SPRING BREAK

It's spring break and the weather is cooperating at the beach. The forecast for Gulf Shores calls for sunny skies and a high near 70 degrees on Monday with only a slight chance of rain.

Many of the state's public school systems are on break this week, along with colleges including the University of Alabama and Auburn University.

LEADING PACK FOR CASH

Republican Tim James and Democrat Artur Davis are leading Alabama's gubernatorial candidates when it comes to money.

Campaign finance reports show James has at least $2.61 million to spend and Davis has at least $2.17 million.

SEARCHES DONE IN ALABAMA COURT COMPUTER BREACH

Law enforcement officials have recently searched several offices as part of an investigation into a breach of Alabama's computerized court record system.

The breach of the state's computerized court records was discovered in June 2008. The state Department of Public Safety is working on the investigation with the U.S. attorney's office and the Secret Service.

Former Jefferson County Commissioner and Birmingham City Councilman John Katopodis was sentenced to 3 years, 10 months behind bars. Last Summer, Katopodis was convicted on 97 counts of mail and wire fraud for taking money from a children's computer charity and using it for personal use. U.S. District Judge Karen Bowdre says she will recommend a minimum security prison for Katopodis and will take 8 months off his sentence for time already served in the Shelby County jail.

Katopodis must forfeit $162,910 and was ordered to pay $166,910 in restitution. Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of nearly six years for Katapodis. Defense attorneys for Katopodis plan to appeal the sentence.

BINGO HALLS TO REOPEN

Several electronic bingo operations will open for business again on Friday.

As many as ten facilities that make up the Bessemer Cutoff Bingo Association Alliance plan to open by six.

The alliance insists their machines comply with the law. Electronic bingo operators say reopening will put about 600 people back to work.

JOHN KATOPODIS TO BE SENTENCED

A judge will sentence a former Jefferson County Commissioner Friday.

John Katopodis was convicted of mail and wire fraud. Sentencing will take place at the federal courthouse in Birmingham.

SPRING BREAK

The Alabama Legislature is doing like a lot of Alabama's schools and taking off next week for spring break.

The Legislature reached the two-thirds point in its annual session, and will return to the statehouse after its break on March 23.

RECALL ON SOME SEASONING MIXES

Publix Super Markets has voluntarily recalled four kinds of seasoning mixes that may possibly be contaminated with salmonella.

Publix says it has taken the store-brand mixes off its shelves. Shoppers may return them for a full refund.

Spokeswoman Maria Brous says there have been no reported cases of illness with these products.

CIVIL RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT IN SCHOOLS

The Obama administration plans to toughen civil rights enforcement in the nation's schools with a board review touching on everything from academics to disciplines.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the initiative Monday during a speech in Selma. Duncan said the Education Department's civil rights office hasn't been as vigilant as needed over the last decade.

The agency will soon begin conducting reviews to determine whether students have equal access to opportunities.

ARRESTS MADE IN THEFTS

A Shelby County woman is among three people arrested in connection with a string of at least 20 burglaries in Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby and possibly one other county, according to The Clanton Advertiser.

The newspaper reports, the burglaries involved people stealing jewelry and other items while visiting homes that are for sale with a real estate agent. The suspects have been caught and charged with two counts of third-degree burglary and two counts of first-degree theft of property.

Former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford will be back inside a Tuscaloosa this morning. The scene where was convicted last Fall on all 60 counts of government corruption. The charges included bribery, money laundering and conspiracy. Federal Prosecutors have asked Judge Scott Coogler for a sentence of 24-30 years and order Langford to pay nearly $242,000 in forefeiture and nearly $120,000 in back taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.

Langford was convicted on arguments made by the government that he took bribes from Montgomery, Alabama investment banker William Blount in exchange for steering Jefferson County bond business to Blount's firm. Langford was president of the Jefferson County Commission at the time. Blount and lobbyist Al LaPierre pleaded guilty to bribery and conspiracy, testified against Langford, and last week were sentenced to prison sentences of about 4 years each.

Langford's attorney's filed paperwork Thursday that asked U.S. District Judge Scott Coogler to give parity in sentencing their client. Mike Rasmussen says former Jefferson County Commissioner Chris McNair was convicted for taking bribes, and was sentenced to five years in prison. McNair is free on appeal bond. Rasmussen has filed requests with the court to allow Langford to remain free on appeal bond after the sentence is rendered. However, Langford's attorneys do not expect any breaks for their client.

A published report says former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford's tax returns reflect 555 jackpots from Victoryland, Greenetrack and a Mississippi casino. The Birmingham News reports over a 3-year period, Langford's winnings totaled $1.3 million dollars. In 2008 alone...the returns show winnings totaling nearly $811,000.

Langford's state tax returns from 2006, 2007, and 2008 recently became part of the record in a civil lawsuit in Greene County where plaintiffs contend electronic bingo machines were rigged for Langford. A similar lawsuit was filed in Macon County where plaintiffs claimed machines were rigged for Langford at VictoryLand. Officials at VictoryLand and Greenetrack as well as Langford deny the claims.

SENTENCING SET FOR CO-DEFENDANTS

A federal judge scheduled sentencing today in Tuscaloosa for Montgomery investment banker Bill Blount, and the former party executive director, Al LaPierre.

Both are trying to avoid going to federal prison for bribing ousted Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford.

Supporters asked the judge for leniency.

NEW BINGO HALL RAIDED

Thursday night authorities raided a 25-machine electronic bingo hall that opened in Chickasaw at the former Chickasaw Auditorium just hours earlier.

Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson Jr. said a team of 16 officers didn't make any arrests, though the owners of the facility could face legal action. They seized 25 machines.

LAPIERRE SENTENCED

Al LaPierre was sentenced to 48 months in prison today for his role in a federal bribery case involving former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford and Montgomery investment banker Bill Blount.

Judge Scott Coogler issued the sentence this morning in federal court in Tuscaloosa, accepting the recommendation from prosecutors.

LaPierre must report to prison by May 27^th.