Big Changes at the Alabama Public Service Commission!

Hold on to your hats, ChumCity folks! Governor Kay Ivey just shook things up by tapping State Rep. Cynthia Lee Almond (R-Tuscaloosa) to lead the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC). Almond steps into the role previously held by Twinkle Cavanaugh, who's now working with the Trump administration.

Ivey Praises Almond's Leadership

Governor Ivey is super confident in Almond, saying, "Cynthia has proven to be an extremely effective public servant and leader." Ivey added that although Tuscaloosa will miss her, the whole state will benefit from her leadership.

Almond Ready to Serve

Almond, an attorney who's been repping House District 63 since '21, will be sworn in on June 16th. She's resigning her legislative seat the day before. Almond is thrilled to be chosen, saying she knows how important the PSC is to Alabamians and the industries it regulates.

What Does the PSC Do?

The Public Service Commission keeps tabs on utilities like electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications. Almond will be in charge of this three-member crew, shaping energy and infrastructure policy across Alabama.

Almond's Impressive Background

This Tuscaloosa native previously served four terms on the Tuscaloosa City Council and led multiple legislative committees. She's also got experience in estate planning, business law, and real estate. Sounds like she's ready for anything!

What About Twinkle?

Cavanaugh served as PSC president since 2012, but she's now Alabama’s State Director for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

What's Next?

Governor Ivey is expected to announce a special election to fill Almond's soon-to-be-vacant House seat, so stay tuned!

Creekside's Curtain Call: Homewood Development Drama Ends!

Hold the phone, ChumCity! That controversial Creekside development proposal in Homewood? It's officially kaput! Samford University and its partners just announced they're pulling the plug on those Creekside West and East projects.

What Was Creekside Anyway?

Remember the Creekside proposal? It was a massive mixed-use development dreamed up for Samford-owned land near Lakeshore Drive. Think apartments, a fancy hotel, shops, and even a shared athletic facility. Sounds cool, right? Well, not everyone thought so...

Community Pushback

Homewood residents, environmental groups, and even city officials weren't exactly thrilled. Many felt the project was just too darn big and out of sync with the neighborhood's vibe.

Samford Shifts Gears

Samford's President, Dr. Beck A. Taylor, says the university will now focus on improving their existing campus. Sounds like they're keeping it in-house for now!

The Issues: Size, Space, and Salamanders!

Right from the start, folks worried about the size and density of those proposed buildings. Concerns arose about converting the Homewood Soccer Park and, get this, environmental groups feared for the local wildlife, especially a protected salamander pond!

Tax Incentive Tango

Things got even spicier when Landmark Development asked for a whopping $26 million in tax incentives from Homewood. Mayor Wyatt called it the biggest request ever!

The People Spoke

An online petition gathered hundreds of signatures, and public meetings were jam-packed with concerned citizens. Homewood wasn't holding back!

The End of the Road?

Looks like the Creekside debate is finally over. Landmark Development's president, Bob Dunn, says there's "no timetable for revisiting Creekside."

What's Next?

Samford's turning inward, and Homewood residents are breathing a sigh of relief (for now). It's the end of one chapter, and who knows what the future holds for development in ChumCity?

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Sloss Tech's "Next in Tech" is Back, Bigger Than Ever!

Get ready, ChumCity! Sloss Tech, the Southeast's hottest tech conference, is leveling up its "Next in Tech" program. This amazing initiative gives students and early-career pros FREE access to the conference AND killer professional development!

Level Up Your Tech Career

Now in its third year, "Next in Tech" has already helped nearly 200 folks snag industry knowledge, network like crazy, and connect directly with recruiters from companies like Protective Life and even NASCAR. It's all about breaking down those financial barriers that keep talented folks from hitting their tech career goals.

Who's Invited?

If you've got five years or less of experience in tech (or something close to it), listen up! The program's open to students and recent grads all across Alabama, and it's first-come, first-served, so get your application in quick.

Free Conference Access? You Bet!

Thanks to support from Innovate Alabama (the presenting sponsor!) and other awesome partners, "Next in Tech" hooks you up with full conference access—completely free! Plus, they've curated special breakout sessions, keynotes, and career-building events just for early-career attendees. How cool is that?

Making Connections All Over the State

"Next in Tech" is teaming up with statewide talent initiatives like FuelAL, the QuantHub Alabama Data Scholars Internship Program, and the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club to give Alabama's next-gen tech pros pro-level development, internships, and community support.

Real People, Real Results!

Don't just take our word for it. One 2023 scholar said Sloss Tech was their first experience networking with tech employers outside of a career fair, leading to a summer internship. Another attendee, Destiny Patton, said Sloss Tech 2019 inspired her to lead a research project in algorithms, and now she's interning at Amazon!

Birmingham: The South's Rising Tech Star!

Sloss Tech 2025 is helping put Birmingham on the map as a booming tech hub, and "Next in Tech" is a major part of that, supporting local talent and Alabama's awesome innovation scene.

Tuberville Touts "Energy Choice Act"

Senator Tommy Tuberville is championing a new bill, the "Energy Choice Act of 2025," aimed at boosting America's energy independence and giving consumers more power over their energy options. Tuberville, along with Senators Jim Justice and Shelley Moore Capito, believes this legislation will help realize President Trump’s vision of unlocking American energy potential.

Reining in "Blue States"

According to Senator Tuberville, "Joe Biden and woke Democrats took a sledgehammer to American energy production." He aims to curb "blue states" that have embraced climate-focused policies, imposing regulations that he says are unpopular with everyday Americans.

Fueling Freedom?

The senators contend that the Biden administration and certain states have restricted energy sources, particularly natural gas and fossil fuels, thereby limiting consumer freedom. Senator Justice emphasized his energy background, highlighting the importance of energy production freedom. He stated that America has an energy crisis and can't afford to limit what we produce.

Consumer Rights

“Americans ought to have the right to choose what is best for their energy needs,” proclaimed Senator Justice. This bill has already garnered the support of numerous organizations linked to the energy industry, signaling potential backing for its goals.

Alabama's New Biometric Law: Good or Creepy?

Hold up, ChumCity citizens! Alabama just dropped a new law that's got folks on both sides of the fence. We're talking about Senate Bill 63, which basically means law enforcement HAS to snag fingerprints and DNA samples from undocumented immigrants before they're released. Think Minority Report, but in real life.

What's the Deal?

Governor Kay Ivey and crew are all about this, saying it's gonna make Alabama safer. The idea? Catch the bad guys, especially if they've got a shady past. Senator Lance Bell, who backed the bill, thinks it tightens up some loopholes and keeps tabs on who's interacting with the law.

The Backlash

But not everyone's throwing a party. The ACLU is screaming "civil liberties violation!" They think this new law is creating a surveillance state aimed at immigrants. They're worried about the government hoarding personal info without a solid reason.

Who's Paying for This?

Here's another kicker: the law's gonna be funded by new court fees. So, basically, everyone in Alabama could be chipping in. Critics also point out that ICE is already doing this, so is it just a big waste of money?

The Takeaway

The law is official and kicking, so whether you love it or hate it, it's here. Time will tell if it really keeps Alabama safer or just makes things more complicated. What do you think, ChumCity? Is this a step forward, or a step too far?