August 21 Morning Newscast

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A federal appeals court says the part of Alabama’s immigration law that ordered public schools to check the citizenship status of new students is unconstitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that the provision wrongly singles out children who are in the country illegally. Alabama was the only state that passed such a requirement. The 11th Circuit says a lower court should have blocked that part of the law. The court separately says Alabama police can continue checking immigration documents for people they stop. American Civil Liberties Union attorney Omar Jadwat says yesterday’s decisions, especially the one on schools, shoot down the idea of using the law as a way to comprehensively investigate and prosecute illegal immigrants. But Republican Governor Robert Bentley sees the rulings differently. He says the court upheld the “essence” of the law, which he says, is requiring people to be legal citizens if they live in Alabama. A group of protestors rallied yesterday at the federal courthouse in Tuscaloosa to express their opposition to the immigration law. They were part of a nationwide protest called “No Papers, No Fear.” Tuscaloosa police ordered them to leave the federal building because they did not have a permit to demonstrate in the area.

For WBHM’s extensive coverage of HB56, click here.


Some big names in the Birmingham business community have donated thousands of dollars to help U.S. Representative Spencer Bachus pay for his legal defense stemming from an ethics investigation. Documents obtained by the Birmingham News show 70 individuals, companies, associations and political action committees (most of them from Alabama) gave up to $5,000 each to Bachus’ legal defense fund between April and July. In late April the Office of Congressional Ethics cleared Bachus of allegations he used his official position to inform his personal investment decisions.


Former Secretary of State Nancy Worley goes on trial October 22 on charges related to her unsuccessful re-election campaign in 2006. Circuit Judge Truman Hobbs Jr. set the trial date after the Alabama Supreme Court declined to review Worley’s appeal Friday. Worley originally faced five felony charges and five misdemeanors for a campaign fundraising envelope and bumper sticker she sent five employees in her office in 2006. Hobbs threw out the felonies in 2007, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals reinstated them, and the Supreme Court declined to review the case by a 5-1 decision last week.


Jefferson County Circuit Judge Robert Vance Jr. has signed up to run as a Democrat for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. The Alabama Democratic Party disqualified its nominee, Pelham attorney Harry Lyon, last week over some statements he made. The party started seeking a replacement candidate yesterday. A party official said Vance signed up shortly after the party headquarters opened Monday morning. So far, he’s the only one to sign up. The deadline is Wednesday. If more than one candidate signs up, the State Democratic Executive Committee will pick a nominee. The new Democratic candidate will take on Republican Roy Moore in the general election Nov. 6.


Two state legislators say they will introduce a bill in the Legislature that allows local school boards to set start and stop dates for the school year in their systems. The bill by Republican Sen. Bill Holtzclaw of Madison and GOP Rep. Paul DeMarco of Homewood is being pre-filed this week. It would change a provision passed by lawmakers this year that requires the first day of school be no earlier than the Monday two weeks before Labor Day and the last day be no later than the Friday before Memorial Day. Supporters of the later start date say it extends the tourist season and boost tax collections. But Holtzclaw says it takes away control of the school calendar from local officials.

 

Baby Haggis is the new Moo Deng: A pygmy hippo is born in Edinburgh

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Edinburgh Zoo announced their own tiny pygmy hippo, named Haggis, was born Oct. 30. The newborn, female calf is "doing well," according to zoo staff.

The week of devastating floods that Spaniards will never forget

After a storm devastated parts of eastern Spain last week, survivors are becoming impatient at the steady government rescue efforts. On Sunday, it all went down in the town of Paiporta.

Stressed at work over the election? 3 ways to minimize political tension on the job

Political disagreements have sent workplace incivility to an all-time high this year, costing employers some $2 billion per day in lost productivity. Here’s how to cut down on watercooler fights over today’s election – and its aftermath. 

Figures and Dobson are in a heated battle for a redrawn Alabama House district

Democrat Shomari Figures, a former top aide to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, faces Republican Caroleene Dobson, an attorney and political newcomer, in the race for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District.

Here’s how NPR will report the 2024 election results

NPR relies on results and race calls from The Associated Press for presidential races, other federal elections and statewide contests.

A wild election is coming to a close — and no one is sure how it will end

From candidate swaps to assassination attempts, the final months of the campaign has been a whirlwind. Here's why the outcome is so consequential.

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