August 17 Morning Newscast
August 17, 2012, Morning Newscast
Carol Garrison, President of the University of Alabama at Birmingham will step down.
In a statement, Garrison (photo above) thanked faculty, staff and students and says it has been an honor and privilege to serve as president of UAB. She writes that she will quote: “begin a new chapter in my life”. Garrison, was named president in July 2002, and came to UAB from the University of Louisville where she was acting president.
Garrison will continue serving until an interim president is named. The Birmingham News reports that according to UA System trustees, Ray Watts, vice president for medicine and dean of the UAB School of Medicine, is likely to be named interim UAB president, but no final decision has been made. The News also reports that trustee Paul Bryant Jr., has asked fellow trustee John McMahon to chair the search committee that will identify candidates to succeed Garrison.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is holding a public hearing about crackdowns on illegal immigration in Alabama and other states. The panel will meet in Birmingham on Friday to hear from both supporters and opponents of the laws. Speakers include Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who’s pushed for such measures nationwide, and Republican state Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale, a sponsor of Alabama’s law. Critics of the measures are on the agenda, but they’re complaining that members of what they call hate groups are being allowed to participate. Alabama is among the states that have passed laws clamping down on illegal immigrants. The U.S. Supreme Court gutted parts of Arizona’s law, which is a national model, but other sections were allowed to stand.
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Federal railway officials are providing $100,000 to study the possibility of passenger train service linking Mobile, Montgomery and Birmingham.
The Federal Railroad Administration said Thursday it is earmarking the money in response to an application from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Amtrak used to run passenger trains linking the three cities, and the study will look at restoring the service. Amtrak’s Crescent route runs through Birmingham as it connects New Orleans and New York..
Crew of fatal US military crash included Alabama father recently deployed
The six U.S. service members who died in the crash of a U.S. military refueling aircraft included an Alabama father who had just been promoted and deployed. The U.S. government released the identities of the deceased service members Saturday.
Alabama poised to drastically overhaul utility regulation. Will it lower electric bills?
The Alabama Senate unanimously voted to expand the public service commission, and create a Secretary of Energy to address rising electricity prices. A bill in the House would go even further, requiring rate case hearings and limiting utility profits.
Musher from Alabama is going for back-to-back Iditarod wins
Riches and paid appearances haven’t followed Jessie Holmes since he won the world’s most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, last year. He doesn't mind.
Bill would move Alabama to closed primaries
Right now, any Alabama voter can participate in a primary election. Lawmakers in Montgomery took up a bill this week that would change that system.
Auburn football player uses NIL funds to open a community hub in Birmingham
Jourdin Crawford, a freshman defensive lineman at Auburn, used earnings from a Name, Image, and Likeness deal to give back to his hometown.
Ivey commutes death sentence of inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot
Charles “Sonny” Burton was sentenced to death for the killing of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. However, another man shot Battle when Burton had left the building.
