Ivey to lawmakers: No special session prior to August
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey told legislators Wednesday that there will be no special session prior to August because the state’s budget numbers will not be in before July 15. The governor told the legislators in a video conference that all options are on the table on whether there will be a special session. Ivey said that before calling one, her staff will work with a bipartisan group of legislators to ensure a plan is in place to maximize time in Montgomery and provide transparency to the public. – AL Political Reporter
Interstate yard sale organizers not bowed by pandemic
The “world’s longest yard sale” will return for another year. The US 127 Yard Sale, which spans several states during the summer, including Alabama, announced this week via social media that the event is going on as planned Aug. 6-9. As a mostly outdoor event, “there is more than enough space for social distancing to keep everyone safe,” the social media post said. Six states are included: Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan. – Sentinel-Standard
Nine companies submit bids to ‘build’ state’s virtual school
Nine companies submitted proposals to provide an at-home virtual learning option for K-12 students statewide. The Alabama State Department of Education opened the bids Tuesday morning. Proposal details weren’t made public and an ALSDE spokesman said a contract would be available after it’s finalized. – AL Daily News
Montgomery Airport finishes project, eyes future expansion
Montgomery Regional Airport has completed a $1.2 million rehabilitation of its main taxiway. Marshall J. Taggart, Jr., executive airport director, said the Taxiway Alpha rehab encompassed milling, drainage, paving, light replacement and repainting of a portion of the 9,000-foot taxiway. The project was largely funded through a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program. – AL.com
Businesses start to receive Restart Tuscaloosa funds
The first round of the $1 million Tuscaloosa granted the West Alabama Chamber Small Business Relief Fund was distributed on Tuesday. The fund was created to help businesses overcome from struggles brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty-nine businesses were awarded a total of $206,200 during a presentation in front of the Tuscaloosa City Council. – ABC3340
Huntsville cupcake company to close permanently
Sugar Belle, one of few Huntsville food truck ventures to transition into brick and mortar, is closing. The cupcake oriented small business announced on social media their last day would be July 10. “It’s not exactly COVID-related; this is something we’ve been considering closely on and off for a year,’ reads the Sugar Belle announcement. – AL.com
For the first time, Alabama shuts down a charter school
A controversial public charter school in south Alabama met its end today, two months before opening. The Alabama Public Charter School Commission, after deliberating for half an hour in executive session, voted to revoke Woodland Prep’s charter for failing to meet conditions of pre-opening, lack of adherence to generally accepted financial standards, and failing to establish community support for the school. – AL.com
