U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) pressed pharmaceutical and national security experts Wednesday on how to reduce American dependence on Chinese drug manufacturing, warning that the current supply chain leaves the country dangerously exposed.
Tuberville participated in a Senate Committee on Aging hearing focused on China’s control over the American pharmaceutical supply chain, questioning witnesses on regulatory failures, tariff options, and the urgency of returning drug manufacturing to the United States.
Rosemary Gibson, who has written extensively on pharmaceutical supply chains, told Tuberville that China controls approximately 90% of key starting materials used to make generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Asked what would happen if China cut off those exports, Gibson’s answer was stark.
“A lot of people would die in this country,” Gibson said. “Our healthcare systems would cease to function.”
Gibson argued the United States is effectively importing unregulated pharmaceutical products and said the solution is using quality data from Department of Defense testing to exclude manufacturers from countries that do not meet American standards.
Gordon Chang, another witness at the hearing, said breaking China’s pharmaceutical monopoly would require emergency action and could not happen overnight.
“China has been able to outmaneuver the FDA because they do have such a big monopoly on all parts of the chain,” Chang said. “The only way to do that is to break that monopoly. Unfortunately, this is going to take some time. But it is possible.”
Chang said Section 232 tariffs, an enhanced investment tax credit, and invoking the Defense Production Act could help stimulate domestic pharmaceutical production.
He warned that within two to three years the United States faces a period of extreme vulnerability if action is not taken.
Tuberville also highlighted the Clear Labels Act, legislation signed onto by GOP colleagues, including fellow Alabama U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), that would require drug labels to disclose the country of origin of ingredients.
Former Congressman Ted Yoho, who also testified, framed the issue in national security terms.
“We’d be beholden to another country, i.e. China,” Yoho said. “This is something it’s imperative that we get right.”
Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at sawyer@yellowhammernews.com.
Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) unveiled the “Power To The People Act” Tuesday in the form of HB360, a bill that would expand the Alabama Public Service Commission from three seats to seven, require all seats to be elected by the public, and freeze utility rate increases until 2029.
State Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville) sponsors the bill, which would require all seven commissioners to run by congressional district, mirroring the election model the Alabama State Board of Education uses.
To stagger terms, the governor would appoint four commissioners in July 2026 — two serving two-year terms and two serving four-year terms. All commissioners would then stand for election beginning in November 2028 and serve six-year terms.
“The Power To The People Act entrusts Alabamians with the power to elect seven seats on the Public Service Commission rather than three, and it prohibits regulated utilities from engaging in the campaign process,” Gudger said.
“By giving Alabama citizens even more power and a louder voice in the operations of the Public Service Commission, we can make energy rates more affordable and ensure that a conservative, pro-Trump, Republican majority controls the PSC for years to come.”
The bill freezes utility rate increases for three years — until voters elect a majority of the board — while allowing rate reductions at any time.
It also creates a new cabinet-level Secretary of Energy to oversee the commission’s administrative functions, a position Gudger noted that Republican gubernatorial candidate Tommy Tuberville recently proposed.
The bill bars regulated utilities from passing lobbying costs, non-safety advertising expenses, or grant costs on to consumers and prohibits utilities from contributing to PSC candidates.
Commission members, their immediate families, the Secretary of Energy, and all commission employees would be barred from providing paid services to public utilities.
“The same threats from hostile-nation influences and Soros-funded environmental extremists that prompted previous legislation still exist, but rather than taking away the public’s right to elect commission members, the Power To The People Act solves the problem by enhancing and expanding the public’s right to vote,” Gudger said.
Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at sawyer@yellowhammernews.com.
Dothan-based Southeast Health announced Friday that it has joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network, becoming the first hospital in Alabama to enter the collaboration.
The partnership gives Southeast Health doctors access to Mayo Clinic’s expertise and resources, allowing more patients in the Yellowhammer State to benefit from that support without leaving home for care.
“Being invited to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network is a tremendous honor for Southeast Health and a meaningful milestone for the patients and communities we serve,” says Rick Sutton, CEO of Southeast Health and president of the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“This collaboration gives our physicians access to Mayo Clinic’s world-renowned expertise while ensuring patients can continue receiving high-quality care close to home. It also reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to advancing clinical excellence and furthers our goals to become one of the top health systems in the nation.”
According to Southeast Health, the partnership gives local providers access to tools and services including AskMayoExpert, eConsults with Mayo Clinic specialists, live multidisciplinary case-review eBoards, and consulting support for clinical, operational, and business goals. The health system said staff will also be able to use Mayo educational materials and continuing medical education resources.
“We are pleased to welcome Southeast Health into the Mayo Clinic Care Network,” says Ryan Uitti, M.D., medical director, Mayo Clinic Platform.
“This collaboration showcases their commitment to excellence and their readiness to leverage Mayo Clinic resources to benefit patients across this region.”
Southeast Health and Mayo Clinic said the Dothan-based system will remain independent as part of the network. Mayo describes the Mayo Clinic Care Network as a group of more than 45 healthcare organizations worldwide that share knowledge and expertise aimed at improving care delivery and outcomes.
For Alabama, the announcement is significant because it establishes the state’s first formal Mayo Clinic Care Network presence through an in-state provider, expanding access to nationally recognized medical expertise without automatically sending patients out of market for complex care.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
East Alabama’s largest military industrial facility is set for one of its biggest single infusions of construction money in decades — courtesy of Congressman Mike Rogers.
Rogers (R-Saks) announced Monday that $949.1 million in funding tied to President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act will be directed to military construction projects at Anniston Army Depot, with an additional $82 million secured through the annual appropriations process for a new access control point and a general-purpose warehouse at the installation.
“I am proud to announce over $949 million in funding for Anniston Army Depot,” Rogers (R-Saks) said.
“This funding from President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill Act is critical to ensuring continued success at Anniston Army Depot. I am also excited to see $68 million going to Redstone Arsenal for the design of the new, state-of-the-art Space Command Headquarters. President Trump is delivering for our national security and delivering for the state of Alabama.”
The Redstone design funding is separate from the Anniston Army Depot total.
According to Rogers’ office and local reporting, the $949.1 million package for Anniston Army Depot will be executed across five major projects.
Component Remanufacturing Facility: $495,000,000
Small Arms Warehouse: $280,600,000
Vehicle Paint Shop: $69,500,000
Replace Buildings 293, 294, and 295: $60,000,000
Guided Missile Maintenance Building: $44,000,000
In addition, Rogers said he secured $82 million through the appropriations process for an access control point and a general-purpose warehouse, pushing the total investment he announced for the depot to more than $1 billion.
Anniston Army Depot (ANAD), located in Calhoun County, is one of the Army’s premier heavy maintenance and sustainment centers—an installation that keeps major U.S. Army ground systems ready by conducting depot-level repair and overhaul work on platforms such as the M1 Abrams, M88 Recovery Vehicle, Stryker, M113, and others.
Recent GAO work has pointed out that major depots like Anniston play a central role in sustaining key ground systems (including the Abrams and Paladin families) and that availability challenges can be tied to maintenance and industrial capacity constraints.
Anniston Army Depot is one of the biggest economic engines in Calhoun County. The depot and its tenant organizations employ 3,771 people, making it the county’s largest employer, with an estimated $1 billion impact on Alabama’s economy.
In Pentagon terms, Rogers’ announcement is about strengthening the “depot industrial base” — the government-run repair-and-modernization network that keeps major platforms in the fight instead of replacing them outright.
The GAO has repeatedly flagged that depots like Anniston are central to sustaining big ground systems — including families like the Abrams and Paladin — and that readiness can suffer when maintenance capacity or supply chains get tight.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
The Alabama Legislature is advancing SB228, a bill that would rename the Alabama Space Authority the Alabama Aerospace Authority and expand its membership and duties.
The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville), passed the full Senate unanimously on February 10 and cleared the House State Government Committee last week.
Under the bill, the Alabama Space Authority — currently an office within the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs responsible for promoting research and development in space exploration and spaceport technology — would be formally renamed the Alabama Aerospace Authority later this year.
The bill would also expand the authority’s membership by adding the Finance Director and the Secretary of Workforce as ex officio voting members, and the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission as an ex officio nonvoting member.
Among the new duties added by the bill, the authority would be required to develop strategies to promote and encourage private investment in the aerospace sector.
Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at sawyer@yellowhammernews.com.
The Auburn University Board of Trustees has approved construction of the BrownKopel Engineering Student Achievement Center – Analytical, Innovation and Manufacturing Laboratory, according to Auburn University, marking what officials describe as a significant investment in student learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced manufacturing innovation.
Funded through State of Alabama FY23 supplemental appropriations, the project reflects a strategic investment by the university and the state in facilities designed to strengthen Auburn’s student experience while supporting Alabama’s workforce and economic development priorities, the university said.
“We are deeply grateful to the Alabama Legislature for its continued investment in Auburn University and in the future of our state,” President Christopher B. Roberts said. “This project is another clear example of Auburn’s commitment to strengthening advanced manufacturing and innovation in Alabama by ensuring our students graduate ready to lead, our research continues to grow and our state’s economy remains competitive nationally and globally.”
According to Auburn University, the project will transform 16,000 square feet of unfinished space within BrownKopel, which was completed in 2019. The world-class laboratory and collaboration space will be located within the existing plinth of the Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center, directly beneath the green space between Brown-Kopel and the Gavin Engineering Research Laboratory.
University officials said the lab will concentrate on electronics manufacturing, materials analysis and testing, and advanced manufacturing, giving students hands-on experiences aligned with current industry needs and technology-driven workforce demands.
For the last 15 years, the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering has been ranked among the nation’s top 35 public institutions by U.S. News and World Report’s Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs. The college’s online master’s programs ranked No. 18 among more than 300 institutions in the 2026 U.S. News and World Report Best Online Graduate Engineering Program rankings, according to the university.
“This new laboratory will deliver exceptional, real-world experiences for our students,” said Mario Eden, dean of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. “These experiential learning opportunities reflect the technologies, processes and challenges our graduates will encounter in manufacturing and technology-driven industries. It represents an important step forward in preparing Auburn students to make an immediate impact.”
By utilizing previously allocated state funds, Auburn is maximizing the impact of public dollars while investing directly in student achievement, research growth and workforce readiness, officials said.
The BrownKopel Engineering Student Achievement Center — Analytical, Innovation and Manufacturing Laboratory underscores Auburn’s role as Alabama’s land-grant institution and its commitment to stewarding public resources responsibly, according to the university. Officials say the investment in high-impact educational infrastructure is intended to strengthen Auburn’s ability to serve students, advance innovation, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and contribute to the state’s long-term economic prosperity.
“This laboratory is another strong example of Auburn’s sustained commitment to bolstering advanced manufacturing and applied research,” said Steve Taylor, senior vice president for research and economic development. “Investments like this help drive innovation, strengthen our manufacturing ecosystem and support economic growth across Alabama and beyond.”
The project also includes construction of a new terraced entrance off the Ginn Concourse, which will improve accessibility and bring natural light into the facility, according to Auburn University.
On Thursday, Governor Ivey announced the creation of the Technology Quality Assurance Board (TQAB), a new body intended to oversee the responsible, secure and effective deployment of emerging technologies across Alabama’s existing executive-branch agency IT systems.
The Technology Quality Assurance Board, or TQAB, was authorized under by the Alabama Legislature and signed by Governor Ivey in 2025. The law also expands the Alabama Office of Information Technology’s role in overseeing cybersecurity.
Ivey said the goal is to make sure new tech used by state government is secure, responsible and protects Alabamians’ personal information.
“The TQAB is a critical step forward in ensuring Alabama’s use of technology is not only innovative, but also secure, ethical and aligned with the public interest,” Governor Ivey said.
“This board will help us evaluate new tools through a lens of cybersecurity, privacy and operational excellence.”
The TQAB will be composed of representatives from the following agencies:
Alabama Office of Information Technology
Alabama Department of Finance
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Alabama Department of Education
Alabama Medicaid Agency
Alabama Department of Revenue
Alabama Department of Transportation
According to the Governor’s Office, these agencies will collaborate to review new technologies, develop statewide standards and ensure that innovation is implemented in a way that protects citizen data and enhances government services.
The TQAB will also support the implementation of the GenAI Task Force’s broader recommendations, including the adoption of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) AI Risk Management Frameworks, the development of internal agency policies for GenAI use and the establishment of AI training programs for state employees.
“Through the TQAB, Alabama is building a smarter, safer and more accountable digital future,” Governor Ivey added.
A group of Alabama legislators composed of leaders from both parties introduced a three-bill “Affordability Protection Plan” on Thursday aimed at addressing utility costs and oversight for the next wave of the state’s economic growth.
In a news release issued Thursday by the office of Alabama Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro), lawmakers who will usher the bills through the process beginning next week, spoke to the connected purpose of the proposals.
SB270, sponsored by State Sen. Lance Bell (R-Pell City), and carried in the House by State Rep. Neil Rafferty (D-Birmingham), would require data centers to pay the full cost of grid and infrastructure upgrades their operations require, preventing those costs from being passed to existing utility customers.
“Alabama families and businesses should never foot the bill for someone else’s private profit,” Bell said. “This bill ensures fairness and transparency in our energy system.”
“Alabama families come first,” Rafferty added. “We are making sure our state’s existing utility customers are taken care of and ensuring that energy costs remain fair and predictable for everyone.”
SB265, sponsored by State Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre), and carried in the House by State Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-Helena), would reform data center incentives to require measurable public benefits consistent with other economic development incentives.
“We need incentives that work for all Alabamians—not just big tech,” Jones said. “This bill ensures that taxpayer-supported incentives deliver real value to our state and don’t drive up utility costs for hardworking Alabamians.”
“This bipartisan legislation is designed to deliver real results for Alabamians,” Hulsey said. “We must grow our economy and protect our citizens at the same time.”
SB268, sponsored by State Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) and State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island), would restructure the Public Service Commission from an elected body to an appointed one.
Under the bill, commissioners would be appointed by the Governor, House Speaker, and Senate Pro Tem, and subsequently confirmed by the Alabama Senate.
The bill would also mandate yearly public meetings where regulated utilities present on rates and costs, prohibit ratepayer funds from being used for lobbying or political activity, along with a range of added accountability measures.
“Our goal is simple: make the Public Service Commission accountable to Alabama families, not special interests,” Singleton said.
“Alabama is one of only ten states in the country that still elects its PSC, and it is time to modernize how we set utility rates and double down on the oversight we have on this board.”
“This legislation restores trust in utility oversight and ensures Alabama residents are protected from political or outside influence at a time when energy is more important and complex than it has ever been,” Brown said.
All three bills were referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development.
In an interview U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) weighed in on data center development in the state.
“These centers provide thousands of construction jobs, a lot of tax money to local communities. However, Alabama, the families in this state, should not have to pay higher power bills because of big moves to take advantage of our resource,” Tuberville said. “They need to be on the hook for their own power and eating that cost where they can.”
He added: “We need to grow in the state of Alabama, but not on the backs of the people that are paying these high energy prices.”
Thursday was day 10 of the legislative session. There are 20 legislative days remaining.
Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at sawyer@yellowhammernews.com.
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees. Tom Neely is Chairman of Birmingham-based Oxford Pharmaceuticals.
While many of us try our best to forget the COVID pandemic in 2020, one serious issue that was revealed during that chaotic time is still impacting us today—our reliance on other countries for medications.
Most Americans are so used to taking medicines that they don’t stop to think where the medicine in their cabinets is coming from.
The pandemic revealed how dangerous it is for the United States to be completely reliant on other countries for medications we could be making right here at home.
More than 90 percent of the prescriptions filled in the United States each day are generic drugs. Those medicines keep our families healthy, help seniors manage chronic conditions, and ensure our troops and veterans get the care they deserve.
But the vast majority of those generics are no longer made in America. They’re made overseas—primarily in China and India.
That didn’t happen by accident. It happened because Washington let it happen.
For years, we offshored generic drug manufacturing in the name of lower costs and “efficiency.” What we got instead was dependence on foreign supply chains, chronic drug shortages, and serious questions about quality and safety. That’s not efficiency. That’s negligence.
Americans are paying the price of Washington’s poor decisions. Last year, we spent $5.7 trillion on health care. Yet, we’re still the sickest and fattest country in the world. It’s embarrassing.
I appreciate President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy for wanting to ‘Make America Healthy Again.’ Part of this involves producing our own medicine.
Severe means hospitalization—or worse. These are medicines people take every day, trusting they’ll make them better, not harm them.
Anyone who’s toured a modern domestic pharmaceutical facility has seen the quality difference between foreign-made and American-made medications firsthand. American plants operate under strict standards, constant inspection, and a basic moral obligation: we’re making medicine for our neighbors, our parents, and our kids.
That same accountability does not exist overseas. FDA inspectors have documented animals in production areas, shredded quality records, and contaminated batch logs in foreign facilities supplying the U.S. market.
Critics of American-made medicines argue that they’re too expensive. The reality is we don’t have a cost problem. We have a policy problem. The United States still has the capacity to make generic drugs at home. Some American facilities are operating at 50 percent utilization or less.
Alabama is home to such facilities, like Oxford Pharmaceuticals located in Birmingham, Alabama. It produces a generic tablet for a little over one cent per pill.
A bottle of 100 doses costs about $1.50 to make. Medicare reimburses that same bottle at more than $13. The money is there—it’s just being siphoned off by a supply chain that rewards middlemen and foreign producers instead of American workers and patients.
We can quickly return to ‘Made in America’ when it comes to medicineif we put the right incentives in place. First, we should use federal procurement to support domestic manufacturing.
The federal government is one of the largest buyers of medicines in the world—through Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, and the Department of Defense.
We should use that buying power to prioritize U.S.-made generics and provide long-term contracts that give manufacturers the confidence to invest and expand.
Second, we need targeted trade enforcement. Generic drugs are essential medicines. If we’re serious about reshoring them, then trade policy—including Section 232 actions—has to address generics directly.
There is no national security crisis in branded pharmaceuticals. The crisis is in generics, where foreign dependence has hollowed out domestic production and left us exposed.
Third, we need transparency. Americans should be able to know where their medicines are made. Right now, it’s often impossible to tell. That’s nonsensical.
If country-of-origin labeling matters for food, it should matter for medicine. No country should rely on its top adversaries for the medicines that keep its people alive.
Americans deserve better than the status quo. We can’t wait for another pandemic to hit to take this seriously. It isn’t just a health crisis; it’s an urgent national security concern as well.
We haven’t been preparing to win in America when it comes to our generic drug supply chain, and we are another disruption away from failure.
Making medicine in America again isn’t radical. It’s common sense. And it’s long overdue.
When Alabama established the Alabama Supercomputer Authority in 1989 during Governor Guy Hunt’s administration, it was a bold move.
Few states invested in public computing infrastructure at that scale.
That early decision paid off, supporting research, education, and economic development for decades. Today, Alabama has a similar opportunity with artificial intelligence.
In February 2024, Governor Ivey formed a Generative AI Task Force to address how the state should implement and govern AI systems.
The Task Force delivered a comprehensive report in November with solid recommendations: adopt national AI risk management standards, improve procurement processes, develop training programs, and coordinate across agencies. It was important groundwork.
Now comes the harder part: implementation. The report identified what needs to happen.
What Alabama needs next is someone to make it happen, and the resources to do it. The good news? We already have most of what we need.
Alabama’s hidden AI advantage
Huntsville brings together world-class technical talent around major research and engineering anchors like NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal, alongside concentrations of private sector defense contractors and aerospace firms.
Auburn University runs the AI@AU initiative with degree programs including an M.S. in AI Engineering. The University of Alabama launched the Alabama Center for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (ALA-AI) to unify research and education across campus with explicit focus on industry collaboration.
UAB operates an informatics research center focused on AI approaches and runs the Heersink AI Founders Club supporting early-stage AI startups with a healthcare innovation focus. These aren’t abstract research labs, they’re programs designed to connect students and faculty to real-world applications.
While best known for genomics, HudsonAlpha has deep AI-adjacent capacity through its computational biology and computational analysis teams.
This isn’t theoretical capacity. These are working researchers, trained students, and functioning programs across the state. The challenge isn’t finding talent or building infrastructure from scratch. It’s connecting what exists to state needs.
Right now, these resources operate independently.
State agencies struggle with AI questions while world-class technical expertise sits unused. University researchers work on projects while state government faces problems they could help solve. Students graduate and leave Alabama because opportunities exist elsewhere.
This is a coordination problem, not a resource problem.
What Alabama should do
Alabama doesn’t need another task force or more studies. It needs a public-private partnership approach with three concrete steps:
First, appoint a State AI Coordinator reporting directly to the Governor’s Office. Not a committee. Not a board. One person whose job is activating Alabama’s AI capacity.
This person identifies pilot opportunities, builds partnerships with universities, technical institutions, and the private sector, helps state agencies adopt AI into their workflows, and reports progress quarterly.
At the federal level, President Trump designated a White House AI Czar (David Sacks) to coordinate AI policy across federal agencies. Alabama needs a similar coordinating function to connect agencies, universities, and industry.
Second, launch pilot programs through public-private partnerships using Alabama talent. Start with one agency, one specific workflow, one measurable outcome.
Partner with university researchers, Huntsville’s technical community, or private sector partners to design and implement a solution. Document what works, what fails, and what other agencies can learn. This builds institutional knowledge instead of vendor dependency.
Third, create formal partnerships with Alabama’s existing technical capacity.
Establish internship programs with the Alabama School of Cyber Technology so students work on state AI projects. Create advisory relationships with Huntsville’s technical community. Partner with university faculty on pilots. Host quarterly convenings where agency staff learn from technical experts.
These relationships cost little but require someone to coordinate them.
The investment case
Initial funding might include:
State AI Coordinator and small staff: $400,000-$600,000 annually
Pilot program budgets: $200,000-$300,000
University partnerships and internships: $100,000
Training development: $150,000
Total first-year cost: approximately $1 million, less than 0.01% of Alabama’s general fund budget.
This seed funding proves the concept and shows returns. Successful pilots justify expansion. It also positions Alabama to compete for federal grants and private partnerships that require state commitment.
More importantly, the cost of inaction is higher. Alabama develops technical talent through world-world institutions, then loses that talent to states creating opportunities to use it. Every year we delay is another cohort of graduates seeking careers elsewhere.
Alabama as first investor
Alabama should think about AI coordination the way an investor thinks about a startup. The state makes the first investment, proving the concept and unlocking additional resources.
Returns benefit all Alabamians: more efficient government services, stronger partnerships between state agencies and technical institutions, economic development opportunities, and retained talent.
The alternative is watching other states activate similar resources while Alabama’s capacity sits disconnected and underutilized.
Alabama has the talent, the institutions, and the precedent of successful technology leadership.
What we need now is the coordination and modest investment to put it all together. The Task Force laid the foundation. It’s time to build.
Sawyer Knowles is a former Governmental Affairs Director with seven years of state government experience in legislative affairs and policy analysis. He writes about AI policy and governance.
Two of the most recognizable test structures on NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center campus are coming down next weekend in a highly choreographed, safety-driven demolition that agency leaders say is the opening move in a much larger modernization push now backed by guaranteed federal dollars in President Donald Trump’s sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill.
NASA will conduct the planned, controlled demolition of the Dynamic Test Stand and the Propulsion and Structural Test Facility — better known to the Rocket City as the “T-Tower” — on Saturday, January 10, according to information shared with Yellowhammer News.
The buildings have reached the end of their safe operational life and have been targeted for removal as part of a long-planned effort to modernize Marshall’s footprint and reduce the growing cost, and risk, of maintaining aging infrastructure.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement to Yellowhammer News the exercise is both a safety necessity and a strategic prerequisite to fully capitalize on the law’s infrastructure guarantees.
“This work reflects smart stewardship of taxpayer resources. Clearing outdated infrastructure allows NASA to safely modernize, streamline operations, and fully leverage the infrastructure investments signed into law by President Trump to keep Marshall positioned at the forefront of aerospace innovation,” Isaacman said.
The removal of the two aging facilities is the phase of a broader “cleanup and modernization” initiative that will ultimately retire 25 outdated structures on Marshall’s main campus footprint.
According to NASA, that will serve to reduce long-term maintenance burdens, eliminate safety liabilities, and free up space for a new generation of facilities as NASA shifts toward what its leadership calls a “future of exploration.”
Though a necessary hurdle, it’s still historic for the agency and the federal government as a whole.
What makes the moment historic is what’s driving the timing: A new federal funding structure that effectively forces NASA to modernize on a deadline.
In Washington, ‘infrastructure’ funding typically means big plans with slow appropriations.
But the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed last July, is different in a way that does matter big for Huntsville.
Inside the law is a $1 billion “manned spaceflight centers” infrastructure appropriation — money intended specifically for capital improvements at the NASA centers that build, test, launch, and operate America’s human spaceflight programs.
Crucially for Alabama, the law sets minimum allocations and hard obligation deadlines that effectively create a “use it on schedule” mandate.
For Marshall Space Flight Center, the statute directs NASA to obligate “not less than $100,000,000” by fiscal year 2026 for infrastructure improvements at the Huntsville center — a floor written into federal law, not a hopeful line item in an annual request.
It also imposes a ramp of deadlines: At least 50% of the Marshall infrastructure funding must be obligated by September 30, 2028 – 100% must be obligated by September 30, 2029.
That’s where demolition comes in.
Clearing obsolete facilities is one of the fastest ways a federal campus can move from planning to action.
Before NASA can pour new concrete, reroute utilities, or build the next generation of engineering and fabrication spaces, it has to remove the buildings that are no longer mission-useful, no longer cost-effective to maintain, or no longer safe to operate – and convert that footprint into buildable, modernized space.
While Marshall’s broader 25-structure cleanup is expected to unfold in phases, the Dynamic Test Stand and T-Tower will mean ‘go’ for the Rocket City’s literal transition from the Apollo-era skyline to the next era’s campus footprint.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
As the nation’s only high school fully dedicated to integrating cyber technology and engineering into every academic discipline, ASCTE is leading the way in preparing students for a rapidly evolving world, including the new era of artificial intelligence.
Through hands-on learning, mandatory internships, and instruction from certified teachers and industry experts, ASCTE students don’t just learn about technology; they learn how to think critically, solve problems, and navigate real-world challenges.
Now, that expertise is reaching the rest of the state: the first AI curriculum from the Alabama State Department of Education will be implemented statewide in public high schools, offering a model for how students can work alongside AI instead of being replaced by it.
A curriculum built for a moving target
Developed in collaboration with the Alabama State Department of Education, the school’s AI curriculum introduces students to AI concepts, data science, historical context, current applications, and the ethics surrounding these topics.
It aligns with Alabama’s Digital Literacy and Computer Science standards and incorporates leadership, workplace readiness, and digital literacy through Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards.
“We’re taking the approach that AI is here, and we’ve got to get students ready for it,” said Mary Clair Wright, cybersecurity instructor and instructional design expert at ASCTE.
The curriculum is designed to evolve alongside the technology. “We’re building a curriculum for teachers who have to train on the fly,” Wright explained. “It has to be a living document because this technology is changing every day.”
To support educators, the course includes “node checks,” which are structured points to assess understanding and adjust instruction in real-time. “We tried to anticipate the questions teachers and students would struggle with, because we struggled with them too,” Wright said.
Teaching students to think critically
ASCTE emphasizes critical thinking and ethical decision-making alongside technical skills.
“We get into the ethical considerations,” Wright said. “We need everyone thinking critically about what AI can do, what it shouldn’t do, and where to use it responsibly.”
Students experience AI firsthand while learning to question it. One of the earliest assignments asks students to research an AI pioneer using AI itself, discovering that the technology can produce inaccurate or incomplete information.
“One of the first assignments is researching an AI pioneer using AI, but also learning that it will hallucinate,” Wright said. “I want students asking: Why is this person important? Why isn’t this other person included? That’s the critical thinking piece.”
“If we can teach students the concerns and limitations of AI, maybe they won’t turn to it for everything,” she added.
Preparing students and teachers for the unknown
ASCTE recognizes that both students and teachers are navigating uncharted territory in the era of AI. Professional development is a cornerstone of the curriculum’s statewide rollout, and Wright begins each session with candid conversations about fears and challenges.
“We start with honesty. In my professional development sessions I ask: tell me what you hate about AI and what you’re afraid of,” she said. “Teachers deserve space to express their concerns. This is a big change, and we need to navigate it together.”
For students, the focus is on preparing for careers that may not yet exist, equipping them with the skills and mindset to adapt as the workforce evolves.
“I can’t predict what students’ jobs will look like in five years,” Wright said. “What I can do is teach them about the technology that will shape those jobs so they’re ready for the change. AI is here to stay. Some of the changes will be positive, some won’t, but our responsibility is to prepare students for all of it.”
Preparing Alabama students for the AI era
The creation of Alabama’s first AI curriculum for public high schools is the result of a close partnership between ASCTE and the Alabama State Department of Education. Mary Clair Wright has served as the architect of the curriculum, translating state standards into actionable learning experiences that prepare students for real-world challenges.
“We sat down with the state standards and turned them into essential learning targets,” Wright explained. “We asked ourselves: If I was going to teach this, how would I teach it? The result is a 155-day course designed to be flexible, accessible on a Chromebook, and adaptable to the rapidly evolving AI landscape.”
The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and ethical judgment, while connecting students to projects tied to Alabama’s needs and opportunities. Lessons like the AI Pioneers project teach students to use AI as a research tool while verifying information and considering its broader implications.
“This is a real concern,” Wright noted. “Graduating students are struggling to find jobs, and AI is as big a disruptor as the assembly line or the internet. It’s going to change both white-collar and blue-collar jobs, and it will affect the Alabama economy. If our job is to prepare Alabama students to be good citizens, gainfully employed, and adaptable, here we are at the apex of it.”
Teacher support remains central to the initiative. Wright and her team identified potential stumbling blocks for educators and students, built in checkpoints to gauge comprehension, and created resources to enable teachers to implement the curriculum confidently, even as AI continues to evolve.
“Our goal was to do as much of the heavy lifting and research for teachers as we could,” Wright said. “This technology is here to stay. Some changes will be positive, some won’t—but if we can prepare students to think critically, communicate effectively, and problem-solve, they can succeed anywhere.”
With ASCTE leading the way and partnering with the state, Alabama’s AI curriculum is more than an educational program—it’s a blueprint for economic adaptability, ethical engagement with technology, and proactive education that could inspire schools across the nation.
ASCTE is unleashing potential, expanding horizons, and building futures–and with Alabama’s new AI curriculum, that mission is reaching every corner of the state.
Learn more about ASCTE and explore opportunities for students, educators, and partners atwww.ascte.org.
As the nation’s only high school fully dedicated to integrating cyber technology and engineering into every academic discipline, ASCTE is leading the way in preparing students for a rapidly evolving world, including the new era of artificial intelligence.
Through hands-on learning, mandatory internships, and instruction from certified teachers and industry experts, ASCTE students don’t just learn about technology; they learn how to think critically, solve problems, and navigate real-world challenges.
Now, that expertise is reaching the rest of the state: the first AI curriculum from the Alabama State Department of Education will be implemented statewide in public high schools, offering a model for how students can work alongside AI instead of being replaced by it.
A curriculum built for a moving target
Developed in collaboration with the Alabama State Department of Education, the school’s AI curriculum introduces students to AI concepts, data science, historical context, current applications, and the ethics surrounding these topics.
It aligns with Alabama’s Digital Literacy and Computer Science standards and incorporates leadership, workplace readiness, and digital literacy through Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards.
“We’re taking the approach that AI is here, and we’ve got to get students ready for it,” said Mary Clair Wright, cybersecurity instructor and instructional design expert at ASCTE.
The curriculum is designed to evolve alongside the technology. “We’re building a curriculum for teachers who have to train on the fly,” Wright explained. “It has to be a living document because this technology is changing every day.”
To support educators, the course includes “node checks,” which are structured points to assess understanding and adjust instruction in real-time. “We tried to anticipate the questions teachers and students would struggle with, because we struggled with them too,” Wright said.
Teaching students to think critically
ASCTE emphasizes critical thinking and ethical decision-making alongside technical skills.
“We get into the ethical considerations,” Wright said. “We need everyone thinking critically about what AI can do, what it shouldn’t do, and where to use it responsibly.”
Students experience AI firsthand while learning to question it. One of the earliest assignments asks students to research an AI pioneer using AI itself, discovering that the technology can produce inaccurate or incomplete information.
“One of the first assignments is researching an AI pioneer using AI, but also learning that it will hallucinate,” Wright said. “I want students asking: Why is this person important? Why isn’t this other person included? That’s the critical thinking piece.”
“If we can teach students the concerns and limitations of AI, maybe they won’t turn to it for everything,” she added.
Preparing students and teachers for the unknown
ASCTE recognizes that both students and teachers are navigating uncharted territory in the era of AI. Professional development is a cornerstone of the curriculum’s statewide rollout, and Wright begins each session with candid conversations about fears and challenges.
“We start with honesty. In my professional development sessions I ask: tell me what you hate about AI and what you’re afraid of,” she said. “Teachers deserve space to express their concerns. This is a big change, and we need to navigate it together.”
For students, the focus is on preparing for careers that may not yet exist, equipping them with the skills and mindset to adapt as the workforce evolves.
“I can’t predict what students’ jobs will look like in five years,” Wright said. “What I can do is teach them about the technology that will shape those jobs so they’re ready for the change. AI is here to stay. Some of the changes will be positive, some won’t, but our responsibility is to prepare students for all of it.”
Preparing Alabama students for the AI era
The creation of Alabama’s first AI curriculum for public high schools is the result of a close partnership between ASCTE and the Alabama State Department of Education. Mary Clair Wright has served as the architect of the curriculum, translating state standards into actionable learning experiences that prepare students for real-world challenges.
“We sat down with the state standards and turned them into essential learning targets,” Wright explained. “We asked ourselves: If I was going to teach this, how would I teach it? The result is a 155-day course designed to be flexible, accessible on a Chromebook, and adaptable to the rapidly evolving AI landscape.”
The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and ethical judgment, while connecting students to projects tied to Alabama’s needs and opportunities. Lessons like the AI Pioneers project teach students to use AI as a research tool while verifying information and considering its broader implications.
“This is a real concern,” Wright noted. “Graduating students are struggling to find jobs, and AI is as big a disruptor as the assembly line or the internet. It’s going to change both white-collar and blue-collar jobs, and it will affect the Alabama economy. If our job is to prepare Alabama students to be good citizens, gainfully employed, and adaptable, here we are at the apex of it.”
Teacher support remains central to the initiative. Wright and her team identified potential stumbling blocks for educators and students, built in checkpoints to gauge comprehension, and created resources to enable teachers to implement the curriculum confidently, even as AI continues to evolve.
“Our goal was to do as much of the heavy lifting and research for teachers as we could,” Wright said. “This technology is here to stay. Some changes will be positive, some won’t—but if we can prepare students to think critically, communicate effectively, and problem-solve, they can succeed anywhere.”
With ASCTE leading the way and partnering with the state, Alabama’s AI curriculum is more than an educational program—it’s a blueprint for economic adaptability, ethical engagement with technology, and proactive education that could inspire schools across the nation.
ASCTE is unleashing potential, expanding horizons, and building futures–and with Alabama’s new AI curriculum, that mission is reaching every corner of the state.
Learn more about ASCTE and explore opportunities for students, educators, and partners atwww.ascte.org.
The Tennessee Valley Authority announced the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed the operating licenses for all three units at TVA’s Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, allowing continued operation through the mid-2050s.
The plant, located along the Tennessee River near Athens and Decatur, is TVA’s largest generating asset and the third-largest nuclear power producer in the United States.
“This is a strong example of how independent oversight and effective collaboration can deliver results that support our energy future,” said Jeremy Groom, Acting Director of the NRC’s Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
“The NRC confirmed that Browns Ferry’s reactors can safely operate for up to 80 years, and TVA’s responsiveness helped us complete our rigorous review nearly three months ahead of schedule.”
According to the TVA, as the region’s population grows, Browns Ferry’s continued operation is essential to power the Tennessee Valley’s economic expansion.
Alabama’s top officials also hold that view — and shared their praise for the milestone on Friday.
“Nuclear energy is essential to America’s energy dominance and national security, and that strength is shown right here in North Alabama,” U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) said.
“The NRC’s approval of a 20-year license renewal for TVA’s Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant ensures the plant will operate well into the 2050s – providing reliable power, supporting thousands of good-paying jobs, and fueling long-term economic growth across the Tennessee Valley.”
“Alabama’s economy depends on having reliable and affordable power. I’m glad to see Browns Ferry’s license renewed for another 20 years so that Alabamians in the Tennessee Valley can continue having the energy they need to run their homes and businesses,” U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) said today.
“We are proud to have TVA’s top generating asset in Alabama, producing 20% of TVA’s total generation capacity. I look forward to seeing Browns Ferry continue to lead the way in clean nuclear energy production for decades to come.”
TVA said it’s upgrading its nuclear fleet over the next 10-15 years and plans to seek license renewals for its other two nuclear facilities.
“Excited to celebrate the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant’s subsequent license extension in North Alabama. I’m grateful to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for their diligent and critical work to advance American energy dominance safely,” U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) said.
“Not only does Browns Ferry provide electricity to over two million homes in the Tennessee Valley, it provides thousands of jobs, facilitates economic growth, and cements Alabama as a national leader in nuclear energy.”
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
Troy University has launched a new Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) track, an innovative pathway designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and seek to transition into a professional nursing career.
The new pathway will include both online and in-person classes. The in-person courses will be held at TROY’s Dothan Campus.
The new track was announced at a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 10 in the Thomas Harrison Room of Malone Hall on the Dothan Campus.
The Accelerated MSN program allows students with any non-nursing bachelor’s degree to become entry-level registered nurses and prepares them to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination upon completion. The program is structured as an intensive, full-time curriculum spanning four consecutive semesters.
“The launch of the Accelerated MSN track reflects Troy University’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Alabama’s healthcare system,” said Dr. LaGary Carter, Dean of the College of Health Sciences.
(Troy University/Contributed)
“This program expands access to the nursing profession for individuals from diverse academic backgrounds while strengthening the pipeline of highly educated clinicians our region depends on,” Dr. Carter said. “As we continue to enhance advanced nursing education across all campuses—including our cornerstone BSN program in Dothan—we are preparing graduates who will elevate patient care and lead in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.”
“The Accelerated MSN track was intentionally designed to immerse students in clinical learning from day one,” said Dr. Wade Forehand, Director of the School of Nursing.
“With four consecutive semesters of rigorous coursework, integrated simulation, and extensive hands-on practice, students develop strong clinical judgment and the confidence needed for real-world nursing,” Dr. Forehand said. “Our goal is to prepare graduates who not only pass the NCLEX-RN but who enter the workforce ready to provide exceptional, evidence-based care from their very first shift.”
During the event, Alabama Representative Paul Lee, who serves as Chairman of the House Health Committee, praised Troy University for its proactive approach to addressing the state’s nursing shortage.
“Seeing a problem, understanding the problem, and acting on that problem — that’s exactly what Troy University has done,” Lee said. “As Chairman of the House Health Committee, I am proud to see Troy University investing in solutions that directly benefit our region.”
Lee emphasized that programs like the Accelerated MSN track are essential to building a resilient healthcare workforce and ensuring that Alabama communities have access to high-quality, well-prepared nurses.
Danne Howard, President and CEO of the Alabama Hospital Association, also spoke to the urgency of expanding nursing education pathways. She referenced recent findings from the Alabama Department of Labor, noting that more than 4,000 nursing positions remain unfilled in hospitals across the state, a shortage that places significant strain on healthcare facilities and patient care.
Addressing prospective students in attendance, Howard emphasized the essential role they will play in strengthening Alabama’s healthcare workforce.
“We look forward to having the ability to work with Troy University and others to help grow this program,” she said.
Howard closed with a reminder of the resilience and hope that defines the nursing profession, quoting Florence Nightingale: “How little can be done in the spirit of fear? But how much can be done in the spirit of hope?”
“This program is more than hope, but our belief that it’s going to make the impact that everyone intended it to make,” she said.
Jeff Brannon, Vice President of Business Development at Flowers Hospital and Chairman of the Alabama Hospital Association’s Workforce Committee, emphasized the strong interest the program is already generating within the community.
“I believe very strongly that this master’s accelerated pathway for the nursing program is crucial to building a stable workforce—not only for Dothan, but potentially for the entire state or region,” he said.
(Jeff Brannon, Vice President of Business Development at Flowers Hospital and Chairman of the Alabama Hospital Association’s Workforce Committee/Contributed)
He also spoke about the broader impact the program could have on the future of nursing education and leadership development.
By equipping graduates with advanced preparation and leadership competencies, Brannon noted that the program positions them to pursue doctoral education, advance into nursing leadership, or even become future faculty members who will help sustain and grow nursing programs like this one.
The program totals 63 credit hours, where students are immersed in clinical practice from the start, ensuring they graduate with strong, hands-on experience and readiness for the demands of modern healthcare. In addition, the curriculum includes competencies in nursing leadership, equipping graduates for future roles in hospital leadership, care coordination, and managerial positions.
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth joined military leaders, Alabama’s congressional delegation and local officials today for the unveiling of the U.S. Space Command sign at Redstone Arsenal, formally marking the future site of the command’s permanent headquarters.
“It’s a blessing and an honor to be here,” Hegseth said. “I want to say congratulations to Alabama, congratulations to Huntsville, congratulations to Redstone Arsenal, congratulations to this entire delegation.”
Speaking on behalf of President Donald Trump, the Defense Secretary told the crowd assembled that the decision to locate Space Command in North Alabama was straightforward.
“It is common sense that this is precisely where Space Command should be,” he said. “It is common sense that we need to move rapidly and we will.”
The ceremony, held under clear blue skies on the Arsenal, drew a large crowd and marked the first visible milestone in Space Command’s relocation from Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs to Huntsville.
Hegseth said his department is committed to accelerating the process. He said the unveiling signals “full speed ahead, full steam motion to ensure that we break ground, we move, we build, we move people, we move capabilities right where it should be as quickly as possible.”
Space Command, one of the Defense Department’s 11 unified combatant commands, was reestablished in 2019 and is responsible for planning, executing and integrating military space power to deter aggression, defend national interests and, when necessary, defeat threats.
Space Command Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting said the event marked the beginning of a major transition for the combatant command.
“This world-class event is a testament to the strength of our relationships and signals our bright future together,” Whiting said. “We are grateful for your support as we relocate our war fighters and their families and build a new permanent command headquarters right on this location.”
Whiting emphasized the importance of community support as the command prepares to move a significant portion of its workforce to Redstone Arsenal.
“We are going to need it as we work together to advance from today’s sign unveiling, which is obviously a significant event, to moving a significant portion of our workforce within the next few years here to Redstone, to ultimately cutting the ribbon on our new purpose built facility for U.S. Space Command,” he said.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meinke said multiple independent reviews confirmed Huntsville was the right choice.
“After five years of assessing and independent assessments, it all said this was the place for U.S. Space Command to be,” Meinke said. “Now we are off to the races to get it done.”
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville framed the move as critical to national security.
“We want a state of the art facility here that’s going to protect the United States of America and its allies,” Tuberville (R-Auburn) said. “There wasn’t a better place for it.”
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt credited bipartisan cooperation and local leadership for bringing the command to Alabama.
“We all worked in lockstep to try to help make this happen,” Britt (R-Montgomery) said. “That means Democrat, Republican, that means House and Senate … making sure that we used every tool in our toolbox to bring Space Command home.”
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers recounted the long path to the decision, noting Huntsville won multiple national competitions for the headquarters.
“Huntsville, Alabama won that competition,” Rogers (R-Saks) said. “There was a little effort to try to subvert that … This delegation stuck together to make sure that did not happen.”
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong said Space Command will not just be located in North Alabama, but thrive there.
“Space Command will not just exist here, it will thrive here,” Strong (R-Huntsville) said. “North Alabama is ready, Redstone Arsenal is ready, Space Command is ready, and this is just the beginning of what we will accomplish together.”
The event was hosted by Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, commander of the Army Materiel Command, who formally welcomed Space Command to Redstone Arsenal and the Tennessee Valley.
Also attending the ceremony were Reps. Robert Aderholt, Terry Sewell, Gary Palmer, Barry Moore, Scott DesJarlais and Shomari Figures; Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffy; Madison County Commission Chair Mac McCutcheon; Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle; Madison Mayor Renae Bartlett; and senior military leaders and civic officials.
Hegseth closed by underscoring the urgency behind the move and its broader implications.
“The quicker we establish this, the more robust the capabilities are, the more likely we are able to deter the next conflict and if necessary, stand prepared to overwhelmingly defeat our enemies,” he said. “And that’s why I’m here today.”
As the nation’s only high school fully dedicated to integrating cyber technology and engineering into every academic discipline, ASCTE is leading the way in preparing students for a rapidly evolving world, including the new era of artificial intelligence.
Through hands-on learning, mandatory internships, and instruction from certified teachers and industry experts, ASCTE students don’t just learn about technology; they learn how to think critically, solve problems, and navigate real-world challenges.
Now, that expertise is reaching the rest of the state: the first AI curriculum from the Alabama State Department of Education will be implemented statewide in public high schools, offering a model for how students can work alongside AI instead of being replaced by it.
A curriculum built for a moving target
Developed in collaboration with the Alabama State Department of Education, the school’s AI curriculum introduces students to AI concepts, data science, historical context, current applications, and the ethics surrounding these topics.
It aligns with Alabama’s Digital Literacy and Computer Science standards and incorporates leadership, workplace readiness, and digital literacy through Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards.
“We’re taking the approach that AI is here, and we’ve got to get students ready for it,” said Mary Clair Wright, cybersecurity instructor and instructional design expert at ASCTE.
The curriculum is designed to evolve alongside the technology. “We’re building a curriculum for teachers who have to train on the fly,” Wright explained. “It has to be a living document because this technology is changing every day.”
To support educators, the course includes “node checks,” which are structured points to assess understanding and adjust instruction in real-time. “We tried to anticipate the questions teachers and students would struggle with, because we struggled with them too,” Wright said.
Teaching students to think critically
ASCTE emphasizes critical thinking and ethical decision-making alongside technical skills.
“We get into the ethical considerations,” Wright said. “We need everyone thinking critically about what AI can do, what it shouldn’t do, and where to use it responsibly.”
Students experience AI firsthand while learning to question it. One of the earliest assignments asks students to research an AI pioneer using AI itself, discovering that the technology can produce inaccurate or incomplete information.
“One of the first assignments is researching an AI pioneer using AI, but also learning that it will hallucinate,” Wright said. “I want students asking: Why is this person important? Why isn’t this other person included? That’s the critical thinking piece.”
“If we can teach students the concerns and limitations of AI, maybe they won’t turn to it for everything,” she added.
Preparing students and teachers for the unknown
ASCTE recognizes that both students and teachers are navigating uncharted territory in the era of AI. Professional development is a cornerstone of the curriculum’s statewide rollout, and Wright begins each session with candid conversations about fears and challenges.
“We start with honesty. In my professional development sessions I ask: tell me what you hate about AI and what you’re afraid of,” she said. “Teachers deserve space to express their concerns. This is a big change, and we need to navigate it together.”
For students, the focus is on preparing for careers that may not yet exist, equipping them with the skills and mindset to adapt as the workforce evolves.
“I can’t predict what students’ jobs will look like in five years,” Wright said. “What I can do is teach them about the technology that will shape those jobs so they’re ready for the change. AI is here to stay. Some of the changes will be positive, some won’t, but our responsibility is to prepare students for all of it.”
Preparing Alabama students for the AI era
The creation of Alabama’s first AI curriculum for public high schools is the result of a close partnership between ASCTE and the Alabama State Department of Education. Mary Clair Wright has served as the architect of the curriculum, translating state standards into actionable learning experiences that prepare students for real-world challenges.
“We sat down with the state standards and turned them into essential learning targets,” Wright explained. “We asked ourselves: If I was going to teach this, how would I teach it? The result is a 155-day course designed to be flexible, accessible on a Chromebook, and adaptable to the rapidly evolving AI landscape.”
The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and ethical judgment, while connecting students to projects tied to Alabama’s needs and opportunities. Lessons like the AI Pioneers project teach students to use AI as a research tool while verifying information and considering its broader implications.
“This is a real concern,” Wright noted. “Graduating students are struggling to find jobs, and AI is as big a disruptor as the assembly line or the internet. It’s going to change both white-collar and blue-collar jobs, and it will affect the Alabama economy. If our job is to prepare Alabama students to be good citizens, gainfully employed, and adaptable, here we are at the apex of it.”
Teacher support remains central to the initiative. Wright and her team identified potential stumbling blocks for educators and students, built in checkpoints to gauge comprehension, and created resources to enable teachers to implement the curriculum confidently, even as AI continues to evolve.
“Our goal was to do as much of the heavy lifting and research for teachers as we could,” Wright said. “This technology is here to stay. Some changes will be positive, some won’t—but if we can prepare students to think critically, communicate effectively, and problem-solve, they can succeed anywhere.”
With ASCTE leading the way and partnering with the state, Alabama’s AI curriculum is more than an educational program—it’s a blueprint for economic adaptability, ethical engagement with technology, and proactive education that could inspire schools across the nation.
ASCTE is unleashing potential, expanding horizons, and building futures–and with Alabama’s new AI curriculum, that mission is reaching every corner of the state.
Learn more about ASCTE and explore opportunities for students, educators, and partners atwww.ascte.org.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will travel to Redstone Arsenal for a ceremony on Friday to mark the future site of U.S. Space Command’s permanent headquarters.
U.S. Space Command General Stephen Whiting announced the visit during the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber’s annual Redstone Update at the Von Braun Center on Wednesday.
He told local leaders that Secretary Hegseth is expected on post Friday afternoon for an unveiling ceremony at the designated headquarters site on Redstone.
According to General Whiting, U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink will also be in attendance.
The event will formally mark the ground where Space Command’s permanent headquarters complex will be built.
It comes ahead of major construction activity on the arsenal, according to an Army Materiel Command release and local briefings.
Whiting said Space Command’s move to Huntsville is already well underway, with a program management office now operating on Redstone, as planners work through facilities, workforce and transition details.
The Secretary’s visit this week will mark the first time the nation’s top defense official has stood on the future headquarters site since President Donald Trump’s September announcement from the Oval Office that Huntsville would be the permanent home of U.S. Space Command.
Trump’s final decision earlier this year brought a basing process politicized by the Biden administration to a well-welcomed conclusion.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
Evidence doesn’t speak for itself – skilled people and smart technology make it talk.
The Huntsville Police Department’s forensic journey has evolved from film rolls to mobile data extraction and digital intelligence tools.
The department’s new Crime Scene and Evidence Warehouse Complex isn’t just a building; it’s a milestone in how HPD collects, preserves and analyzes evidence to deliver justice with precision.
As Huntsville grows, so does the science behind solving crime – and HPD is committed to staying on the cutting edge.
Before forensics was “cool,” investigators were solving cases with cameras, tape measures and a lot of patience.
“We started with on-the-job training from seasoned investigators,” Hamilton said. “The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences was a big help – they’d respond to scenes whenever asked.”
Back then, digital evidence didn’t exist. Investigators relied on photography, fingerprints, trace evidence and firearms analysis – core components that still matter today.
“New tools have come along, but the old ones still need to be applied,” Hamilton said. “We won cases long before cell phones and DNA. A fingerprint in the right place is very strong evidence.”
(Former Investigator Lisa Hamilton joined HPD’s CSI Unit in 1989/Contributed)
As HPD’s forensics unit grows, Hamilton hopes it never loses sight of those roots.
“I’m glad it’s getting the attention it deserves, but don’t forget the basics,” Hamilton said. “Old tools are just as necessary as new ones.”
Solving crimes one gigabyte at a time
Ahem, tech-nically speaking, HPD’s digital forensics efforts really took off in 2019 with the launch of the North Alabama Multi-Agency Crime Center. Investigator Byron Thompson, trained at the U.S. Secret Service Academy, helped lead the department into the digital era.
“The field has evolved dramatically since I started,” Thompson said. “It used to be all computer forensics. Now we need expertise in mobile devices, tablets, video players – even smartwatches.”
The workload has exploded. In 2020, 38 devices were processed. That number will exceed 550 by the end of 2025. Three full-time examiners now handle 8–15 devices a week, supporting HPD and partner agencies.
(Huntsville Police Department/Contributed)
“Software and hardware improvements transformed what we can access and how fast,” Thompson said. “It helps us uncover the information investigators need.”
Still, some devices refuse to crack.
“Even with all this tech, some systems stay locked down,” Thompson said. “It keeps me asking: What haven’t I tried yet?”
Accuracy drives everything. Digital forensics is not a speed contest because every byte matters.
And next up: vehicles. As more drivers sync phones to dashboards, the unit expects a spike in automotive data requests.
“We’re already trained and certified in that, so we’re ready,” Thompson said.
Leading the next era of forensics
The future of forensic science isn’t slowing down, and neither is HPD. The department continues to invest in its people, technology and infrastructure to keep pace with the changing landscape of crime trends and investigative needs.
The new Crime Scene & Evidence Warehouse Complex is the cornerstone of that investment, giving investigators modern labs and secure storage and space to work smarter and more efficiently.
It’s also a promise to the people of Huntsville that every piece of evidence will be handled with care, every case pursued with integrity and every advancement used to strengthen trust and justice in our community.
Airbus is marking a major milestone at its U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile — a decade of commercial aircraft production on Alabama soil.
Since launching operations in 2015 with a team of around 300, Airbus has grown into a major force in the nation’s aerospace sector. Today, the Mobile site employs more than 2,000 people and produces A320 and A220 Family aircraft for customers across the U.S. and Latin America.
“What began as a vision has evolved into something truly special, creating thousands of jobs, fostering generational careers and driving substantial economic growth — not just in Mobile but across the region,” said Daryl Taylor, Senior Vice President of Commercial Aircraft Operations in the U.S. “I could not be more proud of our team.”
Over the past 10 years, Airbus has expanded its Mobile footprint from 116 to 190 acres and delivered hundreds of aircraft, starting with JetBlue’s A321 “BluesMobile” in 2016. In late July, it delivered its 100th Alabama-produced A220 aircraft.
Alabama officials congratulated Airbus’ Alabama facility on the 10-year anniversary and the decade of growth that has followed.
“Airbus’ success in Mobile is a testament to what can happen when a world-class company teams up with a world-class workforce,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “Over the past 10 years, Airbus has helped elevate Alabama’s position in the aerospace industry while creating life-changing opportunities for our people.
“I look forward to seeing this partnership soar even higher in the years ahead.”
Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said Airbus has been a transformational force for Alabama’s aerospace industry over the past decade.
“Their continued growth in Mobile showcases the strength of our workforce, the value of collaboration and the kind of innovation that defines Alabama’s role in the global aviation sector,” she added.
“We’re proud to celebrate this milestone with them and look forward to what the next 10 years will bring.”
Over the past 10 years, Airbus has expanded its Mobile footprint from 116 to 190 acres and delivered hundreds of aircraft, starting with JetBlue’s A321 “BluesMobile” in 2016. (Image: Airbus)
Employee celebration
In an announcement, Airbus employees who have been part of the journey since the beginning reflected on what the last 10 years have meant to them personally
Stephanie Burt, the Alabama plant’s Head of Human Resources, remembers starting at Airbus in 2013, when the facility was expected to employ only a few hundred people.
“I never imagined that just 10 years, 2,000 employees and three assembly lines later, we’d have the opportunity to grow so big,” she said.
She said Airbus offers not just jobs, but “generational careers that will change people’s lives and their family dynamic for decades to come.”
For A320 Quality Inspector Bryan Nixon, the mission has always been personal.
“This was a chance to prove to the world what my home could do and the things the people of Alabama could accomplish,” he said. “I know that our product is going to enable families to come together, people to make memories, to create bonds and reinforce bonds for at least the next 25 years.”
Shehan Correa, Head of the Structures Engineering Team, shares excitement about the future for Airbus in Alabama.
“The city continues to grow into a major aerospace hub, adding new jobs in our community and continued advancement opportunities for employees,” he said. “If we’ve come this far in 10 years, I can’t even begin to imagine what we could be in 20 to 30.”
Future growth
Looking ahead, Airbus plans to inaugurate its second A320 final assembly line in October, further increasing production capacity and reinforcing Mobile’s role in commercial aircraft manufacturing.
The expansion builds on the foundation of skilled employees, a growing supplier network and a thriving local economy.
“Airbus has not only delivered high-tech aircraft from Alabama — they’ve helped build an industry,” said Bob Smith, Aerospace and Aviation Specialist at the Alabama Department of Commerce.
“This anniversary highlights how long-term investment and local talent can create a thriving aerospace hub right here in Mobile.”
From its very first aircraft delivery to the upcoming production expansion, Airbus’s Mobile site stands as a shining example of Alabama’s rising profile in advanced manufacturing and global aviation, Smith added.
Airbus’ U.S. manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama, shown in 2015, when aircraft production began. (Image: Airbus)
Airbus’ U.S. manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama, shown in 2025, after a decade of growth and the addition of two new Final Assembly Lines. (Image: Airbus)
Charisse D. Stokes has built her career at the crossroads of technology, innovation, and community leadership. As president of Tidal IT Solutions, she helps government and commercial clients adapt and grow in a rapidly changing digital economy.
She also serves as executive director of TechMGM and leads The Alabama Collective, both dedicated to strengthening Alabama’s tech ecosystem and creating opportunities for minority entrepreneurs.
Her path began at Clemson University, where she studied ceramic engineering, followed by an MBA in finance at Auburn University Montgomery. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, Stokes managed large-scale IT projects worldwide.
“I started my career managing diverse teams in high-stakes environments,” she explained.
“That experience gave me both the technical expertise and the leadership foundation I continue to draw on today.”
Courage to lead
Among her proudest accomplishments, Stokes points to the courage it took to step out on her own.
“The accomplishment I’m most proud of is having the courage to step out on my own to run both a successful company and a nonprofit that directly benefits the talent in my state,” she said.
“Founding Tidal IT Solutions allowed me to leverage my background in the Air Force and IT consulting to support government and commercial clients, while also carving out a space to drive innovation. At the same time, building The Alabama Collective has given me the platform to elevate tech talent and entrepreneurs statewide.”
She recalls the excitement of the Magic City Classic Business Pitch Competition, where students and professionals connected around innovation, and the launch of Montgomery TechLab, a model of public-private partnership.
These milestones, she said, reflect the bold step she took “to create something bigger than myself—ecosystems that position Alabama as a leader in tech and innovation.”
Barriers and perseverance
Stokes acknowledges that being a woman in technology and business has not been without challenges. “Honestly, I think some of the barriers are constantly being underestimated,” she said.
“You feel like you always have to prove yourself — that you are the one leading the charge, that you might be the smartest person in the room that day.”
She said overcoming those challenges comes with persistence. “Over time, practicing those responses and behaviors makes it easier to show you’re not only the right person for the job, but the right leader for the role.”
Purpose and vision
Her purpose, she says, comes down to four words: Expose, Educate, Engage, and Empower. “Alabama has incredible talent, but we often face challenges of access, exposure, and resources,” she said.
“My work bridges those gaps by connecting students, entrepreneurs, and professionals to pathways in technology and innovation.”
From her service on the Alabama STEM Council to her involvement with the I Dream Big Academy Board, she is determined to ensure that “our communities aren’t just consumers of technology but creators and leaders in the innovation economy.”
Leadership philosophy
When asked what makes a great leader, Stokes does not hesitate: “Integrity, relatability, sincerity, and discipline,” she said. “Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching—something my parents modeled and I carry into every boardroom and community initiative. Relatability allows leaders to connect authentically, whether speaking to a student exploring STEM for the first time or a CEO making investment decisions.”
She added, “Sincerity means leading with heart and purpose, not just titles. Finally, discipline is key—balancing multiple roles from TechMGM to The Alabama Collective requires clear vision, structured planning, and strong execution.”
Boards and recognition
Beyond her own ventures, Stokes lends her expertise to a wide range of organizations.
She sits on the board of Alabama Power and the Business Council of Alabama, serves on the Alabama STEM Advisory Council and the Alabama Computer Science Task Force, and was recently appointed by Governor Kay Ivey to the Alabama Commission on Innovation. Her service reflects a belief that Alabama’s future depends on collective leadership and bold ideas.
Her efforts have earned widespread recognition, including the AFCEA Distinguished Service to Education Award, the Women in AFCEA Award, and the Alabama Power Leader Award.
Advocacy and mentoring
Stokes also brings her passion for equity to her nonprofit work. She founded EduWerx, a program introducing minorities and young women to STEM, and led the Education Foundation of the Montgomery AFCEA Chapter, where she directed scholarships, grants, and internships. These initiatives, she says, are about ensuring the next generation has the support they need to dream big.
Her advice to young women is direct: “Never give up, and always practice,” she said. “Just because you may be talented doesn’t mean you don’t have to work hard. There will be challenges, and you can’t always work around them — you have to work through them.”
Inspired by family
For all her professional success, Stokes says her deepest inspiration comes from home. “At the core, my parents and my son inspire me daily,” she said. Her parents instilled integrity and perseverance, and her son Dylan — now a computer science major at Louisiana State University — “reminds me of the importance of building a future where opportunity is abundant and accessible.”
A Woman of Impact
Charisse D. Stokes embodies the qualities of a Yellowhammer News Woman of Impact: courage to lead, commitment to community, and a vision for Alabama’s future. From the Air Force to the boardroom, from classrooms to innovation labs, her influence is felt across the state. By elevating talent, breaking barriers, and inspiring the next generation, she continues to shape a legacy of leadership that ensures Alabama remains a place where opportunity and innovation thrive.
The Southeast’s growing tech ecosystem took center stage with the debut of the Sloss.Tech Ideas Pitch Competition in June 2025, a high-stakes showcase designed to give early-stage startups a meaningful platform to launch and scale.
The competition, a joint effort by TechBirmingham, the Regions Foundation, and Sloss.Tech, filled a gap long noted by organizers. “We saw that most major tech conferences included a pitch competition—and we didn’t,” said Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation. “That was something missing, and we knew we had to build it the right way.”
Entries
Sixteen finalists were chosen from more than 100 applicants across 10 Southeastern states, representing industries such as AgTech and FoodTech, HealthTech and Biotech, Mobility and Transportation, and other emerging technologies. Startups were evaluated on their business model, customer traction, market potential, and early-stage funding.
Finalists didn’t just get stage time—they received investor access, strategic coaching, and world-class pitch training led by the director of the South by Southwest pitch competition in Austin,TX. “This isn’t just a one-off event,” said Self. “It’s a launchpad.”
That mission is already gaining national attention. A pair of investors traveled from California—visiting Alabama for the first time—just to attend.
“That’s the kind of draw we’re starting to see,” noted Self. “It’s about putting a national spotlight on what’s being built right here in the Southeast.”
The Grand Prize winner came from the HealthTech and Biotech category. WiNK Therapeutics, based in Miramar, Florida, was founded by MIT- and Duke-trained engineer Warren D. Marcus, Ph.D., and researcher Paolo Serafini, Ph.D. The duo is developing RNA-based therapies to reverse the root causes of Type 1 and insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes. While still in preclinical development, their research offers hope to millions battling the disease.
Winners
In addition to WiNK Therapeutics, TechBirmingham and Regions Foundation awarded the Mobility and Transportation Technology entry, HERide from Atlanta, GA, the $10,000 People’s Choice Award. All winners of their category were awarded $5,000 in funding. See full list of winners below:
Agtech and Foodtech: Good Agriculture (Atlanta, GA)
Healthtech and Biotech: WiNK Therapeutics (Miramar, FL)
Mobility and Transportation Technology: HERride (Atlanta, GA)
Emerging Tech: Giggs (Nashville, TN)
Baylor Frazier is a digital and radio sales specialist for YHN Media Group. For advertising opportunities through our portfolio of publications, you can contact him directly at baylor@yellowhammernews.com.
Photographs courtesy of Mason David.
Troy University is positioning itself at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) education and implementation, not only for students but also for business and community leaders across Southeast Alabama.
As part of its strategic push into emerging technology, the university has launched the Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Education within the Sorrell College of Business, taking what it describes as a “business-first approach” to artificial intelligence. According to the university, the center, based on Troy’s Montgomery Campus, is designed to help business professionals, executives, and organizations assess AI opportunities, implement machine learning tools, and navigate AI-driven transformation.
On Wednesday, Troy University hosted a group of economic development officials from 11 Southeast Alabama counties who toured the AI center to explore how artificial intelligence might be used to enhance business operations and strengthen regional competitiveness. WSFAreported, the visit was part of an ongoing effort to connect real-world economic development needs with emerging technologies.
Those in attendance expressed strong interest in how AI could be applied to make their work more effective and to improve efficiency for businesses in their communities. According to WSFA, Ted Clem, president of the Pike County Economic Development Corporation, noted that gaining a deeper understanding of AI could provide local economic leaders with a strategic edge as they look to position their counties more competitively within the state.
Through its AI Forward Initiative, Troy University aims to prepare both students and community partners for a future increasingly shaped by AI. The initiative is part of a broader mission to promote responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence, with the university encouraging practical application in real-world business settings.
As the center continues to expand its outreach, Troy University is not only integrating AI into its curriculum but also actively engaging with the regional workforce to bring technological transformation to Alabama’s business landscape.
Two of Alabama’s most dynamic regions — Huntsville and the Auburn/Opelika area — have been named recipients of the 2025 Mac Conway Award for Economic Development Excellence, a national honor presented annually by “Site Selection” magazine.
Named for “Site Selection” founder McKinley “Mac” Conway, the award recognizes top-performing economic development organizations across the country based on metrics including job creation, capital investment and corporate facility project wins.
Rankings also draw on independent evaluations from the Milken Institute’s “Best Performing Cities” Index and Heartland Forward’s “Most Dynamic Cities” report. See the full list of winners.
The recognition underscores Alabama’s rising national profile as a destination for high-impact investment and job creation.
“This honor confirms what we already know — Alabama’s communities are delivering results,” said Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
“From Huntsville’s incredible growth in life sciences and aerospace to Auburn and Opelika’s remarkable momentum in advanced manufacturing, these regions reflect the strength, vision and collaborative spirit that define economic development success in Alabama,” she added.
Auburn/Opelika: A model for growth
In 2024 alone, the City of Auburn welcomed three new company locations and six business expansions, resulting in 350 new jobs and nearly $182 million in capital investment, according to “Site Selection.”
Mayor Ron Anders credited the region’s ecosystem of innovation and collaboration:
“Auburn has firmly established itself as a leader in economic growth in Alabama and the U.S.,” Mayor Anders said. “With the strength of Auburn University and a vibrant, forward-thinking business community, Auburn is well-positioned for continued success.
“We’re proud of the collaboration that drives our momentum and excited about the opportunities ahead.”
Neighboring Opelika has also seen transformative growth. Economic Development Director John Sweatman noted that recent years have brought over $2.6 billion in capital investment and more than 5,700 new good-paying jobs to the community.
Significant recent projects from companies like Niagara Bottling and Miele Manufacturinghave helped propel Opelika’s rise as a regional powerhouse.
“There is no doubt that what we have accomplished in our community would not be possible without a complete team effort with support from all of our stakeholders,” Sweatman said.
He added: “Opelika continues to be a great place to live, work and play.”
On the Milken Institute’s 2025 Best Performing Cities ranking, the Auburn/Opelika region placed No. 10 among small metros in the U.S.
Huntsville: A hub of innovation
Meanwhile, the Huntsville/Madison County region continues to cement its place as one of the most dynamic metro areas in the country. The area placed No. 4 nationally on the Milken Institute’s list, driven by activity across aerospace, life sciences and even music innovation.
“We are especially excited about growth in our life sciences sector with the announcement of Glaukos Corporation’s investment in Cummings Research Park,” said Lucia Cape, Senior Vice President of Economic Development and Workforce for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.
“We have also seen a lot of activity associated with our music initiatives, including being named by “Fast Company” as the most innovative in economic development for building the Orion Amphitheater, creating the South Star Music Festival, and establishing the Huntsville Music Office, just to name a few,” she added.
Additional job announcements from both new and existing aerospace and manufacturing firms have helped power Huntsville’s continued success.
“With two Mac Conway Award-winning regions and a business climate designed for growth, Alabama’s momentum in economic development is unmistakable,” Secretary McNair said.
“From north to south, communities across the state are proving that strategic investment, workforce readiness and collaboration are the keys to creating lasting economic impact,” she said.
