For nearly 70 years, the United Way of East Central Alabama (UWECA) has been serving the community, supporting a range of programs and services that have helped improve the quality of life for individuals and families across the region. And yet, for all the organization experienced during those decades, the COVID-19 pandemic was like nothing that came […]

“Compassion and wholeness” – those are the watchwords for Urban Ministry, a faith-based nonprofit focused on supporting residents in the West End neighborhood of Birmingham and helping to build a thriving community there. Those words translate into a host of programs and services provided by Urban Ministry that not only aid people in crisis but work […]

When the nonprofit group Main Street Alabama announced June 1 that it would partner with the city of Demopolis to support efforts to revitalize its downtown, it was hard for local supporters to contain their excitement. “Downtown is our heart,” said Rhae Darsey, executive director of Main Street Demopolis, the local organization dedicated to re-energizing the historic […]

Residents in Valley now have a smarter, energy-efficient neighborhood to call home. Built by Holland Homes, Camellia Crossing is the first rural Smart Neighborhood community in Alabama Power’s Smart Neighborhood Builder Program, and the second Smart Neighborhood built by Holland Homes. Camellia Crossing is a continuation of how the city of Valley is revitalizing and building growth opportunities for the future. The neighborhood of […]

An American flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol has begun a 44-day journey across the country from Washington, D.C., to Birmingham for “The Team RWB Old Glory Relay to The World Games 2022 presented by Airbus.” During the relay, thousands of military veterans will have a chance to carry the same American flag […]

Memorial Day weekend not only marks the unofficial beginning of summer but has anglers who love Alabama’s coastal waters excited for the start of red snapper season. Alabama state waters and federal waters will open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red snapper harvest this Friday, May 27, according to the Alabama Department of […]

A group of Montgomery public school students recently stepped up to pitch their innovative ideas, with some real money on the table to make the winning proposal a reality. Twelve teams from Halcyon Elementary School participated in the inaugural School Pitch competition – “If It Is To Be … It Begins With Me!” The pitch event was […]

Alabama students with special needs enjoyed the thrill of fishing at the annual Exceptional Anglers event, “Gone Fishin’ Not Just Wishin’,” at Oak Mountain State Park. Members of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) were among the scores of volunteers who supported this year’s three-day event May 11-13, which was blessed with ideal spring weather. The event teaches […]

As part of its campaign to educate the public about the need to keep Alabama’s biorich watersheds free of litter that could pose threats to marine life, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has installed in Mobile County the first of several wildlife sculptures to be placed at state welcome centers. The “Help Keep Our Waters […]

Reggie White had to travel across the country, to San Jose, California, to realize he wanted to be a teacher. White, who grew up in rural Choctaw County, was a communications major at Alabama State University in Montgomery in the 1990s. He joined the Baptist Student Union, and on a mission trip to California for the summer, […]

Bolstered by successful testing at the National Carbon Capture Center, CarbonBuilt and Alabama-based Blair Block have reached an agreement to use CarbonBuilt’s revolutionary low-carbon concrete technology at Blair Block’s concrete masonry production facility in Childersburg. Concrete blocks made with the low-carbon process tested at the National Carbon Capture Center. (contributed) The agreement represents the first commercialization of CarbonBuilt’s Carbon XPRIZE-winning […]

The importance of recreation and the state’s extraordinary outdoor amenities, including The Preserves, was the focus of a recent event featuring Gov. Kay Ivey, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Alabama Power officials. The event was at Flat Rock Park on Lake Harris in Lineville, one of Alabama Power’s 60 Preserves sites across the state. The Preserves are free recreational sites that provide hiking […]

The Regions Tradition, one of Alabama’s marquee professional sporting events, will continue to be played at Greystone Golf and Country Club through at least 2032, the PGA Tour and Regions Bank jointly announced today. “We are grateful to have Regions Bank as part of the PGA Tour Champions family,” said PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady. “Their long-term commitment […]

Automotive manufacturing is one of Alabama’s most important industries, and inspiring Alabama students for careers in the field is an ongoing mission. Last week, more than 1,500 students from across the state got a glimpse into automotive career opportunities and other engineering- and manufacturing-related fields during “Field Trip Friday” at the Honda Indy Grand Prix of […]

Way back in the 1930s, the Moon River gas station, roadhouse and dance hall in eastern Jefferson County was a good-time gathering place for locals and travelers. The former Moon River roadhouse and dancehall. (contributed) On Tuesday, public officials joined the nonprofit Freshwater Land Trust to proclaim the official opening of a different kind of attraction at […]

Residents of historic North Titusville in Birmingham will soon welcome new neighbors to the community’s first Smart Neighborhood: Live on 1st. Live on 1st was officially dedicated today as part of a partnership between Navigate Affordable Housing Partners and Alabama Power. Navigate Affordable Housing Partners is a nonprofit engaged in developing, owning and managing affordable housing, and Live on 1st […]

President Joe Biden announced the appointment of Alabama State University President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. to the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Ross is one of 18 newly announced appointees to the board, a list that includes several college presidents, corporate executives and well-known sports and entertainment figures. Ross is entering his fifth year […]

Ed Farm, in partnership with Birmingham city schools, on Friday unveiled the South Hampton Innovation Library, the organization’s first learning space designed through its Ed Farm “Spaces” initiative. The goal of Spaces is to further Ed Farm’s vision to create an inventive world where all people have access to the tools they need to fill or […]

As spring turns Alabama green again, the  Alabama Power Foundation is inviting communities and nonprofit organizations to apply for Good Roots grants that can pay for tree-planting and other beautification efforts. “Our Good Roots grant program is designed to help make Alabama even more beautiful while also promoting the wonderful cities and towns where we live,” said Tanganyika Grayson, […]

The Red Mountain Greenway and Recreational Area Commission has entered into an agreement with RideBHM to build and operate a first-of-its-kind mountain bike park off Lakeshore Parkway in Birmingham. RideBHM will be adjacent to Red Mountain Park on 200 acres owned by the Red Mountain Commission. With an initial offering of two climbs, five to six unidirectional downhill trails […]

Two well-known Birmingham-area chefs have become finalists for the James Beard Foundation’s coveted Best Chef: South award. The foundation on Wednesday announced that Adam Evans, chef of Automatic Seafood and Oysters in Birmingham, and Timothy Hontzas, chef of Johnny’s Restaurant in Homewood, have advanced to the finals, along with chefs from three New Orleans restaurants. Two of Alabama’s other Beard […]

Auburn University‘s Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center, scheduled to open this summer, will offer a variety of opportunities for culinary and hospitality students. For the public, a major showpiece will be the upscale teaching restaurant 1856 – named for the year of Auburn’s founding – where students will work under the mentorship of visiting […]

As a born and raised native of Mobile, Sydney Raine understood the value of investing in local students and communities early on by connecting them with local opportunities. With more than 50 years of experience under his belt working in career development programs, Raine has provided career opportunities to students and individuals at various educational […]

The World Games 2022 has changed venues for the drone racing and speed skating competitions – moves that officials say will enhance experiences for athletes and fans. The competition for drone racing is moving to Protective Stadium from Barber Motorsports Park, and the track speed skating competition is moving from the Birmingham CrossPlex to the Powell Steam Plant, located on 18th Street next […]