Alabama Farmers Federation praises trade pact with China
President Donald J. Trump was joined Wednesday by the Vice Premier of China at the White House to sign phase one of a new trade agreement that rebalances a vital trade partnership between the two economic superpowers while boosting American businesses, farmers, manufacturers, and innovators. The deal, which includes a commitment from China to buy more U.S. agricultural goods, was praised by the Alabama Farmers Federation. – AL Political Reporter
Mobile airport officials: Frontier ‘experiment’ validates swap
Meeting for the first time since Frontier Airlines announced it would end service to Mobile, the Mobile Airport Authority Board was upbeat about the future of passenger service from the Brookley aeroplex. One member of the board said Frontier’s run had “proved the thesis” that passenger service from Brookley would be appealing to Baldwin County residents. – AL.com
Lottery, prisons, pot expected to be on legislative agenda
Familiar issues will likely take center stage again when the Alabama Legislature reconvenes Feb. 4. Six state lawmakers who represent Shelby County previewed the upcoming legislative session at an event hosted Wednesday by the Shelby County Chamber. Two of those issues will be a state lottery and Alabama’s prison system, state Sen. Cam Ward said. – Shelby County Reporter
Children’s hair salon chain opens first Alabama location
A national children’s hair salon franchise has opened its first location in Alabama. Pigtails & Crewcuts is located at 700 Montgomery Highway, Suite 120, in the Vestavia Hills City Center. The Atlanta-based chain has 64 salons in 22 states, as well as 65 locations in development. – AL.com
AIDT promotes Jacqueline Allen to communications post
AIDT announced today that Jacqueline Allen has been promoted to assistant director of communications and external affairs at Alabama’s workforce development agency. Allen has over 30 years of experience in communications and marketing, with nearly 20 years of that experience at AIDT. – Made In Alabama
Center for Automotive Research says auto labor costs due to rise
New contracts between the United Auto Workers union and Detroit’s three automakers substantially increased the cost gap between Detroit and foreign automakers with U.S. factories, an industry think tank says. The Center for Automotive Research calculated that General Motors and Ford will see their total costs grow $8 per hour, while Fiat Chrysler’s will rise by $11 an hour during the four-year contracts that expire in 2023. – AP
