The Huntsville City Council has approved its 2026 fiscal year budget along with the city’s two capital improvement budgets. WHNT TV reports the budget includes $500,000 for street resurfacing and $29.25 million for new road construction improvement projects. It also offers money for renovations at Dr. Richard Showers, Sr., Recreation Center, Goldsmith-Schiffman Field and improvements to Huntsville Depot Park. The budget will also provide funds to hire 10 new police employees and give a 2 percent cost-of-living raise for city employees.
Marshall Space Flight Center Director Joseph Pelfrey is stepping down from his position. Pelfrey notified Marshall employees of his decision in an email on Thursday. He had been director since February 2024. Agency spokesperson Corinne Beckinger told AL.com Marshall Deputy Center Director Rae Ann Meyer will serve as acting center director while NASA proceeds with a public, open competition to find the next permanent director. Pelfrey will continue to serve the agency in another position.
Construction of an addition to the parking deck at Huntsville International Airport will begin in October. I should take about two years to complete. Christine Harding of the KPS Group told members of the Huntsville Planning Commission the addition just west of the existing deck will add 1,415 spaces. AL.com reports the expansion will include reorienting the entrance to the deck, which was previously approved by the commission. Work on that part of the project will take about seven months. The project will also include a new elevator lobby and stairwell, as well as a Fly HSV façade.
Sixty primary care physicians are now practicing in rural areas of Alabama, thanks to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama's Medical Scholarship Program. The program aims to improve access to quality, affordable healthcare by covering the last two years of medical school for students who commit to serving at least three years in underserved areas of the state.WABM-TV in Birmingham report that so far, 144 students have received scholarships, with 60 graduates now serving in rural communities.
A new poll conducted by Knowledge for a Competitive America, in coordination with North Star Opinion Research and Global Strategy Group, finds that Alabamians largely oppose extreme cuts to federal spending on scientific research into the earth’s weather and climate. The survey, conducted among representative samples of 1,200 likely 2026 voters from across Alabama, Kansas and North Carolina, asked participants about a hypothetical proposal to cut all federal funding for weather and climate research. According to the Alabama Political Reporter, eighty-one percent of Alabama’s respondents indicated that they believe it is important for the government to fund scientific research that helps better predict extreme weather, while 85 percent agreed that America’s position as a global leader depends on continued scientific research and innovation.
A new WalletHub study reveals the cities where renters can get the best value. The analysis compared 182 rental markets using 21 key metrics of rental appeal and quality of life. AL.com reports Huntsville placed seventh among the best cities to rent in America this year. It ranked first for the safest city out of the 182 in the list. Huntsville’s rental market is 10th in affordability and 12th in quality of life.
The Junior League of Huntsville's Project Impact Grant is still open through September 30. This special $30,000 award is designed to support a local nonprofit in Huntsville/Madison County that is ready to launch a new project or initiative addressing an unmet need in our community. Past recipients include The Caring Link, Christmas Charities Year Round, and ShowerUp. More information is available here.