MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Alabama’s ability to overcome the complex challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to economic development earned the state a Top 10 ranking in “Site Selection” magazine’s annual Governor’s Cups analysis. Alabama ranked No. 9 among the states in job-creating economic development projects per capita, a measurement that places smaller states on a […]

National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Alabama state director Rosemary Elebash on Monday called on the Alabama House of Representatives to pass State Rep. Jamie Kiel’s (R-Russellville) bill that would effectively erase the distinction between “essential” and “non-essential” businesses during a pandemic or other declared emergency. HB 103 as amended was given a favorable report […]

HOMEWOOD — The “Reopening the Economy in the Age of COVID” conference occurred Thursday in suburban Birmingham, drawing leading academics and economists from across the nation to discuss not only the COVID-19 pandemic but also how lessons learned from the past year should help inform public policy and future decision-making to avoid repeated mistakes. The […]

The University of Alabama System on Monday announced that its three distinct institutions plan to return to traditional in-person instruction without restrictions on classroom capacity for the fall 2021 semester. While UA System campuses this ongoing spring semester continue to offer a mixture of traditional, hybrid and virtual classes while implementing campus-wide advanced health and […]

In an important and timely display of confidence for the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) program, the U.S. Navy has selected Mobile-based Austal USA to design and build an additional EPF. The award comes in the form of a $235 million undefinitized contract action modification for the detailed design and construction of EPF 15. The modification […]

Lighthouse Labs, a nationally acclaimed startup accelerator based in Virginia, on Monday announced the 10 teams joining its milestone 10th cohort. This latest cohort will run from March 15 until June 4 and is Lighthouse’s largest and most diverse to date. Among the group is Birmingham-based Frameworq. Created initially for internal usage by KMS, formerly […]

On the heels of President Joe Biden buckling to teachers unions and refusing to follow the science in keeping schools shuttered across the nation, he has now apparently caved to behind-the-scenes lobbying from union bosses again. Biden on Sunday evening released a video in support of the New York City-based Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union’s […]

Last week, State Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) delayed his so-called comprehensive gaming proposal to fine-tune the legislation that would set in motion a constitutional amendment for expanding gambling in Alabama. Although Marsh insisted he had the votes for his bill’s passage, there are still a handful of Republican members in the State Senate that were […]

DECATUR, Alabama – Polyplex USA announced plans this past week to invest over $90.6 million to expand production of specialized polyester film at its Decatur facility in a project that will create 100 jobs when complete. Polyplex plans to add a second Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BOPET) film line at the Alabama facility, with an additional investment […]

Last week, the State House Constitution, Campaigns, and Elections Committee held a hearing on a proposal from State Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville) to allow no-excuse absentee voting in Alabama. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, the state’s top election official, endorsed the bill, and it is expected to get a vote in committee next week. […]

MONTGOMERY — Mobile County’s John Skipper on Saturday defeated State Rep. Andrew Sorrell (R-Muscle Shoals) to become senior vice chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. The election came during ALGOP’s 2021 Winter Meeting. Skipper fills the seat vacated by John Wahl’s ascension to chairman of the state party.

Yamaha Corporation of America has named The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of the University of Alabama System, as a 2021 honoree in its inaugural Institution of Excellence program, acknowledging the school’s extraordinary commitment to innovation in the study of music. Only 10 outstanding schools nationwide earned the prestigious designation this year. […]

The U.S. House of Representatives early Saturday morning passed H.R. 1319, the $1.9 trillion so-called American Rescue Plan backed by President Joe Biden and Democratic congressional leadership. The vote was 219-212; the spending bill now moves to the U.S. Senate. All six House Republicans from Alabama voted against the legislation, while Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) […]

MOBILE, Alabama — Ren Seafoods plans to open a seafood processing facility and distribution hub in Mobile as part of a $12.4 million growth project that will create 54 jobs, according to the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. “This project further cements Mobile as a prime location for logistics and warehousing,” said David Rodgers, the chamber’s […]

Being ready for severe weather doesn’t have to be expensive, but every little savings helps. This year, 265 municipalities across Alabama will be participating in a sales tax holiday for specific preparedness items. The tax abatement begins Friday, Feb. 26, at 12:01 a.m., and runs through midnight Sunday. The Alabama Department of Revenue is updating its list of […]

Some of our nation’s most important — and most complex — problems are being addressed by innovators in Huntsville, which U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) called the “Silicon Valley of the South” in a Senate Armed Services subcommittee hearing this week. A lot of that groundbreaking work is done or otherwise made possible by engineers, […]

All three members of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee from Alabama have expressed approval of an airstrike against a number of Iranian-backed targets in Syria ordered by President Joe Biden’s administration on Thursday. The operation, Biden’s first authorization of deadly force, was in response to “recent attacks against American and Coalition personnel in Iraq,” […]

United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama Louis V. Franklin, Sr. on Friday retired after three decades of distinguished service to the people of our state and nation. Franklin joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama in 1990 as an Assistant United States Attorney. Over the three decades that […]

Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R-AL) on Friday morning interviewed with two Alabama radio shows about a wide-range of topics, including Space Command, no-excuse absentee voting and the comprehensive gaming proposal currently pending action by the State Senate. Speaking to Birmingham-area Talk 99.5’s “Matt & Val Show,” Ainsworth was asked by co-host Matt Murphy about his […]

Raytheon, a defense contractor with a large presence in Huntsville, held its annual “Introduce a Girl To Engineering Event” this week. The company invited students from Alabama’s School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE) to take part in an engineering challenge, followed by a panel discussion with accomplished female engineers and cyber professionals. Yellowhammer News […]

Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R-AL) on Friday announced he will not be a candidate in Alabama’s 2022 U.S. Senate contest. The seat is being vacated by U.S. Senator Richard Shelby’s (R-AL) decision not to seek a seventh term. Ainsworth, who is serving his first term as lieutenant governor, is the prohibitive favorite to be the […]

Russell Medical, a hospital located in Alexander City that serves a large portion of East Alabama, announced a multi-facility expansion on Thursday that is being made possible by a $25 million gift. Making the donation to the nonprofit hospital are Ben and Luanne Russell. Ben Russell is the CEO of Russell Lands, the company that […]

Last week, the nation watched as Texas suffered electricity outages during an unprecedented winter storm that wreaked havoc on the Lone Star State. Could that happen here in Alabama? Public Service Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh said although no utility is completely invulnerable, measures have been taken to protect customers. During an appearance on Mobile radio […]

State Rep. Allen Treadaway (R-Morris) on Thursday morning interviewed with Talk 99.5’s “Matt & Val Show” regarding his HB 445, which would create new crimes and penalties for individuals who incite or participate in riots. His interview came the day after State Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham) took to the Senate floor to lambast the legislation […]