2000, and they've used the plan to evacuate the coast for Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Dennis in 2005.

Eufaula Restaurant Wins Alabama BBQ Sauce Contest

The Associated Press — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:50:00 +0000

A restaurant from Eufaula has won Alabama's BBQ Sauce-Off Championship.

A panel of judges picked Phil's BBQ as the best sauce during a tasting Saturday in Birmingham. Phil's was one of four regional winners that ended up in the state contest organized by the Alabama Tourism Department.

Contest Coordinator Brian Jones said Alabama has a great barbecue culture and the Tourism Department is highlighting it during its Year of Alabama Food promotion.

Residents Opposing Lookout Mountain Wind Farm

The Associated Press — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:44:50 +0000

Some residents near a proposed wind farm on Lookout Mountain are getting organized to oppose the project.

The Gadsden Times (http://bit.ly/189DqYI ) reports that about 35 residents met Saturday to share their opinions about the project planned by Pioneer Green Energy of Austin, Texas.

Resident Brandon Balenger said the project shouldn't be so close to people who live at the base of the mountain. Chris Lipscomb said his house is about 1,900 feet from the project, and he expects it to cut his home value in half.

Mercedes-Benz Club Holds Annual Event in Alabama

The Associated Press — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:40:47 +0000

Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts and technical experts from across the U.S. are meeting in Alabama.

The Tuscaloosa News reports (http://bit.ly/18Thpic ) the Mercedes-Benz Club of America chose Alabama for its StarTech 2013 event, which brings together experts in Mercedes restoration, maintenance and performance for seminars and workshops. The four-day event began this weekend and runs through Tuesday.

Ala. Governor Seeks Votes on Delaying Tax Credits

The Associated Press — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:02:29 +0000

Gov. Robert Bentley is spending the weekend trying to round up legislative support for his proposal to delay Alabama's new private school tax credits for two years.

Bentley spoke Saturday at the Alabama League of Municipalities convention in Montgomery and urged several hundred city officials to contact their legislators before the Legislature's last meeting day on Monday. Bentley said he's also contacting legislators by letter and in person.

Outdoor Athletes Converge on Ala Park for Race

The Associated Press — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:28:53 +0000

Hundreds of athletes are converging on Alabama's largest state park for a major competition this weekend.

About 1,000 pro and amateur athletes will be at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham beginning Saturday for the XTERRA Southeast Championship.

The triathlon includes a one-mile swim, a 20-mile mountain bike ride and a 10k off-road run through woods just a few miles south of Birmingham.

This is the eighth straight year the regional competition has been held at Oak Mountain, which is considered one of the top mountain-biking destinations in the nation.