Top 9@9 for July 4, 2012 - FOX 54 WZDX – Huntsville News, Weather and Sports

1. The Alabama State patrol is out in full force for its holiday initiative. Troopers are using LIDAR, a sophisticated way of using speed detection.

2. 400 pounds of explosives were used to turn Rose Towers to a 50,000-ton pile of debris. The building was demolished this morning to clear way for a new residence hall on the University of Alabama Campus.

3. Mitt Romney greeted supporters in the July 4th sun near his lakeside estate in New Hampshire. He's there for an annual vacation with his family for the holiday.

4. President Obama made a Fourth of July stop to honor a group of active duty service members during their naturalization ceremony. He hosted military heroes on the South Lawn for a barbeque, a concert, and a view of the D.C. fireworks.

5. Meet the artists who sew the stars and stripes you see when the President addresses the nation. The "Flag Ladies" sew by hand, stitch by stitch to obtain the presidential standard.

6. A Colorado family woke up to see their car doors open in the driveway. The thief, a 300 pound bear, was stuck in the SUV. It eventually got out and galloped into the woods.

7. Shrimpers in the Gulf of Mexico are claiming things haven't gotten any better since BP's Oil Spill. The level of uncertainty is so high, some are holding off on taking the oil giant's settlement money.

8. Joey Chesnut downed 68 dogs to defend his championship at the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. It was his 6th consecutive victory.

9. A California man is working to get the Hiccup Stick on store shelves. You place it lengthwise across your mouth, bite down and drink a glass of water.