OPELIKA, AL (WTVM)- Alabama graduation rates have been released by the state board of education for the year 2012. 

Overall, the state earned a 75 percent rate. More than 45,000 seniors graduated, and close to 3,600 students dropped out.

Michael Sibley, Alabama Department of Education, says this is a 3 percent increase for the state since 2011, with about 1,800 more students graduating from high school than the previous year.

Food Safety and Inspection Service
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20250
Web: www.fsis.usda.gov

(WTVM)- Come August 1, every employer in Alabama will be affected by Act 283, commonly known as "Guns in the parking lot act."

This new law enables employees to have a gun in a locked compartment in their car while at work.

"It doesn't mean they can carry them in the work place, it doesn't mean they can carry them when they're ever at work, but it does mean under Alabama law beginning August first that they will have a right to store them in their vehicle out of plain view," explains Tommy Eden of management labor law firm of Constangy, Brooks and Smith.