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Huntsville and Colorado Springs bury the Space Command hatchet

The partnership is turning two aerospace development rivals into teammates in the game to land work around the $185 billion Golden Dome initiative.

Aerospace

Colorado Springs and Huntsville are putting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="their feud over" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/20/trump-colorado-springs-space-command-amicus-brief" data-vars-content-id="0c606f75-b416-4b9f-b49f-38ce56e676b5" data-vars-headline="Huntsville and Colorado Springs bury the Space Command hatchet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/20/trump-colorado-springs-space-command-amicus-brief" target="_self">their feud over</a> U.S. Space Command behind them to focus on the next big aerospace imperative: Golden Dome. Why it matters: The partnership is turning two aerospace development rivals into teammates in the game to land work around the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$185 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/22/trump-guetlein-golden-dome-interceptors" data-vars-content-id="0c606f75-b416-4b9f-b49f-38ce56e676b5" data-vars-headline="Huntsville and Colorado Springs bury the Space Command hatchet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/22/trump-guetlein-golden-dome-interceptors" target="_self">$185 billion</a> Golden Dome initiative.

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.

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.

Huntsville named a Secret Sauce Community with the right mix for growth

The Rocket City is earning another economic development accolade, but this time it's for what makes it different.

Huntsville has the secret sauce. Why it matters: The Rocket City is earning another economic development accolade, but this time it&#x27;s for what sets it apart: defying assumptions about what a growing American city looks like.

Advanced Navigation launches major Huntsville expansion

The Australia-based company manufactures navigational systems for when GPS isn't available.

Advanced Navigation America is launching an expansion that could more than triple its Huntsville workforce.Why it matters: The expansion adds to Huntsville&#x27;s growing advanced manufacturing field, fueled by a deep talent pool and proximity to aerospace and defense customers.

Sneed talks reform, representation at town hall

Sneed, a Democrat, is running against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Dale Strong to represent North Alabama's 5th District.

Election

Andrew Sneed wants to restore people&#x27;s trust in their representatives. Why it matters: Sneed, a Democrat, is running against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Dale Strong to represent North Alabama&#x27;s 5th District, and that race is entering the home stretch.

Robinson and Peinder make their final cases to District 3 voters

Voters head to the polls Tuesday, Sept. 22, in South Huntsville.

Business

South Huntsville will vote Tuesday on its City Council seat in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="runoff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-council-certifies-aug-25-municipal-election-results-declares-runoff-in-district-3-city-council-race/" data-vars-content-id="28b2f31d-55a6-44e6-8480-c10343c6ff95" data-vars-headline="Robinson and Peinder make their final cases to District 3 voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-council-certifies-aug-25-municipal-election-results-declares-runoff-in-district-3-city-council-race/" target="_blank">runoff</a> between incumbent Jennie Robinson and challenger Liliana Peinder. The big picture: District 3 saw the highest turnout among the three districts voting in the August municipal elections, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="split between three candidates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-council-certifies-aug-25-municipal-election-results-declares-runoff-in-district-3-city-council-race/" data-vars-content-id="28b2f31d-55a6-44e6-8480-c10343c6ff95" data-vars-headline="Robinson and Peinder make their final cases to District 3 voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-council-certifies-aug-25-municipal-election-results-declares-runoff-in-district-3-city-council-race/" target="_blank">split between three candidates</a>: Robinson (47.91%), Peinder (30.66%) and John Stuart (21.43%). <ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Robinson&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jennieforcouncil.com/" data-vars-content-id="28b2f31d-55a6-44e6-8480-c10343c6ff95" data-vars-headline="Robinson and Peinder make their final cases to District 3 voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jennieforcouncil.com/" target="_blank">Robinson&#x27;s</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Peinder&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lilianaforhuntsville.com/" data-vars-content-id="28b2f31d-55a6-44e6-8480-c10343c6ff95" data-vars-headline="Robinson and Peinder make their final cases to District 3 voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lilianaforhuntsville.com/" target="_blank">Peinder&#x27;s</a> campaigns are now in high gear as the race heads into the final days.</li></ul>

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.

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.

District 3 drives Huntsville turnout bump

Tuesday's municipal elections saw 1,753 more ballots cast than in 2022, driven entirely by South Huntsville's District 3.

Nearly 13,000 voters made it to the polls Tuesday, about 12.7% of the total voters in Huntsville&#x27;s Districts 2, 3 and 4, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="preliminary county data" data-vars-click-url="https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/AL/Madison/127070/web.345435/#/summary" data-vars-content-id="1b895308-8779-464e-ba3d-3c75a2200a64" data-vars-headline="District 3 drives Huntsville turnout bump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/AL/Madison/127070/web.345435/#/summary" target="_blank">preliminary county data</a>. Why it matters: That increase was driven entirely by a big jump in South Huntsville&#x27;s District 3, which saw competitive City Council and Board of Education races.

Huntsville voters head to polls Tuesday

There are five competitive races on the ballot: City Council Districts 2, 3 and 4, and Board of Education Districts 2 and 3.

Politics

Voters head to the polls Tuesday for Huntsville&#x27;s municipal elections.Why it matters: The election results could reshape leadership at City Hall and in city schools.

Doug Jones talks data centers, Medicaid in Huntsville

Former Sen. Jones is facing current Sen. Tommy Tuberville in the race to succeed Gov. Kay Ivey.

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Doug Jones made a pitch for change in Huntsville on Wednesday night.Why it matters: Former Sen. Jones is facing off against current Sen. Tommy Tuberville to succeed Republican Gov. Kay Ivey in a high-profile race set to have major repercussions for the state.

City Council, School Board ballots take shape

Voters will decide City Council Districts 2, 3 and 4, and Board of Education seats for the same districts.

News

Candidate filing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/government/voting-elections/election-dates-to-remember/" data-vars-content-id="af0e0be2-c96f-4efd-aebe-0af5bc2fe916" data-vars-headline="City Council, School Board ballots take shape" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/government/voting-elections/election-dates-to-remember/" target="_blank">closes</a> Tuesday for this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="municipal elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/government/voting-elections/municipal-election-candidates/" data-vars-content-id="af0e0be2-c96f-4efd-aebe-0af5bc2fe916" data-vars-headline="City Council, School Board ballots take shape" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/government/voting-elections/municipal-election-candidates/" target="_blank">municipal elections</a>.Why it matters: Voters will decide City Council Districts 2, 3 and 4, and Board of Education seats for the same districts.

Supreme Court says Alabama can use 2023 congressional map

Four congressional districts — 1, 2, 6 and 7 — are now set to vote under the 2023 map.

Alabama can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="move forward" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/06/02/ivey-primary-election-alabama-map-redistricting" data-vars-content-id="98a8844c-9a88-4fb8-a5b6-a4ffc0e196ff" data-vars-headline="Supreme Court says Alabama can use 2023 congressional map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/06/02/ivey-primary-election-alabama-map-redistricting" target="_self">move forward</a> with its legislature-drawn congressional map for this year&#x27;s special primary elections after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="6-3 ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25a1314_7m58.pdf" data-vars-content-id="98a8844c-9a88-4fb8-a5b6-a4ffc0e196ff" data-vars-headline="Supreme Court says Alabama can use 2023 congressional map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25a1314_7m58.pdf" target="_blank">6-3 ruling</a> from the U.S. Supreme Court.Why it matters: Four congressional districts — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1, 2, 6 and 7" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/05/11/supreme-court-alabama-congressional-map-redraw-granted-midterms" data-vars-content-id="98a8844c-9a88-4fb8-a5b6-a4ffc0e196ff" data-vars-headline="Supreme Court says Alabama can use 2023 congressional map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/05/11/supreme-court-alabama-congressional-map-redraw-granted-midterms" target="_self">1, 2, 6 and 7</a> — are now set to vote under the 2023 map, meaning one of the state&#x27;s seven House seats may flip from Democrat to Republican.

School board, city council talk TIF

A bid to bolster development downtown and increase tax revenues will in turn mean a period of stagnation for school funding.

Local Brief

A joint meeting of the Huntsville Board of Education and City Council produced more details on how and why the city created its latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tax Increment Financing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/04/27/how-tifs-work" data-vars-content-id="ce2818c1-cd78-4865-81e7-96f00b9a2021" data-vars-headline="School board, city council talk TIF" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/04/27/how-tifs-work" target="_self">Tax Increment Financing</a> district.Why it matters: A bid to bolster downtown development and ultimately increase tax revenues will also mean a period of stagnant school funding from the area.

Alabama moves ahead with court-drawn map as SCOTUS reviews challenge

Gov. Kay Ivey's amended election order leaves the door open in case the Supreme Court acts again to allow Alabama to use its legislature-drawn 2023 maps.

Alabama is set to move forward with a court-drawn congressional map for its special primary elections on Aug. 11 as it awaits a key decision from the nation&#x27;s highest court.Why it matters: Alabama&#x27;s primary elections have been upended by a flurry of court actions following the U.S. Supreme Court&#x27;s decision in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana v. Callais" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/29/supreme-court-redistricting-race-gerrymander" data-vars-content-id="b479efd9-abd6-4b3d-9ba8-d22cf6f413fc" data-vars-headline="Alabama moves ahead with court-drawn map as SCOTUS reviews challenge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/29/supreme-court-redistricting-race-gerrymander" target="_self">Louisiana v. Callais</a>, and now the state appears to be back where it started.

Politics 🇺🇸

Sneed talks reform, representation at town hall

Robinson and Peinder make their final cases to District 3 voters

Why Alabama front-runners are skipping debates and town halls

District 3 drives Huntsville turnout bump

Huntsville voters head to polls Tuesday