Local

Experts at an international conference in South Carolina disagree on whether it's safe to eat seafood from the Gulf of Mexico after this year's oil spill.  The International Conference on Shellfish Restoration is under way in Charleston.  One expert said Friday he still doesn't eat Gulf seafood, while another said he does all the time. A third said he ate Gulf seafood during a recent trip to New Orleans but didn't do it with much confidence. ...Read more

When you think of leadership at the University of Alabama... Coach Paul Bear Bryant might come to mind.  Now, Pat Williams, Senior Vice President of the Orlando Magic, says Coach Bryant’s unique leadership inspired him to write his book Bear Bryant on Leadership. ...Read more

The Tuscaloosa City School System will not get hundreds of thousands of dollars for textbooks from the Tuscaloosa County Commission.  The Commission voted two to two Wednesday, blocking the loan. The agreement between the school board and the county commission would have allowed around $800,000 for additional textbooks. Some residents said they are glad it didn't pass. Tuscaloosa City Schools Superintendent Dr. ...Read more

BP is launching its biggest push yet to deep clean tourist beaches in Orange Beach. There are bulldozers and dump trucks and a giant sifting machine. Workers are digging down into the sand to remove buried tar mats left from the oil disaster. Gulf spill claims administrator Ken Feinberg has announced a new round of interim payments. Feinberg said the payments won't require people to give up their right to sue BP.
     
Associated Press
November 17, 2010
4:20 p.m.

The FDA has issued warning letters to four manufacturers of alcoholic energy drinks, saying caffeine added to the beverages is an unsafe food additive. The FDA said they could seize the drinks if the companies continue to make them.  The company, Phusian Products, said they are pulling caffeine and other energy boosters from the alcohol drink "Four Loko."  Critics say the drinks mix as much as three cups of coffee with three cans of beer.
     
Associated Press
November 17, 2010
4:15 p.m.

Due to the Thursday, November 18 Alabama football game, Tuscaloosa residents will see a number of changes to accomodate the football crowd.  Tuscaloosa City Hall will close at 2 p.m. Thursday, because of traffic, street closings and downtown parking issues.  This closing includes Municipal Court, hte Water Works Business Office, the Office of Development Services, and all other offices located in City Hall and City Hall Annexes. The 311 Call Center will also close at 2 p.m., but will reopen at 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., for gameday questions. ...Read more

Alabama Governor-elect Robert Bentley has launched a Web site focusing on his transition.  The new site offers a place for people to submit their resumes electronically if they are interested in a position with the Bentley administration. It also includes a list of his transition team and news from his transition office.  Bentley said the site is a way to get more people involved in the transition. He replaces Gov. Bob Riley on Jan. 17.  Web address: www.govelectbentley.com

Associated Press ...Read more

A long-running dispute between Alabama's Medicaid agency and federal officials has been resolved, allowing the state to keep $500 million that had been under challenge.  Gov. ...Read more

WVUA has several programming changes for Thursday, November 18.  Due to the Thursday Alabama football game, we will air Crimson Tide Kickoff Live from the University of Alabama campus at 4 p.m.  Join us for WVUA News at 10 for a full look at the day's news and a wrap-up of the football festivities.  WVUA News First at Four, Five & Six will not air Thursday.  WVUA will return to its regular newscast schedule Friday, November 19.

WVUA-TV

November 17, 2010  4:00 p.m.

A new aviation plant headed to the state will not make its home in West Alabama.  GE Aviation announced Tuesday it has selected Auburn for the site of its new facility.  The plant will be an environmental coatings facility for advanced military jet engine components.  Officials say they expect to have 300 to 400 employees at full production.  The 200,000 square foot plant will be built at the Auburn Technology park.  Construciton will begin next year. It's expected to open in 2012.

WVUA News
November 16, 2010
5:45 p.m.