State News
Sunday, May 3, 2026 · Pell City
Gulf Shores Tourism Shatters Records with $923M in Lodging Spend
Alabama's Gulf Shores and Orange Beach welcomed record-breaking visitor spending in 2025, fueled by pristine beaches and new coastal developments. Lodging revenue soared to $923 million, a surge past prior years amid economic rebound. Officials hail the boom as a sign of sustained growth for Baldwin County's top draw.
Huntsville Contractor Lands $111M Space Systems Contract
Modern Technology Solutions Inc. has secured a $111 million modification to its Space Systems Command contract, expanding its role in developing space-based interceptors. The award brings MTSI's total contract value to $226.9 million, with work continuing through January 2030 at the company's Huntsville headquarters.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Hyundai Mobis Builds EV Battery Plant in Montgomery, Adds 400 Jobs
Hyundai Mobis is investing $205 million in a new electric vehicle battery module plant on Montgomery's auto campus, creating at least 400 jobs. The facility will supply batteries to Hyundai's local EV production and Kia's Georgia plant. This expansion cements Alabama's role in the booming EV sector.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Birmingham Blazers Shock Kentucky, Storm to Sweet 16
In a heart-stopping 72-68 upset, the UAB Blazers women's basketball team toppled a top-seeded Kentucky squad at home in Birmingham, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1982. The victory echoes the program's storied past, nearly 23 years after their landmark 1981 NCAA win over the Wildcats. Birmingham fans erupted as the Blazers reclaimed their underdog legacy.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Auburn Lands Georgia Star Over Alabama in 2027 Recruiting Battle
Auburn football secured a significant recruiting victory by landing offensive lineman Jaylon Moore, a three-star prospect from Georgia who spurned offers from Alabama and Georgia. The commitment marks Auburn's first offensive line pledge under coach Alex Golesh and comes as the Tigers build momentum in their 2027 recruiting class.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Tuscaloosa Tide Clinches SEC Baseball Tourney Berth in Walk-Off Thriller
In a heart-stopping ninth-inning rally at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, the Alabama Crimson Tide edged Auburn 5-4 to secure their spot in the SEC Baseball Tournament. The dramatic walk-off victory ignited Tuscaloosa fans and locked in the Tide's postseason hopes. With Hoover's Hoover Met awaiting, Alabama eyes a deep run.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Ivey Signs Law Curbing Mud Dumping in Mobile Bay
Governor Kay Ivey has signed legislation banning the controversial 'mud dumping' of dredged sediment into Mobile Bay, mandating 70% beneficial reuse to protect Alabama's coastal jewel. The move responds to outcry over U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' practices polluting vital ecosystems. Effective Oct. 1, the law safeguards fisheries and shorelines from Dauphin Island to Josephine.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
UA System's $20M Push Targets Alabama Teacher Shortage
The University of Alabama System is injecting $20 million into educator preparation to battle the state's chronic teacher shortage. Facing empty classrooms from rural Black Belt counties to Birmingham suburbs, the investment aims to fast-track certifications and scholarships for future instructors. With Alabama ranking low nationally in teacher retention, this could reshape K-12 education across the Heart of Dixie.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Birmingham Police Nab Suspects in Downtown Robbery Spree
Birmingham authorities have arrested multiple suspects linked to a series of armed robberies terrorizing the city's downtown and eastern neighborhoods. Victims, including Hispanic community members, faced brazen attacks at gunpoint, but swift police action has led to key arrests. The crackdown brings relief to business owners rattled by the crime wave.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Alabama Taps $203M Federal Funds for Rural Mental Health Boost
Governor Kay Ivey announced Alabama secured over $203 million in federal funding to transform rural healthcare, including major expansions in mental health services. The Rural Health Transformation Program targets shortages in the state's 58 rural counties, where 1.6 million residents face high hospital closure risks. New clinics and school-based telehealth aim to deliver care where it's needed most.
Sunday, May 3, 2026