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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.

Front Row opens leasing, targets June move-ins

The sprawling mixed-use development has launched its official website.

Business Brief

The Residences at Front Row is getting ready to sign its first leases for a targeted June move-in date. Why it matters: The sprawling mixed-use development under construction across from the Von Braun Center has been years in the making and is expected to help transform that &quot;gateway&quot; into downtown.

Eli Lilly makes Alabama history with $6B Huntsville plant

Eli Lilly plans to start work next year on a facility that will produce orforglipron, officials announced Tuesday in Huntsville.

Business

Eli Lilly chose Huntsville for its newest manufacturing plant — a $6 billion project and the largest single-site investment in Alabama history.Why it matters: The project aims to transform Huntsville, and the state, into a world leader in biopharma manufacturing.

Alabama braces for SNAP stop

The state Department of Human Resources said it received notice that funds for November would not come from the USDA due to the shutdown.

Health

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="will not be issued" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/27/government-shutdown-snap-food-banks" data-vars-content-id="60515b66-4fbc-4330-a824-6e4f859f3742" data-vars-headline="Alabama braces for SNAP stop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/27/government-shutdown-snap-food-banks" target="_self">will not be issued</a> in November because of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal government shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/10/23/shutdown-drags-on" data-vars-content-id="60515b66-4fbc-4330-a824-6e4f859f3742" data-vars-headline="Alabama braces for SNAP stop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/10/23/shutdown-drags-on" target="_self">federal government shutdown</a>. Why it matters: More than 750,000 Alabamians depend on the more than $140 million in federal support each month, according to the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

Celeste Bradley lost her limbs to sepsis. Now she's raising awareness.

"Anyone can go into septic shock," Bradley said. "It's scary."

Celeste Bradley is on a mission to raise awareness about sepsis.Why it matters: After a routine procedure, the 25-year-old Madison County native developed sepsis and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lost her hands" data-vars-click-url="https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2025/10/im-a-25-year-old-quadruple-amputee-and-im-eager-to-get-back-to-work-op-ed.html" data-vars-content-id="d5f6badf-d0c5-444e-878c-9aef8d482565" data-vars-headline="Celeste Bradley lost her limbs to sepsis. Now she&#x27;s raising awareness." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2025/10/im-a-25-year-old-quadruple-amputee-and-im-eager-to-get-back-to-work-op-ed.html" target="_blank">lost her hands</a> and feet. Now, she&#x27;s urging others — and Alabama hospitals — to be ready for it.

Alabama's new THC rules start July 1

Some opponents say the new rules could hurt small businesses.

All smokable hemp products are now illegal in Alabama, as key parts of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="House Bill 445" data-vars-click-url="https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2025RS/HB445-enr.pdf" data-vars-content-id="c19ea9a2-bef2-4c20-bed0-37c51bb264d0" data-vars-headline="Alabama&#x27;s new THC rules start July 1" 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/2025RS/HB445-enr.pdf" target="_blank">House Bill 445</a> take effect. Other provisions, including licensing for sellers and manufacturers, start Jan. 1, 2026. Why it matters: The hemp industry is about to change drastically in Alabama, affecting businesses that sell and folks who use hemp-derived compounds like delta-8 THC or CBD either medicinally or recreationally.

Health 🩺

Eli Lilly makes Alabama history with $6B Huntsville plant

Alabama braces for SNAP stop

Celeste Bradley lost her limbs to sepsis. Now she's raising awareness.

Maternal health care access law takes effect today

Alabama's new THC rules start July 1