Author: WAKA Action 8 News

Trump Lashes Out at Jones, Predicts GOP Senate Victory

President Donald Trump is predicting a GOP Senate victory in Alabama following Democrat Doug Jones’ vote to convict him. Trump in a Tweet on Sunday lashed out at Jones, calling him a lightweight and his vote partisan. The president said it was so good to see that Republicans will be winning the Senate seat back. Lizzie Grams, a spokeswoman for…

Investigators will Look at Window Bars in Mississippi Fire

CLINTON, Miss. (AP) – A city spokesman says fire officials will investigate whether bars on the windows of a central Mississippi home prevented a mother and her six children from escaping a fire. The bars were intended to keep burglars out. Clinton City spokesman Mark Jones told news outlets that investigators will also be looking for smoke alarms at the…

Outrage After Gunman Ambushes NYC Police Twice in 12 Hours

NEW YORK (AP) – Leaders in New York City are blaming an ambush on police officers there on an atmosphere of anti-police rhetoric. The gunman was taken into custody Sunday after attacks that morning and the night before wounded two officers. Police Commissioner Dermot Shea lashed out at activists who have held demonstrations against excessive force by police in recent…

Center ‘Sanitized, Cleaned, Scrubbed’ after Illnesses

BILOXI, Miss. (AP) – The director of a coastal Mississippi convention center says an area of the building has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected following reports of illnesses among groups that had events there. Gulf coast news outlets report dozens of people who attended a Mardi Gras Ball at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center last weekend reported gastro-intestinal problems. People…

UPDATE: Suspect in Custody after Shooting at Officers and Barricading Inside Motel Room

UPDATE:  A man is in custody after police say he shot at officers then barricaded himself in a motel room on Airbase Boulevard. According to Sgt. David Hicks with the Montgomery Police Department, at about 2:48 a.m. Sunday morning officers took the suspect into custody peacefully, without injuries to either officers or the suspect. The suspect was taken to a…

Group Plans Selma-to-Montgomery Bike Ride for Civil Rights

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Bicyclists are planning a ride from the west Alabama city of Selma to Montgomery to commemorate a landmark civil rights event. The Montgomery Bicycle Club will stage a Selma-to-Montgomery bicycle ride on Feb. 22 along the same route that voting rights demonstrators led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. walked in 1965. Nearly 500 riders…

BREAKING: Shots Fired at Officers on Airbase Boulevard

A heavy police presence has been reported on Airbase Boulevard in Montgomery. According to Sgt. David Hicks with the Montgomery Police Department, officers responded to the 400 block of Airbase Boulevard in reference to a dispute around 9 p.m. Upon arrival units located the suspect which was an adult male. The suspect fired at officers and immediately retreated to his…

FDA Crackdown on Vaping Flavors has Blind Spot: Disposables

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. government has started enforcing new restrictions on flavored electronic cigarettes. But some teenagers may be one step ahead of them. Parents, students and researchers report that some young people have switched to disposable e-cigarettes, which are not covered by the crackdown on flavors. The newer products are sold under brands like Puff Bar and Stig…

China Reports Virus Death Toll Rises to 811, Surpassing SARS

BEIJING (AP) – Mainland China has reported the virus death toll has risen to 811, surpassing SARS fatalities in the 2002-2003 outbreak. China’s National Health Commission on Sunday says the total cases of the new virus have increased to to 37,198. The outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, killed 774 people and infected more than 8,000 worldwide. Like…

Funeral Announced for Slain Alabama Officer

WARRIOR, Ala. (AP) – Funeral plans have been announced for an Alabama police officer who was fatally shot during a vehicle pursuit. Kimberly Mayor Bob Ellerbrock says Kimberly Police Officer Nick O’Rear was assisting officers from another department on Tuesday when the driver who was fleeing shot him. He was pronounced dead Wednesday. A funeral for O’Rear will be held…