May 15, 2024

Welcome back.

Today we spotlight a couple of iconic brands -- one growing its footprint in the state and the other doing quite the opposite.

Also, check out the podcast (at the link below) to hear a chat with environmental reporter Dennis Pillion about 8,000 acres of land at the top of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta that's being preserved -- and why that's so important.

Ike Morgan

Looking for the podcast? Click here or check other options below.

Coca-Cola has big plans for its future headquarters in Birmingham, reports AL.com's Greg Garrison.

The city approved a development agreement on Tuesday that will include incentives such as up to $400,000 in water-infrastructure improvements and the building of an access road, as well as tax abatements extending as far out 15 years.

That's according to the city's director of innovation and economic opportunity, Cornell Wesley, who spoke of the visual impact it's going to make from the old Stockham Valve property along I-59/20 and as folks fly into Shuttlesworth.

After the meeting, Coca-Cola United CEO Mike Suco said it'll "welcome everybody to Birmingham. You'll love it."

If you've never seen Coca-Cola branding before, we won't spoil it for you. But it often involves a lot of red. I don't mean financially for the city, though: the planned investment in the future headquarters is a cool $338 million for warehouses, offices and a call center.

Jefferson County incentives are expected to come next week. The project, Suco said, will take three years.

As Coke is on the move in Alabama, another iconic brand has quietly scaled back.

AL.com's Leada Gore reports that Red Lobster has closed around 50 stores nationwide -- with some reportedly closing here in our state. There have been reports that Red Lobster is considering filing for bankruptcy, and equipment for some closing locations are being auctioned off online.

There has been no major announcements from the company, but its website has marked locations in Auburn, Decatur, Huntsville and Mobile as "Restaurant temporarily closed" instead of operation hours.

An Alabama singer has reached the finals on NBC's "The Voice," reports AL.com's Mary Colurso.

Asher HaVon is from Selma. He's a 31-year-old soul singer and he's on Reba McEntire's team on the show.

HaVon knocked out the celebrity panel with Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” Monday night to move into the finals next week with four other singers.

Over on ABC's American Idol, another Alabama singer also reached the Top 5 before his run came to an end, reports AL.com's Lawrence Specker.

Country singer Triston Harper of McIntosh came up short in the voting earlier this week. But Top 5 is certainly noteworthy on that show, and Harper's only 15 years old. Among Alabama competitors on American Idol, only Ruben Studdard, Diana DeGarmo, Bo Bice and Taylor Hicks have made it farther.

200

That's how many people could be used in Birmingham's Citizens Observer Patrol, a new effort established by an ordinance. Under the program, residents would volunteer and be trained to patrol and report criminal activity (but they won't have the authority to make arrests).

In 1972, Arthur Bremer shot Gov. George Wallace while he was campaigning for the Democratic nomination for president in Maryland. The shooting paralyzed him from the waist down.

Also, today is Peace Officers Memorial Day. You may see some flags at half-staff to honor fallen law-enforcement officers.

We have a visit from environmental reporter Dennis Pillion. We'll talk about some river delta land that's being preserved and why that's so important.

You can find “Down in Alabama” wherever you get your podcasts, including these places:

We appreciate you for taking the time to read today. Hope you're able to check back soon. Meantime, reply to this email with any suggestions you might have.

If you're so inclined, we'd love it if you'd forward to friends who might be interested in reading. (And if you're someone who's been forwarded this newsletter, we encourage you to subscribe and get this in your inbox every day.)