Free Republic

Federal grand jury indicts former governor Don Siegelman and others Federal prosecutors say former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman and three others have been indicted in a "widespread racketeering conspiracy" that includes bribery and extortion. The alleged actions occurred between 1999 and 2003 -- Siegelman's term office. Former director of the Department of Transportation, Gary Mack Roberts, former Healthsouth CEO Richard Scrushy, and Siegelman's former press secretary, Paul Hamrick are also included in the indictment, which includes 30 counts. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's office, Siegelman and Hamrick are accused of extortion. They allegedly threatened businesses in...

Catch Vice-President's speech at Auburn University. Ceremony started at 10:00. http://www.auburn.edu/communications_marketing/graduationlive/

AUBURN -- Auburn University's golden eagle helped kick off the 2002 Winter Olympic Games Friday night in a flight above the crowd during opening ceremonies. The event in Salt Lake City was broadcast internationally to millions of viewers on NBC. "This was a tremendous honor for Auburn University to participate in the opening ceremony," said AU Interim President William F. Walker. "It's a great avenue to promote wildlife conservation and showcase our Raptor Center to an international audience. We obviously had the largest audience we could ever hope to reach at one time." The 23-year-old War Eagle VI, nicknamed Tiger, ...

FORT RUCKER - The helicopter training school here failed its readiness test and received the lowest ranking for Army training sites, according to published reports.A confidential report leaked to The Washington Times said more than half of the Army's combat and support training centers, including Fort Rucker, are not ready for battle. Some commanding generals at training sites that received the low rating warned officials at the U.S. Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) that the training sites risk not being able to turn out qualified soldiers.There are 20 schools that come under TRADOC's command. The Army Aviation Center at Fort ...