The Sunrise News Sampler

Yesterday morning, a ribbon cutting was held for the West Precinct of the Tuscaloosa Police Department. After being addressed by city leaders, residents were allowed to tour the facility. Tuscaloosa Police Chief Steve Anderson says he hopes the precinct will establish a partnership between the police and area residents.

Republican Senator Gerald Dial, who was in charge of a committee that drew Alabama's senate districts, has denied that the process was intented to create more Republican districts.

The U.S. is evacuating nonessential personnel from Pakistan and is warning Americans not to travel there as domestic and foreign terror groups are a threat to Americans in Pakistan.

In the Dallas shooting that left 4 dead and 4 injured, NBC reports that a former member of the Dallas Mavericks all-male dance team is suspected of attacking the homes of his estranged wife and his girlfriend, killing the women and two of their children and wounding four others.

According to our daily, about 200 residents attended last night's City Council candidate forum, hosted by the Tuscaloosa chapter of the NAACP. Incumbents highlighted the work done in their districts while challengers focused on needed projects and the absence of District 7 incumbent William Tinker.

Governor Bentley has called special elections for District 74 and 104 seats in the Alabama House of Representatives, with primaries set for Oct. 8. The general election is set for Dec. 3.

U.S. and Russian defense chiefs are meeting in Washington today in what is likely to be awkward, as just two days ago, the White House abruptly canceled President Obama's September summit in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Obama is expected to sign a bill today to restore lower interest rates on Stafford student loans, which doubled on July 1.