The Sunrise News Sampler

Yesterday, runoff elections were held for two seats on the Tuscaloosa City Council, and both incumbents Bobby Howard in District 1 and Bob Lundell in District 6 were unseated by their challengers, Burrell Odom and Eddie Pugh, respectively.

The University of Alabama has been awarded a $1.9 million grant to spearhead a five-year study of the effects natural disasters have on externalized behaviors in children, like aggression and bullying.

Public health officials say they're aware of statistics in a report saying Alabama's drug overdose rate has nearly tripled since 1999, and they're working with other agencies to confront the problem, noting many of the deaths are linked to prescription drugs.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and Alfa Insurance are expanding their partnership in offering health and dental insurance. Now, Blue Cross health and dental policies will be available from Alfa offices throughout the state.

As the federal government shutdown enters its 9th day, millions of veterans could soon become casualties, as about 3.8 million veterans will not receive disability compensation and more than a half a million vets or surviving spouses won't get pensions next month of the shutdown continues into late October.

Although House Speaker John Boehner and President Obama haven't made any radical shifts in position on the partial government shutdown or the federal debt limit, Boehner says he's not drawing "lines in the sand," while President Obama said he absolutely would negotiate with Republicans if Congress first sent him short-term budget and debt limit measures.

Stocks are falling significantly, as failure to raise the debt limit could lead to default and disrupt worldwide financial markets.

One Utah couple who lived 63 years together both died in their sleep last week, within hours of each other.