**Sacred Heart School will dismiss students at 11:00 a.m. on Friday.

ALL Catholic High Schools and Elementary Schools in Jefferson County and Shelby County will close Friday. As of 9:30 p.m., Prince of Peace in Hoover has not made the decision on closing at this time.

Anniston City Schools will close on Friday.

Auburn University will close Friday.

Calhoun County Schools will close on Friday.

Chilton County Schools will close Friday.

Coosa County Schools will close Friday.

Cullman County Schools will close Friday.

Demopolis Higher Education Center will close Friday.

The Donoho School will close on Friday.

Glen Iris Baptist School will close Friday.

Haleyville City Schools will close Friday.

Hightown Academy in Northport will close Friday.

Integrity Christian Academy in Birmingham will close Friday.

Jefferson Christian Academy will close on Friday.

Jefferson County Schools will close Friday.

Midfield City Schools will close on Friday.

North River Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa will close on Friday.

Shelby County Schools: Decision on weather related school closing to be made Friday morning.

Sumiton Christian School will close on Friday.

Tarrant City Schools will close on Friday.

Tuscaloosa City Schools and the Tuscaloosa Central Office will close Friday.

Tuscaloosa County Schools will close Friday.

University of West Alabama will close Friday.

Walker County Schools will close Friday.

Wallace State Community College in Hanceville will close on Friday.

MONTGOMERY - After discussing the weather forecast with the National Weather Service and state and local agencies, Governor Bob Riley said state government agencies will be closed on Friday. Exceptions include critical essential response staff as determined by each Cabinet member, agency director or commissioner.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning this afternoon and reports that the threat of snow for much of Alabama is growing."Based on the current forecast from the National Weather Service, and because the safety of state employees is of paramount concern, all state offices will be closed on Friday," said Governor Riley.

"The amount of snow areas of Alabama are expected to receive is rare. It's important for citizens to be aware of hazards and to be prepared for this winter weather. I urge all Alabamians to heed the caution messages of our state agencies and make sure their families and friends do the same," Governor Riley said.

State agencies have made preparations for the expected winter storm. The Alabama Department of Transportation has personnel and equipment ready statewide. Equipment includes de-icing materials, sand and salt, dump trucks and spreaders. Crews are prepared to respond based on weather and roadway conditions in the effort to keep state, U.S. and interstate highways passable. Any road closures will be posted online at www.dot.state.al.us.

The Alabama Department of Public Safety has every available state trooper on standby status to implement its winter weather operations plan and will be ready to respond to the development of hazardous driving conditions.

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency has staff and field coordinators on alert status and they are prepared to assist local communities with requests for assistance. The National Weather Service is providing AEMA with updates on conditions and how the weather is expected to impact Alabama counties.

U.S. Senator Jeff Session (R-AL) is praising President Obama's selection of AIDS Alabama leader Kathy Hiers to the President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.  The appointment came at the urging of Sessions, who's worked with Hiers on a number of health related issues including the Ryan White Act which is a federal law that provides medicine and treatment for individuals living with AIDS.

Sessions says Hier's new role will give her the opportunity to make sure the South receives the resources and attention it needs to combat HIV/AIDS.

 A murder case involving a drug deal will go to a grand jury.  At a hearing in a Jefferson County courtroom Thursday, testimony was heard against suspect 22- year old Cedric Sumpter  as to how and why he fatally wounded 26- year old Michael Turner last November inside an apartment on Tuscaloosa Avenue.

A Birmingham police detective testified that Sumter and Turner met for a marijuana deal, but Sumpter ended up shooting turner with a military style rifle. Sumpter says he shot Turner because he believed he Turner was reaching for a gun.  Sumpter is charged with capital murder. Prosecutors say Sumpter also robbed the victim of some $1,000 and a cell phone. 

Atlanta-based Mueller Water Products has announced it will close the U.S. Pipe and Foundry in North Birmingham by March 31. The plant produces ductile pipe used in water systems. The company blames the economic downturn and its markets for the closure.  Production will shifted to more modern U.S. Pipe plants in Bessemer and Union City, California.  The Bessemer plant is said to have a new automated process for producing pipe. Mueller CEO Gregory E. Hyland says closing the North Birmingham plant will bring the company's manufacturing capacity in line with demand.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says drivers of recalled Toyota should get their vehicles to dealers for repairs. LaHood's warning came today during a Congressional Appropriations House subcommittee his advice is to "stop driving it. Take it to a Toyota dealer because they believe they have a fix."  Toyota's massive recall affects 2.3 million vehicles with the potential for sticking gas pedals and un-expected acceleration. LaHood confirms that the government is investigating potential electrical problems in Toyota vehicles.

LaHood said Wednesday he will call Toyota President Akio Toyoda in the coming days to make sure the Japanese automaker is aware of the government's concerns about safety issues with Toyota vehicles.

Freshman Congressman Parker Griffith of Huntsville is expected today to announce that he is leaving the Democratic Party to become a Republican.  The 67-year old Griffith was elected in 2008, replacing Bud Cramer of Huntsville, in what appeared to be a preservation of a Democratic stronghold in that part of the state.  Griffith is/was a member of the Blue Dog Democrats, who are conservative Democrats that do not support abortion, gay marriages or gun control.

The Hill Newspaper reports on its website that an Alabama Republican Party Source confirmed that Griffith will announce the party switch at 1 p.m.  The Hill goes on to report that GOP lawmakers in the Alabama delegation, including Congressman Robert Aderholt, began wooing Griffith weeks ago.