| Feb 19, 7:18 AM EST
PRATTVILLE, Ala. (AP) -- After touring a neighborhood where some homes were completely destroyed and many others heavily damaged by a tornado, Alabama Gov. Bob Riley noted that 23 volunteers had come to help clean up one of the mangled homes. "One of the great things about living in Alabama - and I say this after every major emergency we have - it truly is amazing to see what's happening out there with all the families in this state," Riley said Monday. About 50 people were injured when the tornado ripped through the area Sunday, and about 200 homes and 40 businesses were damaged or destroyed. Two people were listed in serious condition Monday, said Todd Stacy, a spokesman for the governor. Both Riley and Mayor Jim Byard said they were working with Federal Emergency Management Agency preliminary assessment teams to determine whether the area will be eligible for federal emergency management assistance.
Build a Southwest fiesta for Super Sunday
So your team may not be in Sunday's Super Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.Mine isn't either, but that doesn't mean I won't be watching every minute of the marathon pregame and every snap and every commercial during the game.Super Bowl Sunday this year has added drama for all lovers of American history.If the New England Patriots win, they'll be the first team ever to complete a season 19-0.If they don't win, the New York Giants will be remembered as the team that prevented that history from happening.Folks may choose a New Englandish seafood-based theme to honor the Patriots, or a New York deli-style menu to commemorate the Giants. .
Opponents vow to re-light debate on smoking ban
SPRINGFIELD, ILL. -- Illinois' statewide smoking ban is barely a month old, and opponents already are trying to re-light the debate.With the General Assembly scheduled to return to Springfield this week, various Illinois interests - casinos, bars, veterans' organizations - are preparing to push state lawmakers to carve out exceptions for various types of facilities from the sweeping ban that went into effect this year in all indoor public places.''I'm a dedicated non-smoker, but the hair on the back of my neck stands up'' at some of freedom-of-choice issues created by the ban, said state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, who filed one of the exemption bills. He and others argue the ban is an enforcement nightmare for businesses, and is merely angering many of the patrons and employees it was meant to protect.
Updated 12:25 P.M.
In 2008 you will also find political candidates are all over websites like MySpace, Facebook, and YouTube. So, today's question: what's the correlation? Which came first? Are young people into politics because candidates have finally figured out the web or does it start with the kids, and is just reflected in their websites? Obama Backers Go Into Overdrive Posted by Ethan Harp at 11:48 a.m.
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ORU alumni support sought
Uncertainty remained Saturday about what effect Richard Roberts' resignation as president will have on Oral Roberts University, but some observers said it was a step toward improvement.
"I think people are going to be waiting and watching: OK, can it survive without a Roberts at the helm?" said Donald R. Vance, professor of biblical languages and literature.
Vance said he thinks alumni need to support ORU as it undergoes this transition, after being led for 42 years by a Roberts. ORU professors are committed to the school's evangelical Christian mission, but that might not be obvious without a TV minister as president, he said. Christian colleges across the country are led by non-ministers -- "it will just be different for us."
ORU leaders have not addressed what role, if any, Roberts will have at the university.
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