Top Headlines: Airbus CEO on Boeing crisis, Longer summer break proposal

Airbus CEO sees no short-term benefits from Boeing Max crisis
Airbus’ chief executive said Thursday that his company sees no short-term benefit from Boeing’s troubles with its grounded 737 MAX because the competing A320 is sold out years ahead. CEO Guillaume Faury said that safety was a shared concern in the industry. He made the remarks at the company’s earnings news conference after it reported a loss of 1.36 billion euros ($1.48 billion) in 2019 because of a multibillion-euro bribery settlement with authorities in three countries. – AP

Longer summer break proposal draws opposition
An Alabama lawmaker says public schools should extend their summer breaks through Labor Day to help workforce development. Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford, said he’ll sponsor legislation to require school summer breaks run at least from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Currently, many systems end their year prior to Memorial Day, but start in early August. He said the current summer breaks don’t give older students enough time to get summer jobs. – WBRC

Football Legend Archie Manning to speak at University of Mobile Banquet
Football legend Archie Manning will be the keynote speaker for the 15th annual University of Mobile Scholarship Banquet in September 2020. Tickets are on sale now.“We are excited about bringing Archie Manning to Mobile and hearing from a man who, in addition to compiling an outstanding football legacy, has an inspiring legacy as a father and humanitarian. We anticipate that tickets will go quickly,” said Brian Boyle, executive director for the University of Mobile Foundation. – News release

Alabama Senate committee votes down payday loan restrictions
An Alabama Senate committee on Wednesday voted down a proposal to give payday lending customers longer to repay their loans. The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee voted 6-8 against the bill by Republican Sen. Arthur Orr that would give borrowers 30 days to repay a loan instead of as little as 10 days. The proposed change would have dropped the effective yearly interest rate from 450% APR to 220% APR, according to proponents. – ABC3340

Owner of truck driving school pleads guilty to bribery, fraud charges
The owner of a Lee County truck driving school charged with conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud in a commercial driver’s license cheating scheme pleaded guilty in federal court this week. James Welburn, 72, of Columbus, Georgia, the owner of American Truck Driving Academy, entered the plea on a charge of conspiring to commit bribery in relation to federal programs. Welburn was arrested July 2019 after being indicted by a federal grand jury. – Dothan Eagle

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Three new tenants coming to the Summit
Local and national tenants are coming to the Summit this year, according to an announcement by Bayer Properties. A first for Alabama location of North Italia, and new locations of Battle Republic and Real & Rosemary will be joining the roster. “These new concepts continue to enhance the eclectic and quality mix of experiences that can be found only at The Summit,” Libby Lassiter, President for Bayer Properties, said. – AL.com

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