Coming in Wednesday's Star

It's all politics in an election year, but do Alabama reform groups know how to do politics? Our Montgomery correspondent Brian Lyman takes a look at how groups such as Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform and Alabama Arise accomplish their goals - or don't - in the capital.

The Jacksonville City Council, meanwhile, is still on the hook for $20,000 per month for the lease of the old Wal Mart building, still empty after the company opened a new store next door. The council's finally found a tennant, sort of: Cooper Chevrolet will pay $1,000 to use the parking lot for a 10-day tent sale next month. What else are they doing to get some lights on permanently in that dark store?

In Oxford, the City Council will decide tonight if they want to require skateboarders in their town to wear helmets.

In Anniston, one councilman wants the state transportation department to study the timing of traffic signals on streets that cross Quintard Avenue.

Also, Second Chance, Inc., a local shelter for victims of domestic violence, gets a new executive director. And JSU's Books for Baghdad program is set to send its second shipment of college texts to restock the shelves at embattled Baghdad University.