The Associated Press

Global bond rating agency Standard and Poor's has lowered the borrowing rate for the newly-created Central Alabama Water system.Concerns about the public utility's weakening liquidity, aging assets and substantial reorganization of management cited as some of the reasons.Earlier this week, the “CAW's” long-term rating was downgraded from Double-A to Double-A minus.S&P also warned of further cuts within 90 days, if financial transparency is not improved.

Governor Kay Ivey signed The Child Predator Death Penalty Act into law. The measure strengthens Alabama’s criminal penalties against those who are convicted of felony sexual crimes against a child. Crimes of first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, and first-degree sexual assault of victims under the age of 12 would automatically become punishable by death.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. A recent study ranks Alabama among the states with a lung cancer crisis in the U.S. Survivability statistics are only available for thirty nine states and Alabama is at the bottom. One area where the state is doing better is cancer screening where just over twenty percent of residents get checked.

It looks like Alabama cities like Tuscaloosa and Mobile may be getting a larger share of state internet sales taxes. Mayors Walt Maddox and Spiro Cheriogatis are among the city leaders who are dropping a class action lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Revenue has been dropped.

The Alabama Department of Human Resources has begun mailing out new chip-enabled EBT cards to SNAP benefit recipients.The upgraded cards offer enhanced security to block unauthorized out-of-state and online purchases.However, Alabama cardholders who wish to make such purchases can still do so by downloading the ConnectEBT Mobile App, visiting the ConnectEBT website or calling the EBT Customer Service phone number.

An Alabama circuit judge on Monday denied Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction, ending the 7-foot center's collegiate eligibility and his season with the Crimson Tide.

The “Dark Side” defense carried Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks to a Lombardi Trophy. Devon Witherspoon, Derick Hall, Byron Murphy and the rest of Mike Macdonald’s ferocious unit pummeled Drake Maye, and the Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13 on Sunday to win the franchise’s second Super Bowl. The win also means former members of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Josh Jobe, Jalen Milroe, Robbie Outz, and Jarren Reed will soon be sporting oversized rings

Labaron Philon Jr. tallied 25 points, six assists and five rebounds, Amari Allen added 17 points and six rebounds, and Alabama took down Auburn 96-92 on Saturday. Alabama basketball center Charles Bediako's lawsuit against the NCAA was in court for hearing one day before the Tide faced the Tigers.

At least three former members of the Alabama Crimson Tide will win Super Bowl rings on Sunday. Seven players who formerly worked with retired coach Nick Saban are now with the New England Patriots and the Seahawks. So, either Christian Barmore, Anfernee Jennings, and CJ Dippre (New England,) or Josh Jobe, Jalen Milroe, Robbie Outz, and Jarren Reed (Seattle,) will acquire new bling following the NFL Championship on Sunday. Jalen Hurts has been there.

Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey released an affidavit backing the NCAA in its eligibility case against Alabama’s Charles Bediako, who is playing in the SEC for the Crimson Tide over two years after signing an NBA two-way contract.