By WVUA 23 News Reporter Zoe Blair Alabama’s 2024 legislative session adjourned Thursday with one major thread left hanging: A comprehensive gambling bill once again falling shy of Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk. Odds of Ivey calling for a special session on the matter are next to zero, which means getting a lottery, sports betting or gambling of any kind in the state won’t be on the docket again until 2025 at the earliest. And that’s only if a bill makes it onto said docket. The state has been back and forth over lottery legislation for decades, with the closest-ever effort shut down by voters in 1999 ..read more

Good Friday afternoon!  With the rain and storms now well clear of the state, we have started our nice dry stretch of weather!  This evening we will see our temperatures drop down into the 60s by the late evening before dropping into the low and mid 50s by daybreak tomorrow.  A few of the rural areas up towards North Alabama might even drop down to 48-49 tonight!  On Saturday, we will see abundant sunshine with highs in the upper 70s to around 80 with a slight breeze out of the northwest.  We will drop back into the 50s once again Saturday night.  Your Mother’s ..read more

The man accused of killing Tuscaloosa native and Meridian Police Department Officer Kennis Croom in 2022 has agreed to a plea deal and will be sentenced May 22, Croom’s family members told WVUA 23 Friday. Dante Bender shot and killed Croom after he arrived at the scene of a separate shooting in which Bender was accused of shooting his then-fiancee. Croom is believed to have stopped Bender from harming four children who were also at the scene.   Categories: Crime, Local News Tags: kennis croom ..read more

Alabama A&M has officially made an $52 million offer to buy the Birmingham Southern College campus. If the offer is accepted, the college campus will operate as a stand-alone independent campus under A&M’s umbrella. This comes after Birmingham Southern decided in March to close their doors after operating in financial distress for more than a decade. -ls- **-**   Categories: Alabama News Tags: Alabama A&M, birmingham-southern college ..read more

Workers at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Vance are heading to the polls next week and deciding whether or not the plant will be joining the United Auto Workers. Voting is set to begin Monday afternoon and will continue through Friday, May 17, at the automotive facility. Ballots will be counted by the National Labor Relations Board Friday after polls close. -ls-       Categories: Local News Tags: mercedes-benz u.s. international, united auto workers ..read more

By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Tony Cortes Ever wanted to write a book and get it published? Some University of Alabama students are making it happen from the ground up, starting with a college-backed but student-led publishing house. Last month, Red Rook Press celebrated its second annual book release at Monarch Espresso Bar. The student-led book press released two novels, “Catfish Pond Woman” and “When the Flowers Breathe,” by UA undergrads alongside poetry collection “Bonfires & Other Vigils” by a Michigan grad student. “We’re, in many ways, the only one like it,” said UA Undergraduate Cr ..read more

Work-life balance has undergone a huge shift in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, said University Medical Center Clinical Psychologist Dr. John Burkhardt. Working from home became the new normal, but many working adults have since shifted back to being in the office 40 hours a week. “In the traditional model, you went to work and when you went home, you were away from everyone,” Burkhardt said. “But then you started working from home and you’d never done it before. Now, work and home blend together in this one continuous thing, and I think sometimes the balance is finding out the times where ..read more

By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Candace Johnson Alabama One credit union is extending its business with a new location in Demopolis. The grand opening event is set to take place on May 21 at 10 a.m. While the branch officially opened in April, the ribbon cutting ceremony still awaits. The ceremony will give attendees the chance to meet the Alabama One team alongside local leaders and learn about the resources the credit union provides. The leadership team consists of Bill Rickman, Jessica Kynard, and Pam Farmer. Rickman serves as the West Area Executive, Kynard serves as the Market Manager, and Fa ..read more

By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Josh Batchelor Most of Alabama’s public bodies of water, freshwater and saltwater, will be open on June 8 for Alabama residents and visitors to fish, regardless if they own a fishing license. As part of National Fishing and Boating Week, June 1 to June 9, Free Fishing Day allows people that haven’t fished to put their skills to the test. “Free Fishing Day is the perfect opportunity for anyone who has never experienced casting a line to give it a try,” Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), said. There ..read more

By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Josh Batchelor Jasper Mayor David O’Mary introduced an upcoming free, public Wi-Fi project titled Connected Jasper in May 2023. The project aims to provide economic opportunities to Jasper residents by aiding academic and business initiatives. “We’ve been working in this direction for the past seven years,” O’Mary said. “It’s going to be a real plus for retail sales in the area. Connected Jasper will also benefit many people that otherwise wouldn’t have access to Wi-Fi particularly the five housing complexes. It’s a major step for Jasper’s future in the 21st century ..read more