The Sunrise News Sampler

According to the Tuscaloosa News, John McConnell, director of the Tuscaloosa's Planning and Development Services ruled in March that Archibald and Woodrow's BBQ converted to a nightclub on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and yesterday, the Zoning Board of Adjustment upheld a ruling that the restaurant is operating in violation of city ordinances. However, restaurant owner Woodrow Washington's attorneys say the city code is ambiguous, and the establishment does have a cabaret license from City Hall.  In addition, local police officers who've worked at the establishment argued that the complaints from area residents were unfounded.  Washington is appealing the court's decision.

Following his arrest in connection to a child's kidnapping, Alabama basketball player Devonta Pollard has decided to withdraw from school, saying he needs to be closer to his family during this difficult time.

The election to replace outgoing Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman is turning into a contest as Crenshaw County Probate Judge Jim Perdue has joined state Representative John Merrill in the Republican primary.  As of yet, no Democratic candidate has been announced.

Alabama has moved up one spot in the Kids Count national rankings after improving in children's health and education in addition to a declining teen birth rate and rate of high school students not graduating in four years.

More active-duty military men and women committed suicide last year than were killed in Afghanistan, which is partly blamed on administrative backlogs in the Department of Veterans Affairs and the stigma many soldiers still attach to getting help for mental health issues.

While our economy is believed to be on its way to a slow recovery, credit reporting agency TransUnion says the rate of U.S. auto-loan payments late by 60 days or more rose to 0.88 percent int he first three months of this year as banks are increasingly giving auto loans to people with questionable credit.

Rapper Fat Joe was sentenced to four months in prison yesterday over his admission that he failed to file federal income taxes for two years.