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Alabama found lacking in computer science students

Submitted by Arielle Clay, Fox 6 News Reporter
Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 8:23am

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- With more job opportunities than any other college major these days, computer science is hot. The Bureau of Labor says there will be up to 800,000 new jobs in this area by 2020. So, why are fewer than 100 students in Alabama learning about this field?

"I'm always surprised that we have to go out and advocate for computer science education," computer science teacher, Carol Yarbrough said.

Whether it makes sense or not the computer science industry is in need of some good publicity. And who better to be the face of it than a Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and a few of their very successful friends. They are a part of a short film on the site code.org. It's advocating the need for computer programming education specifically teaching high school students how to write code.

"We heard there was a lot of folks in industry putting an effort to raise the awareness of computing," University of Alabama professor, Jeff Gray, said.

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Petelos: Second employee fired in car tag line scandal

Submitted by Ronda Robinson, Fox 6 News Reporter
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 7:00pm
A still image allegedly shows a county employee taking cash in exchange for moving a taxpayer to the front of the tag line. Source: WBRC video

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL (WBRC)- There are new developments in the story involving a Jefferson County employee caught on video appearing to take money for faster service in the car tag line.

Jefferson County officials confirm that a second employee has been fired as a result of the investigation into the matter.

"That employee has been terminated. We have terminated two employees and we still have an ongoing internal investigation," county manager Tony Petelos said.

Criminal charges are expected to be filed in this case. Officials have not commented on whether more employees are involved and the investigation continues.

Copyright 2013 WBRC. All rights reserved.

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Recipe: White chocolate mousse with warm balsamic strawberries

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 3:28pm
Recipe: White chocolate mousse with warm balsamic strawberries

White chocolate mousse with warm balsamic strawberries

Chef Franklin Biggs

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Homewood street closed for road work

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 3:20pm
Source: MGN Online

HOMEWOOD, AL (WBRC)- Homewood's 19th Street will be closed between Oxmoor Road and 29th Avenue South on Tuesday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 15 for road work.

The street will be closed for seal coating and re-striping, according to the Homewood Police Department.

Copyright 2013 WBRC. All rights reserved.

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Jeffco Commission reveals plan to shorten courthouse lines

Submitted by Alan Collins, Fox 6 News Reporter
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 3:08pm
Jeffco leaders at the meeting. (Photo: Alan Collins)

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Jefferson County Commissioners believe some of the long wait for car tags can be reduced by the end of summer or the fall. Jefferson County taxpayers still have to wait hours in line because of the county's financial troubles and new requirements for insurance coverage.

On Tuesday, county commissioners revealed plans to bring back another six employees for the revenue department to help cut the wait. Commissioners said the workers will have to be trained on the new software program that is expected to speed up the process.

"Our new software will speed up the lines and we employ six additional personnel. You should see a much faster queue through these lines," said Jefferson County Commissioner Jimmie Stephens.

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Jeffco pushes forward in efforts to escape debt

Submitted by Alan Collins, Fox 6 News Reporter
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 2:53pm

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Jefferson County is taking another step to get out of the largest municipal bankruptcy in the country's history.

On Thursday Jefferson County Commissioners will vote on an agreement with creditors. These creditors hold about $105-million in general obligations warrants that were sold to fund road and other capital improvement projects.

On Tuesday, Commissioners announced the agreement. It calls for renewing payments on the debt, paying off the debt, establishing an interest rate of 4.9% and changing to a fixed rate rather than a variable rate.

The negotiations involved JP Morgan and German bank. The deal is seen as significant because JP Morgan holds a large portion of Jefferson County's massive sewer debt.

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Ala-based firm to combat cyberattacks

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer
Monday, May 13th, 2013, 12:03pm
Ala-based firm to combat cyberattacks

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - A new company is being launched in Birmingham to combat computer-based attacks.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is starting an intelligence company called Malcovery in a public-private partnership.

The director of UAB's computer forensics office, Gary Warner, will serve as the company's chief technologist while remaining in his role with the university.

Warner says the company provides real-time intelligence to identify cyberattacks as they occur worldwide. Malcovery is an outgrowth of Warner's work identify computer security threats.

Malcovery is based jointly in Birmingham and in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

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