Transportation Secretary Chao can’t let go of Vulcan
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has held onto her shares of Vulcan Materials, a construction company she promised to divest from more than a year earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. Vulcan, the U.S.′ largest supplier of sand and gravel used in paving and building, has seen its stock price rise more than 12% since April 2018, when Chao said she would cash out her shares, according to a 2017 government ethics agreement. – CNBC
Senate passes bill that would legalize fantasy sports contests
The Alabama Senate has passed legislation legalizing online fantasy sports contests. Former Attorney General Luther Strange shut down fantasy sports operators like DraftKings and FanDuel in 2016 for running afoul of the state’s laws against illegal gambling. The bill, which passed Tuesday 22-8, exempts the online contests from the prohibition against gambling and requires operators to register with the Attorney General’s Office. – AP
Huntsville expecting visit soon from Space Command team
Sometime very soon, perhaps as early as this week, an important delegation will arrive in Huntsville. It isn’t likely to be seen around town except possibly at a local restaurant or hotel. The delegation is coming to see Redstone Arsenal, the last on its tour list of six military bases still in the running to be home of the headquarters of the nation’s new U.S. Space Command. – AL.com
Mercedes-Benz Tech Co-Op students should apply now
Wallace State Community College Automotive Service Technology students interested in earning an associate’s degree in Automotive Technology and working at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc., beginning with the Fall 2019 semester, should apply today for the Mercedes-Benz Tech Co-Op program at www.learnmercedes.com. – News release
Utility teams with Lightsource BP on new solar development
In Montgomery County, 800 rural acres will soon be home to a massive 350,000-panel solar array. The project, a partnership between local utility company Alabama Municipal Electric Authority and Lightsource BP, will bring a large-scale, utility-sized solar development to the River Region. Utility leaders say several recent factors have made solar power a realistic energy source, and they expect others to follow suit shortly. – Montgomery Advertiser
Haney’s $1 million donation to Trump faces scrutiny in Alabama plant deal
Real estate mogul Franklin Haney contributed $1 million to President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee and all he’s got to show for it is the glare of a federal investigation. The contribution from Haney, a prolific political donor, came as he was seeking regulatory approval and financial support from the government for his long-shot bid to acquire the mothballed Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant in north Alabama. More than two years later, he still hasn’t closed the deal. – AP
CEO gets six months in prison for bribing Alabama lawmaker in 2016
The CEO of a California-based health care company will serve six months in federal prison and six months of home detention for conspiring to bribe an Alabama legislator in 2016. G. Ford Gilbert, CEO of Trina Health, pleaded guilty in January to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, which federal prosecutors said related to a $2,000 payment from Gilbert to former Alabama House Majority Leader Micky Hammon in April 2016. – Montgomery Advertiser
Remington planning major downtime this summer
Remington Arms will furlough hundreds of workers during a two months partial shutdown this summer, according to reports. The impact on the firearm manufacturer’s Alabama plant remains unclear. Employees in Remington Arms in Ilion, New York were told today most will be off the job without pay starting Monday, June 3 and lasting through Aug. 12, WIBX reported. The furlough is in addition to a mandatory two-week paid vacation from July 1-12. – AL.com
Roy Moore expected back on campaign trail
Congressman Bradley Byrne said he expects Roy Moore to enter the U.S. Senate race within the next month. For his part, the former Alabama Supreme Court Justice said if he does run, he expects to beat the incumbent, Democratic Senator Doug Jones. Speaking to The Hill, Byrne, R-Fairhope, said sources close to Moore believe he will launch his campaign soon. – AL.com
Ford, GM merger whispers starting to make sense
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. has proposed a merger with Renault that would create the world’s third largest carmaker. The eroding economics of the industry make such deal more likely by the day. Deep trouble at Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co.’s need for more heft to compete with rivals Toyota and Volkswagen make a marriage between the two largest car companies increasingly probable. – 24/7 Wall Street