Alabama Bans Fireworks, but Not on the Senate Floor

YouTube has ruined many a life, but the reputation of a whole state? Bringing new meaning to the motto "We dare to defend our rights," two Alabama state senators came to blows on the Senate floor last week (which was of course recorded and widely viewed online). Soon afterward, a sense of shame befell students at the University of Alabama, the Crimson White reports.

But a reputation as "fighting rednecks" could be the least of Alabama's problems. The most severe drought the state has ever seen has forced the forestry commission to ban fireworks, sending a handful of Alabamians into despair. The commission has even asked residents to keep an eye on the usual suspects: "Parents should take this serious and advise their children to stay away from fireworks until the ban is removed." —Jackie Mantey and Alison Go