Fresh Alabama oysters could soon be back on the menu

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Department of Public Health is reopening several areas for oyster harvesting. Officials said in a statement that Portersville Bay, Grand Bay and Heron Bay will reopen to oyster harvesting at 6 a.m. Monday. The department closed several areas in early April because of potential bacteriological contamination in several oyster beds after heavy rainfall. Department officials say they'll continue conducting safety checks in bay waters and on shellfish.