Worshippers Gather After Church Arson + Parolee Monitoring Bill

Morning, Montgomery! Here's everything you need to know to get this Monday started. Here's everything worth knowing today in town.

First, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 77 Low: 66.

Here are the top stories in Montgomery today:

1. Not even a fire to their beloved church could stop the congregates of First Baptist Church Montgomery from worshiping this weekend. The church held its regular Sunday service in a Scott Street parking deck just days after a suspected arson destroyed parts of its century-old building on South Perry Street. As pastor Mark Bethea said, "the church has never been about pews or walls. It’s been about the people of God doing the mission of God in their life." (WSFA 12)
2. The Alabama Legislature passed a bill that requires those who are released early from prison to undergo mandatory electronic monitoring. Monitoring would be paid for by the state and the amount of time someone is monitored would depend on an individual risk assessment analysis of each parolee. The bill passed with a final vote of 24-6 and was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey on Friday. (Alabama Daily News)
3. Alabama's next generation of activists is getting a jumpstart on fighting for equality. Fourteen-year-old twins Brooke and Breanna Bennett work with their mother to run a nonprofit organization called Women In Training, which is focused on women’s empowerment and advocacy for menstrual equity. The twins started their organization two years ago to provide menstrual products to people who can’t afford them. They are currently planning a fundraiser race on Oct. 9 in downtown Montgomery. (AL.com)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday off right. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Samantha Friedlander

About me: Samantha Friedlander is an avid reader and writer who loves storytelling. She is a freelance writer for the content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. She has a dual degree in English and Psychology.