The Green Leaf Grill in Mentone was named Bama’s Best Catfish 2018 after judges visited the Final Four restaurants in July. Alabama Catfish Producers sponsored the contest.

The Chicken Shack in Luverne won the Bama’s Best Fried Chicken contest on the “Simply Southern TV” Facebook page. The contest was sponsored by the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association and the Alabama Poultry Producers.

A landmark career and technical education reform bill became U.S. law this month. The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act will ensure more Americans enter the workforce with skills needed to find good-paying jobs in in-demand skill areas.

Sunbelt Forest Ventures plans to open a new sawmill in Dallas County by early 2019. Once completed, the $20 million investment will employ more than 50 people.

Japan will accept U.S. sheep and goat exports for the first time in more than 14 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in July. Japan annually imports nearly $170 million of sheep and goat meat.