Heads and tales: The ripple effect

kia Spare parts: Although South Korean automaker chose Georgia for its first North American factory (missed Alabama by a mile), Alabama will still reap benefits. As many as 800 residents could work at the West Point, Ga., plant. And after another South Korean automaker, Hyundai, announced a factory in Montgomery, 41 related suppliers came to the state. Plus, Honda spent $1 billion on its 27 parts suppliers in this state. Alabama is clearly becoming the Detroit of Dixie.
• Alabama said to gain from Georgia plant [Huntsville Times]

Cattle futures: One cow out of a herd of 40 among thousands of producers and 1.3 million head of cattle in the state. One cow with mad cow disease, but officials are saying the system worked, as the cow was found and killed before entering the food supply. But will it affect beef exports? And beef prices?
• Mad cow case in state said to pose no threat [Birmingham News]

World of wheels: Girls kick ass. The current issue of Birmingham Weekly revisits that truism with its Women’s Issue '06. Meet the gals who make Birmingham boom, like the Tragic City Rollers, a fledgling flat-track roller derby team. Our fave bruisers: Suge Fight, Southern Discomfort and Catty Snatch. And yes, they have a MySpace profile.

Other issue highlights:

A trio dedicated to ending domestic violence.
A woman who builds connections between communities of differing faiths.
The unforgettable commercial ventures of Linda Verin (“Call Goldberg: 800, 600, 6-0-1-4!”), who’s also a busy activist.

• Hell on wheels [Birmingham Weekly]

basketball A reminder: Less than 48 hours to turn in your NCAA brackets to win a 256MB USB thumb drive/pen. It’s free, so enter now.