A probate judge in Alabama is asking the state's Supreme Court for a way out of issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Elmore County Probate Judge John Enslen filed a petition earlier this week saying the federal government should issue same-sex marriage licenses, not state or county offices. Enslen says the federal government is responsible for upholding and enforcing other laws created at the federal level.
The petition asks the court to order judges statewide not to issue same-sex marriage licenses or recognize any licenses that Enslen says have been issued in contradiction to the Alabama Constitution.
Enslen is also asking the state to declare it will only recognize same-sex marriage licenses if they have been issued by the federal government or by states that have their own gay marriage laws.
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this year effectively legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
The 44th Annual National Shrimp Festival gets underway this weekend on Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
Local restaurants set up booths for the event, as well as seafood vendors from around the region. The festival started in 1971 and continues to be a popular event attracting people from all over the country.
Matt Mogan is the Chairman of the National Shrimp Festival. He says the event is more than just shrimp.
“We have every year we put on music, we have arts and crafts, we have fine arts, and we have lots of good food right on the beach every year at the main beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama”
More than 250,000 people are expected to attend the festival over the course of four days. For more information, you can visit the Shrimp Festival website, MyShrimpFest.com.
It’s homecoming this weekend in Tuscaloosa as 8th ranked Alabama hosts Arkansas at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The Crimson Tide seems to have its groove back after a 28-point win at Georgia last week.
Coach Nick Saban says the 2-3 Razorbacks present a completely different challenge this week…
“They have 16 starters back. I know they’ve got a couple of receivers that are injured, but four of the offensive lineman, a really good running back in Alex Collins... Quarterback Brandon Allen has been starting now for three years and is a very, very good player.”
Alabama is going up against a Razorback defense that gives up less than 100 rushing yards per conference game and a little more than 22 points per contest. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN.
Three people were recently arrested and accused of trying to throw guns, drugs, and cell phones into an Alabama state prison.
Alabama Department of Corrections officials released a statement yesterday saying 19 year old Anthony Little and Drevan Jones of Birmingham, and 31-year-old Alexis McKnight of Birmingham are charged with promoting illegal prison contraband.
A St. Clair Correctional Facility officer saw a suspicious vehicle near a fence and saw someone throw an object over to the other side.
Officials found unmarked packages nearby containing various contraband items. The three were taken into custody as they attempted to flee the scene.
Corrections officials say the facility was placed on lockdown and the incident is under further investigation.