Top Headlines: The return of the lottery debate, Montgomery mall sells for $24M

Alabama lawmakers prepare to welcome lottery idea back to Goat Hill
Alabama lawmakers could once again debate the idea of starting a state lottery. Republican. Rep. Steve Clouse of Ozark says he will introduce a lottery bill in the legislative session that begins Feb. 4. Clouse is proposing to use the proceeds to fund the state’s pre-kindergarten program and also provide college scholarships. The measure would have to be approved both by lawmakers and voters. Alabama is the only state in the Deep South without a state lottery. – AP

Montgomery’s Eastdale Mall sells for $24 million
Montgomery’s Eastdale Mall has been sold to a New York-based commercial real estate investment firm, WSFA is reporting. The mall, which opened in 1977, was bought by Namdar Realty Group for about $24 million, according to the mall’s General Manager Richard Holman. Holman said the new ownership plans to bring new stores and restaurants to the property. Namdar owns, among other malls, Wiregrass Commons Mall in Dothan. Eastdale Mall was owned by the Aronov, Lowder and Moore families until it was sold. – AL.com

It’s a sign: Alexander Shunnarah wins national marketing award
Alexander Shunnarah Personal Injury Attorneys took home a Golden Gavel Award at last week’s National Trial Attorneys conference in Miami. The Alabama law firm was honored in the best Public Relations campaign category. The awards, which were presented for the first time this year, recognize the top advertisements of the year for law firms throughout the nation. – AL.com

Workers back at Bryant-Denny Stadium construction site after two injured
It appears construction has resumed at Bryant-Denny Stadium after two workers were injured over the weekend. At last check, the two men were still in the hospital with serious injuries. The University of Alabama isn’t releasing any new information right now, but at the stadium machines and workers are in motion. – ABC3340

Three more counties added to state’s online business filing system
Alabama Interactive, in partnership with the Alabama Secretary of State, has extended its online suite of business services to accept Domestic Limited Liability Company formations and dissolutions in Dekalb, Geneva and Houston Counties. The Online Business Corporation Filing Service creates a one-stop online filing system in participating counties, further improving the business filing process in Alabama. – Yahoo Finance

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GM says it will do $2.2B in upgrades to Michigan plant for EVs
Last week, GM-subsidiary Cruise unveiled the Origin, its first self-driving car without a steering wheel or pedals. GM on Monday announced plans to spend $2.2 billion to retrofit its Detroit-Hamtramck plant for the production of autonomous and electric vehicles. In addition to the Origin, the facility will also produce all-electric SUVs and pickup trucks. GM plans to release 20 electric nameplates by 2023, the first of which will be an electric truck set for production in 2021. – The Verge

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