Alabama schools armed officers

Officials in northwest Alabama are getting ready to announce a one-of-a-kind school security program.

Democratic state Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow of Red Bay and Democratic Sen. Roger Beford of Russellville are planning a news conference Thursday with Franklin County school officials and law enforcement to announce a new school security plan that may include armed volunteers.

In a late night session, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a school safety bill that will allow city and county school systems to hire armed school security officers.

The bill by Republican Sen. Dick Brewbaker of Montgomery was crafted in response to the Sandy Hook school shootings. The House approved it 97-3.