BUDGET-COURTS
Ala. courts facing layoffs without extra money
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama's chief justice expects to lay off 150 employees after the state's new fiscal year starts Oct. 1 unless the court system gets more money than the Legislature appropriated.
Chief Justice Roy Moore says he's grateful that the General Fund signed by the governor on Monday increases the court system's appropriation by $5.6 million to $108 million for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1.
But he says that is $8.5 million short of what's needed to maintain the current staff.
The new budget includes a provision that allows the governor to release extra funding to some state programs if tax collections exceed expectations. It specifies that if he wants to release any money, he must give $8.5 million to the courts first.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Ballot question could add foreign law protections
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - In a swift-moving late-night session, the Alabama Legislature approved a bill that will put a Constitutional amendment in the hands of the voters.
If passed, the amendment would prohibit the state from recognizing laws of other states in making legal decisions if they violate the public policy of Alabama. Further, it would prohibit applying foreign law in violation of the rights of citizens.
Previous versions of the bill failed. This time around, there was no direct mention of Shariah law, but legislators were aware of prior attempts by sponsor Sen. Gerald Allen, a Republican from Cottondale, to ban the use of Islamic law in Alabama courts.
The House, under pressure to act on local legislation in the last minutes of the Session, heard no discussion of the bill.
AUBURN SHOOTINGS
Judge sets date for hearing for Desmonte Leonard
OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) - A Lee County judge has scheduled a hearing for a man accused of killing three people at an Auburn apartment complex last year.
Circuit Judge Jacob A. Walker set the date for the hearing for 23-year-old Desmonte Leonard for 2 p.m. Oct. 15 in Lee County Court.
The Opelika-Auburn News reported that one aspect of the hearing would be Walker saying that both sides have indicated that the case is not yet ready for trial.
Leonard's defense attorneys have asked that he be allowed to visit the scene of the June 9, 2012 shootings at the University Heights Apartments in Auburn.
District Attorney Robbie Treese has opposed the motion. He said the visit would cause unwanted publicity that could be used by defense attorneys to move the site of the trial.
SESSION RECAP
Ala. legislators' view of session depends on party
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The description of the Legislature's 2013 session depends on a legislator's party label.
The Senate's Republican leader, President Pro Tem Del Marsh, of Anniston called it the best session since Republicans gained a majority in the 2010 election. Republicans passed the Alabama Accountability Act, loosened restrictions on guns, started the consolidation of state law enforcement agencies, and kept a promise to commit to the repayment of money removed for the Alabama Trust Fund.
The Senate's Democratic minority leader, Vivian Davis Figures, called it the worst session of her legislative career. Democrats failed to pass their top priority, which was expanding the state Medicaid program under the federal Affordable Care Act. Marsh said the Republican majority is opposed to enlarging the role of government.
The session ended at midnight Monday.
MONTGOMERY LOFTS
Builders preserve Montgomery building's past
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Builders are putting the final touches on a three-story loft project in downtown Montgomery, and they are highlighting the 1907 building's historic past.
The Montgomery Advertiser reports that the Printing Press Lofts downtown contain so many artifacts that some parts could be mistaken for a museum.
Modern newspapers and turn-of-the-century documents will line the entranceway, tracing its original purpose as the home of a printing press for the Alabama Journal.
Beau Daniel of Foshee Management said descendants of original building owner Adolph Roemer have donated so many period documents that they may spill over to multiple floors.
A newspaper scale that was found in the basement now stands near the elevator and, like the other antiques, will have a placard explaining it.
CAR PLUNGES INTO LAKE
Woman who drove car into lake dies at hospital
HOOVER, Ala. (AP) - Authorities say a woman who drove her car into a lake near Birmingham has died.
Hoover police say 68-year-old Deanna Owen Shumate was taken to a hospital after driving her car into Star Lake on Friday night.
Investigators tell WBRC-TV (http://bit.ly/19Ye9jf) that Shumate had attended her 50th class reunion at the Hoover Country Club shortly before the accident. She graduated from Ensley High School in 1963.
Two teenagers said they jumped into the water and swam to her car, but it was under water by the time they reached it. The boys, both 16, said they were unable to break the windows to get to the woman, but kept diving anyway so they could tell rescuers where the vehicle was.
Shumate's funeral is planned for Friday in Conway, Ark.
SEC-KENTUCKY-MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi beats Kentucky 4-1 in SEC tournament
HOOVER, Ala. (AP) - Mike Mayers gave up just one unearned run over 6 1/3 innings to lead Mississippi past Kentucky 4-1 in the opening round of the Southeastern Conference tournament on Tuesday.
Mayers (5-5) scattered six hits and walked one while striking out four. Tanner Bailey threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn his fourth save of the season.
Ole Miss jumped ahead 1-0 in the first inning on Andrew Mistone's sacrifice fly that scored Austin Anderson. The Rebels broke the game open with two runs in the sixth after run-scoring singles by Auston Bousfield and Will Allen.
Kentucky had eight hits, but only one for extra bases. Jerad Grundy (6-6) took the loss, giving up four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Ole Miss (37-20) advances to face Arkansas in the second round on Wednesday. Kentucky (30-25) was eliminated under the tournament's new single-elimination format in the opening round.
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