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Huntsville-Made Missile Takes the Crown!

Guess what, ChumCity? A missile made right here in Huntsville has snagged the title of "Coolest Thing Made in Alabama" for 2025! That's right, the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Seeker, crafted by Boeing in our very own Rocket City, emerged victorious from the statewide Manufacturing Madness competition.

Victory Celebration!

Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair presented the prestigious award at a special ceremony hosted by Manufacture Alabama. It was a real shindig, celebrating Alabama's manufacturing prowess!

What Makes it So Cool?

So, what does this PAC-3 Seeker do? Well, it's a key component of the Patriot air defense system. Think of it as the brains of the operation, allowing the system to pinpoint, track, and neutralize threats like enemy aircraft and missiles. Pretty impressive, huh?

Boeing's Alabama Legacy

Boeing's been a major player in Alabama for over 60 years, employing a whopping 3,220+ people! They’re a cornerstone of our state's aerospace industry.

More Than Just a Trophy

Jon Barganier, President and CEO of Manufacture Alabama, summed it up perfectly: this competition "celebrates the incredible products made right here in Alabama" and the talented people behind them.

A Huge Show of Support

Over 130,000 votes were cast in the competition, with 44 entries representing a diverse range of industries. It highlights how much manufacturing contributes to Alabama's economy, and how many awesome things are made right here at home!

Florence is Officially the Best Small College Town!

Guess what, ChumCity pals? Florence, our very own Shoals superstar, just snagged the top spot as the BEST small college town in the whole USA! That's according to a recent USA Today poll, and we're bursting with pride!

Shoals Shines Bright!

Not only did Florence claim the crown, but Jacksonville (home of Jacksonville State University) came in at a respectable #3! Alabama's the only state that boasts TWO cities in the top 10. Talk about a winning streak!

What Makes a Great College Town?

USA Today highlighted the "fun, youthful vibes, unexpected dining and shopping," and fantastic cultural scene that these towns offer. Plus, a beautiful campus and regional surprises? Sold!

Florence: More Than Just a Pretty Place

From McFarland Park's scenic views to the legendary W.C. Handy's home, Florence is packed with awesome attractions. Plus, that vibrant downtown and the calming Cypress Creek? Seriously, what's not to love?

Music's in Our Blood

The University of North Alabama's got a killer music program, and the whole Shoals area is steeped in musical history. Remember FAME and Muscle Shoals Sound? They put the Shoals on the map! Now, live music fills the air every single night.

UNA is Over the Moon!

UNA's official Facebook page is celebrating big time. They're thrilled the rest of the country is finally catching on to what they've known all along. We agree!

City of Charm & Progress

The official city page sums it up perfectly: "From the charm of downtown and the beauty of the riverfront to the vibrant arts scene and the heart of UNA, Florence is where tradition, community, and progress meet."

Courtesy of 256 Today (Thanks for the heads-up!)

Huntsville Tackles the AI Revolution: Are We Ready?

Artificial intelligence. It's everywhere, right? But how much do we really get it? Is it a tool to make our lives smoother, or a sci-fi nightmare in the making? Here in Huntsville, Mayor Tommy Battle is determined to get ahead of the curve.

Mayor's AI Task Force: Mission Control for the Future

Launched in December 2023, the Mayor's AI Task Force is diving deep into this brave new world. The spark? The Redstone Update, where NASA, the FBI, and Army Materiel Command all highlighted AI's growing impact.

"Mayor Battle said, 'We need to get ahead of this AI technology,'" explains Lynn Troy, co-chair of the task force. He handpicked Troy and Jeff Gronberg to lead the charge and demanded action, pronto!

Blazing a Trail at Warp Speed

Huntsville, with its brainy workforce, is the perfect place to tackle AI. This isn't just about Netflix knowing your favorite shows (though that's part of it). The task force is aiming higher.

Comprised of 100 members from 40 Huntsville organizations, the task force is tackling two main goals: boosting the workforce and using AI to make our community more efficient. They've broken it down into six committees covering everything from workforce development to the legal and ethical considerations.

AI: Cool Tool or Ethical Minefield?

We all love personalized playlists, but what about the potential downsides of AI?

"There's a huge bit of unknown still in the AI space about the legal implications and ethical implications," says Gronberg. Explaining why an AI makes a certain decision can be incredibly difficult, raising serious ethical questions.

Real-World Impact, Right Here in Huntsville

The task force is already making waves. The education committee is working with local school systems to create AI standards for students. They're addressing concerns and shaping policies for the responsible use of AI in the classroom.

Kudos to the Mayor!

"A lot of kudos to Mayor Battle for always thinking ahead," Gronberg says. He saw the potential of AI early on and established the task force to ensure Huntsville stays at the forefront.

Springtime Balloons Over Alabama!

Get ready for a weekend of high-flying fun on Alabama's Gulf Coast! The 21st Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is touching down at OWA Parks & Resort. From May 1st to 3rd, prepare to be amazed by over 50 vibrant hot air balloons painting the sky.

What's OWA Anyway?

OWA, meaning "big water" in Creek, is a 520-acre wonderland owned by the Poarch Creek Indians. Think massive indoor water park (the biggest in the area!), thrilling rides, and a charming Downtown OWA that feels like stepping into a classic Southern town, brimming with shops and delicious eats.

Festival Fun for Everyone!

OWA is pulling out all the stops! Beyond the park's awesome rides and water attractions, the festival will be buzzing with arts, crafts, kid-friendly activities, and live music rocking the OWA Amphitheater all weekend long.

Get Ready to Glow!

The festival kicks off Friday, May 2nd, at 30 p.m. Expect live music, stunning balloon displays, tethered balloon rides, and the breathtaking balloon glow! This year, say hello to some furry friends from the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo at the Meet and Greet tent.

Saturday's Soaring Schedule

Saturday, May 3rd, starts at 100 a.m. with a full day of excitement. Enjoy more live music, lawn games, and incredible balloon displays. Meet the pilots themselves at the Meet and Greet tent at 2:30 p.m., and wrap up the day with live entertainment from Tip Tops. Admission is FREE! If the weather cooperates, catch the spectacular hot air balloon flights at sunrise or close to sunset, when the winds are calmest.

(Content Courtesy of SoulGrown Alabama)

Trump's Tariff Tango: A U-Turn on Trade?

Last week, President Trump shook things up with sweeping tariffs aimed at tackling what he sees as unfair trade practices from countries like China and Mexico. The goal? To revitalize American manufacturing.

Market Mayhem and a Reversal

The markets weren't thrilled at first. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite took a nosedive, experiencing their biggest single-day drop since the 2020 pandemic panic. Ouch!

But hold on! On Wednesday, Trump pulled a surprise move: a 90-day pause on most of the tariffs. Boom! The markets roared back, staging one of Wall Street's biggest single-day rallies in recent memory. Talk about a roller coaster!

Was Fox News the Secret Sauce?

So, what triggered the about-face? Word on the street is that Senator Katie Britt's appearance on Fox News' "Hannity," alongside other Republican senators, played a key role. Apparently, Trump was watching!

The senators used their airtime to chat about Trump's tariff strategy and urged him to use the leverage he'd gained to hammer out new trade deals.

A Phone Call Heard 'Round the World?

According to reports, after the show, Trump hopped on a call with Britt, Ted Cruz, Tim Scott, Lindsey Graham, and Markwayne Mullin. They spent an hour strategizing on how to beef up his approach.

Cruz even suggested using the tariffs as bargaining chips.

"From Our Hearts"

Trump later told reporters that the decision to pause tariffs "probably came together early this morning... We wrote it up from our hearts." No lawyers involved!

Cruz chimed in, saying the decision was "consistent with what I and the others were urging."

Britt expressed gratitude for Trump's willingness to listen to Senate Republicans, adding that he "is committed to ending unfair trade practices and reestablishing America First fair trade."

What's Next?

Will these tariffs be a blip on the radar, or will they pave the way for new trade deals? Only time will tell!

Alabama's Top School Official Gets a Raise... And a Longer Stay!

Get this, folks! The Alabama State Board of Education just gave State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey a thumbs-up for sticking around 'til April 2029. And guess what? His paycheck's getting a boost too, jumping from $292,500 to a cool $325,000.

Thursday's vote wasn't a clean sweep, though. Jackie Zeigler from District 1 was the lone dissenter.

A Nearly $90K Raise? Whoa!

Initially, the board was considering a whopping $90,000 raise, which would've pushed Mackey's salary up to $380,000, making him one of the highest-paid superintendents nationwide. But, after some side-eye from the public and a few board members, Mackey asked them to dial it back. Good move, right?

Even with the scaled-back increase, $325,000 is still way above Alabama's average superintendent salary of $174,944. Just sayin'!

What Does Mackey Do Anyway?

Mackey's been leading the charge since 2018 (his starting salary then was $245,00. He basically oversees Alabama's 154 K-12 public school districts, serving over 750,000 students and managing over 100,000 employees. That's a lot of responsibility. He deals with funding, making sure everyone's following the rules, and setting the course for education in the state.

Benefits Still Flowing

Besides the salary bump, Mackey keeps perks like a $1,750 monthly housing allowance, a state-provided ride, and a guaranteed 3% annual raise. Plus, the contract keeps rolling for three years at a time, automatically extending each year unless someone decides to pull the plug.

Not Everyone's Thrilled

Despite a solid performance review (4.51 out of 5!), Zeigler wasn't happy, saying the final contract draft only landed in board members' inboxes the night before the vote. She wasn't digging the process, even though she still supports Mackey's leadership. Transparency is the name of the game!

More Transparency in the Future?

It sounds like some board members want more open book policies when it comes to contract renewals going forward. Here's hoping they get their wish!

Bruce Pearl Takes on a New Role!

Auburn Tigers basketball coach Bruce Pearl, never one to shy away from expressing his support for Israel, is stepping into a new leadership position. Pearl, who is Jewish, has consistently used his platform to highlight the complex situation between Israel and Hamas.

Pearl's not just a believer in Israel's right to self-defense; he's also known for being exceptionally knowledgeable about the region.

Leading the Way

This week, Pearl was named Chairman of the Board for the U.S. Israel Education Association (USIEA), a non-profit dedicated to fostering dialogue between the U.S. and Israel among government leaders.

Pearl's Statement

Pearl expressed his gratitude upon the announcement, saying he's honored to take on the role and hopes to continue elevating the organization's mission.

He emphasized his transformative experience in Israel and his commitment to educating American leaders on the importance of supporting the country.

A History of Support

Pearl also highlighted Auburn University's groundbreaking 2022 trip to Israel, where they became the first Division I basketball team to play a professional Israeli team. He sees this as a historic moment in both college sports and U.S.-Israel relations. He added he’s proud to continue advocating for understanding and collaboration between the two nations.

Okay, here's the ChumCity-fied version of the text, ready to make some waves:

Saban's Got a New Playbook: Book Foreword!

Roll Tide...onto the bookshelf! Legendary Coach Nick Saban is adding "published writer" to his already impressive resume. Turns out, the GOAT is penning the foreword to former Senator Joe Manchin's upcoming memoir.

"Dead Center": Manchin's Memoir Gets Saban's Stamp of Approval

Manchin's book, aptly titled "Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense," is set to drop this September. And you know what that means? More Saban content for your eyeballs! Could this dream team writing combo boost sales and reel in a wider audience? We think so!

WVU Roots Run Deep: Saban & Manchin's Bromance

These two WVU boys have been tight for years, always singing each other's praises. Their enduring friendship is one for the ages!

Manchin's Next Chapter: From Senate to Memoir

This memoir comes after Manchin's decision to hang up his Senate hat after a solid decade and a half in office. A real page-turner, no doubt!

Could This Be a Hit in Alabama?

With Manchin's shift to independent and his strong connection to Saban, this book has serious potential to be a touchdown with Alabama readers this September. Get ready to dive in!