July 30 Morning Newscast

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2012/07/newspaper-412452_640.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:640;s:6:"height";i:426;s:4:"file";s:32:"2012/07/newspaper-412452_640.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:9:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"newspaper-412452_640-336x224.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:224;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"newspaper-412452_640-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"newspaper-412452_640-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"newspaper-412452_640-600x426.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:426;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"newspaper-412452_640-467x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:467;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"newspaper-412452_640-398x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:398;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"newspaper-412452_640-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"newspaper-412452_640-600x426.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:426;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"newspaper-412452_640-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:0;s:14:"optimized_size";i:0;s:7:"percent";i:0;}s:5:"sizes";a:1:{s:4:"full";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => already_optimized
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

)
1618583089 
1343606400

July 30, 2012 Morning Edition News

Starting Wednesday, texting, emailing and instant messaging while driving will be illegal in Alabama, with violators facing fines and possibly higher insurance rates. Republican Rep. Jim McClendon of Springville persuaded lawmakers to make Alabama the 38th state to ban the practice. The state Department of Public Safety reports that distraction from an electronic communication device caused more than 1,200 accidents in Alabama in 2010 and claimed five lives.


Birmingham officials say the city is uncovering violations after banning indoor smoking in public places. The new ordinance makes it illegal to smoke inside public establishments such as restaurants and bars. Smokers can light up if they move outside at least seven feet away from the building. City councilor Johnathan Austin tells WBMA-TV that officials have sent letters to a half-dozen restaurants and bars accused of not complying. Businesses caught violating the law can be fined and multiple violations can result in the loss of a business license.


Tuscaloosa County’s circuit judges and prosecutors say they’re withdrawing from sex abuse cases brought against the county’s former corrections director. Dan Boisot is charged with sodomy, sexual abuse and extortion in cases involving four alleged victims. He has yet to be arraigned in the case. The Tuscaloosa News reports that all four county judges and the district attorney’s office have now recused themselves from all proceedings involving Boisot, with whom they had a close working relationship. Walker County Circuit Judge Hoyt Elliot has been assigned to the case.


Wildlife officials are considering changing state rules that limit the catch of largemouth and Alabama spotted bass. Currently, the law only allows 13-15 inch catches. But officials are considering allowing fisherman to take “pan-size” fish less than 13 inches long and bass longer than 15 inches. The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries has been surveying fisherman at Smith Lake to determine the health and size of the largemouth and Alabama spotted bass population at the reservoir. They’ll present those survey results today.


A Birmingham native who had a half century long career in western and science fiction movies and television has died. R.G. Armstrong attended Howard College – now known as Samford University – before transferring to the University of North Carolina, where he earned a master of fine arts degree. In a 1975 interview with the Birmingham News Armstrong said, “Back then, coming from the steel mills like I did, you didn’t admit you wanted to be a writer. If you did, you were considered a sissy.” Armstrong’s acting career included television roles in Maverick, Bonanza and Gunsmoke as well as The Andy Griffith Show, The Fantasy Island, and Charlie’s Angels. His movies included El Dorado with John Wayne, Predator with Arnold Schwarzenegger and he played Pruneface in 1990’s “Dick Tracy”. R.G. Armstrong was 95 when he died at his Studio City, California home on Friday.

 

How food stamps could play a key role in fixing Jackson’s broken water system

JXN Water's affordability plan aims to raise much-needed revenue while offering discounts to customers in need, but it is currently tied up in court.

Alabama mine cited for federal safety violations since home explosion led to grandfather’s death, grandson’s injuries

Following a home explosion that killed one and critically injured another, residents want to know more about the mine under their community. So far, their questions have largely gone unanswered.

Crawfish prices are finally dropping, but farmers and fishers are still struggling

Last year’s devastating drought in Louisiana killed off large crops of crawfish, leading to a tough season for farmers, fishers and seafood lovers.

Lawmakers consider medical cannabis revamp

It’s been three years since Alabama lawmakers passed legislation establishing a system to govern medical cannabis in the state, yet not one prescription for the drug has been filled. The rollout has been delayed by lawsuits and conflict over the licensing process.

Man arrested in connection with device that exploded outside Alabama attorney general’s office

Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 26, of Irondale, Alabama, was arrested Wednesday on charges of malicious use of an explosive and possession of an unregistered destructive device, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

For some Gulf South schools, a March Madness loss can still be a win off the court

Making it into the NCAA Tournament can translate to boosts in student enrollment, athletic involvement, merchandise sales and more for participating schools.

More Government Coverage