Democrats in the Alabama House have decided to fight new legislative districts in Washington rather than in the state. House Minority Leader Craig Ford of Gadsden said House Democrats have consulted with their attorneys and decided not to challenge the districts in state court. Instead, they will take their battle to the U.S. Justice Department.
Private Investigator
A Montgomery man accused of killing three people and wounding three others at a pool party in Auburn last month wants the state to pay for a private investigator to help him prepare his case. An attorney for 22-year-old Desmonte Leonard filed a request for the state to provide up to $7,500 dollars to hire an investigator because Leonard is indigent.
Voter ID
The head of the NAACP says the group's fight against Voter I.D. laws that have been passed in several states is similar to the great civil rights battles of the 1960s. Ben Jealous, the CEO and president of the National Association of Colored People, told delegates at the group's annual convention on Monday in Houston that these are quote, " Selma and Montgomery Times." Jealous was referring to historic civil rights confrontations in Alabama.
Public Meeting
The Montgomery Public School System will hold the first of three public meetings this evening at Carr Middle School. School officials want to hear the opinions of parents and others about the school system's five-year strategic plan. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. The other public meetings are July 19th at Dalraida Elementary School and July 24th at Carver High School.
ASU Enrollment
Alabama State University is wrapping up the first of several 2012 freshmen orientation programs today. Cherise Peters, enrollment management's associate provost and vice-president, says she is expecting record numbers. The provost and vice-president expects the freshman class enrollment to be nearly 1500 students.
Travel Writers
Seven food and travel writers from around the country are touring Montgomery's top restaurants and sites today as part of the "Year of Alabama Food" campaign. The six day tour include stops in Auburn and Mobile. The tour is sponsored by the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitor Bureau and the Alabama Tourism Department.