Alabama AG Argues Against Immunity for Ex-Cop in Fatal Shooting

The Alabama Attorney General's office is fighting to ensure a former Decatur police officer faces trial for fatally shooting a man during a vehicle repossession dispute. They're pushing back against the officer's claim of immunity.

Attorney General Steve Marshall's office argues that the lower court was right to deny former officer Mac Marquette immunity.

"Stand Your Ground" Claim Rejected

Marquette had sought immunity under Alabama’s "Stand Your Ground" law, arguing he feared for his life. The case revolves around the 2023 shooting of Stephen Perkins outside his Decatur home.

The Night of the Shooting

In the early hours, Marquette and two other officers accompanied a tow truck to repossess Perkins' truck. Bodycam footage shows Perkins emerging with a gun pointed toward the truck driver. Marquette then fired 18 shots in two seconds, killing Perkins. This sparked massive protests in Decatur.

Appeal and Conflicting Accounts

A judge initially denied Marquette's immunity request, but an appeals court found the initial assessment lacking. Now, the AG's office argues that, regardless of whether Marquette feared for his life, questions remain about whether he was lawfully present at Perkins' home.

Assistant AG Kristi Wilkerson highlighted inconsistencies in testimony from the other officers. One claimed they were investigating a menacing charge, while the other believed they were simply there to keep the peace. Crucially, Alabama law requires a court order for law enforcement assistance in a repossession, which the officers didn't have.

Investigator Raises Doubts

State investigator Jamie King also gave conflicting testimony, suggesting the officers were poorly positioned and had remained hidden until moments before the shooting.

Jury to Decide

Marquette's attorneys argue there's no single "correct" way for officers to operate. However, the AG's office maintains a jury should evaluate the credibility of the evidence. If Marquette loses his appeal, he's scheduled for trial in September.

Brundidge Honors Longtime Mayor with Highway Dedication!

Get ready to cruise down the James T. Ramage III Highway! The Alabama Legislature gave a big shout-out to Brundidge's beloved former mayor by officially renaming a mile-long stretch of U.S. Highway 231 in his honor.

A Surprise Celebration!

Folks gathered to give Mayor Ramage a surprise celebration on July 8th, and it was packed with love! Over 100 family members, friends, and local leaders came out to show their appreciation.

Tributes Pour In!

Social media was buzzing with shout-outs celebrating Ramage's decades of dedication to the Brundidge community. Senator Katie Britt chimed in, saying the highway will be "a lasting tribute to his commitment and service."

Local Love for a Local Legend

State Senator Josh Carnley highlighted Ramage's years of service, calling him a "passionate advocate for Brundidge." The Pike County Sheriff Department added that Ramage's leadership helped shape Brundidge into the amazing place it is today.

Ramage's Remarkable Resume

This honor is the cherry on top of a lifetime of accomplishments! From serving in the Alabama National Guard to his long tenure at First National Bank of Brundidge/Troy Bank & Trust, and leadership roles in organizations like PowerSouth Energy Cooperative and the Alabama Bankers Association, Mayor Ramage has truly dedicated his life to serving others. Big congrats, Mayor Ramage!

Alabama Sends Help to Texas!

A heroic team of 40 Alabamians is heading to Texas to provide much-needed disaster relief following the devastating floods.

Who's Going?

This highly skilled group is made up of members from Alabama Task Force 1 (out of Mobile), the Tuscaloosa Fire Department, and the Saraland Fire Department. Talk about a dream team!

What Will They Do?

Their mission: search and rescue! They'll be locating, reaching, stabilizing, and rescuing survivors from damaged buildings and areas.

Skilled Specialists Onboard

The team boasts experts in rescue, canine search, medicine, hazmat, technical search, and communications. They're ready for anything!

Governor Ivey's Heartfelt Message

Governor Kay Ivey shared her support, reflecting on the tragic loss of a young girl from Mountain Brook during the floods.

"Search and rescue remains the goal, and Alabama is going to do all we can to lend a helping hand to Texas," said Ivey. She also asked everyone to pray for the search and rescue team's safety and success. "Y’all, pray for Texas!"

On Their Way

The team left at 30 p.m. today, ready to work in 12-hour shifts for up to two weeks.

The Devastating Loss

The Texas floods from the Fourth of July weekend tragically claimed over 100 lives. Let's keep Texas in our thoughts!

ProgressPAC Backs Hollingsworth for District 12!

Big news, ChumCity citizens! ProgressPAC, the Business Council of Alabama’s pro-jobs powerhouse, is throwing its weight behind Clint Hollingsworth in the District 12 special election.

What They're Saying

ProgressPAC Chairman Gary Smith calls Hollingsworth "a small business owner, a Cullman City Councilman, and a long-time resident of Cullman County." Smith emphasized Hollingsworth's understanding of the ups and downs of Alabama's business world.

Hollingsworth: Problem Solver

With over 17 years in public service, Hollingsworth is known for his "morally driven and common-sense approach" to problem-solving. ProgressPAC believes his experience in education, infrastructure, and economic development makes him a top pick for the Alabama House.

A Winning Combo?

BCA President and CEO Helena Duncan praised Hollingsworth's "valuable combination of business experience and public service." She highlights his ability to grow a business from scratch and his dedication to improving his community. According to Duncan, Clint will be a "strong, steady advocate for pro-business policies."

Why It Matters

The BCA sees this election as a golden chance to boost economic development and support Alabama's families and businesses.

Mark Your Calendars!

The special primary election is July 15th. If needed, a primary runoff will be August 12th, and the big special general election is October 28th. Get out there and make your voice heard, ChumCity!

Alabama Students Show Reading Gains, Math Progress

Good news, ChumCity! Alabama students are showing some serious brainpower gains. Statewide test results from the 2024-25 school year reveal improvements in reading and hints of progress in math, according to the State Board of Education.

State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey is giving props to teachers and schools for their hard work. While celebrating the progress, he noted middle school math remains a challenge.

ACAP Results: What's the Deal?

The results come from the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP), given last spring. Students in grades two through eight took tests in English Language Arts (ELA) and math. Science was tested in grades four, six, and eight. High school juniors also took the ACT with writing.

Reading Rocks!

Mackey told board members that reading skills got better in every grade tested. Fewer students scored in the lowest performance category, and more kids reached proficiency levels. Seems like targeted help and new teaching materials are paying off!

Math: A Mixed Bag

Math scores are showing some positive vibes, especially among the state's lower-performing students. But, overall gains are modest. Proficiency dips as students move to higher grades, especially in math.

Science Scores: Up and Down

Sixth- and eighth-grade students showed improvements in science. Mackey thinks better reading comprehension is helping in science, since it involves understanding complicated texts.

ACT: What's Next?

On the ACT, English Language Arts ticked up slightly, while math stayed put, and science dipped a bit. The state is now thinking about whether to keep using the ACT for high school accountability.

English Learners: Rising Numbers, Rising Success

Alabama's English learner (EL) population is growing. Teachers are faced with the challenge of teaching English while also teaching core subjects. The good news is, the percentage of English learners meeting exit criteria from language support programs improved slightly.

Keeping Things Stable

Mackey wants to keep the current assessment system stable. He noted that changing tests frequently makes it hard to measure long-term progress.

The Big Picture

Mackey called the overall picture "more positive than negative." While there's still work to be done, Alabama schools are heading in the right direction!

Mother and Son Busted in Jasper Arson Case!

Looks like things got heated in Jasper, Alabama! A mother and son duo are cooling off behind bars after being arrested for allegedly torching the Walker County Public Defender’s Office.

The Alleged Crime

Joseph Cole Whitten Kolachuk, 19, and Amanda Jo Howard Kulichok, 42, are facing serious charges: third-degree arson, third-degree burglary, and second-degree theft. Yikes! They were both booked into the Walker County Jail after the Jasper Police Department’s big announcement.

The Blaze

The fire ripped through the Public Defender’s Office early Saturday morning, July 5th, around 4:28 a.m. Jasper's finest firefighters rushed to the scene at 19th Street West and 4th Avenue, battling heavy smoke and flames. The building? Total loss, sadly including all those important files and documents. Luckily, no one was hurt, though a neighboring law office suffered smoke and water damage.

The Investigation

A tip from a concerned citizen helped crack the case! Surveillance footage snagged two individuals hauling stuff away from the building around the time of the fire. Police ID’d the suspects, brought them in for questioning, and recovered stolen goodies, including a pistol and ID cards pilfered from an attorney's desk.

Backstory

Reportedly, Kolachuk and Kulichok have been homeless for years and struggling with addiction, according to police reports.

Hometown Heroes

Fire Chief Chris Upton expressed his pride in the Jasper Fire Department. Police Chief Jay Poe also lauded the teamwork and public support that led to the arrests, highlighting the awesome relationship the department has with the community. The Jasper Police Department, Fire and Rescue, street departments, the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Walker County District Attorney’s Office all worked together on the case. Talk about a team effort!

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Shakeup at Alabama Medicaid! New Commissioner Announced

Governor Kay Ivey just dropped a bombshell: the Alabama Medicaid Agency is getting a new head honcho! Attorney Bo Offord, a familiar face who's been advising the agency for a whopping 15 years, is stepping up to the plate as the new commissioner.

Out with the Old, In with the New?

Offord is replacing Stephanie McGee Azar, who's moving on to become the CEO of the State Employees’ Insurance Board of Directors (SEI. Ivey had nothing but praise for Azar's 13-year run, calling her a "skillful manager" who kept the Medicaid budget balanced.

Offord's Got the Goods, Says Governor

But don't worry, folks, Ivey's confident Offord is up to the task. She highlighted his long history of legal guidance, saying he has "the necessary expertise" to keep the agency running smoothly.

Offord's Ready to Roll

Offord himself is stoked about the appointment, calling it an "honor" to serve Alabama's citizens. He also gave a shout-out to Azar, praising her "professionalism and leadership." Sounds like he's ready to pick up where she left off!

Iron Bowl Heat: It Never Cools Down!

The Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers. For many, it's the rivalry defining the SEC, maybe even all of college football. The Iron Bowl is legendary, and things can get spicy... FAST.

McCarron Sounds Off!

Apparently, that rivalry fire burns for years. Just ask AJ McCarron, the two-time national champ QB for Bama. On his podcast with Chris Stewart and Trent Richardson, he didn't hold back, blasting Auburn's recruiting struggles AND head coach Hugh Freeze.

Freeze Under Fire?

Freeze and AD John Cohen have hinted that Auburn's playing by a stricter set of rules re: the House settlement, which is impacting recruiting. McCarron? Not buying it.

"Hugh Freeze is Full of..."

"Hugh Freeze is full of [expletive redacted for ChumCity]," McCarron said. "He's trying to save face! He's feeling the heat going into year three, not having the success the boosters expected. So he's scrambling for excuses."

Bama Runs the State?

McCarron went on to suggest that the real financial and political power in Alabama resides with...you guessed it...Alabama boosters.

Your Future's Brighter in Crimson?

"The state of Alabama is run by Alabama fans, Alabama alumni," he stated. "And I've never been one to hate on Auburn! But if you're from Alabama, singing with the Tide opens up way more avenues for success after football."

Alabama News Roundup - ChumCity Style!

Dale Jackson from Yellowhammer News bringing the heat on WVNN weekdays 5-9am!

Cali Cannabis Busts Spark Chaos

Feds raiding California cannabis farms? You betcha! Protests popped off. Meanwhile, down in Gulf Shores, officials are getting salty with Homeland Security. It's like, ICE raids are one thing, but where are the calls for violence seen elsewhere?

The "Big Tent" Gets Bigger?

DNC Chair Ken Martin is all about that "big tent" philosophy, dismissing concerns about a New York mayoral candidate who isn't condemning the "globalize the intifada" slogan. Tolerance, maybe?

Barkley Backs Bruce!

Sir Charles Barkley is throwing his full weight behind Auburn coach Bruce Pearl if he decides to run for U.S. Senate in 2026. Barkley says Pearl's got the leadership and character needed. Go Bruce, Go!

Huntsville Expands...Almost to Another State!

Huntsville's growing so fast, it's practically knocking on Tennessee's door! The City Council just annexed a cool 1,000 acres in Marshall County, pushing the city's industrial reach. They're in FOUR counties now!

Trump-Russia: Crickets?

House Intel transcripts reveal some Obama-era bigwigs admitted they had zero actual evidence of Trump-Russia collusion back in 2016... but you wouldn't have known it from their public statements! National Security Advisor Susan Rice, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and even Attorney General Loretta Lynch were questioned.

Alabama to Texas: We Got Your Back!

Alabama's sending a 40-person team from Task Force 1, Tuscaloosa Fire, and Saraland Fire to help with flood relief in Texas. The disaster has been catastrophic and over 100 people have lost their lives.

Trump's Still Got Fans in the South

Alabama's got some serious love for Trump, ranking among the top five states with highest approval ratings. Only Wyoming, West Virginia, North Dakota, and Idaho beat us! It’s a net positive 26-point approval rating around these parts.