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Why Alabama front-runners are skipping debates and town halls

Town halls and debates — or the lack thereof — have become a flash point in two of Alabama's biggest midterm races.

Election

Town halls and debates — or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the lack thereof" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/10/house-republicans-congress-town-halls?utm_source" data-vars-content-id="a808e8da-d4fd-4e4f-899d-402ac2256669" data-vars-headline="Why Alabama front-runners are skipping debates and town halls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/10/house-republicans-congress-town-halls?utm_source" target="_self">the lack thereof</a> — have become a flash point in Alabama&#x27;s midterm elections, particularly the race for governor.Why it matters: Democratic candidates facing long odds in deep-red Alabama are pushing for more debates, town halls and face time with voters, while Republicans are taking a more selective approach.

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.

Aerospace

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.

Testing Huntsville Utilities' free home audit

Dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's in your home energy ecosystem can lessen the impact of higher energy bills in the height of summer and the depths of winter.

Climate

It&#x27;s hot out there, y&#x27;all, and too hot in my house. So I took advantage of Huntsville Utilities&#x27; free Home Energy Audit.Why it matters: Dotting all the i&#x27;s and crossing all the t&#x27;s in your home energy ecosystem can lessen the impact of higher energy bills in the height of summer and the depths of winter.

North Alabama pipeline moves to early study phase

The pipeline could affect landowners and influence the area's growth and energy bills for decades.

Environment

The North Alabama Public Energy District is taking the first steps toward constructing a new natural gas pipeline across North Alabama. Why it matters: The pipeline could become a major cog in the region&#x27;s energy machine and could affect landowners and influence the area&#x27;s growth and energy bills for decades.

TVA sets new data center rate

TVA says it will keep costs down for customers and ensure long-term reliability.

Business

TVA will require power-hungry data centers to pay more for the electricity they use in the Valley. Why it matters: As data center demand — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="and anxiety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/20/data-center-uproar-2026-midterms" data-vars-content-id="02c7b20c-b8b2-45ca-875b-9b412c2232fe" data-vars-headline="TVA sets new data center rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/20/data-center-uproar-2026-midterms" target="_self">and anxiety</a> — ramps up across the country, TVA is setting a new data center rate it says will keep costs down for customers and ensure long-term reliability.

HudsonAlpha's grass-based manufacturing effort lands $15M

The initiative is poised to fuel sustainable growth in agriculture and manufacturing in the region.

Grass grown on underutilized farmland in Alabama and Tennessee will soon be used to make everything from food packaging to car parts.Why it matters: The initiative is poised to fuel sustainable growth in agriculture and manufacturing in the region, forecast to result in billions in investment over the next decade.

Huntsville researchers discover "demon cavefish"

There are still natural wonders to be found right under our noses — or feet.

Culture

Researchers have discovered a new species of cavefish at Redstone Arsenal.Why it matters: There are still natural wonders to be found right under our noses (or feet).

TVA says reservoirs are ready for summer despite drought

Drought or not, reservoirs are at full summer pool levels.

News

The Tennessee Valley Authority says reservoirs are at full summer pool levels despite an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ongoing drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/05/01/drought-persists" data-vars-content-id="8e55122c-06b4-494e-a548-8421fb7a8fda" data-vars-headline="TVA says reservoirs are ready for summer despite drought" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/05/01/drought-persists" target="_self">ongoing drought</a>.Why it matters: Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer season, and in North Alabama that means getting out on the Tennessee River.<ul><li>Recreation across the watershed generates nearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$12 billion annually" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tva.com/the-powerhouse/stories/Valley-Lakes-Worth-Billions" data-vars-content-id="8e55122c-06b4-494e-a548-8421fb7a8fda" data-vars-headline="TVA says reservoirs are ready for summer despite drought" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tva.com/the-powerhouse/stories/Valley-Lakes-Worth-Billions" target="_blank">$12 billion annually</a> — about $1 million per shoreline mile.</li></ul>

Huntsville biotech boom draws national security focus

The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology and other agencies took a close look at HudsonAlpha on the 20th stop of NSCEB's national roadshow.

Huntsville is big on defense in more ways than aerospace.Why it matters: The workforce and research engine created by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hudsonalpha.org/" data-vars-content-id="bb8dd234-fd0e-4260-bc13-4734ba48f275" data-vars-headline="Huntsville biotech boom draws national security focus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hudsonalpha.org/" target="_blank">HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology</a> doesn&#x27;t only drive economic development such as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eli Lilly&#x27;s new plant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/12/10/eli-lilly-alabama-6-billion-huntsville-plant-drug-manufacturing" data-vars-content-id="bb8dd234-fd0e-4260-bc13-4734ba48f275" data-vars-headline="Huntsville biotech boom draws national security focus" 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/eli-lilly-alabama-6-billion-huntsville-plant-drug-manufacturing" target="_self">Eli Lilly&#x27;s new plant</a>, it&#x27;s key to national security.

Greenways lead to growth in Huntsville

A long-term plan aims to put every resident within a mile of a trail as the network rapidly grows.

Huntsville is big on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="greenways" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/land-trust-nature-center-greenway-outdoor-recreation-huntsville" data-vars-content-id="e3ad1b08-65e8-4ae9-94d6-5f1f1ab8cabf" data-vars-headline="Greenways lead to growth 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/2025/08/12/land-trust-nature-center-greenway-outdoor-recreation-huntsville" target="_self">greenways</a>. Why it matters: City leaders see the pedestrian trails as quality-of-life infrastructure that&#x27;s key in drawing in new industry, residents and investment.

"A living museum:" Joy McKee Arboretum takes root

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

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.

City greenlights Pinhook Creek park transformation downtown

Huntsville leaders envision a grass- and tree-lined stream beside concrete sidewalks, benches and other amenities.

Culture Brief

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;skybridge&quot; part" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/11/skybridge-parc-project-development-huntsville-alabama" data-vars-content-id="24a58f2d-2a8b-4632-a7b1-358c3edf25bb" data-vars-headline="City greenlights Pinhook Creek park transformation downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/11/skybridge-parc-project-development-huntsville-alabama" target="_self">&quot;skybridge&quot; part</a> of an ambitious project underway in Huntsville may grab headlines, but a contract recently approved by City Council could have just as big an impact downtown.Why it matters: Essentially a stream restoration project for a prominent stretch of Pinhook Creek downtown, the contract is the first step in transforming it into a 13-acre linear park and greenway.