Alabama has reopened most rural driver license offices for one day each month.
The offices began reopening this week on a limited basis following national backlash over a plan to close them permanently.
In September, The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced plans to close 31 offices where state workers had given driving tests one day per week.
The agency said the closures were necessary because of budget cuts. Critics said the closures created a hardship for rural residents and only saved the state $100,000 a year in travel costs.
A schedule of when the offices will be open can be found at alrenewal.com.
Another Republican Presidential hopeful is coming to Alabama today.
Ohio Governor John Kasich will meet supporters during a campaign rally at Wintzell’s Oyster Bar in Mobile.
The GOP contender earned the endorsement of Alabama Governor Robert Bentley. Still, Kasich is behind in the polls compared to competitors like Donald Trump and Ben Carson.
Bob Omainsky owns Wintzell’s. He says the Kasich campaign approached him about using the oyster bar as the venue for today’s event.
“They were looking for an iconic restaurant in Mobile as part of their trip down here. And they reached out to us, and we were certainly happy to oblige. And that’s how the whole thing got going.”
Omainsky admits he didn’t know much about Governor Kasich. But, he was impressed with the Governor’s track record which turned Ohio’s state budget deficit into a budget surplus. The rally at Wintzell’s is set to begin around 5 p.m.
Another Republican presidential hopeful has canceled his upcoming visit to Alabama.
Jeb Bush canceled his plans to campaign in Tuscaloosa this Saturday. The former Florida governor was scheduled to campaign outside the University of Alabama football game against LSU.
A campaign spokeswoman says the night game would have made it difficult to attend obligations in other states. She says Bush is looking forward to returning to the state soon. He had a private fundraiser in Birmingham in August.
At least 8 presidential candidates have visited Alabama ahead of next year's March 1 southeastern regional primary. Southern states have grouped their primary dates together in the so-called "SEC Primary" to try to draw more interest from presidential contenders.
7th ranked Alabama is back on the practice field as they get ready to host #4 LSU on Saturday.
Both the Crimson Tide and the Tigers were off last week to get ready for the classic SEC West showdown.
Coach Nick Saban says his team took advantage of the bye week to work on a few things in practice and heal up some nagging injuries.
“But now it’s time to sort of refocus on the task at hand. The players have had a few days off and I think the goal is, is for us to play our best football of the year and, you know to do that, each individual on the team, you know needs to play their best.”
Kickoff at Bryant-Denny Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. on CBS. In addition to the game, ESPN’s College Gameday will be back in Tuscaloosa this weekend.