"Alabama House District 52 Special Election Called After Longest-Serving Member's Resignation"

John Rogers, the longest-serving member of the Alabama House of Representatives, has resigned after pleading guilty to federal conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges related to a kickback scheme. The charges stem from diverting money from a grant program intended for community projects in Jefferson County. Rogers, who has been in office since 1982, agreed to resign as part of a plea deal and will be sentenced on July 26. A special election will be held to fill his House seat, and he is the third Alabama lawmaker to plead guilty to a criminal charge during this term.