Alabama 4th highest in physician pay during Covid crisis
Medscape released its “Physician Compensation Report 2020,” examining how COVID-19 affected clinician salaries. Alabama ranked 4th highest. — Becker’s ASC Review
Millions of people still haven’t received unemployment payments: Alabama is 5th worst
Millions of people still haven’t received unemployment payments. These states are the worst. Alabama ranks 5th worst at 38 percent of benefits paid. — Fast Company
‘Public Shaming’ Audit Concerns Prompt Encompass Health to Return $237M in CARES Act Funding
Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE: EHC) has returned the $237 million in emergency provider relief it received from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the CARES Act. — Homehealthcare News
Days before landmark launch, NASA’s head of human spaceflight quits due to ‘mistake’
NASA’s top executive concentrating on human spaceflight, Doug Loverro, has resigned just a week before the scheduled start of a milestone space mission….In an email that Loverro sent to NASA employees, he said he was leaving the agency due to a mistake he made during his tenure, but did not elaborate on the nature of the mistake. — GeekWire
Alabama rocket museum laying off workers amid pandemic
Alabama’s state-owned space museum has permanently cut more than a third of its workforce after being closed for weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic. — AP
East Alabama businesses announce closures, hundreds of jobs impacted
Another major business announced its plans to close in east Alabama. According to the Alabama Department of Commerce, Monarch Windows and Doors in Anniston is planning to close its facility June 15th. It’s expected to impact 64 jobs at the company…. Last week, Honeywell Aerospace announced its plans to close next year. — ABC3340
City of Fairfield files Chapter 9 bankruptcy
The City of Fairfield filed for Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy Tuesday. Mayor Eddie J. Penny said the city’s expenses exceeded the city’s revenue. The city lists assets of between $1-$10 Million and liabilities in the same range. “We just need a fresh start,” said Mayor Penny. — WBRC
Montgomery property tax referendum becomes law without Ivey’s signature
Montgomery County residents will vote on a proposal to raise local property taxes to provide more funding for Montgomery Public Schools….Gov. Kay Ivey allowed a bill sponsored by Rep. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, to become law without signing it, a method allowed under the state constitution. The Alabama Legislature gave final approval to the measure on May 9.  — Montgomery Advertiser
State files suit against city of Fairhope for sewage deficiencies
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management and Attorney General Steve Marshall filed suit against the city of Fairhope Friday, alleging it violated several permit requirements for reporting and discharging pollutants from its wastewater treatment plant for a five-year period between April 2015 and April 2020. — Lagniappe