Alabama’s U.S. Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville are sponsoring legislation to put an end to government shutdowns. According to the Alabama Political Reporter, the legislation would prevent the federal government from shutting down in the scenario that Congress does not enact all 12 required annual appropriations bills on time. It would trigger an automatic, rolling two-week continuing resolution to maintain funding at the previous fiscal year’s levels. While the resolution is in place, members of Congress would be required to stay in Washington, D.C. until the federal budget is complete, with no access to taxpayer-funded travel, extended recesses or official trips abroad. Those same travel restrictions would also apply to congressional staff and officials from the White House Office of Management and Budget.
The U.S. House advanced legislation this week that would allow military installations like Redstone Arsenal to use contract security guards when military personnel are unavailable.AL.com notes that would help Redstone, which recently was forced to change the hours of one of its gates due to staff reductions in security personnel. The provision is included in the House’s version of the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The measure now moves to the U.S. Senate.
Artificial intelligence cameras will not be attached to garbage trucks in Huntsville looking for overgrown and neglected property –at least not for now. The city has pulled a proposed contract from a company that would have implemented them from the Fiscal 2026 budget. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle says several things in the contract needed to be tweaked. AL.com reports the city would be working on the contract over the next six to eight months.
Madison Mayor Paul Finley gave his final city update this week. He said the city of Madison has 25 different projects underway totaling more than $74 million. Finley said these projects range from roundabouts, sidewalks and turning lanes to upgrades to Toyota Field. With the recent announcement of Space Command coming to the area, Finley said they are ready to welcome the influx of people. WHNT TV reports Finley has served as mayor for a total of 13 years. He is currently finishing his 3rd term. Mayor-elect Ranae Bartlett will take office in early November.
The Huntsville Police Department’s Zero in the Zone initiative, launched to boost school zone enforcement during the first month of the new school year, led to a significant increase in traffic stops and more than twice the number of citations compared to last year. The back-to-school initiative focuses on keeping students safe by cracking down on unsafe driving in school zones. In a news item from the city, HPD reminds drivers to remain alert for students and Safety Patrol Aides, obey posted signs and drive cautiously through school zones year-round.
Data site WalletHub recently published its list of the Happiest States in America. Alabama came in 47th. To compile its ranking, the site compared 50 states across three key dimensions: Emotional & Physical Well-Being, Work Environment and Community & Environment. AL.com reports researchers evaluated those dimensions using 30 “relevant metrics,” such as share of adults with depression, sleep rates, life expectancy, number of work hours, commute times, employment rates, level of volunteerism, separation and divorce rates and weather, according to the study. Using these metrics, Hawaii was ranked as the happiest state in the U.S., followed by Maryland, Nebraska, and New Jersey.
The Huntsville Music Office and Arts Huntsville are teaming up again to present the Music Industry Career Fair & Community Expo on Saturday, Sept. 13, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Von Braun Center East Hall. The free event is open to the public and connects the community to opportunities in Huntsville’s growing music ecosystem. Attendees will have the chance to explore job openings, internships and volunteer opportunities while networking with local organizations that are helping build Huntsville’s music culture.