State and Surrounding Area News

Governor Ivey Honors 44 ALEA Trooper Graduates, Highlights Public Safety Initiatives Across Alabama
MONTGOMERY, AL – Alabama Governor Kay Ivey hosted a reception on Tuesday, October 27, recognizing 44 Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) trooper trainees ahead of

Gadsden State Organizes Thanksgiving Food Drive to Support Local Families
Centre, AL – Gadsden State Community College’s Cherokee Campus is hosting a Thanksgiving food drive to help replenish the Cherokee County Family Care Center’s food

Alabama Officials Encourage Voter Participation Ahead of November 3 General Election
MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Secretary of State Wes Allen are encouraging residents to prepare for the November 3, 2026, General Election,

Glencoe Defeats White Plains 31-21 in Regular-Season Finale as Wildcats Prepare for Historic Playoff Appearance
Glencoe ends its season victorious, but playoff-bound White Plains rested starters with the new feeling of knowing there’s a next week. By Joe Medley GLENCOE

Alabama High School Football Scores: Local Teams Highlight Week 10 Action Across the State
This week’s high school football scores from around Alabama, as gathered by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. THURSDAY, Oct. 29 Austin 35, Bob Jones 28

Halloween Safety Reminders for Families and Motorists Ahead of Weekend Celebrations
Calhoun County, AL – As families throughout Calhoun County prepare for Halloween celebrations on Saturday, October 31, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is urging

Gadsden State Community College Simulation Center Earns Provisional Accreditation
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College’s Simulation Center has received provisional accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), becoming one of only

Spring Garden Reaches State Volleyball Semifinals as Faith Christian and Donoho Exit Tournament
Spring Garden advances, but reclassification continues to bite area teams hard in postseason as Faith Christian, Donoho fall. Shannon Fagan, WEIS sports director. BIRMINGHAM —

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey Proclaims October 28 as First Responders Day
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey proclaimed Wednesday, October 28, 2026, as First Responders Day in Alabama, recognizing public safety personnel who protect lives, safeguard

Rep. Mike Rogers and Acting Secretary of the Army Adam Telle Tour Anniston Army Depot
Anniston, AL – U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, joined Acting Secretary of the Army Adam R. Telle for

Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation Raises Thousands to Support Students at 2026 Gala
GADSDEN, AL — The Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation raised thousands of dollars to support student success during its 2026 Cardinal Gala, held Thursday, October 8,

Gov. Ivey Awards $280,806 Grant for Substance Abuse Treatment in Alabama Prisons
MONTGOMERY, AL – Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $280,806 grant to the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) to support substance abuse treatment programs

Kerr’s Redi Mix Establishes Endowed Scholarship for Students at Gadsden State
CENTRE, AL – Kerr’s Redi Mix, Inc. has established an endowed scholarship through the Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation to support Cherokee County students pursuing education

Alabama Secretary of State Announces America 250 Voting Stickers, Signs National Anti-Fraud Pledge
MONTGOMERY, AL – Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen has announced two initiatives involving the upcoming November 3, 2026, General Election and fraud prevention efforts,

ALEA Urges Drivers to Prioritize School Bus Safety During National School Bus Safety Week
MONTGOMERY, AL — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is reminding motorists, parents and students of the importance of school bus safety as Alabama observes

Alabama Attorney General Joins Supreme Court Brief Supporting Religious Exemptions to School Vaccination Requirements
MONTGOMERY, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined a coalition of 16 state attorneys general urging the U.S. Supreme Court to consider a

Alabama Forestry Commission Estimates $33.5 Million in Timber Damage From Hurricane Isaias
MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) estimates that Hurricane Isaias damaged more than 2.5 million tons of timber across southwest Alabama, resulting in

ALEA Urges Parents to Promote Safe Driving Habits During National Teen Driver Safety Week
MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is encouraging parents and guardians to take an active role in teaching teenagers safe driving habits

Suspicious Package Received at Alabama Secretary of State’s Office; No Hazardous Substances Found
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Secretary of State’s Office has confirmed that a suspicious package was received at its office Thursday afternoon, prompting a response

Alabama High School Football: Statewide Scores for Thursday, October 15
Thursday’s high school football scores from around Alabama, as gathered by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. THURSDAY, Oct. 15 Deshler 44, Brooks 7 Fairview 41,

Alabama Receives More Than $10 Million in Federal Funding for Family Home Visiting Programs
WASHINGTON, DC – Alabama has received $10,064,291 in federal funding to support voluntary home visiting services for pregnant women, parents and families with young children,

Alabama Secretary of State Announces Voting-Related Arrests, Reminds Voters of November Election Deadlines
MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen has announced arrests and criminal charges involving three individuals accused of voting violations in Alabama elections.

Alabama Forestry Commission Accepting Applications for Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Assistance
MONTGOMERY, AL — The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) is accepting applications for the 2026 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, which provides financial assistance

Gadsden State to Host Ninth Annual Mental Health Conference October 23
GADSDEN, AL — Gadsden State Community College will host its ninth annual Mental Health Conference on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30

Governor Ivey Awards Nearly $5.8 Million in Grants to Improve Traffic Safety Across Alabama
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded 13 grants totaling nearly $5.8 million to support traffic safety initiatives across the state. The funding

Gadsden State Community College Secures More Than $5.1 Million in Federal Funding for TRIO Programs
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College has received continued federal funding for all three of its TRIO programs, securing more than $5.1 million over

Sparklight Opens Fall 2026 Grant Applications for Nonprofits Across 24 States
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Sparklight has opened its Fall 2026 Charitable Giving Fund application period, offering eligible nonprofit organizations across its 24-state service area an opportunity

Dedication Ceremony Scheduled for New $25 Million Lodge at Cheaha State Park
DELTA, AL – Alabama State Parks will hold a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony Friday, October 16, 2026, for the new $25 million lodge at Cheaha

Oxford Man Charged with Felony Murder Following Fatal Shooting During Alleged Robbery in Tuscaloosa
TUSCALOOSA, AL – A 20-year-old Oxford man faces multiple felony charges following an alleged robbery attempt that resulted in the fatal shooting of another Oxford

Governor Kay Ivey Proclaims Alabama Girls in Sports Day
MONTGOMERY, AL — Governor Kay Ivey has proclaimed October 10, 2026, as Alabama Girls in Sports Day, recognizing the achievements of female athletes across the

Alabama Awards Nearly $55 Million in Rural Healthcare Grants, Including Funding for Piedmont Emergency Rescue Squad
MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced Thursday, October 8, 2026, that 34 grants totaling nearly $55 million have been awarded to healthcare providers

Alabama Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Hurricane Isaias; Calhoun County Under Flood Watch and High Wind Warning
Montgomery, AL – Alabama officials have announced emergency preparations, coastal evacuations, state office closures and consumer protections as Hurricane Isaias approaches the state, bringing the

Alabama Ranks Seventh Nationally in 2026 Top States for Doing Business Report
MONTGOMERY, AL. — Alabama has been ranked seventh nationally in Area Development magazine’s 2026 Top States for Doing Business report, moving up one position from

Alabama Joins Multistate Lawsuits Challenging Abortion Shield Laws in New York, California and Massachusetts
MONTGOMERY, AL. — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined the attorneys general of Louisiana and Arkansas in announcing two legal challenges involving abortion medication

Alabama Enters Competition to Host Proposed U.S. Space Academy in Huntsville
MONTGOMERY, AL. — Alabama has formally entered the competition to host the proposed United States Space Academy, with state officials putting forward Huntsville as the

Calhoun County’s Jackson Cleary Wins Alabama Collegiate Agriculture Competition
LEE COUNTY, AL. — Auburn University student Jackson Cleary of Calhoun County took top honors in the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Collegiate Discussion Meet on Oct.

Alabama Awards More Than $3.8 Million for 13 Road Projects in Final 2026 Rebuild Alabama Grant Round
MONTGOMERY, AL. — More than $3.8 million in state funding has been awarded for 13 road improvement projects across Alabama as part of the final

Challenger Learning Center Receives $150,000 Grant to Expand STEM Access for Title I Students
RAINBOW CITY, AL. — The Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama has received a $150,000 grant to help Title I students across nine Northeast Alabama

Survey Shows Majority Support for APT-PBS Relationship; Ivey Replaces Five Commission Members Days Later
HUNTSVILLE, AL. — A statewide survey commissioned amid months of debate over the future of Alabama Public Television found a majority of respondents support maintaining

Alabama Workforce Transformation Targets Participation, Skills and Career Pathways
Calhoun County, AL – Alabama’s approach to workforce development is undergoing a significant transformation, bringing programs that once operated across multiple state agencies under a

EXCLUSIVE: Daisha and Dalton Take Calhoun Journal Behind the Scenes of ‘The Amazing Race’
CALHOUN COUNTY, AL. — What viewers see each week on The Amazing Race is only part of the story. As local contestants Daisha and Dalton

Alabama High School Football Scores: Week 7 Results from Across the State
This week’s high school football scores from around Alabama, as gathered by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. THURSDAY, Oct. 1 Appalachian 37, Gaylesville 14 Austin

AmFirst Selected for National Grant to Expand Financial Education for At-Risk Youth
BIRMINGHAM, AL — AmFirst has been selected as one of 24 credit unions nationwide to receive funding through the National Credit Union Foundation’s At-Risk Youth Financial

ACCS, Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association Open $400,000 Scholarship Program
GADSDEN, AL — The Alabama Community College System and Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association are accepting applications for $400,000 in scholarships for Alabama residents pursuing education and

Alabama Attorney General Joins 26-State Brief in U.S. Supreme Court Arizona Voting Case
MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined Kansas in leading a 26-state brief before the U.S. Supreme Court in a case involving

Alabama Launches STEM Council Seal of Approval for Out-of-School Programs and Events
Montgomery, AL – Alabama has launched a new statewide recognition program aimed at identifying established, high-quality science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs and events for

Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Marks 62nd Annual October Beef Month
MONTGOMERY, AL — The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association is recognizing October Beef Month, an annual observance highlighting the state’s beef cattle industry and cattle producers. This year

Gadsden State Offers Echocardiography Certificate for Working Sonographers
GADSDEN, AL. – Gadsden State Community College is offering current sonographers an opportunity to receive specialized training in cardiac imaging through its Echocardiography Certificate Program

Bill Poole to Depart as Alabama Finance Director; Doryan Carlton Named Successor
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Finance Director Bill Poole will leave his position at the end of the week after 16 years in state government, with

Britt, Tuberville Introduce Amendment Addressing NIL Payments and College Sports Revenue Cap
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama introduced an amendment to the Protect College Sports Act of 2026 aimed at