Author: WAKA Action 8 News

U.S. State Dept. Wants You to Reconsider Traveling Abroad

The Department of State wants U.S. residents to reconsider traveling outside of the country because of the coronavirus. It says travelers may experience border restrictions and quarantines. These conditions could arise with very little notice. For the latest information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website. Visit travel.state.gov to see travel advisories and updates on safety and…

U.S. Capitol Closing to Public Due to Coronavirus Concerns

Congress is shutting the Capitol and all House and Senate office buildings to the public until April in reaction to the spread of the coronavirus. The House and Senate sergeants at arms said in a statement that the closure will begin at 5 p.m. EDT today. Lawmakers, aides, journalists and official visitors will be allowed into the buildings. The statement…

Princess Cruises to Stop Operations for 60 Days Because of Coronavirus

Princess Cruises has announced, due to the coronavirus, it will voluntarily pause global operations of its 18 cruise ships for 60 days, affecting trips departing March 12 to May 10. Cruise ships have been particularly hard hit amid the new pandemic and have been turned away by dozens of ports and countries. The Diamond Princess cruise ship, which Japanese officials…

Warming Things Up

TODAY/TOMORROW: Today will be mainly dry with just a few showers possible and the sky will feature a mix of sun and clouds. Highs this afternoon, will be in the upper 70s to lower 80s. For Friday, we will increase our rain chances some as a surface front drops into the state from the north, but it then becomes stationary…

Former MPD Officer Aaron Cody Smith Released on Bond Pending Appeal

Aaron Cody Smith (Source: Dale County Sheriff’s Office) The former Montgomery police officer found guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of Greg Gunn in 2016 has been released on bond pending appeal. According to court documents, Aaron Cody Smith was released from the Limestone Correctional Facility Wednesday afternoon on a $300,000 appeal bond. Retired Circuit Judge P.B. McLauchlin stated…

AC Smith released on Bond, Pending Appeal

Aaron Cody Smith (Source: Dale County Sheriff’s Office) Former police officer Aaron Cody Smith was released from the Limestone Correctional Facility on a $300,000 bond while on appeal. On January 29th of this year, Smith was found guilty of manslaughter in connection with the 2016 death of Montgomery resident Greg Gunn.  He is required to wear an ankle monitor and is…

Montgomery Legislators React to Proposed Ad Valorem Tax

MPS officials say the school system is underfunded, and an increase in property taxes would solve the problems. At Tuesday night’s Montgomery School Board meeting, the board approved the hiring of lobbyist to push an ad valorem tax to legislatures. “We really need to at least bring this vote to the people and let them decide,” says Dr. Ann Roy…

Local Schools, Churches and Businesses taking Extra Precautions to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus

Currently, Alabama does not have a confirmed case of the coronavirus but health officials warn that it is only a matter of time. Local churches, schools and businesses are already taking precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. Montgomery Public School Superintendent Dr. Ann Roy Moore says the system has already sent letters home explaining precautions for parents and…