Feds begin $475 million upgrade at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant
One of the three units at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant near Huntsville has been shut down for scheduled maintenance as part of a $475 million upgrade at the Limestone County facility. TVA announced Monday that Unit 1 at Browns Ferry started a refueling and maintenance outage on Sunday. – AL.com
Hurricane Michael exposes problem of weak building codes
Unlike in South Florida, homes in the state’s Panhandle did not have tighter building codes. It was once argued that the trees would help save Florida’s Panhandle from the fury of a hurricane, as the acres of forests in the region would provide a natural barrier to savage winds that accompany the deadly storms. It’s part of the reason that tighter building codes — mandatory in places such as South Florida — were not put in place for most of this region until just 11 years ago. – NBC
Hoover passes temporary ban on ‘undesirable’ businesses
The Hoover City Council on Monday night voted 4-3 to pass a temporary moratorium against issuing business licenses to vape shops, tattoo parlors, pawn shops, check cashing stores and businesses that issue car title loans or payday loans or advances. Hoover Councilman Casey Middlebrooks proposed the moratorium, saying these types of businesses are undesirable and hinder the recruitment of other desirable businesses. – 280 Living
Selma can’t meet payroll, has plans to lay off 68 employees
A central Alabama city says it will lay off 68 employees because it lacks money.
Local news outlets report Mayor Darrio Melton met with employees Monday to notify them of layoffs, which take effect Nov. 5. Melton and Selma City Council dispute whether the city’s budget passed in September was balanced. Melton claims the council didn’t account for $1.2 million in debt payments. – AP
Sears catalog remembered for defeating Jim Crow retail
Monday’s announcement that Sears would file for bankruptcy and close 142 stores came as little surprise to anyone who has followed the retail giant’s collapse in recent years. Still, the news inspired a wave of nostalgia for a company that sold an ideal of middle-class life to generations of Americans. A lesser-known aspect of Sears’ 125-year history is how the company revolutionized rural black Southerners’ shopping patterns in the late 19th century. – Washington Post
Joe Newberry named top CEO by CUES
When Joe Newberry accepts the CUES Outstanding Chief Executive Award in November, it will cap a year of impressive national and international recognitions for Redstone Federal Credit Union and its top leadership. Newberry, in his 11th year as president and CEO of the 428,200-member credit union, received the recent honor for his professional achievements, his support of employee motivation and his dedication to the community. – News release
Irma Loya Tuder names to ServisFirst board
ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares Inc., recently announced the election of Irma Loya Tuder to its Board of Directors. Tuder has over 30 years of experience in strategic business planning and business operations. She is the founder, former CEO, and Board Chairperson of Analytical Services Inc., a nationally recognized business providing management and technical solutions to federal government agencies. – News release
Virginia McGarry joins Birmingham Business Alliance
Virginia McGarry has joined the Birmingham Business Alliance as Market Analyst for Innovation and Technology. In this role, McGarry will be responsible for the growth and development of new businesses within the region with a special focus on emerging and early-stage research, development and technology companies. – News release
Redesigned Nissan Altima wants to step up
Nissan’s Altima moved 254,996 units – strong enough for the car to be among the top 15 best-selling vehicles of the year, but a distant third behind the segment’s two sales titans, Toyota and Honda.It’s a situation Nissan wants to remedy, and the automaker seeks to breathe fresh life into the Altima by giving it a redesign for the 2019 model year. – New York Daily News
