Alabama senators are seeking to rename Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge to the Journey to Freedom Bridge. The historic site in the voting rights movement bears the name of a Ku Klux Klan officer.
The bridge became a symbol of the fight for voting rights after marchers were beaten by state troopers in 1965.
It is Selma's most notable landmark, but its KKK association has drawn the anger of some in the majority black city. Pettus was a U.S senator, a Confederate general and a KKK grand dragon.
The Alabama House of Representatives has not voted on the idea. A state transportation department spokesman said they are reviewing the resolution.
Letter carriers in Opelika may have a heavier load today. APR’s Pat Duggins has more on an appeal for an autistic teenager and how today is the big day…
Jake Helms turns sixteen years old today and a lot of people are bankrolling his birthday celebration, one dollar at a time. Jake has non-verbal autism. His mother put a post on Facebook for people to send him a birthday card and, if they want to, to put a dollar bill inside.
The money is supposed to go toward the cost of a trip to Skyview Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium. Luanne Helms says she meant the social media message as a gentle hint to friends and family. But, total strangers started sending cards as well.
As of Monday, two hundred and forty birthday cards had arrived at his home in Opelika. Jake’s story even generated press coverage throughout Alabama and Georgia and even in England’s Daily Mail.
Federal red snapper season just got underway and already the end is in sight. The season will end on June tenth for private anglers and July 14 for charter vessels.
Chris Blankenship is the Director of Marine Resources for the state of Alabama. He says the season should be longer, and he’s trying to do something about it.
“We’re working through Congress to make some changes to the federal law that would give the Gulf Council and the states more flexibility. The red snapper fishery is the most important offshore fishery for the economy of the state of Alabama. Every day that that federal season is open means millions of dollars.”
Blankenship says Alabama’s state waters will be open for red snapper fishing during the federal period. They will also be open the entire month of July.