Trump takes aim at Airbus, threatens $11.2B in tariffs
The Trump Administration plans to place $11.2 billion of tariffs on European Union products, including the airplane parts shipped into Mobile, in retaliation to what it says are unfair European subsidies for Airbus. President Donald Trump, in a tweet early Tuesday, criticized the EU for having “taken advantage of the U.S. on trade for many years” and that “it will soon stop.” – AL.com
Amazon now delivers Whole Foods groceries in Mobile
Amazon Prime members in Mobile can have groceries delivered from Whole Foods Market as of Wednesday. Mobile is one of nine new cities where the service was to launch Wednesday, according to Amazon and Whole Foods Market. That brings the total number of cities where the service is offered to 75, according to the companies. That list includes Birmingham. – AL.com
House passes budget with funding to address prison violence problem
Alabama representatives on Tuesday approved a budget that provides money for 500 additional corrections officers as the state seeks to stave off a lawsuit from the Department of Justice over prison violence. The House of Representatives voted 103-0 for a general fund budget that includes funding for more officers as well as money to boost officer pay. The plan now moves to the Alabama Senate. – AP
Drones putting potato guns flat out of business
In February 2018, Corey Hitchcock traveled to Puerto Rico to assist crews from Alabama Power with power restoration efforts following the island’s devastation from Hurricane Maria. Hitchcock and UAS Pilots from Alabama Power used drones to pull 72,000 feet of rope for conductor wire, saving weeks of time and an estimated $5.3 million. “Simply put, UAS got the lights on months faster,” Hitchcock said. “The traditional method for repairing downed wires was to shoot a pilot rope over a tower with a potato gun.” – Verizon
Alabama bill: Don’t tread on our plastic grocery bags
The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee of Alabama has voted to advance legislation to stop cities in the state banning plastic grocery bags. According to a report by WKRG, on Tuesday the committee voted 9-2 to send the bill to the Senate floor. The bill, by Republican Senator Steve Livingston of Scottsboro, would stop local governments in Alabama from banning the use of plastic bags, foam cups and other single-use bags and containers. – Newsweek
Tuscaloosa Council votes to add a penny to its sales tax
The Tuscaloosa City Council tonight approved the so-called “Elevate Tuscaloosa” tax plan Tuesday night. The panel voted 5 to 2 to approve the 1% increase to the city sales tax. Mayor Walt Maddox proposed the increase earlier this year to generate an additional five hundred million dollars in city income over three decades. That would fund 21 projects spanning education, infrastructure, economic development and entertainment. – APR
Bingo scourge addressed in Jefferson County
State agents raided four electronic gaming halls in Jefferson County Tuesday morning including two in Brighton, one in Graysville, and one in Midfield. According to the office of Attorney General Steve Marshall, four gambling facilities were raided by state agents from the AG’s office with help from the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation. – WBRC
Yellowhammer creator Cliff Sims back in Alabama
A former aide to President Donald Trump has a new job with an Alabama marketing firm. Sims has taken a position as partner and president of Birmingham-based Telegraph Creative. Telegraph Creative CEO Kevin McLendon said Monday that Sims has led successful communications, messaging and branding campaigns at the highest level, with the highest stakes. – AP
La Pine: CUs grow through member service, not tax status
Blaming credit unions for the state for the current decline of community banks could not be further from the truth, and have no basis in fact, wrote Patrick La Pine, CEO of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions and Affiliates in Credit Union Journal. La Pine responded to an article that appeared on Fox Business claiming the credit union tax status threatens the existence of community banks. – News release
