BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT

A big announcement expected today from Birmingham airport officials concerning more than 150 million dollar renovation and expansion of the Birmingham Shuttles worth International Airport.

The proposed upgrade will include the existing terminal area, an additional concourse, a new federal inspections and customs area.

The airport is also expected to extend its lease with the city of Birmingham by another nine years.

SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

The list of finalist to become the next president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference has been narrowed down to just two people. The Rev. Bernice King, the youngest daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Arkansas Judge Wendell Griffen.

The Rev. Byron Clay has served as Interim President since February. The SCLC will hold elections on October 29^th at its Atlanta Headquarters.

BREAST CANCER BATTLE

"I see pink as a power color," said Sheriff Mike Hale in supporting his wife who is battling breast cancer. Dianna Hale was diagnosed with breast cancer in April and has since lost her hair due to chemotherapy. Sheriff Hale thinks his wife is the prettiest bald woman he has ever seen.

Mike and Dianna Hale have been married for 38 years after being high school sweethearts, with three grown boys and seven grandchildren.

Sheriff Hale said the year-long budget battle with the county commission is secondary in his life, and has left him and his wife with a greater appreciation of each other, life, and their faith in God.

CERVICAL CANCER GRANT

The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center has won an $11.5 million grant for clinical research aimed at cutting deaths and costs related to cervical cancer from the National Institutes of Health. Johns Hopkins University and the University of Colorado at Boulder are also included in the research.

One of the vaccines to be tested under the grant is one that is potentially low-cost and stable at room temperature. The vaccine will also vaccinate against a diverse number of HPV types.

THE BIRMINGHAM JEFFERSON COUNTY CIVIC CENTER

A new report published in the Birmingham news shows faith based groups making up an increasing number of conventions booked at the Birmingham Jefferson County Civic Center.

The report says that between January of 2006 and last month about 70 conventions were booked plus 30 other conference meetings were held

The Rejuvenate Marketplace 2009 Conference will bring together over 300 meeting planning for some of the nation's largest denominations during the weekend of October 27^th through the 30^th.