Tuesday 1/30/2007 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1170152496318670.xml&coll=2 – State announces plan to offer interest free educational loans to teacher, nurses and National Guard members called to active duty since 9/11.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1170152392318670.xml&coll=2 – The Birmingham News celebrates the fact the officials were able to develop a plan to provide funding for transit programs even though it sees proposal as a “hard sell.”

http://www.politicalparlor.net/sanders-senate-sketches/senate-sketches-1026/ – “Senate Sketches,” the weekly column by Sen. Hank Sanders (D-Selma).

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1170152340318690.xml&coll=1 – Ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers to be centerpiece of Governor’s ethics reform agenda.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070129/APN/701292795 – Experts see Bush’s health insurance plan doing little to reduce Alabama’s uninsured.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070129/APN/701292764 – Legislative package to increase road safety proposed.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070130/NEWS/701300312/1012/SPORTS5 – Following reports that AG Troy King solicited financial help for non-profit from chancellor under investigation, The Tuscaloosa News questions whether there are still more ethical breaches “waiting to be disclosed.”

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070130/NEWS/701300311/1012/SPORTS5 – The Tuscaloosa News comments that the state must provide adequate and effective defense counsel if death penalty is to continue.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070130/NEWS/701300340/1007/TL02 – Lawyers battle death penalty in southern states.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/070130/merger.shtml – Lawrence County school consolidation plan may be dead.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070130/OPINION01/701300309/1012/OPINION – The Montgomery Advertiser says that it is wrong for AG to ask favors from someone under investigation by that office in spite of protestations by AG’s office that such concerns are “cynical.”