Mercedes-Benz plans to invest nearly $1.3 billion in a major expansion at its Alabama assembly plant, creating 300 jobs and preparing the factory to launch production of its next-generation sport utility vehicles. The new investment comes at a time of dramatic growth for Mercedes’ manufacturing hub in Tuscaloosa County. Output at the 3.7 million-square-foot plant is targeted at 300,000 vehicles this […]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Glennon Doyle Melton, author of the popular blog “Momastery” and the New York Times best-seller Carry On, Warrior: The Power of Embracing Your Messy, Beautiful Life is coming to Birmingham. Melton will be speaking on Sunday, October 4th in Mountain Brook’s Canterbury United Methodist Church on love, faith and perseverance. Through her Momastery blog, […]

By Kelli M. Dugan In a move one official called “classic economic development,” MAAS Aviation received tax abatements totaling nearly $2.2 million Wednesday for construction of a proposed $13 million second paint facility at Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. News of Dublin, Ireland-based MAAS’ plans to expand its footprint in Mobile broke during the second day […]

By Jacki Lowry The U.S. Army played taps to Fort McClellan years ago, but the property may be on the verge of a new type of reveille. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Fort McClellan is known mostly for its long run as an Army training camp, producing soldiers and officers of the […]

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Ahmed Mohamed, the 14-year-old student who was arrested earlier this week for bringing a home-built clock to school, was offered a scholarship to Space Camp by an Alabama author. Mohamed was arrested at MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas for bringing what was suspected as a “hoax bomb” to school. However, Mohamed’s “hoax bomb” was actually a […]

SUMITON, AL — Strange reports of unusual animal behavior are coming out of Walker County residential neighborhoods recently with feral cats chasing home owners and wild packs of dogs stealing prescription medicine. According to ABC 33/40, the four-legged disturbers of the peace have been running wild for some time now. “[The stray animals] chased her back to […]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b-2wEkhOnk (Video above: Jared Paschall leads his Harvest Elementary gym class in a Whip and Nae Nae workout) If you haven’t seen the Whip and Nae Nae dance, or at least heard the song, you’ve probably been living under a rock for the past six months. But even if you’re familiar with the dance craze […]

HOOVER, Ala.– The first thought most Alabamians–or anyone who watched MTV’s “Two-A-Days”–have of Hoover City Schools is probably not academic excellence. Certainly, awareness of the system’s educational accolades suffers from the oh-so-terrible problem of having dynastic football teams garnering most of the press. But perception can be deceiving. While Hoover and Spain Park, the system’s […]

Alabamian John Brantley recently shared on Facebook the story of a homeless man he encountered, reminding all of us that there’s always more to the story, and sometimes the smallest act of kindness can be the biggest blessing for someone in need. Thank you, Mr. Brantley, for this incredible reminder that we are called to […]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_mAoOzrihs (Video Above: Neil Patrick Harris poses as Big Al for his new show) Actor and comedian Neil Patrick Harris, widely known for his role as the good-natured womanizer Barney on CBS’s How I Met Your Mother, is back with a new show this Fall. Harris kicked off his debut episode dressed as University of Alabama mascot, […]

CLEVELAND, Miss. — According to sources close to the Delta State University shooting investigation, Shannon Lamb shot fellow DSU professor Ethan Schmidt because he believed Schmidt had been an obstacle to him being granted tenure by the university. Rather than receiving the coveted tenure distinction, Lamb had instead been reduced to teaching online classes. Unfounded […]

(Video Above: Researchers at UAB find differences between how men and women experience pain) By Donna Cope Robert Sorge and medical colleagues believe men and women experience pain differently and that women suffer chronic pain more often than men. Sorge may have discovered the reason. The University of Alabama at Birmingham researcher and assistant professor […]

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Workers at the Toyota Alabama plant recorded a production milestone Monday – the 4 millionth engine assembled at the Huntsville facility. “It was an exciting day,” said Jim Bolte, president of Toyota Alabama. “This is a testament to our team members – they are dedicated to building high-quality engines. And, whether it was […]

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — Crowdfunding sites are often used to help individuals raise large sums of money online for a variety of causes, from mission trips to service projects to medical bills. An Alabama man, however, chose to crowdfund to raise $10 for a 20 pc. McNugget Meal from McDonald’s. The GoFundMe page of Michael Panik, a […]

(Video above: University of Mobile’s recap of Project Serve 2014, a day of service to the Mobile, AL community) MOBILE, Ala. — On September 25, the University of Mobile is closing the doors of their classrooms and sending students into the community for a university-wide day of service called Project Serve. Project Serve was started on the […]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSswVHtPXMI (Video Above: Jon Voight as Bear Bryant in Woodlawn,premiering October 16th) “Woodlawn”, an upcoming movie set and filmed in Birmingham featuring Oscar winner Jon Voight as legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and Caleb Castille, son of Alabama and NFL star player Jeremiah Castille, as Woodlawn High School star and Alabama standout Tony Nathan has […]

MADISON, Ala. — Rachael Brindley was mowing the front yard with her 4 month old baby strapped to her chest, when a Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped in front of the house. “I thought I was about to get in trouble or something for baby wearing while mowing,” Brindley wrote on Facebook. Instead, the Deputy […]

(Video Above: An Airbus A320 is assembled) Curious about how Airbus’ Alabama workforce will assemble those A320 Family passenger jets in the company’s new, $600 million assembly line at Mobile Aeroplex? A fast-paced video from Airbus paints a picture of how assembly operations will flow inside the company’s first U.S. manufacturing facility, where production has […]

PELHAM, AL — Alabama’s largest state park is known for its breathtaking views, well-maintained hiking trails, and “epic” mountain biking trails. Now, the Alabama State Parks Department is partnering with the Birmingham-based Idlewild Adventure Company to bring a brand new camping experience to Oak Mountain State Park. Visitors and campers can now reserve a Tentsile,  a […]

(Video Above: Two Alabamians discover a Hickory Horned Devil in their yard) DOTHAN, AL– Two Alabamians were shocked last week to find a Hickory Horned Devil in their South Alabama yard. The caterpillar’s physical size alone is enough for predators to think twice about taking on the dragon-looking creature, but despite its spiky horns and […]

DADEVILLE, Ala. — Dadeville City Council sought Thursday to go even further with a proposed ordinance banning saggy pants. After this proposal, the community of just 3,200 people may need to go clothes shopping. On August 25 Dadeville City Councilman Frank Goodman, originally called his fellow council members to find a way to legally address […]

By Kelli M. Dugan With enough real estate under lease to expand at will, a locally-recruited workforce garnering high praise from veteran European employees and a $600 million final assembly line set to debut as the most efficient in the world, Airbus confirmed Sunday an unyielding commitment to Mobile and the U.S. aircraft market. “Mobile […]

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Business Council of Alabama announced Friday it will award one small business in the state of Alabama a complimentary 2016 Auburn Athletics partnership next year, Auburn IMG Sports Marketing, Auburn University Athletics’ multimedia rights holder. The BCA has aligned with Auburn IMG Sports Marketing to create “Small Business Game Changer,” a valuable opportunity for […]

Site selection professionals surveyed by national publication Area Development once again ranked Alabama in the top five states for doing business, citing its strong labor climate and workforce development programs. Alabama ranked No. 5 in Area Development’s 2015 “Top States For Doing Business” analysis, appearing this week online. It’s the sixth consecutive year that Alabama […]