Airline stocks tank after Europe travel ban announced
Airline stocks tumbled Thursday after US President Donald Trump announced a 30-day ban on travel from more than two dozen European countries, including Germany, France, Spain and Italy. The move will deepen the crisis facing airlines, which have been forced by the coronavirus outbreak to cancel huge numbers of flights and make dramatic changes to their operations. The industry was already facing hundreds of billions of dollars in lost sales. – CNN Business
School officials cancel overseas travel over coronavirus concerns
The Alabama Department of Education has asked local school systems to disallow school-sponsored overseas travel as the department works to prevent a coronavirus outbreak. Mackey said that the state Department of Education has asked that local school districts cancel overseas travel “over the next several weeks.” “It’s not necessarily just about catching the virus overseas but we are seeing a rash of confinement overseas and quarantine,” Mackey said. – AL Political Reporter
2 Birmingham companies lauded for innovation
Tech and design magazine Fast Company has recognized two Birmingham companies on its Most Innovative Companies list. Command Alkon, a Birmingham-based construction technology company, was named eighth in the logistics category, while KultureCity places seventh among the 10 most innovative live events companies. – AL.com
Property tax hike sought in Montgomery to fix schools
Montgomery Public Schools officials say the system is underfunded, and an increase in property taxes would solve the problems. At Tuesday night’s Montgomery School Board meeting, the board approved the hiring of lobbyist to push an ad valorem tax to legislators. “We really need to at least bring this vote to the people and let them decide,” says Dr. Ann Roy Moore, MPD superintendent. – AL NewsNet
Insurance Alliance taps new agency development director
Alabama Insurance Alliance has announced the appointment of Angie Waggoner as agency development director. In her new role, Waggoner will be responsible for the agency development and consulting services of AIA members throughout Alabama. Waggoner has more than 20 years of insurance industry experience. – Insurance Business America
New retailer opens at the Summit
SEE Eyewear has opened a location at the Summit between the Cheesecake Factory and Chuy’s. It’s the brand’s 44th store, joining others in New York City, Los Angeles, South Beach, Boston, San Francisco, Georgetown, Chicago, Nashville, Toronto and Charleston, among others. SEE will celebrate its grand opening March 19 through 22 by partnering with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and donating a portion of all sales from the four days to GBHS. – AL.com
