Alabama, North Dakota And South Carolina to debut Apple and Google’s Covid-19 contact tracing
Apple and Google released software on Wednesday that will allow public health agencies around the world to build their own apps to track who may have been exposed to Covid-19 using bluetooth signals, with Alabama, North Dakota and South Carolina the first U.S. states to sign on. — Forbes
Truck movement increases; Alabama highest outbound volume
Inbound and outbound truck movement is beginning to rise across most of the U.S., FourKites data shows. Load trends for Monday reveal the largest increase in inbound truck movement is in Arizona, at more than 24% compared to a two-week average, while outbound movement surged the most in Alabama, up more than 15%. Arizona’s stay-at-home order expired Friday, and Alabama’s expired April 30. — Supply Chain Drive
Alabama #5 business-friendly state in COVID-19 era: Zippia
Alabama is ranked number number five in the nation by Zippia among states with the highest business friendly rating during the coronavirus pandemic. The ranking is based on a formula that includes the number of COVID-19 cases tested per capita. — Sidney Herald
6 banks, including BBVA USA, have taken goodwill impairments in 2020
The sudden and sharp drop in global markets forced a number of banks to take goodwill impairments in the first quarter of 2020, a potential sign of tougher times to come…. The Spanish bank BBVA (NYSE:BBVA) took a goodwill impairment of $2.2 billion in its American division, BBVA USA, which is based in Alabama. The bank attributed the impairment to the “drastic change in macroeconomic conditions and economic forecasts brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.” — Motley Fool
O’Neal Steel opens metal distribution center in Missouri
Next month, a new metal distribution center will open in northwest Missouri’s St. Joseph. During today’s press conference, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says Birmingham, Alabama-based O’Neal Steel is opening the 64,000 square feet site on June 1 that will support several industries statewide. — Missourinet
Governor Ivey announces economic relief available to Alabama’s seafood industry
Governor Kay Ivey announced today that Alabama will receive $3,299,821 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding to provide economic relief to qualifying applicants in the state’s seafood industry who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. — News Release
No COVID-19 patients in Calhoun County hospitals
On Wednesday morning, Calhoun County didn’t have a single patient hospitalized for COVID-19, and local officials said there are only 11 coronavirus cases in the county that they still consider active. — Anniston Star
Back Forty is expanding
Fans of the Birmingham brewery Back Forty can look forward to expansions that will make the craft beer experience even better. — Bhamnow
Team behind ‘S-Town’ podcast settles lawsuit with estate of central figure John B. McLemore
After two years in court, a lawsuit against the makers of a popular podcast set in on the western side of Alabama by the estate of its primary figure has now been dismissed. — WHNT
U.S. 231 Phase 1 complete
The excavation of about 220,000 cubic yards of loose rock and soil from the landslide on Brindlee Mountain in Morgan County, the first phase of the Alabama Department of Transportation’s plan to repair and reopen U.S. 231, is now complete. — The Arab Tribune
