256 Today

Ten years ago, the Tennessee RiverLine began as a student idea at the University of Tennessee and five years ago, the initiative officially launched with its RiverTowns Program. Today, that idea is taking shape as a connected system of outdoor recreation experiences along the Tennessee River’s 652-mile reach — including 203 miles through North Alabama.

Huntsville-based Invariant Corporation has been named one of the fastest-growing private companies in the country after recording 265% revenue growth over the past three years according to the company. The growth earned the 100% employee-owned engineering and technology company a spot on the 2026 Inc. 5000, which recognizes the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. For Invariant, the recognition comes as the company marks its 25th year.

When a premature baby is born in a small community hospital or a teenager faces a sudden medical crisis far from city limits, every second matters—and the nearest advanced care can feel impossibly out of reach. Thanks to Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children’s (HHWC) new Kids Care Critical Care Transport ambulance, specialized, life-saving treatment can now begin long before a patient ever reaches the hospital door.

A great blue heron photographed in Madison gave Christopher Baker first place in the Birds category of the 2026 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest. Baker also took third in the same category with a Kentucky warbler in Huntsville. Those two frames — one from Madison, one from the Rocket City — are a fair snapshot of what the contest keeps turning up in North Alabama: familiar birds, close to home.

“Dr.” Nicole Jones Wadsworth A woman who is infamous for frequently playing fast and loose with titles (and names) made another alteration to her own this week. Nicole Jones Wadsworth’s Facebook profile quietly dropped the “Wadsworth” this week, reverting to simply Nicole Jones. The name in question ties back to State Rep. Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley), who she has publicly referred to as her husband — though no one can find a single record confirming the two are, or were, actually married.

Mecca Musick — 1 hour ago

The Salvation Army in Huntsville is asking for the community’s help as growing demand has left its local food pantry facing a critical shortage of canned goods and other non-perishable foods. The organization said rising grocery and housing costs and financial uncertainty are sending more people to the pantry for assistance, with senior citizens and families with children among those increasingly seeking help.

From beach music to Dolly Parton tributes, North Alabama has plenty happening this week. Whether you’re looking for a night out in Huntsville or a food-focused evening in Cullman, here are some events taking place across the region from Sept. 4–10. September 4 Downtown Gadsden comes alive for its monthly First Friday celebration, running through October. Stores stay open late into the evening as the district fills with live entertainment, sales, food and local artists from across the region.

One year after President Donald Trump announced U.S. Space Command headquarters would move to Huntsville, more than 140 uniformed and civilian personnel are already working from Redstone Arsenal — and that number is expected to keep growing. The personnel are working from three facilities across the Arsenal and represent about 10% of Space Command’s total manpower, according to a one-year update released Wednesday.

American flags will line the Limestone County Courthouse lawn throughout September, each one representing an Alabama veteran who died by suicide. Veterans, family members and local officials gathered Thursday morning in downtown Athens to open Operation We Remember, an annual campaign meant to honor those veterans and remind others that help is available.