Alabama judges hope a federal court hearing today in Mobile clears up the confusion regarding same-sex marriage.
At least 22 of the state's 67 counties are issuing licenses for same-sex marriages, but the majority are not.
Chilton County Probate Judge Bobby Martin says it's been a difficult week due to the conflicting orders from federal courts and Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore.
Moore told Alabama probate judges they didn't have to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, despite a federal judge's ruling overturning the state's ban on gay marriage.
Martin issued one same-sex wedding license Monday, then stopped after reading Moore's order.
Martin and other judges hope the federal court hearing today in Mobile provides clarity.
Alabama’s hundred million dollar a year peanut crop is taking center stage today.
The 10th annual Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show in Dothan opens this morning. Peanut growers will hear from eighty exhibitors and get an update on the federal farm bill. Roughly half of the U.S. peanut crop grows within a one hundred mile radius of Dothan.
Teresa Mays is with the Alabama Peanut Producers Association. She says the event helps peanut growers get ready for the new planting season.
“We hope that they will walk away with more education in their pocket. We trust that each one there will have a better sense of what they need to do for this coming year.”
Mays added that though harvests vary from year to year, the trade show could help farmers get the tools to have a more successful harvest.
The agency that publicizes the Muscle Shoals area is looking for a new leader.
The Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Board is meeting today to fill a void after the resignation of their past director. Debbie Wilson left after twenty years due to personal conflicts with other board members.
Kelly Gaputis is the chairperson of the Florence-Lauderdale tourism board. She says that a new director will provide new ideas and perspectives for the board.
“Somebody coming in will have new ideas and maybe a different approach and be able to build relationships with all the stakeholders in our community. We are looking forward to a positive experience.”
The Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Board is looking for someone with tourism experience and who can work with different entities within the community.
A team of developers from Texas are proposing a $3.5 billion dollar theme park for the Muscle Shoals region.
Officials with DreamVision Co. presented a proposal yesterday for a park featuring entertainment areas based on different musical genres. A promotional video also says the park will contain the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
Judy Hood, a board member for the Hall of Fame, and Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell both say they haven't been asked about moving the hall from its current location in Muscle Shoals.
The developers say funding is already in place for the project and that investors would be revealed at a groundbreaking ceremony. The date of that ceremony and details on a proposed location for the park have not yet been announced.
DreamVision officials say they hope to open the theme park in 2019.