RSA takes a hard look at how coronavirus might affect portfolio
The Retirement System of Alabama’s investment team is evaluating how the outbreak of coronavirus may affect its portfolio, a quarterly investment update shows. “The negatives of the virus outbreak including sickness and loss of life are pretty obvious,” Kevin Gamble, equity analyst at the Retirement System of Alabama, wrote. “Conferences are being canceled, restaurants and stores are being closed, cruise ships are being quarantined, technology supply chains are being disrupted, etc. … and the global economy is likely to generally slow at least temporarily due to these disruptions.” – Institutional Investor
Alabama earns Top 10 rankings in ‘Site Selection’
Alabama’s economic development successes in 2019 earned the state a pair of Top 10 rankings in “Site Selection” magazine’s annual Governor’s Cups analysis. Alabama ranked No. 6 among the states in projects per capita, a measurement that places smaller states on a more level playing field in the “Site Selection” analysis. The state’s per capita ranking in 2018 was 14th. – Made In Alabama
$2 million gift advances care for kidney disease patients
Approximately 14 percent of people in the United States suffer from chronic kidney disease, with nearly half a million people on dialysis, according to the National Institutes of Health. To improve patient care and continue the search for a cure to the disease, the Charles and Hilda Anderson family has made a $2 million gift to the Division of Nephrology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. – News release
‘Leaving us to die’: More fallout from hospital closing
One person commenting on news that Pickens County Medical Center was closing this week was blunt. “Leaving us to die on our way 2 Meridian, Ms,” wrote one person. “Sad day for County – Sad day for Old Senior Citizen.” The 56-bed hospital, based in Carrollton near the Mississippi state line, is closing Friday, the only hospital in the county. The Pickens County Health Care Authority made the announcement, saying the hospital’s financial situation is unsustainable. – AL.com
Statewide 5G bill passes first hurdle
A bill that would set a statewide standard for deploying 5G cellular infrastructure, including how much money cities can charge providers for access to existing utility structures, has support from multiple lawmakers but municipal leaders say the bill takes away too much local control. Senate Bill 172 would mandate a request process for cities to follow when approached by wireless providers like AT&T and Verizon and sets a cap on fees municipalities can charge companies for the use of city-owned rights-of-ways. – The Times
Alabama man decapitated in accident at chicken processing plant
A man was killed Tuesday afternoon in an industrial accident at the chicken processing plant in Baker Hill, Alabama according to Barbour County Coroner Chip Chapman. Carlos Lynn, 39, of Eufaula, worked for the company contracted to clean equipment inside the Keystone Foods plant that is owned by Tyson Foods. He died just before 5 p.m., when he was cleaning a piece of equipment called a chiller, Chapman said. “He got caught in a pinch-point of the equipment,” the coroner said. – WHNT
