Thursday 7/12/2007 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Department of Corrections to sell land holdings, use funds to return prisoners from out-of-state private facilities.

Birmingham News – Siegelman transferred from Atlanta federal prison. (Link has been corrected.)

Birmingham News – Judge dismisses felony charges against former secretary of state, AG plans to appeal.

Birmingham News – The Birmingham News praises the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative.

Huntsville Times – Legislators plan more summer travel.

Huntsville Times – The Huntsville Times praises State Board of Education and Chancellor at efforts to bring reform to postsecondary system, but cautions that more must be done.

Tuscaloosa News – U.S. House approves measure to cut interest rate on student loans, expanding opportunities for low-income students to attend college.

Tuscaloosa News – Governor sees sale of Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation land as way to meet budget shortfalls.

Tuscaloosa News – The Tuscaloosa News says report on financial impact of Mercedes-Benz should erase any lingering doubts about the value of incentives used to lure plant to Alabama.

Dothan Eagle – The Dothan Eagle sees that allowing presidents of two community colleges to retire rather than be terminated is “a bad way to start the housecleaning of the two year system…’

Montgomery Advertiser – The Montgomery Advertiser contends that incentives paid to auto manufacturers have paid “huge dividends.”