Governor Robert Bentley says there are no easy solutions to the state's budget and prison problems. Bentley, in his second inaugural address, said state leaders face tough decisions as they come into office for the next four years. However, Bentley said state leaders will not shrink away from the challenge.
A budget shortfall and the state's severely overcrowded prisons are expected to be the biggest problems facing the Legislature when it convenes in March. The governor is expected to give his proposals when he gives his State of the State address in March.
Today's the day the nation observes the birthday of Doctor Martin Luther King Junior. With the incidents in Ferguson Missouri, New York City and the recent release of the film “Selma,” civil rights are once again on the forefront of peoples' minds. Doug Shipman is the C-E-O of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. He believes if Dr. King were still alive he would be still be working towards his goal of equality...
“He talked about building a community or facing chaos in society, he really wanted America to reflect a place where everyone could participate and I think he would continue to be challenging all of us and the government on whether or not that is the case.”
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights works with organizations in Alabama including the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery and the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham.
Today’s the moment of truth for participants in a statewide weight loss program. Scale back Alabama is holding weigh-ins at the start of this year’s program to help people shed pounds after the holidays. The Alabama Hospital Association and the State Department of Health are teaming up on this program which has helped Alabamians lose more than a million pounds since 2007. Molly Killman is the Nutrition and Physical Activity Director for the Department of Public Health. She thinks the program is effective because participants have the support of a partner…
“We feel like having that partner will help hold you accountable; you’ll have that person to cheer you on and provide encouragement. We feel that is the best way to work towards making healthy behavior changes.”
The program will last ten weeks with the final weigh ins starting in early April. There’s a follow-up campaign after that to help people keep the weight off.