The fallout continues from Alabama’s new general fund budget. APR student reporter Taylor Swinney reports the fiscal year has just begun and the impact is now being felt…
Alabama’s Law Enforcement Agency says there will be fewer State troopers on the road to help out with major events like Mardi Gras and races at Talladega. The department is facing a budget cut of eleven million dollars.
The reductions take place as the state consolidates twenty law enforcement agencies into one big unit. One cut back that’s already taken place is satellite driver’s license offices. The agency is closing thirty one of them to save just over a million dollars.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency isn’t the only arm of government to see budget cuts. The Alabama Department of Environmental Agency saw its spending plan reduced by a reported ninety six percent.
The City of Northport has a new police chief.
Gerald Burton was promoted to the position at Monday night’s City Council Meeting. Burton was the interim chief after former Police Chief Kerry Card retired in 2014.
The selection of Burton was unanimous.
The Tuscaloosa News reports Burton was the only applicant for the position when it was posted internally in August. He was Northport Police Department’s Assistant Police Chief.
Burton says in a news release that he looks forward to many years of growing excellence within the department and building stronger relationships with the citizens of Northport.
Five to eight thousand Alabama third graders are about to get a close look at Native American culture.
These students are set to attend the Moundville Native American Festival this week. The festival will aim the spotlight at Southeastern Indian dancing, crafts, music and food.
Betsy Irwin is the Interim Director for the Moundville Archeological Park where the festival is being held. She says this four day event helps the community connect with important Native American culture...
“Our presenters really enjoy sharing their culture and their experiences with visitors, and we encourage them to ask questions. The goal is to really better everyone’s future – most especially our children- as they learn about cultural diversity, especially among Southeastern Indians.”
The festival starts tomorrow and runs until Saturday. The Moundville Archeological Park is located 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa.