H. Neely Henry Hydro Plant Superintendent Jeff Harris calls Katie Glenn the “Mama Hen” of the facility, adding that her caring support of her co-workers and community shines through everything she does. “Katie takes care of everybody here at the plant,” said Harris. “She is the one who makes sure we are comfortable and have […]

Helen is a food memory made real. The contemporary Southern grill, led by the husband-and-wife team of chef Rob McDaniel and Emily McDaniel, is a fresh, new take on classic dining, but the idea for this place has deep roots. It’s based on Rob’s fond memories of his maternal grandmother, Helen Frutiger, and the welcoming home […]

Sept. 11 will always be etched in Gloria Buie’s mind. The date not only marks the destruction of New York’s Twin Towers but, for Buie, a personal day of infamy: she received a diagnosis of breast cancer. Buie recalls going to her doctor for her usual yearly checkup. “It was found on a mammogram when […]

As events are canceled and field trips are rare, we know you are looking for safe ways to get out of the house and enjoy a fall Alabama day with your family. Visiting an Alabama agritourism farm allows you to enjoy open-air and socially distanced activities. Kids of all ages will enjoy picking pumpkins, apples […]

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women other than skin cancer. Many factors influence breast cancer risk, including family history, lifestyle habits and advancing age. Although breast cancer is sometimes found after symptoms appear, many women with breast cancer have no symptoms at all. Regular mammograms are the best way to find […]

Alabama’s Rodney Smith, Jr. is once again receiving national recognition for his tireless work serving those in need across America. Smith is the founder of Raising Men Lawn Care Service, which helps elderly citizens, single mothers and underserved communities. He founded the free-of-charge service — with its motto of “Making a difference one lawn at […]

First Presbyterian Church in Wetumpka, which stood for 162 years before being destroyed in a January 2019 tornado, completed a complete rebuild this year. The new structure looks identical to what existed before, with its painted white wood siding and its trademark green shutters on the windows. According to reporting from WSFA, the first worship […]

Childersburg High School principal Dr. Quentin Lee has posted another YouTube video imploring students to follow CDC guidelines for staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. This one – Germ Busters – is a parody of the 1984 earworm “Ghostbusters,” by Ray Parker Jr. The video begins with Lee cruising into his school parking space driving a clean BMW X5 with […]

As the focus turns from post-storm response to long-term recovery, government agencies, individuals, corporations and nonprofits are coming together to help the victims of Hurricane Sally. On Sunday President Donald Trump granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Alabama, triggering the release of federal funds to help people and communities recover from the hurricane. Individuals […]

Charles Latham can never forget the 16 men he has spoken to, one-on-one, over the years about the need to be screened for prostate cancer. They included friends and even two of his own brothers. Fifteen of the men heeded his advice and were tested, diagnosed and successfully treated for prostate cancer. Still, the one […]

Southwest Alabama residents are celebrating the heroic linemen and support personnel who have traveled from across the country to restore utility services following Hurricane Sally last week. WKRG reported that Fairhope residents on Tuesday night held a short parade downtown to express their appreciation for the power crews.

Birmingham’s Evan Riley Lofthus does not know cursive yet, but people are already lining up to get her autograph. Lofthus, 7, is a second grade student at Shelby County’s Mt. Laurel Elementary School. As reported by the Shelby County Reporter, Lofthus first found her love for — and natural talent in — music when she […]

“Let Us Now Praise Famous Men,” an original opera by Alabama composer Joseph Landers based on the classic book of the same name by author James Agee, was received with acclaim at its October 2019 debut performance as part of the state’s bicentennial celebration. On Sunday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m., Alabama Public Television will broadcast and […]

It’s all in a day’s work – and then some – for Alabama Power employees who put their lives on the line as volunteer firefighters. The calls run the gamut, from fighting fires at homes and businesses to fielding medical emergencies that range from saving choking victims and rescuing people in car wrecks to giving life-saving glucose […]

Winston Groom, Army veteran, Alabamian, and writer of the bestselling novel Forrest Gump, passed away recently at his home near Fairhope at the age of 77. The Tuscaloosa News first reported the news of Groom’s death, citing confirmation from a local official with the City of Fairhope. Groom was born in Washington, D.C., but spent […]

The realities of the pandemic-induced “new normal” met some longstanding bigotry this weekend on an Alabama video conference. The Montgomery Advertiser reported that several dozen people from Jewish congregations across Montgomery, Auburn, Dothan and Mobile were on a Zoom call on Saturday night. The remote service was reportedly organized by Rabbi Scott Kramer of synagogue […]

Jack, badly abused by his former owners, was recently rescued by the Anniston Police Department. On Tuesday, the puppy became an honorary member of the department’s community relations unit, where he will work to bring joy to everyone he meets. WBRC last month reported that the dog was found with a piece of chain so […]

King’s Home, a Christian organization that offers services to at-risk youth and women fleeing domestic violence, opened a new facility last week named after a dedicated donor. Jane’s House, named after longtime King’s Home supporter Jane Franks, now houses seven girls ages 16-19 in Shelby County who are in the custody of the Alabama Department […]

The chef at Birmingham’s SAW’s Soul Kitchen and a winning barbecue competitor from Muscle Shoals finished fifth and eighth, respectively, at the World Food Championships Final Table: Indy event last month. As the World Chef Champion in the World Food Championships Main Event, Matthew Statham won a spot in the Top 10 to compete at […]

Dr. Andy Jackson, a 4th-grade teacher in the Pell City School System who was named Teacher of the Year on Thursday, will spend the next year on a fresh set of wheels courtesy of ALFA Insurance. The company gifted Jackson with a new Chevrolet Traverse for use during the year he holds the title of […]

Lindsey Harrison faced 67 million-to-one odds to hit two holes-in-one during the same round. On Monday, however, she only needed three holes to accomplish the amazing feat. Harrison, who was a senior on the Troy University women’s golf team during the 2018-2019 season, played the course at Vestavia Country Club in metropolitan Birmingham on Labor […]

While Lake Eufaula is widely acclaimed as the “Bass Capitol of the World,” it was crappie that helped Blakely Sweatt reel in the winner for this year’s Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association “Best Fish Photo Contest.” According to a recent release, Sweatt is a seven-year-old girl with special needs. The winning photo came from Sweatt fishing […]

Five numbers, the ZIP code where you were born, provide the strongest predictor of future success, including educational attainment and economic outcomes. Damon Bailey, executive director of Teach For America – Alabama (TFA-AL), hopes to change that. “We want a high-quality education to be the norm for all students,” Bailey said. “So that each child can become […]

Editor’s note: Each Monday, Alabama NewsCenter is highlighting stories from the Alabama Power Foundation‘s annual report. Each story spotlights an organization or initiative the foundation supported in 2019. Brad Kimbro is the kind of volunteer every town needs – the sort of fellow who treats his nonpaying job like a full-time job. He is also a […]