http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1164796447313400.xml&coll=2 - Commission makes recommendations for improvement of education to Riley; Governor says he will support incentive pay for teachers.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1164797390313400.xml&coll=2 - Environmental watchdog group ceases operations due to lack of funds.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1164797413313400.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News calls Attorney General’s request of former chancellor for help in locating job for staff member’s mother “a really bad judgment call.”

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1164795566313410.xml&coll=1 - Governor sets January primary date as campaigns begin to fill seat following death of Rep. Albert Hall (D-Gurley).

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061128/NEWS/611280320/1137/NEWS - Action seeking disqualification of Sen. Larry Means (D-Attalla) may stay as a separate legal action and not be joined with other cases seeking ouster of Democratic senators despite today’s court ruling.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS/611290358/1016/NEWS - Despite calls by editorial boards, Secretary of State insists she will not resign post before end of term.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS/611290347/1050/OPINION - The Gadsden Times comments on the controversy surrounding the reelection of Sen. Larry Means.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS02/611290326/1009 - Vote on Amendment One appears headed for recount.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/OPINION01/611290309/1012/OPINION - The Montgomery Advertiser supports calls for independent oversight of PSC.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/OPINION0101/611280301/1012/OPINION - Commentary by residential care provider praises DHR’s efforts to improve services to children.

http://www.politicalparlor.net/sanders-senate-sketches/senate-sketches-1017/ - Sen. Hank Sanders’ weekly newspaper column for his constitutents.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/061129a.shtml - The Decatur Daily sees actions of Attorney General in seeking job from former chancellor as a “lapse that undermines public trust.”

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS/611290343/1012/editorial1 - The Tuscaloosa News calls for Governor to initiate investigation of AG’s actions in seeking job from ousted chancellor.

FROM TODAY’S ANNISTON STAR:

State & Region News

Department of Corrections steps up recruitment of future officers

MONTGOMERY — It’s still short, but it’s a start.

The Alabama Department of Corrections, facing shortages of correctional officers and overcrowding throughout the system, has seen year-to-year increases in the number of cadets working in state prisons and the number of people taking tests to become officers.

About 126 cadets are working in prisons this month, a prelude to entering the correctional officer academy in January. Forty-six cadets were working in the system last November.

“What we’re doing is working,” said Brian Corbett, a spokesman for the department. “It’s really an awareness issue. It’s making people aware that we have jobs.”

The department unveiled a new advertising and recruiting campaign this fall targeting high school graduates without college plans. It has cut its recruitment-to-work waiting time from six months to two months.

The current starting salary for a correctional officer is $26,620 a year, making them the lowest-paid law enforcement officials, according to state surveys. Officers and their supervisors say that they face dangerous daily working conditions and that the packed system means overtime frequently is required.

About 2,600 correctional officers work in the system, about 400 positions short of needed staffing. The department loses 25 to 30 correctional officers each month.

Three hundred people took correctional officer tests this year, a number that officials said was encouraging. Corbett said they hope to have 150 people in the 12-week training class next year. The Department graduated 44 in the last class.

Gov. Bob Riley has said he will request a 10 percent increase in correctional officers’ salaries next year. If passed, that would bring starting salaries to $29,282. Prisons Commissioner Richard Allen said Tuesday he also would like to see tuition support for correctional officers that would allow them to earn two- and four-year degrees.

“To get promoted, you have to meet certain education requirements,” he said. “We might retain folks to work somewhere else.”

Allen said the department has drawn up a draft budget for fiscal 2008, which will be debated in the next session of the Legislature. He did not comment on it.

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