Author: WAKA Action 8 News

Golden Apple: Shanda Brown

Our Golden Apple Award Winner this week comes from the Wilcox County School System. In her 12th year of teaching, 4th and 6th grade math teacher Shanda Brown is quick to point out why she is a teacher.  “I am a teacher because I have a passion for children and a passion for teaching and its in my DNA, it’s…

Fairview Ave Becoming Two Lanes, More Pedestrian-Friendly

Right now, Fairview Avenue is four lanes running from I-65 to the Cloverdale five-points area. Terry Sellers has lived on the street for 16 years and he knows all too well the headaches it can cause. “They are constantly coming by here 60-65 miles per hour. Nobody is doing 30-35 miles per hour,” said Sellers. The city wants to change…

Montgomery Woman Identified, Charged as Gantry Drive Shooter

Montgomery police have charged Asia Lawson, 24, in reference to a shooting into an unoccupied vehicle incident, that occurred on the night of March 17th, in the 5500 block of Gantry Drive. The initial investigation indicates the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute and Lawson was identified as the suspect. There were no injuries. Lawson was taken into custody by MPD…

Lawmakers Debate Bills as Final Days of Legislation Nears

Alabama lawmakers are headed into the final days of the 2018 session with key votes looming on proposals to allow some teachers to carry guns in school, changing the position of lieutenant governor and other bills. The House of Representatives on Tuesday will debate a bill to allow designated teachers, after undergoing training, to carry firearms in schools. The proposal…

Gov. Ivey Signs Bill for State’s First Tax Break Since 2006

Gov. Kay Ivey has signed into law a tax break bill that raises the threshold for claiming state income tax exemption. The act sponsored by state Sen. Del Marsh, a Republican, raises the income threshold from $20,000 to $23,000 for married couples filing jointly, heads of households, and single filers. For married individuals filing separately, it rises from $10,000 to…

Richardson Appeals to Alabama Supreme Court to Allow the Sale of Georgia Washington Middle School

Ed Richardson Interim State School Supt. Ed Richardson has appealed to the Alabama Supreme Court to allow the sale of Georgia Washington Middle School by Montgomery Public Schools to the town of Pike Road. The Montgomery Co. Circuit Court has blocked the sale in an order issued March 5.  The order also involved the closing and sale of other Montgomery…

Severe Storms, Tornadoes Possible Across Alabama Tonight

The Alabama News Network Weather Authority is tracking severe weather. All of Alabama has the chance for severe storms, high winds, hail and a few tornadoes throughout the evening and into early Tuesday. Right now in our area, it appears the main threat will come through 2 a.m. Tuesday. The timing may change based on the formation of the storms,…

Lee Stand-Out Named Gatorade Alabama Girls Basketball Player of the Year

In its 33rd year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, today announced Zipporah Broughton of Lee High School as its 2017-18 Gatorade Alabama Girls Basketball Player of the Year.  Broughton is the first Gatorade Alabama Girls Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from Lee High School. The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also…

Noon Update: Strong Storms Possible Later Today

The thinking is still in line with what we have been saying: A surface low is over the Oklahoma Panhandle. It will move eastward to southern Kentucky by this evening. A frontal boundary is situated over South Central Alabama. It will move northward this morning as a warm front in response to the surface low. South of the warm front,…

Local Fans React to March Madness

March Madness is here and fans say they are anxious to see what the tournament holds. For Auburn fans, the season has been a great one. “We’re really excited that we were there this year for the SEC Championship win and got to see them cut down the net. So we are really excited,” said Nicole Goff. And they were…