BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- One Jefferson County High School is fighting to keep its theater program afloat.

The Shades Valley Theatre Academy is trying to get more financial support from the community to help the students continue to put on professional-level productions. The students in the program are considered the best and the brightest; the 10 graduating seniors have all earned close to $1-million in scholarships.

To stay afloat, the program relies heavily on donations.

"Our goal is to create a professional theatre company housed in a high school. To that end, we have old lighting fixtures, old sound system... Upgrades, they are incredibly expensive," said Dustin Helmer, a faculty member at the Shades Valley Theatre Academy.

"...it's a thrill you get from putting on bigger productions. More money means more shows," said student Darryl Harris.

HOMEWOOD, AL (WBRC)- Thursday, former Alabama Governor Bob Riley was in Homewood to talk to the Homewood Rotary about his vision for the state moving into the 21st century and especially about economic development.

Riley was a big supporter of the state's automotive industry while in office. Riley said the expansion of the state's automotive industry coupled with the thousands of new aviation jobs coming because of the Airbus plant have the state in a great position going forward.

"There's really no other place in the U.S. today that can compete with the American South. But Alabama is truly unique now because of the influence of the steel, the auto manufacturing, and now you combine it with Airbus and what we can do with aviation and aerospace? I think you're gonna see Alabama become the state other states wanna emulate," Riley said.

Riley completed his eight year term as governor in 2001.

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- The Homewood Police Department says they may be able to clear over 20 fraud cases with an arrest.

The suspect was arrested on Tuesday in connection to several theft and fraud cases. Investigators say the suspect is cooperating in further investigations.

Numerous stolen and fraudulently obtained items have been recovered in the investigation including electronics, jewelry and lawn equipment.

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