The Sunrise News Sampler

Yesterday's Sydney hostage seize ended after more than 16 hours. Two of the 17 hostages were killed as well the an Iranian-born gunman, who has been described as a deeply disturbed man carrying out a "sick fantasy."

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate approved President Obama's nomination of Dr. Vivek Murthy to be the next U.S. surgeon general. We have been without a Senate-confirmed surgeon general since July 2013.

Former Hale County deputy Darrell McGuire pleaded guilty yesterday to two counts of second-degree theft for stealing drugs seized during investigations. He was given a suspended 10-year sentence and placed on probation for three years.

The Northport City Council unanimously approved a $46 million budget for 2015, including about 3.1 percent cost-of-living raises for city employees, according to our daily.

Camille Cosby is standing by her husband, who is accused of having drugged and sexually assaulted more than a dozen women years ago. She says the man described by his accusers is a man she doesn't know.

The FBI has opened an investigation into the North Carolina hanging death of Lennon Lacy, whose death was ruled a suicide. Protesters say that the local police investigation wasn't thorough but was hasty, incomplete and riddled with contradictions.

Local authorities are investigating the Sunday morning shooting at Broadmoore Garden Apartments, in which a 25-year-old man suffered two gunshot wounds to his abdomen. The wounds are not life-threatening, and according to our daily, the gunmen left the scene in a black Lexus.

Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft, and he is projected as an early round pick.

The University of Alabama ranks #16 in a list of the nation's 50 fittest colleges