The U.S. Supreme Court began to hear arguments yesterday as to whether state bans on same-sex marriage are federally constitutional.
In Tuscaloosa, advocates gathered in the shadow of Denny Chimes at the University of Alabama for a candlelight vigil in support of gay marriage and gay rights in general.
Meredith Bagley is a communications professor at the University of Alabama and one of the organizers of last night's event. She explains why they chose a candlelight vigil.
"These events are going on all over the country, and we were actually approached by some of the groups who are helping to coordinate that, so we wanted to be consistent with their events. It feels like a good fit for sort of a reflective, very personal, very emotional thing. Even with the rain, we didn't want to go into a classroom where it would feel like a lecture or something."
Similar events were also held in Huntsville, Birmingham and Mobile.
An extraordinary two and a half hours of argument was held on same-sex marriage in the Supreme Court. Audio recordings and transcripts are available online.
Oil spill cleanup workers who sue BP for medical problems stemming from the Gulf oil spill may get their day in court. A federal judge says they have the right to make their case before a jury even later in life.
The BP oil spill medical settlement reached in 2012 was set up to pay cleanup workers and others who experienced certain illnesses during the immediate aftermath of the April 2010 disaster.
NOLA.com reports it was designed to keep medical claims out of the courtroom.
This week, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier said the settlement terms don't specify whether these so-called "back-end litigation option" cases must be tried before a judge or a jury.
If someone wants a jury trial, he says they can ask for one.
Opelika’s city schools will be eliminating their pre-kindergarten program next year, according to the school board.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Neighbors told the board they were spending well over $300,000 this year on the prekindergarten program to instruct just 45 pre-K students in three classes.
Neighbors says that money needs to be used to hire four new elementary school teachers and an English Language Learning teacher for the upcoming school year.
In previous years, Opelika’s preschool program was funded through a combination of local funds and Title One money. But the system no longer receives any Title One grants.
Neighbors says the school system will be compiling a list of local pre-kindergarten programs for any interested parents.
Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson is promoting his annual charity bicycle race with a little help from the governor.
The Auburn two-sport legend will join with Gov. Robert Bentley in Alexander City today to discuss the upcoming "Bo Bikes Bama" charity ride.
Jackson began the ride after the April 2011 tornadoes to help rebuild homes and construct community storm shelters, and it has continued every year since.
This year's ride begins and ends on the Auburn University campus on Saturday. Participants can choose a 20 mile route, or a 63 mile route that heads through Tuskegee and Macon County. Proceeds go to the Governor's Emergency Relief Fund.
Jackson and Bentley will be visiting a community safe room at Children's Harbor on Lake Martin to bring attention to the event.