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Tuberville fends off Jones for Alabama governor

The GOP senator and former football coach promises to bring a Trump-like approach to state government.

News

Tommy Tuberville will be Alabama&#x27;s next governor, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Associated Press projects" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/alabama-governor-results/" data-vars-content-id="54abc736-2fbc-4495-8656-5b2037a8cc4e" data-vars-headline="Tuberville fends off Jones for Alabama governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/alabama-governor-results/" target="_blank">Associated Press projects</a>. Why it matters: Tuberville campaigned on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="supporting President Trump&#x27;s agenda" data-vars-click-url="https://www.coachforgovernor.com/" data-vars-content-id="54abc736-2fbc-4495-8656-5b2037a8cc4e" data-vars-headline="Tuberville fends off Jones for Alabama governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.coachforgovernor.com/" target="_blank">supporting President Trump&#x27;s agenda</a> and bringing a Trump-like approach to state government, fending off a challenge from Democratic former Sen. Doug Jones.

Dale Strong wins third term in tight 5th District race

Strong defeated Democrat Andrew Sneed in a district that has long favored Republicans.

Politics

Republican Dale Strong has won a third term representing North Alabama&#x27;s 5th Congressional District, the Associated Press projected Tuesday night.Why it matters: Strong held his seat in a historically Republican district, running on his record in Washington and touting his district appropriations as Election Day approached. His victory came as changing demographics in the 5th District signaled a turn left.

Mazda-Toyota hits 1 million vehicles made in Huntsville

In the five years since production began, the company has grown into a $2.3 billion venture, VP Mark Brazeal told Axios.

Business

Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing has built 1 million vehicles in Huntsville.Why it matters: The company exemplifies Huntsville&#x27;s approach to economic development: offering major incentives to attract billions in private investment and thousands of jobs.

How Mazda-Toyota is training its future north Alabama workforce

Manufacturing is growing but its workforce is aging — and not enough new workers are prepared to meet demand.

As manufacturers compete for skilled workers, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing is taking steps to build its own talent pipeline in North Alabama.Why it matters: Manufacturing is growing and becoming more advanced. But its workforce is aging, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="not enough" data-vars-click-url="https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/manufacturing-industrial-products/supporting-us-manufacturing-growth-amid-workforce-challenges.html" data-vars-content-id="e1afbad9-c219-487c-9a17-32450e75d21d" data-vars-headline="How Mazda-Toyota is training its future north Alabama workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/manufacturing-industrial-products/supporting-us-manufacturing-growth-amid-workforce-challenges.html" target="_blank">not enough</a> new workers are prepared to meet demand.

New president aims to make UAH "indispensable"

UAH is a critical part of Huntsville's education, research and economic development ecosystem.

Donald Leo is four months into his role as president of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and he&#x27;s rolling up his sleeves.Why it matters: UAH is a critical part of Huntsville&#x27;s education, research and economic development ecosystem.Driving the news: As Huntsville grows and attracts companies like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eli Lilly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/10/19/huntsville-biotech-pharmaceuticals-alabama-eli-lilly" data-vars-content-id="1b57dbcc-df92-4237-bce9-b51caa8cb899" data-vars-headline="New president aims to make UAH &quot;indispensable&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/10/19/huntsville-biotech-pharmaceuticals-alabama-eli-lilly" target="_self">Eli Lilly</a>, UAH and other institutions face mounting pressure to develop a workforce that can meet the region&#x27;s needs.

Alabama submits bid to build Space Academy in Huntsville

Landing the academy would be another generational opportunity for the Rocket City, further cementing its status as an aerospace hub.

Aerospace

With U.S. Space Command&#x27;s relocation <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in full swing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/12/10/space-command-huntsville-alabama-redstone-arsenal" data-vars-content-id="d561c643-d48f-43e0-aeab-c58946e70336" data-vars-headline="Alabama submits bid to build Space Academy in Huntsville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/12/10/space-command-huntsville-alabama-redstone-arsenal" target="_self">in full swing</a>, Alabama and Huntsville are setting their sights on the next big get: U.S. Space Academy.Why it matters: Landing the academy would be another generational opportunity for the Rocket City, further cementing its status as an aerospace hub and one of the country&#x27;s most important centers for space research and leadership.

Anthology collects decades of John Pruett's sports writing

The longtime Huntsville sportswriter, who died last year, chronicled more than 40 years of sports history.

Culture

A curated compilation of John Pruett&#x27;s sports writing hit shelves Wednesday. Why it matters: The longtime Huntsville sports writer, who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/27/huntsville-legendary-sports-writer-john-pruett-obituary" data-vars-content-id="0aadd1f1-60ab-422e-9461-750a9d876ec1" data-vars-headline="Anthology collects decades of John Pruett&#x27;s sports writing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/27/huntsville-legendary-sports-writer-john-pruett-obituary" target="_self">died last year</a>, chronicled more than 40 years of sports history, from local and college football to the Olympics.

Raising the curtain on the Sandra Moon Community Complex

The long-awaited transformation of the former Grissom High School in South Huntsville aims to offer something for everyone.

The Sandra Moon Community Complex on Bailey Cove Road is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="officially open" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-of-huntsville-celebrates-opening-of-dynamic-sandra-moon-community-complex/" data-vars-content-id="6789de26-f640-44e4-887b-f24aacdbdad3" data-vars-headline="Raising the curtain on the Sandra Moon Community Complex" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-of-huntsville-celebrates-opening-of-dynamic-sandra-moon-community-complex/" target="_blank">officially open</a> following a ribbon cutting Tuesday morning.Why it matters: The long-awaited transformation of the former Grissom High School in South Huntsville aims to offer something for everyone.

Huntsville gets its first taste of Jeni's

It's an ice cream destination offering something different from what you'll find elsewhere in town.

Jeni&#x27;s Splendid Ice Creams has landed in Huntsville — its first store in the Rocket City. Why it matters: It&#x27;s an ice cream destination offering something different from what you&#x27;ll find elsewhere in town, bringing a late-night sweet-tooth fix to the heart of downtown.

Women in Music Week puts the spotlight on female artists

The event aims to highlight and support the diverse and robust female music scene in the Rocket City.

Women in Music Week launches Friday night.Why it matters: Sandwiched in the middle of Huntsville&#x27;s Music Month, it&#x27;s an event in and of itself, highlighting and supporting the diverse and robust female music scene in the Rocket City.

Artemis II astronauts thank "unsung heroes" at Marshall

Huntsville's Marshall Space Flight Center manages the Space Launch System that propelled the Artemis II mission into space, and the Artemis crew shared their gratitude Tuesday.

The Artemis II crew is saluting the Rocket City.Why it matters: Huntsville&#x27;s Marshall Space Flight Center manages the Space Launch System that propelled the Artemis II mission into space, and the Artemis crew shared their gratitude Tuesday.

Global para-cycling spotlight lands on Huntsville

The championships will put an international spotlight on Huntsville and are expected to bring millions in economic impact.

Hundreds of athletes from across the globe are landing in Huntsville this week for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships" data-vars-click-url="https://huntsvilleparaworlds.com/" data-vars-content-id="22125bcb-067c-4f26-a229-b1b55db54072" data-vars-headline="Global para-cycling spotlight lands on Huntsville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://huntsvilleparaworlds.com/" target="_blank">2026 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships</a>.Why it matters: The championships will put an international spotlight on Huntsville and are expected to bring millions in economic impact.

Columbia, Coates look ahead after ending historic losing streak

It's the dawn of a new era for the Eagles.

After snapping the country&#x27;s longest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="losing streak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2026/08/23/columbia-alabama-high-school-football-longest-losing-streak-ends/91432617007/" data-vars-content-id="07016524-97ab-438b-bb48-50ea478f0258" data-vars-headline="Columbia, Coates look ahead after ending historic losing streak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2026/08/23/columbia-alabama-high-school-football-longest-losing-streak-ends/91432617007/" target="_blank">losing streak</a> for high school football, Columbia High School&#x27;s team is focused on one thing: the next win.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the dawn of a new era for the Eagles.