Thursday was the first day of school for students in Limestone County. They are the first in the Valley to head back to class. Students in Huntsville City, Madison City and Madison County start the new school year on Monday, August 4th.
With students heading back to class, Huntsville Police are stepping up enforcement in school zones through a new campaign aimed at preventing crashes and protecting kids. The initiative, called Zero in the Zone, will run throughout August and focuses on eliminating speeding, distracted driving, and other risky behavior during school drop-off and pick-up times. Officers and safety patrol aides will be stationed at key school zones across the city to monitor traffic and issue citations. In a news item from the city, Police Chief Kirk Giles says the department has a zero-tolerance policy for anyone breaking the rules near schools, calling student safety “non-negotiable.” Police are urging drivers to plan extra time for their morning commute and help keep school zones safe for everyone.
Alabama students will have to get through the school day without their cell phones. The ban is the result of the FOCUS Act, short for Freeing Our Classrooms from Unnecessary Screens, passed by state lawmakers this spring. Under the new law, all public K-12 school systems must adopt and enforce a policy that limits student access to wireless communication devices during instructional hours – including while students are in the hallway or eating lunch. Alabama Daily News notes that the law allows for exceptions, like if a student needs access to a device for medical purposes, or if it is part of a child’s Individualized Education Program. If teachers want students to use their devices for instructional purposes, that’s allowed.
Huntsville is the No. 4 Best-Performing City for Economic Growth, according to the Milken Institute. The Best-Performing Cities index reflects metro areas' effectiveness at promoting employment, wages, and key industries that drive economic growth while ensuring widespread access to economic opportunities. According to a news item from the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, Huntsville rose 12 spots this year, placing it just above communities like Colorado Springs, Austin, and Fayetteville, AR.
Alabama ranks as the most affordable state to buy a house. That’s according to PropertyShark, a real estate data website. It identified where homebuyers can find the most value for their dollar in 2025, based on data from residential property sales. The median sale price in the state is $220,000. Alabama’s average price is less than the national average, which surpassed $400,000 this year. AL.com reports that smaller cities in the state such as Foley and Athens are seeing large population growth. Yet, despite the influx of residents, housing prices remain the lowest in the nation. Following Alabama with inexpensive housing prices are Iowa, Oklahoma, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Crews have started road work on Hughes Road in Madison. According to the city, crews will start milling and resurfacing Hughes Road south of the railroad tracks. The work will take approximately one week to complete. Drivers are asked to be aware and to proceed with caution in the area.
The Scarecrow Trail is coming back to the Huntsville Botanical Garden. Each year, families, schools, businesses, and organizations across our community come together to craft the funniest, cutest, or creepiest scarecrows they can imagine, and display them along the Garden paths for all to enjoy in September-October. The 2025 theme is Witchy Woodlands Scarecrow Trail. Application closes August 8. More information is at hsvbg.org/call-for-crows-2025.
Huntsville Animal Services will celebrate National Clear the Shelters Month in August by hosting special adoption events, offering waived adoption fees, and promoting volunteer opportunities to help every animal find a loving home. In a news item from the city, Huntsville Animal Services Director John Fischer says, “Whether you’re ready to adopt, can provide a short-term foster home or want to volunteer your time, we need your help to clear the shelter.” More information is at HuntsvilleAL.gov/Animal.