The Sunrise News Sampler

Crossing national headlines is news of alumnae of the University of Alabama's traditionally white sororities blatantly blocking two black women from pledging this year, although current sorority members had targeted the women as prome candidates to whom they wanted to offer bids. This has been a long-standing issue at the university.

Tuscaloosa City Schools announced that it will send progress reports home with students on Friday, September 20, to include information on how to access iNow accounts, which gives parents online access to their children's grades.

In state news, Representative Demetrius Newton, the first black person to serve as speaker pro tem of the Alabama House, died yesterday after a long illness. Governor Bentley and members of the state Legislature say they remember Newton as a true gentleman and an effective public servant.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says a U.S. military strike in Syria would create more victims and could spread the conflict, unleashing a new wave of terrorism.

Yesterday, Yahoo! dropped the news of former Alabama player and first-round NFL draft pick D.J. Fluker receiving money from agents through former Alabama defensive lineman Luther Davis. This comes just days before what is said to be the Tide's biggest game of the year, as Alabama fell to Texas A&M last year.

On September 19,  Alagasco is lighting its fifth and final gas light commemorating the state's civil rights history. Lights have already been dedicated in Birmingham, Montgomery, Anniston, and Tuscaloosa.

The number of homes on a track to foreclosure continues to drop, with last month's rate 8 percent lower than July and 44 percent down from a year ago.

In entertainment news, Kris Humphries is said to be auctioning off the 20-carat diamond engagement ring formerly worn by Kim Kardashian, one of the last remnants of the couple's 72-day marriage.