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Alabama's Budget: A Win for Education!

The 2025 Regular Session wrapped up with a big thumbs up! How do you know it was a success? Rock-solid, balanced budgets, baby! Shoutout to budget gurus Senator Arthur Orr, Representative Danny Garrett, Senator Greg Albritton, and Representative Rex Reynolds for their awesome work. And let's hear it for Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger for their stellar leadership!

Community Colleges: The Real MVPs

The new Education Budget? It's got mad respect for our Alabama Community College System (ACCS). These guys are the unsung heroes of job creation and economic development in Alabama. Seriously, they're leading the charge when it comes to getting Alabamians employed!

ACCS: Numbers Don't Lie

We're talking 24 colleges, over 130 locations, and a whopping 155,000 students. And get this: 96% of these students call Alabama home, with over 75% sticking around after graduation! Plus, thanks to legislative action, over 23,000 students are in dual enrollment, regardless of their family's wallet.

Even better? While other colleges are shrinking, the ACCS has seen enrollment jump by over 5% every year since 2020! And with 10,600 employees all based right here in Alabama, the ACCS is a major player in our state's economy.

Economic Powerhouse

Let's be clear: the ACCS is a huge driving force behind Alabama's economic growth. They're arming students with the skills and training they need for in-demand jobs, strengthening our workforce, and building a brighter future. In 2023-2024 alone, the ACCS pumped $8.1 billion into Alabama's economy—that's 3% of our state's gross product!

Future Focused

Under the leadership of Chancellor Jimmy Baker, the ACCS is the cornerstone of the state's Workforce Development Plan. Career and technical education is where it's at! Think computer science, culinary arts, cybersecurity, welding—the list goes on! And with the aging Baby Boomer population, nursing and medical fields are BOOMING! The ACCS is ready to meet that need!

Healthcare Heroes in Training

With a cool $18 million in new funding to expand health sciences in rural areas, and over 13,000 students currently enrolled, the ACCS is prepping the next generation of healthcare pros. They're working closely with the Alabama Hospital Association and the Alabama Nursing Home Association to make sure our healthcare future is in good hands. The ACCS? It's just what the doctor ordered for Alabama jobs!

Leading the Way

Chancellor Jimmy Baker and his team of 34 college presidents are crushing it! They're making sure local legislators are in the loop about what's happening at their colleges and how it impacts their communities. For many districts, the community college is the biggest employer and economic engine in town. Legislators know their community college is where many constituents get their education and training and stick around for the long haul!

Until next time!

Atmore Gets a Dose of "Idol" Talent!

Get ready, ChumCity! American Idol winner Jamal Roberts is bringing his incredible voice to Atmore's Bee More Summer Festival on Saturday, June 14th! The soulful singer will be lighting up Boxcar Willie (207 West Ridgeley Street) in the Arts & Entertainment District with a FREE concert.

Jam Out with Jamal!

After winning over the nation, Jamal Roberts is ready to rock Atmore. He's hitting the stage at 4 p.m., the perfect finale to a day jam-packed with family fun.

More Than Just Music!

The party starts at noon, so get there early! Expect a full day of awesome activities: live music, line dancing, a FOAM MACHINE (yes!), mechanical bull rides, face painting, and amazing eats and crafts from local vendors. Plus, Kathy will be there doing caricatures and tons of food trucks will be serving up deliciousness!

Bee There or Bee Square!

The City of Atmore and Main Street Atmore are bringing you this epic event to celebrate our awesome community and show off Atmore's vibrant arts scene. Remember last year's performance with American Idol runner-up Will Moseley? The tradition continues!

For more info on the Bee More Summer Festival, give Main Street Atmore Executive Director Shinora Redmond a shout at (251) 409-4065.

Tyler Braden: From Firefighter to Fiery Country Star!

Tyler Braden's been busy, y'all! His star is blazing brighter than ever with hits like "Devil You Know" and "More Than A Prayer," but his journey to country music glory hasn't been a wild ride, but a carefully charted course. This 31-year-old isn't just lucky; he's got talent to spare and a plan that's clearly working. Proof? Millions of streams don't lie!

Chillin' with the Bradens

Even country stars need a break! Tyler and his amazing videographer wife, Marisa Taylor, know how to unwind on their (rare) days off. "We like to read, maybe hit the golf course, or just chill with a movie," Tyler shares.

These two are road warriors! Tyler's been killin' it opening for giants like Luke Bryan and Chris Stapleton, while Marisa's busy filming for musical darlings Maddie and Tae, among other projects. It's a hectic life, but as Tyler says, "We make it work" by scheduling things to look forward to.

Slapout, Alabama Beginnings

Tyler's story starts in Slapout, Alabama (population: cozy!), where he grew up singing in church and jamming with his musically inclined family at every cookout. His influences? A cool mix of Kenny Chesney and the Goo Goo Dolls. He spent his youth kayaking on Lake Jordan with his buddies. Post-high school, Tyler rocked out in a cover band, honing his skills. But a music career? Never even crossed his mind.

"I never considered it a possibility," he admits.

Instead, he became a firefighter for Montgomery Fire and Rescue, keeping his music and firefighting lives separate for years.

From Hoses to Hit Songs

In 2015, everything changed. Tyler won a local singing contest, scoring a trip to Nashville. That trip sparked a fire. If music was going to be a real thing, he needed to be closer to the action. So, he Googled firefighter jobs near Nashville.

Six weeks later, he was slinging hoses with the Brentwood Fire Department, just south of Nashville, smack-dab in country star farm country! For a year, he kept his focus on fighting fires. Then, he took a shot at Whiskey Jam. A friend hooked him up with a home studio, and "Little Red Wine" was born.

The Hunt Begins

His firefighting gig gave him plenty of off-days to network. "After 'Little Red Wine,' I was playing softball, and a teammate introduced me to my current manager," Tyler reveals. He also connected with publishers who loved his songwriting and wanted to pair him with co-writers.

His big break came in 2019: a publishing deal and a Warner Music Nashville record deal! Finally, he hung up his fire hose for good. His firehouse crew was stoked for him! Then... Covid. While on the way to a gig in Long Island, his management called.

"They told us the gig was canceled and that Covid would probably last a couple weeks," he recalls. "We turned around and came home."

Back on the Road!

Those "two weeks" turned into months, and Tyler did what everyone else did: chilled at home. Thankfully, life returned to normal, and the pent-up demand for live music exploded. Tyler hit the road hard in 2021, supporting his Warner Music Nashville EP, "What Do They Know."

In 2022, he played the Grand Ole Opry, solidifying his rising star status. 2023 saw the release of his "Neon Grave" EP and the single "Try Losing One" (with Sydney Sierota), hitting No. 1 on SiriusXM's The Highway. His "Real Friends Tour" in 2024 sold out multiple stops across the country and Canada, and "Devil You Know" was nominated for a People’s Choice Country Award.

Across the Pond and Beyond

Early 2025 takes Tyler to Ireland and the UK with Brothers Osborne. After that? More tours and more songs, we're sure!

Grounded and Grateful

Tyler's not quite a household name (yet!), but he's getting recognized more and more. His voice gets compared to Luke Combs, but he thinks it's the beard. "When I sing the slower stuff, I actually get compared to Brett Young a lot," he laughs.

How did he transition so smoothly between careers? Being a firefighter taught him "the ability to stay level-headed and not get super emotional" – crucial in the rollercoaster world of the music industry.

After seven years as a firefighter and four years as a professional musician, Tyler Braden is the real deal. He and Marisa, along with their pups Sadie and Leila, are living the good life in Mt. Juliet, east of Nashville. Life is busy, and life is good.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama: Giving Back to the ChumCity Community!

For Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, giving back isn't just something they do—it's in their DNA! They're all about making Alabama a healthier, happier place to live for everyone.

The Caring Foundation: Spreading the Love!

The Caring Foundation (TCF), the charitable arm of BCBS of Alabama, is dedicated to improving the well-being of communities across the state. Since 1990, they've been supporting initiatives that boost health education, increase access to care, and build stronger communities. They're all about partnerships, grants, and outreach to tackle health issues and promote healthy living!

Meet Ashley Russell: Champion for the Community!

Ashley Russell, the Giving Specialist for TCF, has her finger on the pulse of Alabama's needs. She oversees community projects, reviews grant applications, and develops giving strategies.

"We've been working for over 35 years to support organizations that improve life in Alabama through health, wellness, and education," says Russell. "Each year, we award grants to organizations in all 67 counties! In 2024 alone, we awarded 784 grants to make Alabama a healthier place."

Ashley and her team build strong relationships with their partners through site visits and meetings, all sharing a common goal to make Alabamians healthier and happier.

Making a Real Difference

Since 2012, they have introduced the Be Healthy School grant program to fund schools looking to increase healthy activities for their students. In 2016, they began funding scholarships for medical students committed to practicing in rural Alabama communities to combat a lack of healthcare access.

They also partner with the National Fitness Campaign to install outdoor fitness courts throughout Alabama, offering free workout spaces!

Connecting with Nature and the Arts

Russell highlights stories of people discovering the outdoors for the first time or finding joy and community through the arts. The Caring Foundation supports fine art organizations in underserved communities. “I love hearing stories of how kids and adults have discovered talents they didn’t know they had, developed new passions, and found joy and community through the activities offered,” she says.

Diamond Impact Award

This year, the foundation launched the Diamond Impact Award, supporting innovative healthcare projects.

Getting Involved: Grant Application Tips

Ashley recommends applying at least 60 days before your event or project. It's also best to limit requests to one per year!

TCF Values Collaboration

If this is your first time looking to apply, reach out! They’d love to hear about your organization, your impact, and the programs being offered.

TCF values relationship building and loves to see organizations partnering together to achieve their goals. Be sure to let them know who you are collaborating with.

Courtesy of SoulGrown Alabama

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