Associated Press Published 8:45 AM EDT Jul 19, 2019 Chattanooga, Tenn. – A Volkswagen plant in Tennessee is getting a new chief executive who in the coming months will work on an $800 million expansion and oversee two vehicle launches. The Times Free Press reports 58-year-old Tom du Plessis will be taking over as CEO for Frank Fischer who took the position temporarily in May. The 11-year vet with Volkswagen says it’s an interesting time for the factory. The Chattanooga plant held a union vote in May that didn’t pass. Du Plessis declined to comment on it. The factory is going to launch a new five-seat SUV based on the Atlas and the 2020 Passat by year’s end. The plant also plans to break ground on an $800 million electric vehicle facility with plans to produce a new SUV in 2022. … [Read more...] about Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga hires new CEO
French court rejects claim over 1994 ferry disaster
Associated Press Updated 7:38 am CDT, Friday, July 19, 2019 FILE - In this Nov. 19, 1994 file photo, the bow door of the sunken passenger ferry M/S Estonia is lifted up from the bottom of the sea, off Uto Island, in the Baltic Sea, near Finland. A Paris court is set to adjudicate on a compensation claim related to the 1994 sinking of an Estonian ferry, which remains one Europe's deadliest maritime disasters. The court is set to rule Friday, July 19, 2019 on the claim from more than 1,000 survivors and relatives of victims. (Jaakko Aiikainen/Lehtikuva via AP, file) less FILE - In this Nov. 19, 1994 file photo, the bow door of the sunken passenger ferry M/S Estonia is lifted up from the bottom of the sea, off Uto Island, in the Baltic Sea, near Finland. A Paris court is set to ... more Photo: JAAKKO AVIKAINEN, AP … [Read more...] about French court rejects claim over 1994 ferry disaster
‘Lunar Landing’ soiree at Le Colonial is out-of-this-world fun
By Marcy de Luna Updated 7:58 am CDT, Friday, July 19, 2019 Le Colonial's Lunar Landing event benefitting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Lunar Landing. The event was on July 18th in Houston. Le Colonial's Lunar Landing event benefitting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Lunar Landing. The event was on July 18th in Houston. Photo: Gary Fountain, Contributor Photo: Gary Fountain, Contributor Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Image 1 of 24 Le Colonial's Lunar Landing event benefitting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Lunar Landing. The event was on July 18th in Houston. Le Colonial's Lunar Landing event benefitting St. Jude Children's … [Read more...] about ‘Lunar Landing’ soiree at Le Colonial is out-of-this-world fun
Doorbell cams raise privacy fears and concerns about bias
The woodsy community of Wolcott, Connecticut, doesn't see a lot of crime. But when the police chief heard about an opportunity to distribute doorbell cameras to some homes, he didn't hesitate. The police who keep watch over the town of 16,000 raffled off free cameras in a partnership with the camera manufacturer. So far, the devices have encountered more bears than criminals, but Chief Ed Stephens is still a fan. "Anything that helps keep the town safe, I'm going to do it," he said.But as more police agencies join with the company known as Ring, the partnerships are raising privacy concerns. Critics complain that the systems turn neighborhoods into places of constant surveillance and create suspicion that falls heavier on minorities. Police say the cameras can serve as a digital neighborhood watch. Critics also say Ring, a subsidiary of Amazon, appears to be marketing its cameras by stirring up fear of crime at a time when it's decreasing. Amazon's promotional videos show people … [Read more...] about Doorbell cams raise privacy fears and concerns about bias
Boeing says costs from the 737 Max will rise to $4.9 billion
Boeing said it is booking a $4.9 billion charge to cover possible compensation to airlines that have canceled thousands of flights since the aircraft was grounded after two deadly accidents. The costs are based on the assumption that the 737 Max will return to the air by year-end. The costs could still rise, The New York Times reported, noting that the charges don't include the costs of litigation or the $100 million fund it created for the victims' families. The company released the guidance ahead of its second-quarter earnings announcement on July 24. It also said the grounding of its 737 Max jet will cut $5.6 billion from its revenue and pre-tax earnings in the April-through-June quarter. Boeing also raised its estimate of Max production costs by $1.7 billion because output will be curtailed longer than expected. That timing is earlier than some analysts expected and may have contributed to a rally in Boeing shares in after-hours trading. Boeing is scheduled to report its … [Read more...] about Boeing says costs from the 737 Max will rise to $4.9 billion