August 3 Morning Newscast
August 3, 2012 Morning Edition News
A Jefferson County judge is extending two temporary injunctions forbidding the Birmingham Board of Education from taking any administrative moves to fire school superintendent Craig Witherspoon (above). After two days of sometime fiery testimony, Judge Houston Brown told the school board not to take any action on Witherspoon’s contract and not to interfere with the state takeover of the school system. Tom Stewart is the attorney for the Birmingham board of Education.
On the other side of the fight, attorney David Boyd represents the State Department of Education.
If the local board doesn’t submit a balanced, approved budget to the state by September 1st, the state – legally speaking – has no choice but to withhold funding, which in itself would shut down the system. That could also trigger a loss of federal funding. Judge Brown gave both sides till next Wednesday to turn in more briefs or evidence. He could issue a ruling on permanent injunctions very soon after. Brown has tried to move things along, since school is set to start August 20. We’ve got extensive coverage of this week’s court proceedings here.
Alabama education officials say they’ll ask the U.S. Department of Education for a waiver from one provision of the No Child Left Behind law. Deputy State Superintendent Sherrill Parris says they will ask the feds to wave the provision that requires all students perform at a proficient level in math and reading by 2014. Thirty-three other states have already received waivers. Alabama’s waiver request will be based on implementing a state-developed plan that calls for all high school graduates to be prepared to get a job or pass first-year courses in a university, community college or technical school without remediation.
A judge is delaying the last sentencing in Alabama’s gambling corruption case. Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Keith Watkins granted a request from former Country Crossing casino lobbyist Jennifer Pouncy to delay her sentencing from Aug. 29 to Sept. 26. She sought the delay to allow more time to study a presentencing report that’s due from federal probation officers by August 22. Pouncy has admitted offering bribes to legislators to support pro-gambling legislation. Country Crossing’s developer also pleaded guilty and received seven years. Another lobbyist and a state lawmakers were sentenced to five year.
The Alabama Department of Revenue says taxpayers should be on the lookout for an email scam that is using the department’s name. The emails say the taxpayer has been awarded gift cards or other prizes from the Department of Revenue. Revenue Commissioner Julie Magee says the department does not initiate communications with taxpayers through email.
Despite its lopsided loss to Alabama in last January’s BCS national title game, LSU will open the 2012 season ranked No. 1 in at least one poll. LSU sits atop the USA Today Top 25 coach’s poll released yesterday. Alabama is second and Southern California is third.
Dr. Peter Hotez takes the war against science very personally
In an interview about the new book he co-authored, Science Under Siege, Hotez talks about forces driving the anti-science movement, the risks it poses — and why he won't debate RFK Jr.
Trump says he’s fighting crime. Illinois Gov. Pritzker sees a power grab before 2026
Steve Inskeep speaks with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker about President Trump's threats to send National Guard troops to Chicago and the future of the Democratic Party.
Who is Lachlan Murdoch, the anointed media tycoon?
His position in leading News Corp. and Fox is now secure, as his father ends a dramatic succession battle. Lachlan grew up in New York City but has lived in Australia for much of his adult life.
You’re more likely to reach for that soda when it’s hot outside
People drink more sugary beverages when it's hot, researchers found, significantly increasing their sugar intake. That impact could grow as climate change raises the world's temperatures.
Trump’s control of the D.C. police is due to expire tonight. Then what?
Trump needs an extension from Congress to control D.C. police for more than 30 days. Some Republican lawmakers are focused on pursuing legislation that would exert power over D.C. in other ways.
33 million voters have been run through a Trump administration citizenship check
Tens of millions of voters have had their information run through the tool — a striking portion of the U.S. public, considering little has been made public about the tool's accuracy or data security.
