Alabama is set to receive $1.4 billion from the federal infrastructure law to expand broadband access in the state. It’s part of the Biden administration’s $40 billion plan to increase internet access across the country. The announcement was made by Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham. AL.com notes she was the only Alabama representative to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill signed by President Biden. According to statistics cited by Sewell, nearly one in five Alabama households do not have an internet subscription, and 11.5 percent of state residents live in areas without broadband infrastructure.
For the safety of the traveling public and construction and maintenance workers during the upcoming fourth of July holiday weekend, The Alabama Department of Transportation announced no temporary lane closures will take place on Alabama interstates from noon on Friday, June 30 until midnight on Tuesday, July 4. ALDOT notes the Fourth of July holiday weekend often sees an increase in traffic volume, making it more important that drivers remain undistracted and responsible while driving. You can find help with planning your holiday travel route and find Alabama traffic and road condition information, including live traffic camera feeds at ALGOtraffic.com or by downloading the ALGO Traffic app. ALDOT asks motorists to use ALGO Traffic responsibly. Drivers should never text, tweet, or use a mobile device while operating a vehicle.
It is now illegal to be holding a cell phone when you are behind the wheel of a moving vehicle in Alabama. Earlier this month, Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill into law that states that it is now a Class C Misdemeanor to be holding a cell phone while driving. WHNT TV reports it’s considered a secondary offense, meaning you need to be committing a separate moving violation like speeding, swerving, not using a turn signal or impaired driving to be pulled over. However, the law states that no citations will be issued until June of 2024, while drivers get used to the new law. Until then, if you are caught in violation, you will receive a warning.
A recent report from researchers at the University of Alabama and other schools finds the average state renter living in some metro areas must make a little over Alabama’s median household income to ensure their rent payment won’t be a financial burden. Alabama’s median household income is just under $57,000. WVUA TV in Tuscaloosa reports that on average, a single-income renter would need to make $58,800 a year to avoid the rent-burdened 30% threshold, based on an average rental price of about $1,400. The report finds that average rents in Huntsville are just over $1500. The median income to avoid being burdened by rent in Huntsville is $60,700. In Decatur, renters need to make around $51,000 to comfortably afford a monthly rent of just under $1300.
Merchants Alley in historic downtown Athens, Alabama, received the American Institute of Architects North Alabama Chapter Honor Award this week at the AIA NoAL Design Awards Ceremony. This is, "the jury’s highest level of commendation for exceptional design," given out at the event. There were 27 projects submitted that ranged from very small to very large and included projects like The Orion Amphitheater and Alabama A&M's new Event Center.
The Huntsville Museum of Art is hosting a Community Free Day on the Fourth of July. They will be offering free admission on Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. At 2 p.m., Constellation Brass will perform. More information is at hsvmuseum.org.