Alabama News

Huntsville City Schools’ $40 million Central Office and Center for Technology will welcome students when the school year begins on Aug. 4.

The two buildings at the corner of North Memorial Parkway and Max Luther Drive are the most visible signs of the early work on the school district’s 10-year, $600 million capital plan.

“We are thrilled to see our capital plan coming to life,” Huntsville Superintendent Clarence Sutton said. “In just one year, we are already seeing tangible progress that’s enhancing learning environments and supporting students across our district.”

The central office building is about 40,000 square feet. The career tech education center is about 80,000 square feet.

“We’re in the final processes of getting everything approved with the state,” construction consultant Scott Roberts said. “We’ve got some inspections next week that will get us to that point.” Roberts said a lot of the CTE equipment is already on site. He said teachers will be setting up before the start of the school year.

“The goal of this facility was to bring in all of the district wide career tech programs under one roof,” Roberts said. “Where they were scattered on different campuses, we now have welding, precision machining, industrial technology and maintenance, culinary, cosmetology, building science, automotive and nursing, health sciences, those will all be at this campus moving forward.

Other projects nearing completion

Other projects nearing completion as the school year begins include:

• Columbia Innovation Center: The Columbia Innovation Center will provide expanded STEM, technology, and innovation opportunities for students.
• Athletic upgrades: Student athletes at Lee High and Huntsville High are now competing on new turf baseball and softball fields.

Projects underway:

• Classroom additions: Construction is underway for classroom additions at Goldsmith-Schiffman Elementary and Hampton Cove Middle School, providing more capacity to accommodate growing student populations.
• Removal of pod gyms: Obsolete pod-style gymnasiums are being removed to make way for modern spaces that better meet students’ physical education needs.
• Cafeteria expansions: Work is in progress to expand the cafeterias at both Grissom High School and Columbia High School.

Upcoming projects

• McNair Junior High School addition: A new wing at McNair Junior High School is scheduled for completion ahead of the 2026-2027 school year, allowing the school to welcome sixth-grade students for the first time.
• Athletic field enhancements: Installation of turf baseball and softball fields at Jemison, Columbia, and Grissom High Schools will occur during this upcoming school year.
• New JROTC training center: At Columbia High School, work is beginning on a new JROTC Training Center, providing enhanced space for leadership and physical training.
• Chapman campus redevelopment: Construction will begin on a new Chapman Middle and magnet middle school and at the Chapman campus, continuing the district’s commitment to enhancing magnet programs. The Champman magnet school is scheduled to open in January 2029.
• Montview campus redevelopment: Plans are advancing for the development of a new Montview Elementary School along with a new magnet elementary school, both to be located on the existing Montview campus. The Montview magnet school is expected to open in August 2028.

Long range

Huntsville City Schools is committed to constructing a K through 8th grade school in Limestone County to accommodate the growth in the western part of the city. An architect has begun planning the school.

“The site is still being determined,” Roberts said.

Land has been set aside for a school by a developer off Swancott Road near Interstate 565.

Roberts said the school is projected to open in the 2028-29 school year.

The capital plan was approved by the Huntsville City Schools Board of Education in May 2024.

Madison County has hired a firm to represent its interests as it weighs options for a new courthouse.

Commissioners agreed Wednesday to contract with Mobile-based Volkert Inc. as construction program manager for the new courthouse project. Volkert was one of five firms commissioners interviewed in January to take on the task.

A construction program manager represents the interests of a project’s owner – in this case, Madison County – through some or all of the planning and building processes. Typical services include consulting on construction solicitations and bids, auditing procurement costs, and organizing the relocation of offices and personnel.

Madison County will pay Volkert $58,500 per month until construction begins.

Officials have said for years that a new courthouse is needed as maintenance requirements, space and staffing needs have been increasing during Madison County and Huntsville’s growth.

In April, commissioners were presented a feasibility study that outlined four possibilities to replace the current courthouse, two of which would involve a new building on Courthouse Square.

The feasibility study’s first option would raze and rebuild the courthouse on the existing Courthouse Square parcel downtown. The second would split the county’s administrative and judicial functions between a “justice annex” to be built nearby and a new, smaller courthouse on the square.

Both would include space for 12 circuit courtrooms and seven more for district and probate courts, and both would significantly increase available square footage. The current courthouse encompasses about 198,000 usable square feet, the study notes, but either plan calls for about 20% more space.

At minimum, the county is looking at a $154 million project that would take at least five years to complete. Two other proposals outlined by consultant Matheny Goldmon Architecture and Interiors would result in only negligible savings while removing a courthouse presence from the square, a prospect that drew little enthusiasm from commissioners in April.

No design plans have yet been put forward.

“We got the feasibility study back, and we went through the process of interviewing our owners’ rep folks,” Chairman Mac McCutcheon said. “This is another step moving in that direction.”

Fireworks won’t be the only thing adding sparkle and charge to this Independence Day in downtown Birmingham.

Ampersand Cocktails and Desserts will open July 4 at 103 20th St. S., offering a distinctive blend of drinks and sweet treats.

The bar begins serving at 4 p.m.

The concept blends high-end crafted cocktails with alcohol-infused (and non-alcoholic) desserts.

Beverly Anthony, general manager, said the upscale bar is aiming for something innovative to add to Birmingham’s night scene.

While Ampersand may someday offer cuisine, right now the idea is to begin by doing something simple and different.

“We wanted a beautiful aesthetic, with something new, something fresh for the city,” she said. “Right now, we’re starting with just seven or eight items, with the idea of more to come.”

For example, there’s the Grand Ampersand, a cocktail featuring Grand Marnier, lemon juice and prosecco with raspberries, rosemary and blackberries.

There’s also a 24-karat gold cheesecake.

The bar can accommodate about 65 people.

The iconic and beloved rock/pop musician Rod Stewart officially kicked off his “One Last Time” farewell tour back in March and still has several North American show dates left on the docket, including an upcoming show at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham, Alabama on Aug. 2.

Joining Stewart at the newest Birmingham venue for his upcoming show next month is Cheap Trick. Formed in Rockford, Illinois back in the early seventies, Cheap Trick has effortlessly blended heavy metal, punk and classic pop to create hit after hit throughout the years.

How to snag last minute tickets to Rod Stewart in Birmingham

Those interested in snagging last-minute tickets to next month’s show can find tickets still available for purchase through Ticketmaster and other secondary market sites such as Vivid Seats, StubHub, Viagogo and Seat Geek.

Below you can find the current ticket prices as of Wednesday, July 2 for the upcoming Birmingham show date.

Ticketmaster: Tickets start at $49.50 per person

Vivid Seats: Tickets start at $57 per person

StubHub: Tickets start at $60 per person

Viagogo: Tickets start at $58 per person

Seat Geek: Tickets start at $58 per person

More upcoming U.S. tour dates

• July 5 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Acriusure Stadium
• July 8 – Raleigh, North Carolina – Coastal Credit Union Music Part at Walnut Creek
• July 11 – Gilford, New Hampshire – BankNH Pavilion
• July 12 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The Mann
• July 15 – Saratoga Springs, New York – Broadway Stage at SPAC
• July 18 – Holmdel, New Jersey – PNC Bank Arts Center
• July 19 – Columbia, Maryland – Merriweather Post Pavilion
• July 25 – Uncasville, Connecticut – Mohegan Sun Arena
• July 26 – Mansfield, Massachusetts – Xfinity Center
• July 29 – Charlotte, North Carolina – PNC Music Pavilion
• Aug. 1 – Alpharetta, Georgia – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
• Aug. 5 – Brandon, Mississippi – Brandon Amphitheater
• Aug. 8 – Tinley Park, Illinois – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
• Aug. 9 – Noblesville, Indianan- Ruoff Music Center
• Aug. 12 – Clarkston, Michigan – Pine Knob Music Theatre
• Aug. 14 – Nashville, Tennessee – Ascend Amphitheater
• Aug. 15 – St. Louis, Missouri – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – STL
• Sept. 20 – Rancho Mirage, California – Agua Caliente Casino
• Sept. 21 – Paso Robles, California – Vina Robles Amphitheatre
• Sept. 24, 26, 27 – Las Vegas, Nevada – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
• Oct. 1, 3, 4 – Las Vegas, Nevada – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

Yeti‘s all new Cherry Blossom Roadie 32 wheeled hard cooler is the brand’s most stylishly compact hard cooler yet, dripping in a pastel-pink hue that screams “Hot Girl Summer.”

Yeti states that its new Cherry Blossom Color Collection was inspired by the beauty and changing seasons of Japan, reflected in the country’s iconic cherry blossom trees that bloom each spring.

RELATED: Yeti reveals new emerald green Tundra cooler just in time for summer

A standout feature of Cherry Blossom Collection is its textured stainless steel products as seen in products like the 42-ounce Rambler Straw Mug, 30-ounce Rambler Tumbler or Boomer Dog Bowl, however, the pastel pink Roadie 32 wheeled hard cooler is easily the star of this collection.

The Yeti Roadie 32 wheeled hard cooler is Yeti’s most convenient hard cooler for those who are constantly on the go. While Yeti hard coolers are known for their excellent insulation abilities, they are also known to be extremely heavy. That is where the Roadie 32 comes in.

The Roadie 32 cooler features NeverFlat™ Wheels that ensure reliable transportation across various terrains. This solid, single-piece tire construction is designed to resist impacts and punctures, offering a smooth and hassle-free experience when navigating tailgates, campsites or other outdoor events. This eliminates the worry of flat tires or damage, making the cooler consistently easy to move.

This Roadie cooler also features a BestDam™ Drain Plug, LipGrip™ Handles, BearFoot™ Non-Slip Feet, and is designed to accommodate wine bottles upright. The cooler comes with one removable dry goods basket, is dry ice compatible and a 5-year warranty.

Those interested can checkout the full listing on Yeti’s website. You can also browse the entire Yeti Cherry Blossom Color Collection here.

The United States play against Guatemala in the Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinals tonight. The matchup will begin at 6 p.m. CT on FS1. Fans can watch this soccer game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The United States have not lost a game at the Concacaf Gold Cup this year, and they are coming off a close victory against Costa Rica. The quarterfinal match was decided by penalty kicks, as the United States won 4-3.

In order to win this evening, the United States will need a great performance from their star player Malik Tillman. He leads the team with three goals at the Concacaf Gold Cup, so he will try to continue his offensive success tonight.

Guatemala ended the group stage in second place, which gave them a difficult matchup in the quarterfinals. However, the Guatemala squad was able to defeat Canada 6-5 via penalty kicks.

In order to win the semifinal game tonight, Guatemala will need to rely on their star player Rubio Rubin. He currently leads the team with two goals in the Concacaf Gold Cup, so he will try to continue his offensive success this evening.

Fans can watch the Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinals for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The 2025 WNBA season continues this week with another slate of solid games. The Indiana Fever will host the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday night, a quick rematch from their meeting last week.

The Fever will be fresh off of their dominating win in the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup, as they took down the red-hot Minnesota Lynx 74-59 on Tuesday. Superstar Caitlin Clark didn’t play due to a groin injury, but the Fever had five players in double figures to capture the title.

The Aces are still looking to get above .500 with a win against the Fever. Reigning MVP A’ja Wilson, who’s averaging nearly a double-double, will now get some more help as Las Vegas traded for former Fever and Wings forward Na’Lyssa Smith.

Indiana and Las Vegas both come into this game 8-8, as the winner will jump to over .500.

Fans looking to tune into the Fever vs Aces game can do so on Prime Video, who’s offering a 30-day free trial to new subscribers.

Here’s everything you need to know before the Fever and Lynx tipoff:

When: Thursday, July 3, 2025

Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Time: 7 p.m. E.T.

Fans looking to tune into the Fever vs Aces game can do so on Prime Video, who’s offering a 30-day free trial to new subscribers.

Beloved comedian Adam Sandler recently announced his new Adam Sandler: You’re My Best Friend stand-up comedy tour with over 30 show dates scheduled for the year.

Kicking off Friday, Sept. 5 at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, the tour runs through November with shows scheduled to hit major cities such as New York, Portland, Las Vegas, Detroit, Boston, Pittsburgh and more.

The Adam Sandler: You’re My Best Friend 2025 tour marks the first tour since Sandler hit the road back in 2022 and 2023 with past comedy tours—both extremely successful. The tour was also announced ahead of the highly anticipated premiere of Happy Gilmore 2, which releases on Netflix later this month.

Adam Sandler 2025 tour tickets

Those interested in snagging tickets to one of the upcoming show dates can find great tickets available for purchase through Ticketmaster or other secondary market sites such as Vivid Seats, StubHub, Viagogo and Seat Geek.

Adam Sandler: You’re My Best Friend complete tour schedule

• Sept. 5 – Jacksonville, Florida – Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena
• Sept. 6 – Tampa, Florida – Amalie Arena
• Sept. 7 – Miami, Florida – Kaseya Center
• Sept. 8 – Estero, Florida – Hertz Arena
• Sept. 10 – Columbia, South Carolina – Colonial Life Arena
• Sept. 11 – Raleigh, North Carolina – Lenova Center
• Sept. 12 – Charlottesville, Virgina – John Paul Jones Arena
• Sept. 13 – Baltimore, Maryland – CFG Bank Arena
• Sept. 15 – New York, New York – Madison Square Garden
• Sept. 16 – Albany, New York – MVP Arena
• Sept. 17 – Syracuse, New York – Upstate Medical University Arena at the Oncenter War Memorial
• Sept. 19 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Wells Fargo Center
• Sept. 20 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – PPG Paints Arena
• Sept. 21 – Buffalo, New York – Keybank Center
• Sept. 26 – Uncasville, Connecticut – Mohegan Sun Arena
• Sept. 27 – Washington, D.C. – Capital One Arena
• Sept. 28 – Hershey, Pennsylvania – Giant Center
• Sept. 30 – Boston, Massachusetts – TD Garden
• Oct. 5 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Fiserv Forum
• Oct. 6 – Indianapolis, Indiana – Gainbridge Fieldhouse
• Oct. 12 – Toronto, Ontario – Scotiabank Arena
• Oct. 14 – Detroit, Michigan – Little Caesars Arena
• Oct. 15 – Columbus, Ohio – Nationwide Arena
• Oct. 16 – Lexington, Kentucky – Rupp Arena
• Oct. 17 – Saint Louis, Missouri – Enterprise Center
• Oct. 20 – Chicago, Illinois – United Center
• Oct. 21 – Omaha, Nebraska – Chi Health Center Omaha
• Oct. 28 – Portland, Oregon – Moda Center
• Oct. 29 – Seattle, Washington – Climate Pledge Arena
• Oct. 31 & Nov. 1 – Las Vegas, Nevada – Fontainebleau

The busy Chick-fil-A location on Parkway East in Roebuck closed on June 19 and since then has been completely demolished.

It will return, however. “We’ll be back,” the store said on its Facebook page. “Better than ever!”

Plans call for the Chick-fil-A to be rebuilt with a more accommodating drive-through set-up.

The adjacent Walgreens, which shared a parking lot with the Chick-fil-A, closed in March and won’t reopen.

Chick-fil-A Inc. bought that Walgreen’s property at 9345 Parkway East last year for $625,000 from Waltrust Properties Inc., according to Jefferson County tax records.

A sign on the door at Walgreen’s said the store closed March 20 and all prescriptions were transferred to the CVS Pharmacy at 220 Gadsden Highway.

Walgreen’s announced this year it was closing 1,200 locations nationwide, 500 of them by this year, but none were listed as closing in Alabama. Before the pandemic hit in 2020, the Roebuck Walgreen’s operated with its pharmacy open 24 hours a day. After the pandemic, hours were scaled back.

The former Walgreen’s parking lot will give Chick-fil-A more room to accommodate the long lines that sometimes backed up onto a neighboring street.

Several Chick-fil-A’s in the region underwent similar tear-downs or renovations in recent years, including the Trussville location that has since reopened with a more efficient set of drive-through lanes. The employees who worked at the Roebuck location have transferred to work at the remodeled Chick-fil-A in Trussville at Interstate 459 Exit 141

Although Chick-fil-A’s entire Roebuck building was demolished and is now a pile of rubble, the large sign facing Parkway East stayed. It carries the message: “Closed for remodel. Follow on Facebook.”

Birmingham construction firm Robins & Morton last month finished a $500 million hospital project several years in the making.

The Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital’s new 12-story Crystal Spring Tower, in Roanoke, Va., opened June 17.

Robins & Morton and Branch Builds partnered in a joint venture as the general contractor. Nashville-based ESa served as the project architect.

Spanning more than 500,000 square feet, the tower houses Carilion’s Cardiovascular Institute, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center, and an expanded emergency department.

“This marks the culmination of years of hard work to ensure that our region has access to the most modern and advanced care for decades to come,” Carillion CEO Steve Arner said.

The tower has flexible spaces, patient rooms that can accommodate various types of care, and procedure areas with expansion capacity.

It has a helipad, new trauma bays, a dedicated pediatric trauma bay, operating rooms, catheterization/electrophysiology labs and more.

“For nearly four years, our team members, in partnership with Branch Builds, have remained dedicated to delivering this state-of-the-art facility to our Roanoke community,” Robins & Morton Vice President Mark Mattox said. “To see their hard work and commitment in building this tower that will bring life-saving care to this region is a rewarding experience for our entire team, and we are grateful to Carilion Clinic for their trust.”