Secretary of Interior: US supports sustainable trophy hunts

Israel arrests 9 for price fixing trips to Nazi death camps

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama lawmaker and an advocacy group are planning to push state lawmakers in the upcoming session to discuss "ban the box" policies, which are meant to give ex-criminals a better chance of finding stable employment. According to the advocacy group National Employment Law Project, 19 states have implemented "ban the box" laws. The policies usually require employers to remove questions about convictions from job applications and ask applicants about their criminal history after evaluating their qualifications. Democratic Minority Leader Quinton Ross of Montgomery says he's sponsoring proposed legislation on the issue. Advocates say Alabama's recent work to reform its troubled prison system shows the climate is right for such a policy. Birmingham Mayor William Bell has said he's looking to implement a "ban the box" policy for city jobs.

Advocates to push for 'ban the box' policy in Alabama