Top 8 Local News Stories of 2019

As 2019 draws to a close, Alabama News Network has chosen the top eight local news stories of the year. It’s a tradition we bring you at the end of each year.

There were many major news stories in 2019. Some of them were especially bad. But we had our share of good news as well.

We don’t attempt to rank the stories, because they’re all important.

Here is our list of the Top 8 Stories of 2019:

• The election of Steven Reed as Montgomery’s first black mayor:

• The abduction and killing of college student Aniah Blanchard:

   

•  The killing of Lowndes County Sheriff “Big John” Williams:
• Montgomery police officer Aaron Cody Smith convicted of manslaughter:
• Tornadoes destroy part of Wetumpka and kill 23 people in Lee County:
• “The Voice of the Auburn Tigers” Rod Bramblett and his wife killed in wreck:
• Auburn Tigers reach the Final Four in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament:
• $50 million Whitewater recreation center announced for Montgomery: