Author: WAKA Action 8 News

Montgomery Fire/ Rescue Investigates Early Morning House Fire

Early Monday morning at 1:59 Montgomery Fire/ Rescue units responded to a fire in the 700 block of Erskine Street. Upon arrival, units found a single-story home with visible smoke and flames. The fire was contained with extensive smoke damage throughout. No one was at the residence during the time of the fire or when the rescue crews arrived. The…

Biden expected to nominate Blinken as secretary of state

President-elect Joe Biden speaks at The Queen theater, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) WASHINGTON (AP) – A longtime national security aide to President-elect Joe Biden is expected to become Biden’s nominee for secretary of state. Multiple people familiar with the Biden team’s planning told The Associated Press that Antony Blinken is at the front of…

AstraZeneca: COVID-19 Vaccine ‘Highly Effective’ Prevention

LONDON (AP) – AstraZeneca says late-stage trials of its COVID-19 vaccine developed with Oxford University were “highly effective” in preventing disease. The results are based on an interim analysis of trials in the U.K. and Brazil of the vaccine. Dr. Andrew Pollard said, “these findings show that we have an effective vaccine that will save many lives.” He said if…

Auburn University Names Student Center After Georgia justice

ATLANTA (AP) – Auburn University has renamed its student center after the chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, who was the school’s first Black student government president. The formal ceremony was held Friday to honor Harold D. Melton. A banner was unfurled at the top of the building revealing its new name. The Harold D. Melton Student Center is…

Alabama Attorney General Sues Over Confederate Statue Move

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has filed a court challenge over Madison County’s removal of a Confederate soldier statue at its courthouse. The Republican official announced the lawsuit Friday. He’s arguing the statue’s movement to a Huntsville cemetery violates a 2017 state law called the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act that is aimed at protecting Confederate monuments….

Alabama Retailers Have High Hopes Going into the Holiday Season During the Pandemic

  MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Many stores already are decorated for the Christmas shopping season and pushing holiday sales, and that could help Alabama retailers avoid a pandemic slump. A statement from the Alabama Retail Association says holiday sales are expected to hold steady or grow a little from 2019, which would be good news for stores as coronavirus cases…

Board to Certify Alabama Election Results on Monday

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama’s results from the Nov. 3 election will become official on Monday. The state canvassing board is set to meet at the Capitol Monday morning to certify results from each of Alabama’s 67 counties. The move will make President Donald Trump’s overwhelming victory in the state official over President-elect Joe Biden. It will also settle numerous…

Sunny, Cooler Monday; Active Weather Pattern Ahead

A cold front moved through the state overnight and has brought a cooler air mass into the state to start the week. We will see morning clouds, but should see plenty of afternoon sunshine with highs in the mid to upper 60s. A clear and chilly night ahead with lows around 40°. TOMORROW/WEDNESDAY: Tomorrow will be a pleasant day with…

Auburn Men’s Basketball will not compete in 2020-21 Postseason

AUBURN, Ala.—The Auburn men’s basketball program will forgo postseason competition for the upcoming 2020-2021 season. The NCAA and the SEC have been notified. The athletics department and university administration, in conjunction with Coach Bruce Pearl, made the decision after careful deliberation and in light of the ongoing matter that surfaced in fall 2017 regarding former assistant coach Chuck Person. Auburn…

Reed, Ross React to the Death of Former State Rep. Alvin Holmes

FILE – June 16, 2010 (AP Photo/Jamie Martin, File) Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Alabama State University President Quinton Ross have released statements remembering the life of former State Rep. Alvin Holmes of Montgomery. Holmes died at his home Saturday at the age of 81. From Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed: “Former Representative Alvin Holmes dedicated his life to being the…