A new $4.3 million taxiway is coming to the Auburn University Regional Airport. Airport director William Hutto told the Opelika-Auburn News that the new runway, which is expected to be completed in roughly six months, will be capable of handling 75,000 pounds (34019.4 kilograms).

A California company says it plans to sell underground natural gas storage facilities in central Mississippi and southwest Alabama. Sempra Energy of San Diego announced last week that it would sell its Mississippi Hub facility southeast of Jackson and its 91 percent share of Bay Gas Storage northeast of Mobile.

Authorities are searching for a prisoner who they say has escaped from the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s custody. Franklin police and the highway patrol tell news outlets in tweets and statements that 31-year-old Joseph Perkins was being walked into the Williamson County jail early Friday when he assaulted a trooper outside and ran away.

General Electric Co. is expanding an appliance plant in north Alabama. Gov. Kay Ivey’s office said Friday the company will enlarge its Decatur factory in a $115 million project that will increase the workforce by 255 full-time positions.

Storms that swept across Alabama with powerful winds left thousands of people without power and are being blamed for one death. The Storm Prediction Center and news outlets report that a man died in the east Alabama city of Lineville when a tree fell on a car as storms moved through Thursday.

An auto supply plant says it’s undergoing a $40 million expansion that will create 70 jobs at its production facility in the Alabama town of Steele. Al.com reports the St. Clair County Economic Development Council and the Alabama Department of Commerce announced Unipres’ move Thursday.

A line of strong thunderstorms pushed through Alabama downing trees and leaving thousands of people without electricity. Alabama Power Co. on Thursday afternoon said that 156,000 customers were without electricity.

Former Alabama House Majority Leader Micky Hammon has been released from federal prison. The Federal Bureau of Prisons lists that Hammon was released Wednesday after serving a 90-day sentence for mail fraud.

Equifax Inc. has reached an agreement with eight states that will require the credit-reporting agency to put stronger security measures in place to prevent future data breaches. About 147.9 million Americans were impacted by Equifax’s 2017 data breach, which was the largest exposure of personal information in history.

A teacher in Mobile has received the nation’s highest honor for the profession. At a ceremony Wednesday at the White House, WKRG-TV reports Chasity Collier was presented the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science teaching.

LG Electronics is building a solar panel assembly plant in Huntsville. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced Wednesday that LG Electronics will establish the new factory at the company’s existing site in Huntsville.

The Alabama Department of Corrections says some prison guards can expect raises later this year. Al.com reports Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn announced Wednesday maximum security guards will get a 10 percent raise starting July 1. Medium security prison guards will get a 5 percent raise.

Two Tennesseans are awaiting extradition to Alabama for the fatal shooting of a man earlier this month. Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler said Tuesday that 18-year-old Hannah Burrows and 31-year-old Jessie Parker have been arrested in the death of 23-year-old Christopher “Devan” Cobb.

Authorities say a man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting at an Alabama barbershop. The Tuscaloosa News reports 35-year-old Kevin Frankas Riley, also known as “ChiTown,” was arrested Monday in the shooting that happened in Tuscaloosa on Friday.

The attorney for a former Tampa Bay and University of Alabama defensive end arrested in Florida on drug charges says the public should withhold judgment until a proper investigation is complete.

The case of an Alabama county board of education that’s trying to stop the opening of a charter school this fall will be heard in court this week. The Tuscaloosa News reports the Sumter County Board of Education is seeking an injunction against a charter school set to open in Livingston this year.

A man has been accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl for a year in Alabama. Tuscaloosa police spokeswoman Lt. Teena Richardson tells news outlets that 35-year-old Steven Markell Wells was taken into custody at his home Sunday.

Police say a man has been arrested on kidnapping and robbery charges after a police chase in Alabama. Robertsdale Police told WALA-TV that 39-year-old Charles Stillwell took a car and nearly hit an officer after he was being check for drug use at the police station Sunday.

The Alabama Historical Commission has received state funding to distribute $750,000 in grants to historical sites in the state. WSFA-TV reports the organization is accepting applications from historical sites for grants up to $20,000 to help improves their educational programs.

Gray Television Inc. and Raycom Media Inc. are announcing a merger that would create the third-largest television broadcast group in the United States. Georgia-based Gray and Alabama-based Raycom said Monday that they’ve entered into an agreement to combine the companies in a $3.6 billion deal.

Forecasters say it’s going to be dangerously hot across parts of the South. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for about half of Alabama, much of central Georgia and the southern tip of South Carolina for Monday afternoon.

An Alabama man who was killed during World War II is being buried in Florida after his remains were identified decades following his death. The Pentagon says a funeral is scheduled for Thursday in Pensacola for Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Percy C. Mathews of Andalusia.

A former defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the University of Alabama has been arrested on drug charges in Florida. Pinellas County Jail records show 50-year-old Keith McCants was arrested early Monday near St. Petersburg.

The former Birmingham News production building has been sold for $1.5 million. Al.com reports the buyer is looking to transform the 97,000-square-foot building into a self-storage facility.