Air Quality Report: "A" for Montgomery, Elmore
The American Lung Association has issued an annual report on the air quality above America. In Alabama only a handful of counties have measuring equipment. Those…
News
Reaction to Harriet Tubman Going on New $20 Bill
[gtxvideo vid="ImDIa6lo" playlist="" pid="2gxTqEDg" thumb="http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/ImDIa6lo-120.jpg?cachebust=1461249628080" vtitle="$20 dollar bill"] She escaped slavery in 1849, then helped others to freedom through the Underground Railroad, later becoming a member of the Suffrage Movement. Harriet Tubman will now grace the 20 dollar bill. Most…
Hearings On Medicaid Warn About Potential Cuts
[gtxvideo vid="yCrBJO36" playlist="" pid="2gxTqEDg" thumb="http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/yCrBJO36-120.jpg?cachebust=1461250098782" vtitle="WAKA_2016_04_20_22_00_17"] Healthcare leaders say this upcoming budget will create drastic cuts to the state's healthcare system that could impact potentially 1 million Alabamians. This upcoming budget is $85 million short of what the agency says it…
Lawmakers Seek Committee to Vet Bentley Impeachment Merits
An Alabama legislator is seeking to create a new state committee that could vet the merits of impeaching Gov. Robert Bentley who last month admitted to making sexually charged remarks to a top female aide but denies a physical affair…
Cut Above the Rest Program Graduates Eighth Class
The newest class of 2016 is not your typical group of graduates. Instead of caps and gowns, these students walked across the stage in hard hats. Thanks to the Cut Above the Rest Training Facility, former inmates get a second…
Deputies Capture Wanted Fugitive in Dallas Co.
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- A wanted fugitive is captured by authorities in Dallas County. Capt. Mike Granthum says Bobby Walker, Junior is wanted for murder -- and attempted murder -- in Louisville, Kentucky. Granthum says he was caught by deputies…
Bill Passed Replacing Marriage Licenses with Contracts
An Alabama House committee has approved a bill that would replace state-signed marriage licenses with contracts in a bid to free probate judges from signing licenses for gay couples. The House Judiciary committee voted Wednesday for the bill, which passed…
Nationally Syndicated Columnist and Author Talks Economics at Troy University
[gtxvideo vid="eOOvG3GJ" playlist="" pid="2gxTqEDg" thumb="http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/eOOvG3GJ-120.jpg?cachebust=1461251644513" vtitle="WAKA_2016_04_20_18_06_07"] Students at Troy University say Dr. Walter Williams' lecture comes at a very timely moment for the world they live in as far as economics is concerned. "I'm here to sell our fellow Americans…
Bill to Use State's BP Oil Spill Money for Road Work Delayed
A House budget committee has delayed action on a bill to use part of the state's BP oil spill money for road projects. Committee members voted Wednesday to carry over the proposed constitutional amendment. The bill would have steered the…
Inmate Stabbed at Elmore Correctional Facility
Authorities say an inmate is recovering after having been stabbed in a fight with two other inmates inside the Elmore Correctional Facility. Alabama Department of Corrections spokesman Bob Horton confirmed the Tuesday stabbing. Horton says the unidentified injured inmate was treated…
Montgomery Promotes Healthy Living
[gtxvideo vid="cI4E2p5Z" playlist="" pid="2gxTqEDg" thumb="http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/cI4E2p5Z-120.jpg?cachebust=1461190910743" vtitle="lunch walk"] Statistics show that over 33 percent of Alabamians are overweight. It's one of the many reasons why the city of Montgomery is looking to help change that by bringing a national event to the…
Harriet Tubman Will Become First Woman on U.S. Currency
A Treasury official says Secretary Jacob Lew has decided to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, making her the first woman on U.S. paper currency in 100 years. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of…
Busy Day for Alabama Lawmakers
Alabama lawmakers have a busy day ahead as they hit the homestretch of the session. Committees have scheduled Wednesday votes on a number of key bills. The House budget committee will consider Gov. Robert Bentley's proposed $800 million prison construction…
About 200 Local Teens to Attend 'Ford Driving Skills for Life' Event
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs has teamed up with Ford Motor Co. and the Governor’s Highway Safety Association to bring the Ford Driving Skills for Life event to Montgomery’s Paterson Field tomorrow, April 21. With additional registrations this…
Thieves Target Hunting Camps
With hunting season winding down, authorities are warning people to remove their valuables from their hunting camps. Autauga County Sheriff Joe Sedinger says that hunting camps are perfect targets for thieves because the camps are in rural areas and are…
Columbus H.S. Coach Killed in Hit and Run
COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) - Police in Columbus, Georgia, are looking for a driver who ran away from a crash scene after a wreck that killed a high school baseball coach. Police say a stolen Audi collided with a car driven…
IRS Scam Targeting Senior Citizens
[gtxvideo vid="QRYhEPfn" playlist="" pid="2gxTqEDg" thumb="http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/QRYhEPfn-120.jpg?cachebust=1461165047786" vtitle="tax scam"] According to the IRS website, there is a 400 percent surge in phishing and malware incidents this tax season. Tax Revenue Commissioner Julie Magee says you need to be aware of anyone demanding…
VictoryLand Electronic Bingo Machine Bill Fails in Senate
Alabama senators have rejected a bill aimed at allowing electronic gambling machines at VictoryLand dog track. Democratic Sen. Billy Beasley was short of the votes needed Tuesday to bring the bill up for debate. The legislation sought to put in…
Greenville Zaxby's Construction on Hold
[gtxvideo vid="ucyWlIX0" playlist="" pid="2gxTqEDg" thumb="http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/ucyWlIX0-120.jpg?cachebust=1461166985091" vtitle="zaxbys greenville"] A Zaxby's restaurant was slated to move into the city of Greenville sometime during the summer of 2016, but construction issues have put the project on hold. "We thought we'd already be eating…
House of Representatives Approves Retirement Bill for New State Hires
A bill passed in the Alabama House of Representatives would automatically enroll new state employees in individual retirement accounts. The House on Tuesday voted 91 to 10 for the legislation, which would apply to new hires after Jan. 1. Republican…
Pike County School Officials Invest in New Facility for Academies and STEM Initiative
[gtxvideo vid="3C2FvaBP" playlist="" pid="2gxTqEDg" thumb="http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/3C2FvaBP-120.jpg?cachebust=1461105573067" vtitle="pike co academies building"] Pike County Schools Academies will soon be located under one roof. School officials are investing $1.7 million into a project that will allow for their own facility. It will be located…
Selma Nominated for Best Historic Small Town Contest
[gtxvideo vid="3ezlTqr2" playlist="" pid="2gxTqEDg" thumb="http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/3ezlTqr2-120.jpg?cachebust=1461167524854" vtitle="selmao best historic city"] From the West Alabama Newsroom-- The city of Selma is one of the nominees in an online contest to pick the Best Historic Small Town in the U-S -- and you…
Senate Increases Penalties for Violations of Young Drivers’ Licenses
Senator Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville) and Senator Dick Brewbaker (R-Pike Road) moved a bill through the Alabama Senate today to protect Alabama’s drivers by increasing the penalty for persons who use a Stage II driver’s license in violation of the law.…
Do"Nate" for Nate: Helping To Find Kidney Donation To Pay It Forward
[gtxvideo vid="CgVGkfBw" playlist="" pid="2gxTqEDg" thumb="http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/CgVGkfBw-120.jpg?cachebust=1461170083566" vtitle="kidney"] Jason Howard says for him to be able to enjoy a day like this is in large part thanks to family and friends, who stepped up almost two years ago to find him a…
Gov. Bentley Responds to Lawsuit Filed Against Him
Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday released a statement in response to a lawsuit filed today by former ALEA Secretary Spencer Collier. “Mr. Collier was terminated of his duties at ALEA for cause. Once the facts and circumstances become public, I am…
