Author: WAKA Action 8 News

Unemployment Rate Drops to 6 Percent

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama’s unemployment rate has dropped to 6 percent, but it remains above the national average. Gov. Robert Bentley on Tuesday announced that Alabama’s rate declined from 6.1 percent in December to 6.0 percent in January. The national rate in January was 5.7 percent. The governor said the Alabama figure marks 14 months with no increase in…

Senate Committee to Vote on Prison Changes

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Prison reform legislation has cleared its first legislative hurdle. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bill Tuesday. Much of the proposal is aimed at diverting low-level property and drug offenders away from prison. The bill creates a new Class D felony category for lower level drug and property crimes. People convicted of those crimes would not…

Child Dead After Early Morning Fire

A Montgomery child is dead after a early morning house fire. Montgomery Fire/Rescue responded to house fire.  The fire broke out  at 4383 Sunshine Drive approximately 7:00 a.m. While en route Montgomery Fire/Rescue was told that a resident may possibly was still inside the house. Fire units were able to gain entry and extinguish the fire, at which time they…