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.