ALEA

Birmingham couple charged in the slaying of Moody police officer

A Birmingham couple — Marquisha Tyson, age 28, and Tapero Johnson, age 27 — have both been charged with capital murder in the June 2 slaying of Moody Police Lt. Stephen Williams last week at the Super 8 Motel in Moody. Authorities did not release a motive for the murder on Friday when members of … Continued

June 8, 2020

Arrangements set for fallen Moody police Sgt. Stephen Williams

The funeral arrangements have been set for fallen Moody Police officer Sgt. Stephen Williams. Sergeant Williams was shot responding to a call at the Super 8 Motel on Highway 411 late on Tuesday night. He and a police trainee were taking a barrage of gunfire almost immediately after arriving on the scene. Williams was struck … Continued

June 5, 2020

Moody police officer shot and killed in the line of duty

Moody Police Sergeant Stephen Williams was shot and killed Tuesday in the line of duty at the Super 8 Motel on Highway 411, multiple news outlets have reported. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statement in response to the officer’s death. “I am deeply saddened to hear Sergeant Stephen Williams was killed in the line … Continued

June 3, 2020

Proposed 2021 General Fund budget has $167 million increase

The Alabama legislature returns to Montgomery Monday to finish the 2020 regular legislative session and work on the state General Fund and Education Trust Fund budgets. The first item to be considered will be the SGF. The 2020 SGF budget was $2,222 million. The proposed 2021 budget is $2,389 million — a $167.3 million increase … Continued

May 4, 2020

Economic downturn sees uptick in possible sex trafficking recruitment

Tuesday, the Child Trafficking Solutions Project and the Children’s Policy Cooperative of Jefferson County issued a statement warning that there is a noticeable increase in Craigslist postings for possible human trafficking purposes due to the coronavirus economic impact. “If you see any such postings on Craigslist or any social media sites, please screen shot and … Continued

March 25, 2020

House passes wiretapping bill

Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation allowing local law enforcement to get a warrant for electronic eavesdropping on suspected drug trafficker’s phone, email, fax, internet and other electronic communications. House Bill 14 is sponsored by State Representative Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville). Reynolds said that the law enforcement agency would need to get the application … Continued

March 4, 2020

Sheriffs want a database with all concealed carry permits

Monday the Alabama Sheriff’s Association announced their support for a bill that would create a statewide repository of information about concealed carry permits and would allow officers to check the validity of a concealed carry permit. House Bill 308 is sponsored by State Representative Shane Stringer (R-Mobile). “In the past 13 months, Alabamians have encountered … Continued

February 25, 2020

McCutcheon not optimistic about passage of “constitutional carry” legislation

Alabama House Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, discussed gun legislation that could appear before the House of Representatives this year. In past sessions, constitutional carry legislation has made it out of the Alabama Senate, but stalls in the House. This year, Rep. Andrew Sorrell, R-Muscle Shoals, is carrying the bill in the House. APR asked McCutcheon whether … Continued

February 18, 2020

NRA supports streamlined concealed carry permits bill

Wednesday, State Senator Randy Price (R-Opelika) and State Representative Proncey Robertson (R-Mt. Hope) pre-filed a bill that would establish a cohesive and statewide management level process for administering and managing concealed weapons permits in the state of Alabama. The National Rifle Association has endorsed this legislation. “As retired police officer I know firsthand what law … Continued

January 23, 2020

Cannabis, like alcohol, should be legalized, taxed and regulated

State legislators will likely soon consider bills establishing a new state agency to improve Public Health by establishing the Compassion Act, creating an Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, and amending ancillary law. I wholeheartedly approve such efforts, yet that wasn’t always the case. Years of waffling whether cannabis had any value whatsoever troubled me professionally. It … Continued

December 23, 2019