Many Unknowns Around Governor’s Call for a Lottery

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2016/07/lottery_money.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1024;s:6:"height";i:685;s:4:"file";s:25:"2016/07/lottery_money.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:12:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"lottery_money-336x225.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:225;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"lottery_money-771x516.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:516;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"lottery_money-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"lottery_money-768x514.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:514;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"lottery_money-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"lottery_money-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"lottery_money-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"lottery_money-465x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:465;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"lottery_money-396x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:396;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:25:"lottery_money-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:25:"lottery_money-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"lottery_money-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_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Lisa Brewster
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => flickr
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:461500;s:14:"optimized_size";i:234147;s:7:"percent";d:49.259999999999998;}s:5:"sizes";a:9:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:53:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/07/lottery_money.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:257347;s:14:"optimized_size";i:110700;s:7:"percent";d:56.979999999999997;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/07/lottery_money-140x140.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:7040;s:14:"optimized_size";i:5117;s:7:"percent";d:27.32;}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/07/lottery_money-336x225.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:17013;s:14:"optimized_size";i:11126;s:7:"percent";d:34.600000000000001;}s:5:"large";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/07/lottery_money-771x516.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:65671;s:14:"optimized_size";i:36532;s:7:"percent";d:44.369999999999997;}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/07/lottery_money-600x338.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:37180;s:14:"optimized_size";i:21488;s:7:"percent";d:42.210000000000001;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/07/lottery_money-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:20921;s:14:"optimized_size";i:13586;s:7:"percent";d:35.060000000000002;}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/07/lottery_money-465x311.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:28421;s:14:"optimized_size";i:16916;s:7:"percent";d:40.479999999999997;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/07/lottery_money-396x265.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:21949;s:14:"optimized_size";i:14317;s:7:"percent";d:34.770000000000003;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/07/lottery_money-125x125.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:5958;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4365;s:7:"percent";d:26.739999999999998;}}}
        )

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

)
1672117654 
1469691757

Proponents of a lottery in Alabama received a notable boost this week after Governor Robert Bentley announced he would call a special session on that issue. He wants lawmakers to pass a measure to create a lottery which would then have to be approved by voters. Bentley says it’s up to voters to decide but calls a lottery the best remaining way to deal with persistent budget crises. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald offers his take on the proposal.

Photo by Lisa Brewster

 

Top Instagram reels from Goats and Soda in 2025: Plumpy’Nut, aid cuts, soccer grannies

Our most-viewed Instagram videos include reports from a Rhode Island factory that makes special food for malnourished children and from a tournament for soccer-playing "grannies."

‘The Rest of Our Lives’ takes readers on a midlife crisis road trip

America's literary highways may be plenty crowded with middle-aged runaways fleeing lives that increasingly feel like a bad fit. But Ben Markovits adds a moving tale to the collection.

Hunker down with these 13 mysteries and thrillers from 2025

Mysteries and thrillers are enjoyable no matter the season, but there's something extra satisfying about curling up in the winter with a warm drink and an all-engrossing read. Here's what we suggest.

Should the U.S. model its vaccine policy on Denmark’s? Experts say we’re nothing alike

The Trump administration wants to revamp U.S. childhood vaccination recommendations to align with some other peer nations, including one tiny country in northern Europe.

Marijuana rescheduling would bring some immediate changes, but others will take time

President Trump set the process in motion to ease federal restrictions on marijuana. But his order doesn't automatically revoke laws targeting marijuana, which remains illegal to transport over state lines.

The cultural works becoming public domain in 2026, from Betty Boop to Nancy Drew

The original Betty Boop, the first four Nancy Drew books and Greta Garbo's first talkie are among the many works from 1930 that will be free to use, share and remake starting on Jan. 1.

More Front Page Coverage