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Alabama governor's race set, others head to runoffs

Tommy Tuberville and Doug Jones each won their primaries by big margins Tuesday.

News

Tommy Tuberville and Doug Jones were the big winners last night, securing their places on the November gubernatorial ballot with huge margins. Why it matters: Primary elections are in the rearview, and Alabama voters are now looking ahead to November&#x27;s elections that will name a new senator and governor.

10 minutes with NASA chief Jared Isaacman

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman returned to Huntsville last week to cut the ribbon on Space Camp's new Innovation4 Skills Training Center.

Aerospace

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman returned to Huntsville last week to cut the ribbon on Space Camp&#x27;s new Innovation4 Skills Training Center.Why it matters: He spoke to local media ahead of the event, telling Axios about NASA&#x27;s efforts to bring more roles in-house, its work with private sector space companies and more.

Huntsville brings Orion concessions in-house for $12M

The deal with Huntsville Venue Group Food & Beverage, LLC includes buildings and other improvements at the amphitheater's Food Village area.

Business

Huntsville will take greater control of the publicly owned Orion Amphitheater after the City Council voted 4-1 last week to purchase the venue&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food and beverage" data-vars-click-url="https://theorionhuntsville.com/food-and-drinks/" data-vars-content-id="483b7943-9f01-451f-b119-566733364d00" data-vars-headline="Huntsville brings Orion concessions in-house for $12M" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://theorionhuntsville.com/food-and-drinks/" target="_blank">food and beverage</a> assets for $12 million.

Huntsville's TIF 9 aims for big Von Braun Center work

The improvements are expected to spur property development and generate up to $20 million in new tax revenue.

Huntsville is finalizing plans for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ninth tax increment financing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-of-huntsville-outlines-proposed-tif-district-for-downtown-economic-development-and-infrastructure-projects/" data-vars-content-id="aa8395e3-e638-412a-9adf-76d92da9b0bd" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s TIF 9 aims for big Von Braun Center work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-of-huntsville-outlines-proposed-tif-district-for-downtown-economic-development-and-infrastructure-projects/" target="_blank">ninth tax increment financing</a> (TIF) district that the city hopes will fund $220 million in infrastructure projects.Why it matters: The improvements are expected to boost development and property values, increasing property tax collections by an estimated $15 million to $20 million.

Music offices unite to amplify local music economies

Music offices are banding together to create a shared resource for communities looking to amplify their local music scenes.

Music offices are banding together in a new trade organization to champion resources and best practices for local music scenes. Why it matters: The association is formalizing its network to export the success music offices have seen in places like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Huntsville" data-vars-click-url="https://huntsvillemusic.com/" data-vars-content-id="f23fce82-2f39-41b1-aef7-2d172d0821ad" data-vars-headline="Music offices unite to amplify local music economies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://huntsvillemusic.com/" target="_blank">Huntsville</a>, where investment in the local music ecosystem has made big <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quality-of-life" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-music-office-celebrates-landmark-year-for-citys-creative-economy/" data-vars-content-id="f23fce82-2f39-41b1-aef7-2d172d0821ad" data-vars-headline="Music offices unite to amplify local music economies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-music-office-celebrates-landmark-year-for-citys-creative-economy/" target="_blank">quality-of-life</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic impacts" data-vars-click-url="https://huntsvillebusinessjournal.com/news/2025/11/14/von-braun-center-unveils-15-3-million-backstage-transformation-to-boost-huntsvilles-growing-arts-economy/" data-vars-content-id="f23fce82-2f39-41b1-aef7-2d172d0821ad" data-vars-headline="Music offices unite to amplify local music economies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://huntsvillebusinessjournal.com/news/2025/11/14/von-braun-center-unveils-15-3-million-backstage-transformation-to-boost-huntsvilles-growing-arts-economy/" target="_blank">economic impacts</a>.

$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.

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>

Business 🏦

10 minutes with NASA chief Jared Isaacman

Huntsville brings Orion concessions in-house for $12M

Huntsville's TIF 9 aims for big Von Braun Center work

Music offices unite to amplify local music economies

$50M Lewter District project takes shape downtown