The Sunrise News Sampler

According to the Tuscaloosa News, 21-year-old Kornelius Pierre Simmons has been arresed and charged with Rape 2nd Degree after an investigation concerning a 14-year-old female reported missing out of Mississippi. Simmons was placed in the Tuscaloosa County Jail on a $30,000 bond and more charges could be brought against him.

An Alabama appeals court has ruled by a unanimous vote that a law criminalizing consensual homosexual conduct is unconstitutional.

The wealth gap is reflected in donations as the latest Giving USA report shows Americans gave just over $335 billion to charity in 2013, a 3% increase from 2012 when adjusted for inflation. Donations to religious and social service groups depended on the middle-class were flat while universities, hospitals, and the arts fared better with gifts from the wealthy.

Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn died of oral cancer yesterday at the age of 54.

In recognition of National Safety Month, the Home Instead Senior Care office is offering free home safety checks for area seniors throughout the month. To rquest a safety check or the home safety checklist to prevent in-home injuries, call 205-764-0387.

Cullman County Circuit Judge Gregory Nicholas has scheduled a hearing Thursday to consider a request to lower the bond for a man charged with killing a sex offender who sexually abused his daughter. The man's current bail is $141,000.

The FDA is preparing to issue voluntary guidelines asking the food industry to lower sodium levels in an effort to prevent thousands of deaths each year from heart disease and stroke.

Tracy Morgan's condition has been upgraded to fair following an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike aht killed one and hospitalized Morgan in critical condition.