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Ikea Huntsville grand opening set for Feb. 25

Ikea US announced it will open the store, its first in Alabama, on Feb. 25 with a grand-opening celebration.

Business

It&#x27;s official: Huntsville&#x27;s Ikea store will be open within a week. Why it matters: Ikea has long been among the city&#x27;s most-desired retailers, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announcing last summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" data-vars-content-id="1ba8a082-7758-4d5e-92c8-3538a16c77ff" data-vars-headline="Ikea Huntsville grand opening set for Feb. 25" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" target="_self">announcing last summer</a> its plan to bring a new, smaller-format store to University Drive near GigaParts.

Inside Huntsville's new smaller-format Ikea

The grand opening of Ikea's first Alabama location is on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Development

After <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="months of" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" target="_self">months of</a> anticipation, Ikea opens Wednesday on University Drive. Why it matters: Ranking high among Huntsville&#x27;s most-wanted retailers, Ikea is bringing its new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smaller-format store" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" target="_blank">smaller-format store</a> to the Rocket City, targeting the rapidly growing area for its first store in Alabama.

"A living museum:" Joy McKee Arboretum takes root

Huntsville plans to open the arboretum in May, weather permitting.

News

Construction is underway at John Hunt Park on the Joy McKee Arboretum, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newly named to honor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-approves-naming-of-arboretum-for-longtime-landscape-director-joy-mckee/" data-vars-content-id="c488d2bc-bbf6-4051-bc2c-0a0715a7063c" data-vars-headline="&quot;A living museum:&quot; Joy McKee Arboretum takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-approves-naming-of-arboretum-for-longtime-landscape-director-joy-mckee/" target="_blank">newly named to honor</a> a longtime steward of Huntsville&#x27;s green spaces.Why it matters: City landscapers saw an opportunity to preserve history, support native trees and urban canopy, give visitors a nature break and educate the public in an unused corner of the park.

Senate bill targets police staffing in Huntsville, Montgomery

Senate Bill 298 would require police departments in Alabama's Class 3 municipalities to have two sworn officers for every 1,000 residents by Oct. 1.

A bill introduced in the state Legislature aims to set minimum staffing levels for Huntsville and Montgomery police departments.Why it matters: If passed, the bill could lead to a state takeover of local law enforcement, though Huntsville leaders say the city already meets the bill&#x27;s requirements.

Fuel leak pushes NASA's Artemis II launch

Artemis II is now set for launch no earlier than March.

Aerospace

The Artemis II launch window now opens <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="March 6" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/artemis-ii-mission-availability.pdf?emrc=698228bb21474" data-vars-content-id="3863b13c-a0eb-4ccd-863c-84be3e4652b5" data-vars-headline="Fuel leak pushes NASA&#x27;s Artemis II launch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/artemis-ii-mission-availability.pdf?emrc=698228bb21474" target="_blank">March 6</a>, following familiar fueling issues during a test Monday. Why it matters: A hydrogen fuel leak during the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal process has pushed back the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="launch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" data-vars-content-id="3863b13c-a0eb-4ccd-863c-84be3e4652b5" data-vars-headline="Fuel leak pushes NASA&#x27;s Artemis II launch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" target="_self">launch</a> of NASA&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first moon mission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/" data-vars-content-id="3863b13c-a0eb-4ccd-863c-84be3e4652b5" data-vars-headline="Fuel leak pushes NASA&#x27;s Artemis II launch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/" target="_blank">first moon mission</a> in more than 50 years.

Northrop ramps up IBCS production as global interest grows

More than 20 nations have expressed formal interest in the system.

Northrop Grumman&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="locally made" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/19/northrop-grumman-madison-missile-defense-huntsville-golden-dome" data-vars-content-id="77eefe6d-dbdc-4425-b33b-20763abe41db" data-vars-headline="Northrop ramps up IBCS production as global interest grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/19/northrop-grumman-madison-missile-defense-huntsville-golden-dome" target="_self">locally made</a> Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) is aiming to prove itself in the field. Why it matters: The company is preparing to ramp up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="production" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" data-vars-content-id="77eefe6d-dbdc-4425-b33b-20763abe41db" data-vars-headline="Northrop ramps up IBCS production as global interest grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" target="_self">production</a> as international interest grows in the all-in-one command and control system.

AI could be the next space mission copilot

Microsoft AI leaders spoke Wednesday about how AI is currently being used by NASA and how it might be used in space.

An artificial intelligence agent may be the next crucial member of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="space mission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" data-vars-content-id="b7bc6ddf-08e5-4b3f-be02-56f52ee8a596" data-vars-headline="AI could be the next space mission copilot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" target="_self">space mission</a>. Why it matters: As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NASA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/01/22/huntsville-artemis-ii-nasa-marshall-sls-hls-lunar-mission" data-vars-content-id="b7bc6ddf-08e5-4b3f-be02-56f52ee8a596" data-vars-headline="AI could be the next space mission copilot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/01/22/huntsville-artemis-ii-nasa-marshall-sls-hls-lunar-mission" target="_self">NASA</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="private companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/09/24/huntsville-space-stations-nasa-aerospace-marshall-flight-center-alabama" data-vars-content-id="b7bc6ddf-08e5-4b3f-be02-56f52ee8a596" data-vars-headline="AI could be the next space mission copilot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/09/24/huntsville-space-stations-nasa-aerospace-marshall-flight-center-alabama" target="_self">private companies</a> look to make deeper strides in space or establish new space stations, quick-thinking AI agents could provide valuable assistance.

Milken: Huntsville's economy stays hot in cooling market

Huntsville landed at No. 2 among large cities in the 2026 ranking.

Huntsville&#x27;s economy is among the best in the country, per the Milken Institute&#x27;s annual Best-Performing Cities ranking released today.Why it matters: The analysis from the nonpartisan think tank shows that Huntsville&#x27;s economy, buoyed by high-tech defense and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aerospace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" data-vars-content-id="31a1b256-5976-4fbc-b9cc-3019e5e48739" data-vars-headline="Milken: Huntsville&#x27;s economy stays hot in cooling market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" target="_self">aerospace</a> contracts, is gaining ground in a largely cooling economy.

From orbit to Rocket City: Astronauts highlight Huntsville's ISS role

At Marshall Space Flight Center, astronauts Nichole Ayers and Takuya Onishi talked about their experience on the ISS.

NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers and Takuya Onishi returned to the Rocket City Friday, sharing insight from months <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in space" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" data-vars-content-id="ac075d18-76cd-4bbb-9a51-c6ca967221e4" data-vars-headline="From orbit to Rocket City: Astronauts highlight Huntsville&#x27;s ISS role" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" target="_self">in space</a> with the folks who helped make it possible.Why it matters: NASA&#x27;s operations in Huntsville are key to work that happens on the International Space Station (ISS).

Artemis II heads to launch with Marshall on deck

Artemis II will take four astronauts on a 10-day loop around the moon.

Artemis II is stacked and nearly ready for launch.Why it matters: At NASA&#x27;s Marshall Space Flight Center, officials are poised to support that mission as it enters a launch window starting Feb. 6, and as it circles the moon before returning to Earth.

Von Braun's Rocket City legacy, 75 years later

Von Braun and his team played a pivotal role in putting Americans on the Moon in 1969.

Wernher von Braun stepped off the train in Huntsville 75 years ago.Why it matters: Von Braun, and the German and American scientists and engineers he worked with, built the rockets that put Americans on the Moon and turned Huntsville into Rocket City.

Hegseth: SPACECOM in Huntsville is "common sense"

"This is the place to continue to establish space dominance," the secretary said. "Right here in Alabama."

U.S. Space Command&#x27;s move to Huntsville sure looks like a done deal.Why it matters: A political football for years and the target of an ongoing lawsuit, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SPACECOM&#x27;s new home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4291622/trump-announces-relocation-of-us-space-command/#:~:text=1%20in%20space%2C%20and%20we,Trump&#x27;s%20first%20term%20as%20president." data-vars-content-id="6c56eb29-c712-4aaa-9404-9cb145611694" data-vars-headline="Hegseth: SPACECOM in Huntsville is &quot;common sense&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4291622/trump-announces-relocation-of-us-space-command/#:~:text=1%20in%20space%2C%20and%20we,Trump&#x27;s%20first%20term%20as%20president." target="_blank">SPACECOM&#x27;s new home</a> at Redstone Arsenal was symbolically solidified Friday with a sign unveiling that brought out the top brass.

Space Command move in full swing, Gen. Whiting says

Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting laid out Space Command's mission Wednesday at the Von Braun Center.

U.S. Space Command&#x27;s move to Huntsville is continuing apace, according to Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting. Why it matters: The Space Command move is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="launching a new chapter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/09/02/space-command-huntsville-rocket-city-north-alabama" data-vars-content-id="e31671c6-1968-4f4b-aae2-d437cfafe847" data-vars-headline="Space Command move in full swing, Gen. Whiting says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/09/02/space-command-huntsville-rocket-city-north-alabama" target="_self">launching a new chapter</a> in Huntsville&#x27;s military history book, expected to bring jobs and investment and cement the Rocket City&#x27;s hold on America&#x27;s space industry.

Titomic tests tech limits in Rocket City

Huntsville, where the company employs about 20 with plans to grow, is "central to our strategy," Titomic CEO Jim Simpson said.

Innovation in the Rocket City isn&#x27;t all about missiles and rocket science.Why it matters: Australia-born <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Titomic" data-vars-click-url="https://titomic.com/" data-vars-content-id="fa7e70a8-ce86-4838-93ed-00b4237fedea" data-vars-headline="Titomic tests tech limits in Rocket City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://titomic.com/" target="_blank">Titomic</a> has found a home in Huntsville, where it plans to push the boundaries of next-gen manufacturing.