Abortion Bill Passes House; Measles In Alabama: The Week In News

BIRMINGHAM, AL - During the past week, Alabama became the spotlight of national attention, as the Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill that would make abortion illegal in the state. Although the bill still has to pass the Senate, it is a move that has garnered attention by civil liberties groups nationwide.

Also making headlines this past week was the first confirmed case of measles in Alabama. The state joins 22 other states to have a measles case confirmed.

Here are some of the stories that made headlines on Patch during the week of April 29[May 5:

Alabama House Passes Bill Banning Abortion

A bill banning abortions statewide in Alabama - even in the case of rape or incest - passed the Alabama House of Representatives this past week. The bill, HB314, passed by a vote of 74 to 3.

Death Of Toddler Leads To Arrest Of 24-Year-Old Man

The Leeds Police Department has made an arrest after an investigation into the death of a two-year-old boy. The child died at Children's Hospital April 21.

First Measles Case Confirmed In Alabama

Although border states Georgia, Florida and Tennessee have already reported confirmed cases of measles, Alabama had remained unscathed - until Thursday. The Alabama Department of Public Health announced Thursday afternoon that a child in St. Clair County has been diagnosed with the illness.

Mountain Brook Ranked No. 2 High School In State, 213th In U.S.

The annual U.S News & World Report Best High Schools list was released last week, and not much changed atop the statewide rankings from last year, as Mountain Brook High School was listed as the second best high school in Alabama.

Vestavia Police Officer Killed In Gardendale

A Vestavia Hills police officer was killed late Thursday evening in what Gardendale police are describing as a "domestic incident." Vestavia Hills has identified the officer as 42-year-old Andrew Wade Kimbrel. The homicide happened at Woodbrook Apartments in Gardendale.