Fun’s fun, but now Tyson is talking about plant-based shrimp
Tyson Foods is riding the new wave. Literally. On Thursday the world’s second-largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork announced it is moving in a whole new direction: plant-based shellfish. Tyson has invested in New Wave Foods, a San Francisco-based start-up that will debut plant-based shrimp early next year. – Washington Post
State’s manufacturing industry hangs tough despite recession fears
Thank God for…Alabama? That could be the rallying cry for the U.S. economy nationally as recession fears are beginning to stalk the markets. While analysts are looking at signs that seem to indicate a coming slowdown, Alabama is seeing record numbers of jobs and economic expansion. – AL.com
Muscle Shoals Sound Studios founder Jimmy Johnson dies
Jimmy Johnson, a founder of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and guitarist with the famed studio musicians “The Swampers,” has died. He was 76. His family announced in a Facebook post that he died Thursday. As a studio musician, recording engineer and record producer, Johnson played a role in iconic hits by Percy Sledge, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd and others. – AP
Birmingham McDonald’s locations to renovate; 450 hires expected
Fifteen McDonald’s locations in the Birmingham area are slated for renovation over the next three years after they were acquired last month by a Baton Rouge-based company. Valluzzo Companies also plans to add about 450 positions, from crew to supervision and human resources. It bought the 15 stores from Negre Enterprises for an undisclosed sum. – AL.com
Software company moving to Huntsville after AFF investment
Alabama Futures Fund recently placed an investment in TeamingPro Inc., based in Chesapeake, Virginia. TeamingPro has built a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform for the $560 billion federal contracting industry that allows companies to source new contract opportunities as well as team with other contractors to jointly compete for larger contracts. TeamingPro is relocating its headquarters from Chesapeake to Huntsville. – News release
$21M in revenue cuts, layoffs expected by Ala. Dept. of Public Health
The Alabama Department of Public Health is expecting cuts and possible layoffs once a new program by the Alabama Medicaid Agency begins later this year, according to ADPH Chief of Staff Michele Jones. ADPH expects to lose more than $21 million in revenue because of Medicaid’s “Alabama Coordinated Health Network” initiative, but Alabama Medicaid recipients will not lose coverage at any time because of the transition. As a result of Medicaid’s new program, ADPH’s social work division will be dissolved. – WTVM
UA dean of students resigns after Twitter controversy
Jamie Riley, the dean of students at the University of Alabama, has resigned a day after Breitbart published a story highlighting tweets from the dean contending police are racist and other controversial statements. “Dr. Jamie Riley has resigned his position at The University of Alabama by mutual agreement. Neither party will have any further comments,” a spokeswoman for the university said. – AL.com
Greenville pumped up about new multimillion-dollar dealership
The City of Greenville is helping pave the way for a multimillion-dollar project that will have major economic impacts on the area. Greenville is welcoming a new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram dealership that will be located off I-65 for everyone traveling to see. The $2.7 million project is expected to attract more people to the area, leading to more money and growth for the city. – ANN
