The state says 255 people killed on Alabama roadways last year weren't wearing seat belts.
Crash reports from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency shows 511 people died in wrecks investigated by state troopers.
Of those, 255 people weren't wearing seat belts. Troopers say 79 percent of the victims were in cars with seat belts but decided not to use them.
Trooper spokesman Steve Jarrett says people are dying needlessly because they choose not to wear seat belts.
Preliminary reports show the state has had 44 traffic deaths so far in 2015, and 29 of the victims weren't properly restrained.
Auburn is replacing the Toomer's Corner oak trees that were poisoned by a University of Alabama fan.
Workers began digging holes Friday for grown oak trees that will be placed at the edge of the Auburn University campus. The city has a live webcam where fans can watch the work.
Contractors will plant the trees Saturday. They'll be on the same corner where the previous oaks stood.
The new trees are coming from a farm in Georgia.
Alabama fan Harvey UpdykeJr. pleaded guilty to poisoning the original trees after the 2010 Iron Bowl.
Auburn fans traditionally roll Toomer's Corner with toilet paper after victories, but the university is asking them to stay away from the new trees until fall 2016 so they'll have time to take root.
Future Quentin Tarentinoes and Steven Speilbergs will get to learn about the film industry starting today. This year’s Black Warrior Film Festival in Tuscaloosa will feature lectures from three award-winning film makers.
The event will also include screenings of the movie Foxcatcher and the documentary The Great Invisible. Last year’s festival featured Ava DuVernay** who directed the movie Selma. Festival spokesman Conner Fox says her visit led to a big opportunity for budding film makers…
“As a result of her visiting campus and engaging with UA students and especially those in the telecommunication film department, she was able to include several UA students on her project, so a lot of them worked on the film with her.”
All events are free and will take place at the University of Alabama’s campus and downtown Tuscaloosa.