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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

Alabama voters would decide during the general election Nov. 2 whether to call a convention of delegates that could propose a new state constitution under a resolution scheduled for debate today.

If passed it would go to the Senate for debate. If at least 18 of the 35 senators approve it, it would go directly to the voters for their approval or rejection. Gov. Bob Riley would not review it.

ALABAMA BINGO RALLIES

Opponents and proponents of electronic bingo casinos are planning back-to-back rallies at the Alabama Statehouse that will include some big names.

Country Crossings is organizing a rally for proponents at 2 p.m. Tuesday that will include entertainers Tracy Lawrence, John Anderson and Darryl Worley.

Gov. Bob Riley says he will be joining opponents at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday on the Statehouse steps.

$ 1 MIILION SPENT

Campaign finance reports show the two runoff contenders in the Birmingham mayor's race spent nearly $1 million combined.

Patrick Cooper's disclosure statement shows he spent $686,317 in his unsuccessful bid to become Birmingham's mayor, and winning candidate William Bell spent $313,092, leaving his campaign with a balance of $15, 485 and no debts.

A vote on the future of electronic bingo in Alabama could come up in the state Senate as early as tomorrow.

The bill would allow voters to decide in a November 2^nd referendum. It also calls for the establishment of a statewide gaming commission to tax and regulate 10 facilities at so called points of destination locations.

The Sweet Home Alabama bill has strong opposition from Governor Bob Riley and citizens for a better Alabama who are planning a rally on steps of the state capital tomorrow.

SCHOLAR SEES PROOF FOR BIBLE

An Israeli archeologist says newly excavated ancient fortifications in Jerusalem date back 3,000 years to the time of the Bible's King Solomon.

Archaeologist Eilat Mazar says pottery shards date the walls to the 10^th century B.C. One school of archaeologists, including Mazar, believes the Hebrew kings David and Solomon were 10^th century rulers. Mazar says her findings provide support to the biblical account that David and Solomon ruled the city then.

BIRMINGHAM LISTED AMONG NATION'S WORST

Forbes Magazine has ranked the nation's 75 largest metropolitan areas in terms of best and worst for commuters and Birmingham was among the worst.

The Birmingham-Hoover area was ranked 52^nd for the length of traffic delays at rush hour.

This event is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. at Kelly Ingram Park near the Civil Rights Institute.  The Civil Rights Institute is located at 6^th Avenue and 16^th Street North, Birmingham, Alabama.   Roper is an ordained minister and Assistant Pastor at Faith Chapel Christian Center. Chief Roper will be a special guest on 98.7 Kiss Fm's Talkback with Julius White this Sunday night at 10 p.m.

  "Public schools that encourage systemic reform and embrace effective approaches to teaching and learning help prepare America's students to graduate ready for college and a career, and enable them to out-compete any worker, anywhere in the world," said President Obama in a video released today.  "This is your opportunity to show me why your school exemplifies the best that our education system has to offer." 

At the beginning of the school year, the President encouraged students across the country to take responsibility for their education, study hard and graduate from high school.  The Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge encourages schools to show how they are making great strides on personal responsibility, academic excellence and college readiness.

Governor Bob Riley signed and submitted Alabama's application for $180 million in federal grant money earlier this year. Riley says the money is needed to help the cash-strapped Education Trust Fund Budget. However, Alabama may not get any of the federal loot because it's starting out 40 points behind in competition with other states.

For more information about the Race to the Top Commencement Challenge, follow this link:

www.WhiteHouse.gov/Commencement