CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER ALABAMA — Shrimp Basket announced the launch of its new Gulf to Guest menu offering featuring wild-caught Gulf shrimp across a wide selection of its most popular menu items. The new Gulf shrimp menu offerings rolled out on May 19 across all 18 Shrimp Basket locations, including the Auburn restaurant, located at 1651 S. College St.Gulf to Guest is not a limited-time campaign — it is a lasting commitment to serve more... 604zc

BY DANIEL SCHMIDTFOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN — Retired state employees should prepare for some disruptions as dark economic clouds hang over the horizon, according to David Bronner, CEO of Retirement Systems of Alabama.On May 15, Bronner blasted what he characterized as general political instability in Washington, D.C., and Montgomery while also highlighting the stability of RSA’s investments to retired public employees.Bronner’s comments came in a...

BY STEVEN STIEFELFOR THE OBSERVER ALABAMA — Local store owners and consumers of hemp products are bracing for the worst after Gov. Kay Ivey signed a controversial new law earlier this month that reduces availability of such products and is expected to destroy thousands of small businesses that sell them.House Bill 445 grants the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board authority to regulate all hemp-derived products, including delta-8, delta-9...

BY KADIE VICKFOR THE OBSERVER EAST ALABAMA — For those experiencing crisis, the comfort or a furry friend can bring light during a dark, distressing time.Auburn Therapy Dogs is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit animal-assisted therapy organization serving East Alabama and surrounding areas. Will Leveille, founder of Auburn Therapy Dogs said he and other volunteers bring in trained canines to be a calming presence in a variety of situations.“Any...