New-look Sonata makes splash with nation’s auto writers
The redesigned version of Hyundai’s flagship Sonata sedan made a splash this week in its American debut, with auto industry journalists comparing its look to luxury sports cars and praising its suite of technology. The car was unveiled Wednesday at the New York auto show featuring a radical redesign. It’ll start rolling off the assembly line at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in September and hit dealers in October. – Montgomery Advertiser
Mazda Toyota supplier gets $17 million in state incentives
The supplier for the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA facility that’s bringing more than 400 jobs to Athens will receive almost $17 million in incentives from the state of Alabama. Toyota Boshoku will build a $50 million facility in Athens that will produce seat systems for vehicles built at the MTMUS plant now under construction in Huntsville, Gov. Kay Ivey announced last week. – AL.com
Roy Moore pounds the drum on Facebook
Roy Moore has responded to a poll showing him leading the Republican pack of possible 2020 U.S. Senate contenders. In a message posted to Facebook, Moore blasted “establishment” politicians while praising President Donald Trump, but stopped short of saying he would enter the race. – AL.com
Storms kill at least 2 in Mississippi, 1 in Alabama
Strong storms again roared across the South on Thursday, killing two Mississippi drivers and a woman in Alabama while leaving more than 100,000 people without power across Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. National Weather Service forecasters said they believe multiple tornadoes hit southwest and central Mississippi, although they won’t be sure until damage is surveyed. – AP
Huntsville celebrating return of rocket engine tests
One of Huntsville’s historic Apollo engine test stands is coming back to life under an agreement between NASA and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space company. NASA announced Wednesday it has signed an agreement to let Blue Origin use Marshall Test Stand 4670 to test its BE-3U and BE-4 rocket engines. Test Stand 4670 is a 300-foot-tall, vertical stand that was “the backbone for Saturn V propulsion testing for the Apollo program,” NASA said. The stand has been dormant since 1998. – AL.com
Regions reports $378 million in first quarter earnings
Regions Financial Corp. announced today its total revenue grew 2 percent over the previous year, with a net income of $378 million in the first quarter of 2019. Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $0.37, and pre-tax pre-provision income increased 11 percent over the same period. – AL.com
Alabama’s ‘Gang of Five’ mayors decry Legislature interference
Mayors from Alabama’s five biggest towns, known as the “Gang of Five,” met with state leaders this week to discuss legislative priorities. On Thursday, four of those mayors — from Montgomery, Mobile, Tuscaloosa and Huntsville — came together, along with a representative from Birmingham, to decry preemptive efforts by the Alabama Legislature that would take away their ability to locally control plastic bag bans and short range cell phone tower placements. – Montgomery Advertiser
Based on customer feedback, McDonald’s ditching fancy burgers
McDonald’s is streamlining its menu by revamping its Quarter Pounder and abandoning its craft burgers. The company said Wednesday that it will “move away” from its Signature Crafted Recipes line — which includes items like a mushroom and swiss cheese burger and one with bacon, cheddar and fried onions — on its national menu to focus on its Quarter Pounder. McDonald’s said it made the decision based on customer feedback. – CNN
