Hacktivists taking aim at Dallas-Fort Worth police departments
Dallas Morning News – June 3
Police departments nationwide are in the cross hairs of online activists and hackers, and several local agencies also have felt their wrath recently. A group known for hacking law enforcement agencies demanded that the Grapevine Police Department seek murder charges against an officer. “Spambots” brought down the Dallas Police Department’s website for a day. And the Cleburne Police Department fended off five cyberattacks. Experts say that “hacktivists” increasingly might be targeting police departments in response to several controversial police shootings, and that the departments often have trouble playing defense against hackers whose skills are constantly improving … When hackers are based in other countries, or appear as though they are, U.S. authorities have a hard time pursuing a case, said Diana Dolliver, a cybercriminology professor at University of Alabama. Hackers are constantly evolving their technology and methods, experts say, and many companies and governments struggle to keep up. Only about 80 countries have outlawed online misconduct. “The jurisdictional problems with cybercrime are almost unfathomable,” Dolliver said.
The Waffle House Rules: How the popular southern-based eatery is utilized by FEMA in assessing storm damage
Al.com – June 3
John and Debbie Simpson of Grand Bay are Waffle House regulars who venture out to the Tillman’s Corner restaurant at least once weekly. “I like to joke that those are my girlfriends,” John, 78, a retired shrimp boat captain, said as he pointed to the Waffle House cooks. “We’ll come out here whether it’s snowing, rain or shine. We came after Katrina.” It’s a comforting notion to the couple that Waffle House is open 24 hours, seven days a week. It’s also a comfort to those who, after a storm, will venture to one of the 35 South Alabama restaurants that is often open immediately after a hurricane, ice storm or any other natural disaster. “You don’t close a Waffle House,” said Lars Powell, director of the Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research through the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce. “As everyone is getting out of town, they are trying to get in to prepare a hot meal. They put considerable resources into their own risk management where they send additional personnel and supplies and such to their restaurants.”
Perilous Budget Picture as Time Runs Out, Gulf Shrimp Season Opens Tomorrow
Alabama Public Radio – June 3
Alabama lawmakers are entering the final stretch of current legislative session, and their biggest challenge is still unsolved: a $200 million shortfall in the General Fund budget. Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Chairman Arthur Orr said yesterday he believes most legislators have resigned themselves to a special session … Baldwin County Probate Judge Tim Russell says people who visit the area like it so much, they decide to put roots down. “And I hear the story all the time. They come down for two or three years to the condos, waters, bays, rivers. They fall in love. They say, I want to get down there and be part of it. So our greatest growth is in the retiree population.” The influx of people is not expected to slow down anytime soon. A new study from the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research forecasts another 100,000 people could soon move to Baldwin County.