Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees announced today that Alabama is no longer eligible for nine weeks of federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits. Alabama no longer meets the eligibility requirements for this particular tier of benefits, known as Tier 3, because the state’s average three month unemployment rate fell below 7.0% with January 2013’s rate announcement.

Following federal end-of-year revisions, Alabama’s November 2012 rate (6.9%), December 2012 rate (6.8%), and January 2013 rate (6.9%) average to a rate of 6.9%, which is below the 7.0% threshold needed to qualify for these weeks of benefits.

Unemployed Alabamians are now currently eligible for up to 54 weeks of unemployment compensation (UC) benefits. The state of Alabama is responsible for paying up to the first 26 weeks of benefits, known as “regular” UC. Any additional weeks are paid by the federal government.

TROY – Troy University has become the first university in America to be designated a “Purple Heart University.”

The move comes in an effort to honor veterans who have been given the award that was created by Gen. George Washington. The Military Order of the Purple Heart is granted to those service members who have been killed or wounded in battle.

“Our status as the first Purple Heart University in America is a natural extension of TROY’s long history of service to the men and women in uniform,” said Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. “We are proud of the thousands of our students and graduates who are serving in harm’s way and it’s with pride that we serve them and support them.”

Less than 24 hours after allowing 16 runs, the Auburn Montgomery baseball team turned to Eran Franks and Daniel Farrar on the mound and the duo did not disappoint.

The Warhawks (24-15, 11-10 SSAC) received 16 innings of one-run, nine-hit baseball from the tandem to lead the team to a sweep of visiting Southern Poly (26-14, 11-10 SSAC). AUM took the opener by a 3-0 score, while winning game two 4-1.

“We had a couple work horses step up and become thoroughbreds today in Franks and Farrar,” head coach Q.V. Lowe said. “I thought our guys played as well as they have all year. The two pitchers came ready to play and really set the tone for the whole team. We are excited to have won these two games.”

In the opener, Franks tossed a three-hit shutout, striking out three and walking one to improve to 5-4 on the season.

“We knew we had to get back on the grind today,” Franks said.