Mayor Langford Arrested
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford is free on bond after being arrested today on a 101 count federal indictment alleging conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns. He pleaded not guilty to what U-S Attorney Alice Martin says was a “classic pay to play scheme”. Langford allegedly accepted $235,000 in exchange for funneling millions of dollars of Jefferson County bond deals to Montgomery investment banker William Blount. Blount and lobbyist Al LaPierre also face charges. Birmingham City Councilwoman Valerie Abbott tells WBHM’s Tanya Ott it’s a sad day for the city.
Abbott says race could become a factor in Langford’s prosecution.
Judges to weigh request to put Alabama under preclearance for a future congressional map
Black voters and civil rights organizations, who successfully challenged Alabama’s congressional map, are asking a three-judge panel to require any new congressional maps drawn by state lawmakers to go through federal review before being implemented. The Alabama attorney general and the U.S. Department of Justice oppose the request.
Sumy, a center of Ukrainian culture, lives in the crosshairs of a new Russian offensive
The northern regional capital has become a frequent target of Russian drones, missiles and guided bombs. Now, Ukraine's top general says at least 50,000 Russian troops have massed across the border.
Part war propaganda, part comic strip, Bayeux Tapestry to return to U.K.
On a state visit, France's president announced the loan of the tapestry embroidered with scenes of the 1066 Norman invasion. It will return to the U.K. for the first time in more than 900 years.
State Department undergoes deep cuts in sweeping reorganization
The State Department is slashing hundreds of jobs in what's being called its biggest shake-up in decades — drawing sharp criticism from former diplomats who say the cuts risk gutting America's diplomatic muscle.
Next time you see a vulture picking over a carcass, say ‘thank you!’
Large scavengers like vultures and hyenas do an important job in protecting human health. But studies show these creatures are on the decline, allowing for the emergence of disease.
How 3 Muslim sisters helped change the rules of American women’s wrestling
Jamilah, Zaynah and Latifah McBryde grew up wrestling one another in Buffalo, N.Y. Coaches recognized their talent, but they couldn't wear the required wrestling singlet due to their faith.
