Alabama is asking a judge to uphold the state’s practice of electing appellate judges by statewide vote, arguing party preference, and not racial prejudice, has created the current all-white courts. A federal judge will hear arguments next month in the 2016 lawsuit alleging the practice violates the Voting Rights Act. Plaintiffs are asking the judge to order Alabama to switch…
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has announced that an Italian auto supplier plans to expand its operations in Auburn. Ivey’s office says the $15 million expansion project at 2A USA in Auburn will create more than 50 jobs. The facility is a Tier 1 supplier to major producers of automobiles and heavy trucks. Ivey’s office said 2A’s parent company is Italy’s…
A single-vehicle crash at 1 p.m. Monday, July 22, has claimed the life of a Grady man. Willie Still Jr., 38, was killed when the 2003 Lexus GS300 he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree. Still was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred on Alabama 94 near mile marker 17. Nothing further is available as…
International grocery chain Aldi is making preparations to open its first store in Montgomery on August 1. The store is being built on Eastern Boulevard, next to Best Buy and Petco. The Montgomery store is part of a $3.4 billion investment to expand to 2,500 stores nationwide by the end of 2022. Aldi opened a store in Prattville last year….
RARE SUMMERTIME FRONT TODAY: We start the day off with scattered showers ongoing, but as we head through the day and into the afternoon hours, widespread and numerous showers and storms are expected as daytime heating builds instability. Severe storms are not expected, but storms could be strong with gusty winds, lots of lightning and heavy rainfall. Though most locations…
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey convened a new criminal justice commission as the state tries to avoid a Department of Justice lawsuit over prison conditions. Ivey said Monday that the Governor’s Study Group on Criminal Justice will study possible solutions for the state’s longstanding prison problems. The group will gather data on sentencing laws, recidivism and policies. The panel met for…
The school accrediting agency AdvancED has presented an updated report to the Montgomery County school board. That report shows the school system is making improvements in its ongoing accreditation process. School system officials say an initial review in March 2018 showed eight of the nine areas below standards. Today’s report showed five of the nine areas meeting standards. Four others…
On July 21, at approximately 9:10 pm, officers with the Prattville Police Department responded to the area of Cobbs Ford Road and Old Farm Lane in reference to an assault call stemming from a “road rage” incident. It was determined that a woman driving a 2017 yellow Chevrolet Camaro got into a verbal altercation with a male subject driving a…
The Montgomery Public Schools Transportation Hotline is now open. Parents can call 334-223-6900 to find out bus numbers, pick up times and other information for MPS students. There is also an email address where parents can send their questions: transportationinfo@mps.k12.al.us. Transportation Director Brian Thornton encourages parents to contact the transportation department before school begins. “It is very important that parents…
An Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) K9 has died from complications after becoming ill during a contraband search operation at the Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore County on Thursday, July 18. The Corrections K9, “Jake”, was taken from Staton to an area veterinary hospital, and then transported to the Auburn University Veterinary Clinic where he was treated. Jake’s handler, Sgt. Quinton…
