The federal government is looking to dismiss Alabama's lawsuit over refugee placement after a similar lawsuit failed in Texas.
A lawyer for the federal government filed a notice of the Texas decision with the court last month in the ongoing request to dismiss the Alabama case. Both Texas and Alabama sued the federal government in an attempt to prevent refugees from being resettled in the states.
Last month, a federal judge threw out the Texas lawsuit, ruling that the state had no authority over resettlements, which are handled entirely by the federal government.
Alabama lawyers argue their case is different and should be allowed to continue. Gov. Robert Bentley filed the lawsuit in January, arguing federal officials have failed to fulfill their obligation to consult with states regarding refugee placement.
Governor Robert Bentley has officially sworn in Representative Mike Hill of Columbiana as the Superintendent of the State Banking Department. APR’s Stan Ingold has more.
Hill was appointed Friday to replace John D. Harrison, who retired on Thursday after more than a decade of service.
Hill was elected in 1986 to the Alabama House of Representatives, serving Shelby County. Hill received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Auburn University, attended the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University, and Commercial Lending School from the University of Oklahoma.
Hill served on the House of Representatives Banking and Insurance Committee for the past 30 years. During that time, Hill handled most of the major banking legislation that was introduced and passed during that period, including updates to banking regulations and other revisions.
Alabama ranks 7th in the nation for the number of deaths by drowning, and as temperatures are heating up, more people are heading to the water.
The American Red Cross is stressing water safety this summer. Drowning can happen quickly and silently wherever there is water. Alicia Anger is with the Alabama region of the American Red Cross. She says drowning situations can sometimes be hard to recognize.
“Drowning people remain upright in the water. They extend their arms and they push downward in an effort to push their selves up for air and because they are struggling to breathe they can’t shout or speak. So that’s a misconception that people see on TV. Usually, when someone is drowning, it’s silent.”
Anger says everyone in Alabama should have basic water safety knowledge in order to stay safe. Red Cross swimming lessons help develop these water skills. For more information, visit redcross.org.
An Alabama corrections officer has been arrested for trying to smuggle contraband into St. Clair Correctional Facility.
A spokesman for the Alabama Department of Corrections says that 23-year-old Deandre Price was arrested yesterday. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance and promoting contraband within a state correctional facility.
A prison spokesman released a statement saying investigators searched Price when he reported for work yesterday. They found drugs and other contraband in his possession. The prison system did not elaborate on what the other items were.
Price resigned after his arrest.