New bill proposes lottery, 5 casinos run by the Poarch Creeks
An education lottery and a casino in Jefferson County are both part of a proposed gambling package filed at the Alabama State House. Over the past year, the Poarch Creek Indians released ads touting their gaming plan, which they estimate would generate $1 billion for the state. The bill’s sponsor tells ABC 33/40 this bill is that plan put into legislative form. It includes an education lottery for Alabama, and five full-fledged casinos run by the tribe. – ABC3340
Alabaster burger joint gets top nod from national website
Searching for the perfect burgers? The national pop culture digital publication Pop Sugar, which has over 32 million fans and followers, has declared burgers by Chubbfathers in Alabaster, the absolute best in Alabama. Chubbfathers is run by Stephanie and William Cholewinski and despite being just a mom and pop operation, they give back to the community. – Bham Now
Remembering the legacy of Smith’s Bakeries
Those in the baking industry know it’s a fraternal group. The competition can be intense, but when bakers need help, they support one another. While this pervasive atmosphere could not be attributed to a single individual, Gordon Smith, founder of Smith’s Bakeries, Mobile, Ala., certainly embodied it and helped cement that spirit of helpfulness into all aspects of the baking industry through his strength of character and the founding of the Allied Trades of the Baking Industry. – Baking Business
Tuberville had double-digit lead on Sessions, according to new poll
Former Auburn head football coach Tommy Tuberville has a significant lead over former U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions ahead of a March 31 runoff, according to a new poll. The survey, conducted by Montgomery-based polling firm Cygnal, showed Tuberville with 52% of the vote of likely Republican primary voters. 40% favored Sessions. 9% were undecided. – Montgomery Advertiser
AseraCare settles False Claims Act suit for $1 million
Hospice provider AseraCare has agreed to a $1 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in a longstanding Qui Tam False Claims Act (FCA) case that began in 2008. The outcome of the case could set an important precedent as FCA suits continue to be the most prevalent enforcement actions that target hospices. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in September agreed with the Northern District of Alabama that a mere difference of physician’s opinions on a terminal patient’s prognosis does not indicate falsity under the FCA. – Hospice News
Bark if you like BrewHounds, a dog park with beer for humans
Alabama Dog Parks paid $600,000 for the former Haint Blue Brewing Company building at 806 Monroe St., in downtown Mobile, according to Cameron Weavil of The Weavil Company, who represented the buyer. The buyer, Jim Ivy, owner of Infinity Homes, plans to open BrewHounds, featuring a state-of-the-art dog park for dogs to enjoy and brews for their owners and non-pet owners as well. – AL.com
