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President's budget brings back NASA science cuts

The President's Budget Request for fiscal year 2027 calls for $18.8 billion in NASA spending, a $5.6 billion cut.

Aerospace

NASA is looking at another potential funding hit.Why it matters: Cuts to NASA science initiatives could have a big impact locally because North Alabama is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of the largest recipients" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/23/nasa-science-funding-huntsville-alabama-congress-budget" data-vars-content-id="eeafa5de-5ab4-4de5-9c45-eac8ee240ecd" data-vars-headline="President&#x27;s budget brings back NASA science cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/23/nasa-science-funding-huntsville-alabama-congress-budget" target="_self">one of the largest recipients</a> of annual NASA funding awards.

Wikipedia founder says trust is broken — here's how to rebuild it

Jimmy Wales wants us to trust each other.

Culture

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales wants us to trust. Why it matters: Trust in institutions, and in each other, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has reached crisis levels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.edelman.com/newsroom/richard-edelmans-6am-blog/insularity-next-crisis-trust" data-vars-content-id="34975853-8000-4b43-a9fa-a194d9bd7e1b" data-vars-headline="Wikipedia founder says trust is broken — here&#x27;s how to rebuild it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.edelman.com/newsroom/richard-edelmans-6am-blog/insularity-next-crisis-trust" target="_blank">has reached crisis levels</a>, and the consequences are rippling into every aspect of modern life. <ul><li>&quot;I think we&#x27;ve kind of hit something close to a rock bottom,&quot; Wales, a Huntsville native, told Axios.</li></ul>

$50M Lewter District project takes shape downtown

The project includes the repurposing of the Lewter Hardware building and the construction of a five-story office building and 14 luxury townhomes.

Business

Developers are preparing to cut the ribbon on the 1.5-acre Lewter District in Huntsville.Why it matters: An effort that began with repurposing the historic Lewter Hardware building is now aiming to establish a mixed-use area downtown.

AeroVironment touts $5-per-shot anti-drone laser in Huntsville

The Locust X3 can down a drone at under $5 per shot, the company says.

AeroVironment&#x27;s Locust X3 laser system can down a drone at less than $5 per shot from a virtually unlimited magazine. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Inexpensive drones are changing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/15/iran-drones-ukraine-russia-shahed" data-vars-content-id="00172514-42b5-42b0-ae27-3d7d20e50462" data-vars-headline="AeroVironment touts $5-per-shot anti-drone laser in Huntsville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/15/iran-drones-ukraine-russia-shahed" target="_self">Inexpensive drones are changing</a> warfare, and shooting them down with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$2 million missiles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4150954/socom-changing-operational-demands-require-acquisition-changes/" data-vars-content-id="00172514-42b5-42b0-ae27-3d7d20e50462" data-vars-headline="AeroVironment touts $5-per-shot anti-drone laser in Huntsville" 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/4150954/socom-changing-operational-demands-require-acquisition-changes/" target="_blank">$2 million missiles</a> is unsustainable.

Army pushes "factory to front line" focus at AUSA Global Force

One of the defense industry's biggest events of the year is taking over the Von Braun Center this week.

For the U.S. Army to solve critical global problems at scale, &quot;an unbreakable connection must exist from the factory to the front line,&quot; Army Under Secretary Michael Obadal told a packed house Tuesday. Why it matters: To help accomplish that, AUSA&#x27;s Global Force Symposium, one of the defense industry&#x27;s biggest events of the year, is taking over the Von Braun Center this week.

Northrop's ready to hit the gas on IBCS

IBCS is being further refined to focus on modularity and scalability.

Northrop Grumman is ready to ramp up production of its Huntsville-built Integrated Battle Command System. Why it matters: As IBCS gains traction and demand grows, Northrop is focused on scaling production and adapting the system for modular use on smaller platforms.

NASA shuffles Artemis missions

NASA pushed its moon landing mission to 2028.

NASA has made some big changes to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artemis program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/esdmd/nasa-strengthens-artemis-adds-mission-refines-overall-architecture/" data-vars-content-id="571fe4f5-8852-4370-b042-06e120e3ef7a" data-vars-headline="NASA shuffles Artemis missions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/esdmd/nasa-strengthens-artemis-adds-mission-refines-overall-architecture/" target="_blank">Artemis program</a> mission lineup, including eyeing April 1 as the earliest launch opportunity for Artemis II. Why it matters: NASA is pushing the moon landing back and rethinking Space Launch System rocket hardware for future missions.

Butler bill would ban all psychoactive THC products

The bill, proposed by Sen. Tom Butler, is awaiting action in committee.

State Sen. Tom Butler has introduced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a bill" data-vars-click-url="https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2026RS/SB321-int.pdf" data-vars-content-id="55975aa7-c5d7-44c9-82fb-d314bb08e2ba" data-vars-headline="Butler bill would ban all psychoactive THC products" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2026RS/SB321-int.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a> to ban all psychoactive cannabinoid products in Alabama. Why it matters: The action would further impact businesses in the state still adjusting to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent law changes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/16/new-thc-rules-july-1-huntsville-alabama-legislature" data-vars-content-id="55975aa7-c5d7-44c9-82fb-d314bb08e2ba" data-vars-headline="Butler bill would ban all psychoactive THC products" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/16/new-thc-rules-july-1-huntsville-alabama-legislature" target="_self">recent law changes</a>. <ul><li>It would also rank Alabama among the nation&#x27;s least hemp-friendly states, leaving only non-intoxicating hemp products like CBD available.</li></ul>

Tuberville backs Trump on Iran strikes

The senator told a Huntsville crowd that he's "100% behind President Trump."

As President Trump <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="threatens to escalate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/07/trump-iran-gas-fuel-strikes" data-vars-content-id="2ec1c9cd-6c15-47de-ab22-c674d60121c0" data-vars-headline="Tuberville backs Trump on Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/07/trump-iran-gas-fuel-strikes" target="_self">threatens to escalate</a> bombings in Iran, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville says further action there or elsewhere doesn&#x27;t need to come before Congress, pointing to provisions of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="War Powers Resolution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF13134" data-vars-content-id="2ec1c9cd-6c15-47de-ab22-c674d60121c0" data-vars-headline="Tuberville backs Trump on Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF13134" target="_blank">War Powers Resolution</a> and Congress&#x27;s power of the purse.Why it matters: Foreign policy is local for Huntsville, an epicenter of missile defense and other capabilities on the forefront of the conflict in Iran. <ul><li>As Tuberville said Monday at the Von Braun Center, &quot;Many in this room ... are going to continue to play supporting roles in the defensive efforts.&quot;</li></ul>

Huntsville lands CUSA tournaments through 2029

Huntsville will host CUSA's basketball, volleyball and cross-country tournaments.

Huntsville will host the next three Conference USA Championships in basketball, volleyball and cross-country, CUSA announced Friday.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a big get for Huntsville as the city seeks to attract more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/sports" data-vars-content-id="3c1e828e-b737-444e-a5d6-ada011fc6a3e" data-vars-headline="Huntsville lands CUSA tournaments through 2029" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/sports" target="_self">sports</a> events and bolster its reputation for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first-class facilities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/30/huntsville-curling-44m-ice-center-expansion" data-vars-content-id="3c1e828e-b737-444e-a5d6-ada011fc6a3e" data-vars-headline="Huntsville lands CUSA tournaments through 2029" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/30/huntsville-curling-44m-ice-center-expansion" target="_self">first-class facilities</a>.

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.

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.

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.

Business 🏦

$50M Lewter District project takes shape downtown

AeroVironment touts $5-per-shot anti-drone laser in Huntsville

Army pushes "factory to front line" focus at AUSA Global Force

Northrop's ready to hit the gas on IBCS

NASA shuffles Artemis missions