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University of North Alabama Exceeds $100 Million Fundraising Goal for 'Shine On, Gold' Campaign

University of North Alabama Exceeds $100 Million Fundraising Goal for 'Shine On, Gold' Campaign

The University of North Alabama (UNA) has announced that its 'Shine On, Gold Comprehensive Campaign' has surpassed its ambitious goal of raising $100 million. With six weeks still remaining until its official conclusion at the end of September, the campaign has already secured $104,353,440. This fundraising initiative, which publicly launched on September 29, 2023, aimed to support seven key priorities for the university. These priorities included Phase II of the Fine and Performing Arts Enhancement Plan, student scholarships, the Presidential Scholars Program, Bank Independent Stadium, the Aubrey and Annie Loonie ROAR Access Center, The 1830 Fund, and donor-directed purposes. All individual goals for the first five priorities have been met or exceeded, with student scholarships reaching 161% of its $15 million goal and the Fine and Performing Arts Enhancement Plan achieving 199% of its $1 million goal. This achievement marks a historic milestone for UNA, exceeding all previous fundraising records.

Hanwha Defense USA Secures Major U.S. Army Contract for K9 Howitzer Prototypes

Hanwha Defense USA Secures Major U.S. Army Contract for K9 Howitzer Prototypes

Hanwha Defense USA has been awarded a significant contract by the U.S. Army to supply prototype 155mm self-propelled howitzers for its Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program. The agreement, valued at up to $262.9 million, initially covers six K9 Mobile Howitzers, with an option for an additional 12 systems. This marks Hanwha's first major direct contract with the U.S. Army and provides the company a crucial entry point into the Army's artillery modernization efforts. The Army is seeking a mobile, protected 155mm artillery system to replace some of its M777 towed howitzers, aiming to enhance mobility and survivability for maneuver formations. Hanwha's K9 Mobile Howitzer, or K9MH, is a wheeled variant of its established K9 family of self-propelled howitzers. The company proposed this system for the MTC competition after the Army shifted its focus from developing new artillery systems to acquiring mature, readily producible systems. The prototype solicitation includes manufacturing, network integration, ammunit...

Lil Duval Celebrates Daughter's Tuskegee University Move-In with Viral Dance

Lil Duval Celebrates Daughter's Tuskegee University Move-In with Viral Dance

Lil Duval Celebrates Daughter's Tuskegee University Move-In with Viral Dance

Hanwha Defense USA Secures U.S. Army Contract for Mobile Tactical Cannon Prototypes

Hanwha Defense USA Secures U.S. Army Contract for Mobile Tactical Cannon Prototypes

Hanwha Defense USA has been awarded a U.S. Army agreement to deliver K9 Mobile Howitzer prototypes for the Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program. This marks Hanwha's first major contract with the U.S. Army. The initial agreement, valued at $100.3 million, includes six K9MH systems, with an option for an additional 12, bringing the total cumulative face value to $262.9 million. The prototypes will undergo testing and Soldier experimentation over an estimated four years. The MTC effort is part of the Army’s long-range fires modernization initiative, aiming to replace M777 towed artillery systems in selected formations with a more mobile, lethal, reliable, and survivable artillery capability. Hanwha's K9MH is a wheeled variant of its K9 artillery family, compatible with the Army’s full suite of munitions, and over 2,500 K9 howitzers are already fielded globally.

Eight Alabama Public High Schools Rank in Top 5% Nationally by U.S. News World Report

Eight Alabama Public High Schools Rank in Top 5% Nationally by U.S. News World Report

Eight public high schools in Alabama have been recognized among the top 5% nationally in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. These rankings evaluated nearly 18,000 of the nation’s approximately 27,000 public high schools based on criteria such as state test performance, graduation rates, and student participation and performance in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. Alabama's highest-ranked school, New Century Tech Demo High School in Huntsville, secured the 131st position nationally. Other top-ranked Alabama schools include Homewood High School, Mountain Brook High School, Vestavia Hills High School, Hewitt-Trussville High School, Fairhope High School, Spain Park High School, and Oak Mountain High School. Notably, Montgomery County’s Loveless Academic Magnet Program (LAMP) High School, previously a top performer, was unranked this year due to U.S. News not receiving its ACT scores from the Alabama Department of Education.

Alabama Residents Face Potential Electricity Bill Hikes Amidst Data Center Expansion

Alabama Residents Face Potential Electricity Bill Hikes Amidst Data Center Expansion

Residents across Alabama are expressing concern over potentially rising electricity bills due to the rapid development of data centers in the state. An analysis by Inside Climate News indicates that over a dozen proposed data center projects could consume more electricity than all Alabama homes combined if built to full capacity. Despite assurances from Alabama Power, the state's largest electric utility, that data centers will not raise residential power bills, residents and advocacy groups remain skeptical. The Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) is currently reviewing how to implement SB 270, a new law requiring the PSC to consider the public interest when approving utility contracts with data center developers. This law, effective October 1, aims to ensure data centers cover their incremental costs and provide benefits to other customers. However, the transparency of these contracts is a major point of contention, with heavily redacted documents submitted by Alabama Power raising questions about th...

Eight Alabama Public High Schools Rank in Top 5% Nationally by U.S. News

Eight Alabama Public High Schools Rank in Top 5% Nationally by U.S. News

Eight public high schools in Alabama have been recognized among the top 5% nationally in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. These rankings evaluate nearly 18,000 public high schools across the nation based on criteria such as state test performance, graduation rates, and student participation and success in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. New Century Tech Demo High School in Huntsville City schools was Alabama's highest-ranked institution, placing 131st nationally. Notably, Montgomery County's Loveless Academic Magnet Program (LAMP) High School, which previously held the No. 1 spot in Alabama, did not receive a national ranking this year because U.S. News did not receive its ACT scores from the Alabama Department of Education.

Severe Weather Targets Central Plains and Midwest

Severe Weather Targets Central Plains and Midwest

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk (2 out of 5) for severe weather across northeastern Kansas and west-central Missouri. This region is expected to experience strong thunderstorms capable of producing wind gusts exceeding 70 mph, large hail, and possibly a tornado or two. Cities such as Kansas City, Manhattan, and Topeka, Kansas, are included in this risk area. Additionally, a broader Marginal Risk (1 out of 5) spans from Michigan and Missouri to the High Plains of Colorado and Montana, where isolated storms with damaging winds and large hail are possible. Cities like Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Omaha, and Rapid City are within this zone. Another Marginal Risk is in place for parts of Mississippi and Alabama, including cities like Jackson and Tuscaloosa, where isolated damaging wind gusts are expected later today and tonight. Source time: Tue, 18 Aug 2026 13:11:54 GMT.

Troy University Professor Disciplined for Contacting Alabama Lawmakers on University Letterhead

Troy University Professor Disciplined for Contacting Alabama Lawmakers on University Letterhead

Micah Swartz, an assistant professor of teacher education at Troy University, was locked out of his university email and computer after sending a letter on university letterhead to Alabama state officials. The letter, addressed to Alabama Superintendent Eric Mackey and several state representatives, expressed concerns about the Alabama Numeracy Act Course Review Committee's long turnaround times and inconsistent standards in reviewing math syllabi for undergraduate education students. According to Swartz, Fred Figliano, dean of the College of Education at Troy, informed him that his access was revoked to prevent him from responding to state leaders who might contact him. Swartz was later given two written disciplinary warnings: one for issuing 'unauthorized communication' using university letterhead and another for 'unprofessional conduct' for sharing the letter with his students. Swartz stated that university administrators did not cite specific university policies for these actions. He had previously con...

Heat Advisory and Severe Storm Risk for Georgia and Alabama

Heat Advisory and Severe Storm Risk for Georgia and Alabama

A heat advisory is in effect for most of Georgia, excluding the northeast mountain counties, on Monday, August 17, 2026. The advisory is active from noon to 8 p.m., with heat index values expected to reach up to 109°F (42.8°C). Additionally, Randolph and Cleburne counties in Alabama are under an extreme heat warning, with heat index values potentially reaching 113°F (45°C). Severe Weather Team 2 is also monitoring the potential for strong to severe storms later in the day. Residents are urged to take precautions to stay safe during these extreme weather conditions.

College Sports Wire

Preseason AP Top 25 concurs with coaches, ranks Ohio State No. 1

Preseason AP Top 25 concurs with coaches, ranks Ohio State No. 1

The Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 in the preseason coaches poll, and the media agreed with that sentiment in the preseason AP poll.

Brock Morgan Joins FOX54 in Huntsville as Anchor and Reporter After Extensive Job Search

Brock Morgan Joins FOX54 in Huntsville as Anchor and Reporter After Extensive Job Search

Brock Morgan has been hired by FOX54 in Huntsville, Alabama, as an anchor and reporter, covering both sports and news. This appointment follows an extensive job search during which Morgan submitted 223 applications. Morgan announced his new role on LinkedIn, expressing gratitude and excitement for the opportunity. His background includes playing Division I football at Howard University, where he was part of the 2022 and 2023 MEAC championship teams and named to the MEAC Football All-Academic Team in 2023. He also earned a master's degree in journalism with a concentration in sports media from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. During his time at Medill, Morgan reported on significant events such as Super Bowl LX and the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, as well as WNBA All-Star Weekend.