Investigators from Washington say a leaking natural gas pipe likely caused a deadly explosion in Birmingham three years ago. The blast at the Charles P. Marks Village in Birmingham's Gate City neighborhood was caused by a large crack in a sixty two year old cast iron pipe. The explosion killed one man and injured several others. Investigators think leaking gas built up in an apartment until a pilot light set it off. The NTSB says soil around the cracked pipe absorbed the rotten egg smell that typically warns bystanders of a natural gas leak.
Governor Robert Bentley’s top aid has resigned and. A statement released by the governor's office confirmed Rebekah Mason is stepping down amid controversy that she and Bentley had an affair while in office. APR’s MacKenzie Bates reports the governor’s impeachment may be next …
Bentley was recorded making sexual comments to Mason during a phone call two years ago. Bentley has denied ever having an affair with Mason. Representative Ed Henry intends to carry articles of impeachment for the removal of the Governor from office. Henry says he will bring the resolution and hopes to have it ready when lawmakers reconvene in Montgomery next Tuesday. Democratic Representative Craig Ford is the house minority leader. He says he will co-sign on Henry’s resolution …
“You know, for the Republican Party, Governor Bentley is their posterchild and I’m encouraged to see that and I look forward to supporting them in that endeavor and we’ll help them in any way possible.”
Ford says Bentley has lied to the people of Alabama and should resign. Bentley has said he has no intention of stepping down.
Starting this summer, Alabama’s craft beer customers will be able to place their orders to go. Governor Robert Bentley signed a bill into law last week that will allow small breweries in Alabama to sell their beer directly to customers for off-site consumption. Starting in June, craft beer makers can let patrons fill up and take home growlers, or sell up to a case of canned or bottled beer. Bo Hicks is owner of the Druid City Brewing Company in Tuscaloosa. He says the new law will make it that much easier to turn prospective customers into fans.
“This allows us to have somebody that can come get a growler, see that they like it… They can come here, let us talk about it, let us tell what makes it different, what makes it unique, and then go out to any of the retail stores in the whole state and purchase our beer once they know that they like it.”
A report from Jacksonville State University estimates the change will create over 650 new jobs and over $100 million in revenue within five years. The law will go into effect June 1.
Alabama Middle schoolers interested in the environment have a deadline looming. Today is the last day to sign up for the Mobile Bay Estuary Corps. The Alabama Coastal Foundation is teaming up with the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to offer the three day session for sixth and seventh graders. The class includes hands-on instruction from experts in ecology, environmental planning, and sustainable design, among other topics. Students will also tour Mobile’s recycling center and the local Estuarium.
