Patrick Byington

Surplus Property. (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs) The Surplus Property Division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is holding its quarterly online auction beginning on Saturday, August 22, 8:00AM and ending Sunday, Aug. 30. To become a qualified bidder, visit https://adeca.alabama.gov/publicauctions/. Starting on Saturday, all auction items will be listed here: https://www.govdeals.com/alabamasurplus.

View from King’s Chair at Oak Mountain State Park. (The Nature Conservancy) The Forever Wild Board of Trustees voted today to acquire 6168 acres of ecologically and recreationally significant lands in Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Dekalb, Jackson and Shelby counties. Next up, the Forever Wild team will now conduct a second appraisal, environmental studies on the property and purchase the tracts if the current landowners agree to the appraised price.

Alivia Hood with Big Spoon Creamery in front of the ice cream shop. (Pat Byington / Bham Now) Alabama-based Big Spoon Creamery has been named one of the most travel-worthy ice cream shops in the United States by The Washington Post (August 2026). The Post asked ice cream experts across the country to nominate standout local creameries — no chains, no grocery store brands Big Spoon made the cut alongside just six other shops from across the country.