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    Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has appointed state appellate Judge Bill Lewis to the Alabama Supreme Court. Lewis will be the first Black Republican to serve on the court. Lewis serves on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. Ivey appointed him to the position last year.  He was previously the presiding circuit judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit in Elmore County. Lewis replaces Justice Jay Mitchell, who resigned Monday. Lewis is the fourth Black justice to serve on the state’s highest court and the first Black Republican.

      Alabama lawmakers have approved enhanced legal protections for police officers accused of misconduct. The bill now goes to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey who expressed her for the measure in her State of the State address. Republicans said it is needed to provide a clear legal framework and to show for law enforcement officers faced with making split-second decisions. Black lawmakers sharply criticized the bill. Sen. Rodger Smitherman called it “a license to kill Black people.”