Governor Kay E. Ivey on Friday afternoon signed Senate Joint Resolution 138, which expresses “solidarity with Israel in its defense against terrorism in the Gaza Strip.” Ivey signed the measure — passed by the Alabama Legislature on Monday — alongside the Consul General of Israel to the Southeast, Anat Sultan-Dadon. “The state of Alabama and Israel […]

After more than 40 years of speaking to elementary school kids about weather, James Spann knows what they want to know about. “I’m in 1-2 schools a day so I know their questions,” Spann said. “After doing this for so many years, I noticed more of two things: kids that have a fear of weather because maybe […]

Kevin Parrish is a craftsman by birthright. At the age of 13, his father took him into the family garage workshop and started relaying the ins and outs of leather working and saddle making. “I remember I was watching Saturday morning cartoons and he came and said, ‘Come on, it’s time to go to work,’ […]

Books are gifts that expand your world. As Dr. Seuss said: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” United Way of East Central Alabama (UWECA) recently donated 2,000 books to kindergarteners and first-graders at all public and some private schools throughout Calhoun […]

As terrorist group Hamas continues to escalate rocket attacks from Gaza, Governor Kay Ivey says Alabama is standing firmly with Israel. UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland on Wednesday warned the worsening violent conflict could move “towards a full-scale war.” Militants in Gaza have fired more than 1,000 rockets into […]

How does an organization celebrate a century of community service? If that organization is the Junior League of Birmingham (JLB), it’s done by kicking off that 100th year with the culmination of the Community of Lights Centennial Campaign. When the five-year campaign concludes on May 6, it will have raised more than $1.25 million for the One Place Metro […]

In 2020, the global pandemic caused innumerable events to be cancelled, including the Regions Tradition, a major of the PGA TOUR Champions. Golfers and fans stayed home and a community event that had been happening for more than 25 years took an understandable back seat to safety. But an important aspect of the tournament never […]

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is partnering with Count the Kicks, an evidence-based stillbirth prevention public health campaign, to educate and empower expectant parents in Alabama about the importance of tracking fetal movement in the third trimester of pregnancy. One out of every 113 pregnancies in Alabama ends in stillbirth, according to the Alabama Center […]

The Regions Tradition, a PGA TOUR Champions major sponsored by Regions Bank, brings players, fans, and businesses together for five days of golf benefitting Children’s of Alabama and a variety of other local charities. The tournament also brings together two organizations that are investing time and financial resources to create greater equity in their industries […]

Two events to raise money for multiple sclerosis (MS) research have brought in almost $8,000 for the cause, with donations still coming. Alabama Power’s Power Pedalers cycling team and the Alabama Power Service Organization hosted a “Dam Ride” to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Cyclists began the ride at Alabama Power headquarters in downtown Birmingham and ended […]

Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday released a video message in recognition of the 70th National Day of Prayer. An annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, the National Day of Prayer calls on Americans “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.” Ivey began her remarks by advising that Alabama joins […]

Sage Juice Bar & Speakeasy in downtown Tuscaloosa is a lot of things to a lot of people. That’s because the offerings and the ambiance change from hour to hour – all day, every day. The place starts early each morning as a juice bar and transitions to a bar bar at night. It seems seamless; it’s certainly […]

Chris Phengsisomboun grew up in the Vietnamese fishing community of Bayou La Batre, where the families of war refugees worked and sacrificed to build better lives for their children. He remembers his grandparents coming home reeking of shrimp from the packing house. He remembers the community reeling from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Deepwater […]

A life-changing event 16 years ago spurred Steve Cabeza to begin reaching out to help others. Now Cabeza is making dreams come true for children and their families by heading an Alabama Power and Southern Company team that has pledged to hike in the 2021 Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Challenge. In 2005, a car wreck left Cabeza’s teenage son, Justice, with a brain injury […]

On April 27, 2011, a monstrous EF5 tornado tore through the nature trail and outdoor classroom on the Phil Campbell campus of Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC). Downed trees and debris rendered the trail and classroom unsafe and unusable. Ten years to the day after the storm, the Cecil Clapp Nature Trail and outdoor classroom is open again. […]

To fans of HGTV’s popular TV show “Home Town,” it’s obvious: Stars Ben and Erin Napier have a sweet spot for small towns. While major metropolises like Los Angeles and New York City often garner the lion’s share of media attention, the Napiers know what most small-town residents do, that America’s hamlets and close-knit communities are the backbone […]

A café latte here, a candy bar there and it’s not long before you’ve spent a chunk of change. From Feb. 17-April 13, several Mobile Division employees decided to forgo some daily indulgences to support the Mobile Chapter of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO). Through Mobile APSO’s “56 Days of Blessings,” employees sacrificed some of their favorite […]

Excited voices and laughter rang in the air as community volunteers, led by Tres Taylor and his paintbrush, transformed a blank white wall in downtown Marion into a magical tale of hope and light. It’s part of Taylor’s effort to start a “Revolution of Joy” in Alabama’s Black Belt region. “My vision has been to create a route of […]

Tuesday marked the 10th anniversary of the April 27, 2011 severe weather that devastated Alabama. On that day a decade ago, a series of long-track tornadoes tore through Alabama in three waves across 35 of the state’s 67 counties. The unprecedented event claimed the lives of 254 Alabamians, injured more than 2,000 others, and destroyed […]

The focus at KMS is to keep projects moving, from interstates to bank ATMs. “We are a turn-key management company – one-point of contact,” explained Jay Kemp, the company’s relationship manager. “We handle a project from start to finish.” Three months after celebrating its 10th anniversary, KMS continues to grow by building a reputation while diversifying […]

Thinking back on the tremendous devastation and death toll caused by the 62 tornadoes that swept Alabama on April 27, 2011, Robin Skagen said there’s only one word to describe that dark day: “surreal.” Skagen, an American Red Cross disaster action team responder at the time, was one of the first on the ground after a tornado […]

The Birmingham Business Alliance recently presented a virtual business forum featuring University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who shared his candid insight and tips on a range of topics. The event was sponsored by Red Diamond Coffee & Tea and was moderated by bestselling author Jon Gordon. The legendary football coach discussed leadership, team building, […]

Joe Kaplan’s hands come together, fists first meeting in front of his chest in a pantomime of clasping hands. Then, in one swift. graceful movement, his fists twist in midair, fingers spreading wide but hands staying connected. Although this movement might look like a choreographed part of a dance routine, in reality it is the […]

“Out of challenge comes great opportunity” has been the guiding principle for Hand in Paw as it navigates changes in operations due to COVID-19. Many nonprofits have had to shift the way they operate; some have closed their doors for good. The leadership and staff at Hand in Paw credit their success to a commitment to provide […]