Alabama's Soul Shines Bright: The 2025 Soul of the South Awards!

ChumCity, get ready to celebrate! The Soul of the South Awards are back, and this year's nominees are absolutely incredible! Think culinary wizardry from the likes of Chef Frank Stitt, architectural brilliance inspired by Jeffrey Dungan, and entrepreneurial spirit championed by John Cassimus – Alabama's finest are raising the bar!

SoulGrown believes Alabama is the Soul of the South, overflowing with talent that enriches our nation's culture. We're talking about the folks who cherish our land, grow our food, create our art, design our spaces, take care of our neighbors, feed us phenomenal meals, clothe us, entertain us, tell our stories, and guide us through the most beautiful corners of our state.

This year's awards are set to be the most inspiring yet, a testament to artistry, innovation, grit, and hometown pride.

Meet the 2025 Winners!

Hand-picked by esteemed Honored Guests, these award winners represent the very best of Alabama's future. Drumroll, please...

• Jesús Méndez | Food & Beverage (Nominated by Chef Frank Stitt)
• James B. Laughlin | Residential Architecture (Nominated by Jeffrey Dungan)
• Kevin Bryant | Commercial Architecture (Nominated by Courtney Pittman, Davis Architects)
• Anna Still & Marguerite Johnson | Interior Design (Nominated by Betsy Brown)
• Drayton Farley | Music & Entertainment (Nominated by Johnny Grimes)
• Liz Allison | Artist (Nominated by Carrie Pittman Hill)
• Jenna Collins/Prodigal Pottery | Maker (Nominated by Chris Richardson)
• Evan & Christy Nelson/Nelson Cattle | Farming & Agriculture (Nominated by Sweet Grown Alabama)
• Daniel Wilson/Moultrie | Sports & Outdoors (Nominated by PRADCO)
• Slade & Macy Johnston | Entrepreneurship (Nominated by John & Lexi Cassimus)
• Cori Fain-Forrest | Innovation (Nominated by Estes Hughes)

A Celebration of State Pride

A massive thank you to all the Honored Guests who submitted nominations! And huge congratulations to the 2025 Soul of the South winners! We can't wait to celebrate your hard work and creativity at the awards celebration on October 9th. Expect hand-crafted awards, locally sourced ingredients, and live music - an evening dedicated to celebrating Alabama's incredible talent!

All Aboard! New Amtrak Route Connects NOLA and Mobile!

Get ready to ride! After 30 long years, you can hop on an Amtrak train between New Orleans and Mobile again! The brand-new Mardi Gras Service launches tomorrow, Monday, August 18th.

Gulf Coast Connection is Back!

This route will be making the four-hour trek twice daily, reviving a vital Gulf Coast connection that's been MIA since the '90s.

Where Will It Stop?

You can hop off (or on!) in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. Tickets start at just $15 each way. This launch comes just before the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Amtrak and local leaders are betting this route will spark tourism and business along the coast!

Train Times You Need to Know:

New Orleans to Mobile:

• Morning departure: 7:35 a.m., arriving at 11:18 a.m.
• Evening departure: 5:31 p.m., arriving at 9:14 p.m.

Mobile to New Orleans:

• Morning departure: 6:30 a.m., arriving at 10:30 a.m.
• Evening departure: 4:30 p.m., arriving at 8:13 p.m.

Day Trip? Plan Ahead!

Thinking of a day trip? A morning ride from New Orleans to Bay St. Louis gets you there by 8:59 a.m., but you’ll need to wait 'til the 6:42 p.m. train to head back.

Heads Up!

Amtrak says some travel times might be affected by ongoing infrastructure work.

Getting to NOLA from Baton Rouge:

Take a Greyhound bus from Baton Rouge to New Orleans’ Union Passenger Terminal. Departures are at 5:35 a.m. (arriving 75 a.m.) and 20 p.m. (arriving 4:45 p.m.).

Ready to Ride?

Whether you're heading to a special event or just looking for a chill way to travel, the new Mardi Gras Service is hitting the rails soon. Get ready to experience the Gulf Coast by train!

Freeze's Crucial Season at Auburn

Hugh Freeze is heading into his third season as Auburn's head coach, and the pressure's on! After a roster overhaul, this year's team is his most equipped yet to snag some wins.

What Defines Success?

Auburn doesn't need a national championship this year, but improvement is a MUST to keep the fanbase believing in Freeze's vision. Losses are inevitable with their tough schedule, but where could that first L come?

Potential Pitfalls

Here are three games that could spell trouble for the Tigers:

Week 1: @ Baylor (August 29)

A Friday night road game against a Baylor team with a seasoned QB (Sawyer Robertson) is a serious test right out of the gate. Baylor might be favored, but this is Auburn's chance to show they're ready to roar. A loss here would set a sour tone early.

Weeks 4 & 5: @ Oklahoma (Sept. 2, @ Texas A&M (Sept. 27)

If Auburn wins against Baylor, they could easily start 3-0 with home games against Ball State and South Alabama. However, these next two road games are BRUTAL.

Oklahoma and Texas A&M are known for their rowdy crowds. Plus, all eyes will be on Auburn's new QB, Jackson Arnold, as he returns to Oklahoma. And let's not forget A&M's fierce defense. A split here would be great; winning both? A HUGE ask.

Week 7: vs. Georgia (October 11)

Survive the brutal road stretch and a bye week? Your reward is...Georgia. Two years ago, Freeze's squad stayed competitive with Georgia until late in the fourth. Playing the Bulldogs at home in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry gives Auburn a chance, but they haven't won since 2017. A loss is likely.

The Prediction

Auburn wins a nail-biter at Baylor, proving they're a new team ready to make noise. Sadly, Oklahoma's new QB, John Mateer, outshines Arnold, sending Auburn to College Station at 3-1, desperate for a win against Texas A&M. A 5-0 start is unrealistic, but 3-0 or even 4-1 heading into a major rivalry game? Totally possible!

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