Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed legislation Tuesday to allow visiting judges to be brought in to handle violent criminal cases to get them to trial more quickly. The law known as the Speedy Trial Act allows the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court to appoint a sitting or retired judge to preside over a specific case or cases involving a violent offense

The Justice Department is ramping up its efforts to reduce violent crime in the U.S., launching a specialized gun intelligence center in Chicago and expanding task forces to curb carjackings. Alabama will be part of that effort.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — No charges are planned after a woman died following a visit to an Alabama abortion clinic. The Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes…