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U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville’s campaign for governor got a whole lot of momentum this week, not from a smash hit rally or a big endorsement – but from a low-level circuit court judge in Montgomery County.

Looking for weekend plans in North Alabama? From pint-sized carnival rides and downtown festivals to an evening with one of comedy’s biggest stars, there’s plenty happening across the region over the next few days. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a date night or a quick day trip, these events are worth adding to your calendar. July 10th One of comedy’s biggest names is bringing his signature observational humor to the Rocket City this weekend.

Huntsville Hospital Health System has named Jeremy Gray president of Helen Keller Hospital and Red Bay Hospital, following a nationwide search for the role. Gray steps into the position Aug. 3, where he’ll focus on supporting hospital staff, expanding patient access to care and continuing to build out services for Northwest Alabama. Gray brings a background that spans both clinical care and administration.

The City of Huntsville has selected 30 students for the second Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a yearlong leadership program that gives local students a voice in city government. Led by the City’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, the program is open to rising high school freshmen through seniors. Participants learn how city government operates while working with municipal leaders. They also take part in service projects, leadership activities and civic engagement initiatives.

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) honored Army Sergeant First Class Leo Finn of Cullman as his July Veteran of the Month, marking 36 years of service that carried the Alabama soldier from Vietnam to Afghanistan. Tuberville released a video recognizing Finn, part of the monthly series the senator uses to spotlight Alabama veterans who kept serving their communities long after they left the uniform. Finn’s story, as Tuberville told it, started with a sense of calling.

Twenty-one Fifth District students are trading senior year nerves for service academy acceptance letters, and Strong is taking a well-earned victory lap on their behalf. Strong announced this week that 21 students across North Alabama have accepted appointments to U.S. service academies or their prep schools — the kind of news that means a whole lot of proud parents and a whole lot of future officers with Tennessee Valley roots.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is developing a new rate structure for incoming data centers and reviewing what existing facilities pay for power, board member Randy Jones said in an interview with Axios. Jones, a Guntersville resident nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate earlier this year, spoke with the outlet at his Guntersville office about the region’s growth and the pressure it puts on the grid.

The Huntsville Police Department is offering the public a closer look at one of its most critical positions with a new class of emergency dispatchers. During a media demonstration Tuesday, department officials highlighted the training and skills required to become a public safety dispatcher. The event also marked the start of a hiring push for 911 operators, with applications open through Aug. 10.

Swipe right, get robbed at gunpoint. That’s the version of events Limestone County deputies say played out July 5 on Stewart Road in Tanner. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the victim connected with a woman on Tinder and agreed to meet up at a set location — standard modern dating stuff. Except when the victim showed up, deputies say a man and woman were waiting, and the “date” turned into an armed robbery on the spot. Give credit where it’s due, though: Limestone County didn’t waste any time.

Add “federal patent office partner” to Alabama A&M’s résumé. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office — which likes to call itself “America’s Innovation Agency” — announced this week it’s expanding its Community Engagement Office footprint into the Southeast, and Huntsville’s own HBCU made the cut, alongside a group of Georgia schools including Clark Atlanta, Morehouse and Spelman.