BW Recommends is a rundown of stories you might have missed this week. It offers insight into issues important to our area and sometimes tickles your curiosity.

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Public Service Commission Orders Hearing on Natural Gas Company’s Rates (Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama Public Service Commission will hold a rate case for a St. Louis-based natural gas company, the first time the PSC has held one for the company in more than four decades. Representatives from Spire Alabama Inc., Spire Gulf Inc. and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office could not reach an agreement on customer rates after negotiations that began in January, necessitating the case to determine the rate the company should charge customers.

Campaign Exposes Tuberville’s Tax, Financial History (Lagniappe)

Heavily redacted tax returns volunteered by the Tommy Tuberville campaign as proof of his residency in Alabama inadvertently exposed the sitting U.S. senator’s tax history, income details and sensitive information. The documents blacked out most details but left intact a barcode at the top corner of the forms that, when scanned, renders the data from the entire tax return. Lagniappe did not publish the sensitive data but did take a detailed look at the ups and downs of his income as reported on state and federal forms. The Alabama Daily News was among other media that looked at the redacted documents to shed light on his residency as he pursues the governor’s office. The state GOP has set a final hearing on the question for June 14.

Fairfield Grocery Store Reopens After 10-Month Closure (WBRC)

The building that was once Carver Jones Market reopened last week as Gary Avenue Market, giving the city of Fairfield a grocery store once again. The store, supported through the work of Manifold Vision and Urban Hope Community Church, is envisioned as more than just a place to buy food but also a place for the community to come together.

Irondale Launching New MAX On-Demand Transit Service July 1 (Bham Now)

The City of Irondale is launching MAX On-Demand Transit, a new micro-transit service designed to provide affordable, flexible transportation throughout the city while connecting passengers to the Birmingham bus system and the Woodlawn Intermodal Center. The 15-month pilot program will allow passengers to book rides through a smartphone app or by phone at a cost of $1.50 per ride.

40-Year-Old Riverchase Galleria Put on the Market for Sale (Hoover Sun)

The owner of the Riverchase Galleria has put the 40-year-old Hoover mall up for sale. Hoover Mayor Nick Derzis said he sees the sale as a step toward his goal of redeveloping the campus, which includes 1.5 million square feet of leasable space.

First Medical Cannabis Store Opens in Alabama After Years of Delays (Alabama Reflector)

The first medical cannabis product in Alabama was sold Wednesday morning to a multiple sclerosis patient-turned patient advocate at Callie’s Apothecary in Montgomery. The Alabama medical cannabis law allows registered physicians to recommend cannabis for about 15 medical conditions in multiple forms, not including smokeable products. When the program is fully up and running, there will be 12 dispensaries across the state between four companies.