Wiregrass Roots Run Deep: Construction Partners Doubles Down on Dothan!

Get ready to rumble, ChumCity! One of Alabama's brightest business stars is planting its flag even deeper in its hometown. Construction Partners, Inc., a massive civil infrastructure company born right here in Dothan, is building a brand-new $20 million HQ and data center!

A Boom for the Wiregrass

This isn't just about bricks and mortar; it's about jobs! Construction Partners is bringing over 60 new professional positions to the area, adding to the nearly 50 already calling Dothan home. Imagine a state-of-the-art facility where top execs, administrative wizards, and tech gurus all work under one roof!

Strategic Move for Sunbelt Domination

But wait, there's more! This isn't just a local play. This new data center will be a crucial hub, powering Construction Partners' operations across eight Sunbelt states. That's serious infrastructure muscle, folks!

Hometown Pride, National Stage

For nearly 25 years, Construction Partners has called Dothan home. This investment isn't just about business; it's a big, bold statement about their commitment to the city that helped them grow into a national powerhouse.

Dothan: Tech Hub on the Rise!

This new HQ isn't just an office; it's a high-tech command center. Construction Partners is investing big in data security and operational excellence, turning Dothan into a regional hub for infrastructure technology. That means awesome opportunities for Alabama's talented workforce!

Local Leaders Celebrate

Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba is over the moon, calling Construction Partners "a true hometown success story." State lawmakers are cheering too, recognizing this expansion as proof that Alabama can grow and keep its homegrown talent right here.

Building the Future, One Road (and Data Center!) at a Time

Construction is about to kick off, paving the way for Construction Partners' continued growth across the Sunbelt. Get ready, ChumCity, because Southeast Alabama is solidifying its place as an infrastructure innovation hot spot!

Headlines from the Dale Jackson Show!

Bama Hoops Keeps Dancin'!

Roll Tide! Nate Oats is back in the Sweet Sixteen after Alabama basketball DOMINATED Texas Tech. Oatsy was stoked, praising the team's hard work and growth in the post-game. Let's go all the way!

Mueller Passes, Political World Reacts

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has passed away. Tributes are pouring in from both sides of the aisle. Even Trump acknowledged Mueller's service, while, of course, reaffirming his own innocence in the Russia probe.

LaGuardia Lockdown!

Chaos at LaGuardia! An Air Canada jet had a run-in with a vehicle on the tarmac, bringing the airport to a screeching halt. Operations were temporarily suspended while crews sorted things out. Yikes!

Primary Fightin' in Alabama!

Alabama's considering closed primaries, but some folks are throwing shade, complaining about costs and how it'll hurt our veterans. Seriously?

Submarine Factory Launches in Alabama!

Massive win for Alabama! The U.S. Navy Secretary and our delegation celebrated the opening of a HUGE $2.4 billion submarine factory in Cherokee County. This place is a game-changer! 1,000 new jobs and a major boost to national defense right here in the Yellowhammer State.

ICE to the Rescue at Airports?

The border czar says ICE will lend a hand at airports with non-TSA tasks. Meanwhile, Senator Katie Britt is all about Elon Musk's offer to cover TSA salaries during shutdowns. She's calling out the Dems for the TSA mess and backing a bill to dock congressional pay during shutdowns. Preach, Senator!

Trump Pauses Iran Retaliation!

Hold the phone! President Trump is hitting pause on his planned retaliation against Iran for FIVE DAYS. Apparently, things are looking up between the two countries with "very good" talks happening. Oil prices remain high. Stay tuned!

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.

Alabama Housing Market Heats Up in February!

Good news, ChumCity residents! Alabama's housing market saw a burst of energy in February, with more homes selling compared to January. Lower mortgage rates got buyers off the sidelines and into the game!

Sales on the Rise!

The Alabama Association of REALTORS® reports 5,028 homes were sold in February, a sweet 5.6% jump from the previous month. Apparently, even a small dip in mortgage rates was enough to get folks excited about buying. As Alabama REALTORS® economist Evan Moore put it, buyers jumped on the low rates fast.

Homes Flying Off the Market!

It's not just that more homes are selling, they're selling faster. The average time a house spent on the market plummeted by 22% compared to January! That's a serious speed boost.

But Hold On...

While February was a good month, sales are still a bit lower than they were this time last year. Turns out those "affordable rates" weren't enough to overcome broader challenges.

Home Values Keep Climbing!

Even with mixed signals, home values are still on the rise. The median sales price hit $250,113, a whopping 22.3% increase from last year! If you're a homeowner, that's some solid equity growth.

More Homes to Choose From!

Here's more good news: there are more homes on the market! Active listings are up by 7.4% compared to last year, giving buyers more options.

What's Next?

Economist Moore warns that things might get a little bumpy. Rising mortgage rates and broader economic uncertainty could throw a wrench in things. He mentioned inflation and "geopolitical instability" as possible headwinds. Stay tuned, ChumCity! The next few months will tell us if February was a one-time thing or the start of a real rebound.

Army-Navy Game Gets Presidential Protection!

Big news for fans of tradition! President Trump has signed an executive order ensuring the epic Army-Navy game remains a standalone broadcast, just like we've enjoyed for almost 20 years!

"Preserving America's Game"

The executive order, aptly named "Preserving America's Game," makes sure no other college football game, not even potential CFP matchups, airs at the same time as Army-Navy. That's right, total exclusivity!

A Big Win for Tradition

Alex Byington of On3 initially reported this awesome move. The order directs the FCC and Secretary of Commerce to work with the College Football Playoff, the NCAA, and ESPN (CFP broadcast rights holder through 2032) to guarantee that exclusive broadcast window for the Army-Navy Game.

Support from the American Conference

Back in January, American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti expressed his gratitude to Trump for his commitment to protecting this iconic game. He said this game is a "national treasure" and that support from leaders is crucial as collegiate athletics evolves.

Alabama's Defense Industry Gets a HUGE Boost!

Big news, ChumCity! Northwest Alabama just became a major player in U.S. naval production with the grand opening of a massive new defense manufacturing facility. Imagine cutting-edge tech, tons of jobs, and a boost to national security all rolled into one!

Ribbon-Cutting Frenzy!

The scene was buzzing in Cherokee, Alabama, at the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park. Military bigwigs, elected officials (think Senators Britt and Tuberville!), industry leaders, and stoked community members all gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The star of the show? A 2.2-million-square-foot behemoth ready to crank out critical submarine parts.

Hadrian's "Kick-Ass" Alabama Spirit

Chris Power, the CEO of Hadrian (the brains behind this operation), couldn't contain his excitement. He's betting big on Alabama's workforce to deliver the goods. This isn't just about building parts; it's about building submarines, and a stronger America!

Factory 4: AI-Powered Domination

This ain't your grandpa's factory! "Factory 4" will use Hadrian’s AI-powered platform to streamline production, smash supply chain bottlenecks, and generally run circles around traditional defense manufacturing. Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan called it a "different model."

Billions Invested, Thousands of Jobs Created!

This project represents a massive $2.4 billion investment, a combo of private cash and federal funding. And get this: it's expected to create up to 1,000 high-quality jobs! Workers could be trained and production-ready in just 30 days!

Rebuilding America's Industrial Power

This project aims to revitalize a long-dormant industrial site, transforming the Shoals area into a hub for advanced manufacturing.

China Watch!

Senator Tuberville didn't mince words: "China is our number one adversary." He believes this project will help the U.S. stay ahead in the submarine game.

Alabama: A Key Player in National Defense

Senator Britt emphasized that American manufacturing is the backbone of American strength, and that Alabama is going to help revitalize it. She went on to say that the world is finding out that Alabama means a great deal to our National Defense.

Sharing the Wealth

Power closed the ceremony with a special message for the workforce, "Everyone in this building who comes and works for us are also the equity holders in Hadrian, because I cannot ask you to step up unless we also let you share in the rewards and the wealth will be great here.”

CWD Update: What's Happening with Deer in Alabama?

Good news, ChumCity folks! The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division has been keeping a close eye on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). For the 2025-2026 season, nine whitetail deer tested positive. The silver lining? The disease is still mainly hanging out in northwest Alabama. Eight of those deer were in Lauderdale County, and one was a new case in Colbert County.

Where We Stand

Olivia Sciandra, WFF's Wildlife Health Program Coordinator, tells us that this brings the total detections in the CWD Management Zone (CMZ) to 21 since the first finding back in 2022. "So far, the detections this season haven't changed our existing zone," Sciandra explained. That Colbert County deer? It was way up north, near the Natchez Trace, just south of the Tennessee River.

Sampling Efforts

During the 2025-2026 season, a whopping 2,886 deer were sampled, with 937 coming from within the CMZ. WFF even had mandatory sampling weekends during gun deer season, collecting 573 samples within the CMZ during those times. Big thanks to all the hunters who participated!

CMZ Guidelines

Remember, if you harvest a deer in the CMZ, there are rules about transporting it. Only completely deboned meat, cleaned skull plates with antlers (no brain or spinal cord tissue!), upper canine teeth (no root or soft tissue!), finished taxidermy, and tanned hides can leave the zone.

Kudos to Hunters!

Sciandra is super grateful to the hunters in Lauderdale, Colbert, and Franklin counties. "They're responsible hunters," she said. "Most are providing their harvested deer for testing, which helps us understand where the positives are." Sounds like mandatory sampling is becoming the norm, especially in Colbert and Lauderdale. Hunters in Franklin County are getting on board too!

Extra Perks for Hunters

WFF even added an incentive this past season: a CWD Sampling Permit! Hunters who submitted deer for sampling during those mandatory weekends could get a permit to harvest an extra antlered deer within the CMZ. There were limits, of course (max of two extra permits), and the deer harvested under that permit had to be sampled, too. Win-win! They issued 379 of those permits!

What is CWD Anyway?

CWD is a disease that affects deer and other cervids. It's believed to be caused by an infectious prion and can take a while to show symptoms. Infected deer get skinny, act weird, and eventually, it's fatal. Alabama has been watching for CWD since 2002, testing a total of 27,488 deer.

About the CMZ and HRZ

The CMZ includes Lauderdale, Colbert, and Franklin counties. Within the CMZ, the High-Risk Zone (HRZ) includes all of Lauderdale and Colbert, plus a chunk of Franklin County north of State Highway 24. The rest of Franklin County is the Buffer Zone.

CWD's Spread

CWD has been detected in neighboring Mississippi and Tennessee (since 2018). Florida and Georgia also have cases. It's a widespread issue, with over 35 states and four Canadian provinces reporting confirmed cases.

Bringing Deer into Alabama

If you're bringing deer into Alabama from out of state, make sure it's properly prepared! Legally importable parts are: deboned meat, cleaned skull plates with antlers (clean!), canine teeth (clean!), finished taxidermy, and tanned hides.

Symptoms to Watch For

Sometimes, deer with CWD look perfectly healthy. But when symptoms do show up, they might include weird behavior, a droopy posture, balance problems, excessive drooling, or weight loss.

Keep Reporting!

If you see a sick or strange-acting deer, let the local WFF district office know or report it online. Your reports help them get more samples and track the disease. Thanks for keeping our deer (and our community) healthy!

Butterbean Blues: Festival Ends in Pinson

After a fantastic 20-year run, the Alabama Butterbean Festival in Pinson has reached its conclusion. But the reasons behind the festival's demise are a bit murky, and the possibility of a similar event popping up in its place is still up in the air.

Chamber's Take: Funding Woes?

The Clay-Pinson Chamber of Commerce announced a restructuring, claiming new leadership in Clay and Pinson opted to discontinue funding. The Chamber plans to shift its focus towards education and first responder support.

Festival Confirmed Closure

Festival organizers confirmed the end on Facebook, saying "After 20 incredible years...The Alabama Butterbean Festival has come to a close."

City Disagrees

Pinson Mayor Hoyt Sanders, however, disputes the Chamber's version of events. He stated the city didn't vote to withdraw funding or formally end support. He said the city was just asking questions about the Chamber's service agreement.

Differing Accounts

Chamber President Dean Kirkner expressed disappointment, while former Mayor Robbie Roberts believes there's little chance of a Butterbean Festival this year, as the Chamber owns the festival name and assets.

What's Next?

Roberts suggests the city might try to host a different fall festival. Sanders hopes to preserve the event in some form.

The Bottom Line

For now, the Alabama Butterbean Festival is officially over. Whether Pinson can create a successor event and resolve the dispute with the Chamber remains to be seen.

Hartselle High Students Cook Up Storm Shelter App!

Forget textbooks – these Hartselle High School whizzes are turning classroom smarts into a real-deal public safety tool that’s got local leaders buzzing!

Meet the Brains Behind the App

Cole Miles, Lachlan Kennedy, Oliver Ambrose, and Ethan Haynes recently wowed the Morgan County Commission with their AI-powered storm shelter app. This ain't your grandma's weather report – it's a platform designed to help residents locate safe shelters ASAP when the weather gets wild.

How it Works

Developed through the school's cutting-edge artificial intelligence program, the app offers real-time access to storm shelter info across Morgan County. Just pop in your location, and bam! – the nearest available shelter pops up. The goal? Simple: make critical safety info super accessible when every second counts.

Packed with Features

This isn't a bare-bones app, folks! It includes shelter capacity, pet-friendliness (pawsome!), integrated radar, weather updates, and even guidance on building an emergency kit. Plus, a 10-day forecast keeps you prepped.

From Classroom to Community

The app is slated to land on the Morgan County Emergency Management Agency website, giving residents direct access. Instructor Bucky Garner shared how the program encourages students to find community challenges and whip up AI solutions.

"Mayor Jim" Knows Best

Garner even created an AI "person" called "Mayor Jim" that identified severe weather preparedness as a key issue for the students to tackle. Using Google's Gemini AI, the team built an initial version in about a week!

Expanding Horizons

While the current version focuses on Morgan County, these ambitious students plan to expand statewide and even launch it on the Apple App Store.

Presidential Recognition?

They've also thrown their hat in the ring for the Presidential AI Challenge, a national competition that recognizes student-driven solutions. Fingers crossed!

As severe weather continues to be a concern in North Alabama, these students offer a glimpse into how tech can make safety tools faster and more accessible when we need them most.

Cullman's Twilight Run: Honoring Christina Chambers

Get ready, ChumCity! Cullman's hosting a special event to remember Christina Chambers, a beloved Alabama sports reporter, and support her young son. The Christina Chambers Twilight 5K is happening Friday, August 7th, at 8 PM at Cotton Creek.

A Night of Remembrance and Support

This isn't just a race; it's a celebration of Christina's life and her impact on the community. Runners, walkers, and friends will come together for a night of remembrance. All proceeds will go to benefit Christina's son, Constantine, and other local charities chosen in her honor.

Racing for a Cause

Christina was a passionate runner, and this 5K perfectly captures her spirit. A Cullman native and former athlete, she inspired many with her energy and determination.

A Familiar Face

Christina made a name for herself as a sports journalist across Alabama, including her time at WBRC. After stepping away from a full-time role in 2021, she continued contributing as a freelance reporter during the 2025 football season. She was a familiar and welcome face in sports coverage, especially during high school football season.

From Cullman to the Finish Line

A Cullman High School grad, Christina continued her athletic career as a Division I cross country and track star at UAB.

A Community United

Following her passing, the support for Christina's family has been amazing, especially in her hometown. Her parents, who run Chambers Farm and Garden Supply, are teaming up with Cotton Creek to make this event a success.

Join the Twilight Run

Organizers want this twilight race to be a positive, uplifting experience. Picture this: running under the evening lights, surrounded by music and community support! All experience levels are welcome, so grab your running shoes (or walking shoes!) and join the fun. Registration is open now. Let's show North Alabama's support!

Gulf Shores Gets a Brand-New Bridge Just in Time for Summer!

Get ready, ChumCity! The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is about to unleash a game-changer in Gulf Shores: the brand-spankin' new Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) Bridge! Word on the street is, it'll be ready to roll the week before Memorial Day, just in time to tame that summer traffic beast.

What's the Big Deal?

This isn't just any bridge, folks. It's designed to kick congestion to the curb along one of Alabama's busiest coastal routes. The new bridge will handle two lanes of southbound traffic, while the existing Foley Beach Express Bridge switches to two lanes going north. Think of it as a one-way system built for smooth sailing!

Weather Permitting…

ALDOT is keeping a close eye on the weather and those last-minute construction tasks, but things are looking good for that pre-Memorial Day opening.

Serious Investment, Serious Results

This $52 million project isn't just about easing traffic; it's about safety and hurricane preparedness too! It's part of a bigger plan to boost transportation in Baldwin County, including a $30 million connector to State Route 161 and other road improvements.

More Lanes, Less Waiting!

Once this baby is up and running, we'll be going from seven to a whopping ten lanes crossing the Intracoastal Waterway! That's a huge win for everyone, from locals to tourists.

Almost There!

Construction is in the home stretch. The heavy lifting is done, and crews are putting on the finishing touches. Get ready for sweet relief as summer traffic heats up along Alabama’s Gulf Coast!