The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is kicking off its 101 Days of Summer Safety campaign. It runs annually from Memorial Day through Labor Day. All available ALEA Troopers will be patrolling the highways and waterways, watching for dangerous driving or boating behaviors. AL.com reports Troopers assigned to ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division will specifically conduct numerous driver license checkpoints across the state and will be vigilant in enforcing traffic laws
The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library system moved forward with a set of new policies this week despite potential changes to the Alabama Public Library Service administrative code. Some residents praised the changes for strengthening the library’s policy toward intellectual freedom while critics predicted the system could lose $500,000 in state funding when the policies fail to meet APLS requirements. The Alabama Reflector reports the policy adds language that “the library shall not exclude materials solely due to the subject matter dealing with topics deemed controversial at any given time. It also clarifies that library staff share the responsibility of curating the collection along with the executive director and puts the onus for material availability to minors on parents.
Juneteenth will again be a state holiday in Alabama this year. Gov. Kay Ivey made the announcement this week. Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in America, will be recognized on Wednesday, June 19. Ivey has declared Juneteenth a state holiday each year since 2021. AL.com reports Alabama lawmakers have proposed bills to permanently add the date to the list of state holidays, but those have not passed.
Huntsville has been ranked as the 7th best place to live in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2024-2025. The annual rankings consider factors such as affordability, quality of life, job opportunities, and overall desirability. The Huntsville Business Journal notes that Huntsville has managed to retain its position in the top 10, though it has dropped from its No. 2 ranking last year. The number one place to live this year according to U. S. News and World report is Naples, FL followed by Boise, ID.
Huntsville Animal Services is waiving fees on most adult dogs and cats as part of a Spot and Adopt Your Summer Sidekick campaign through the end of the month. To help kick off the promotion, Animal Services invites the public to visit and enjoy a free hot dog on Saturday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or while supplies last. The shelter will also have cut-up hot dogs for adoptable pups. More information is at www.HuntsvilleAL.gov/Animal and on the shelter’s facebook page.
Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ in Decatur won first place in the pork shoulder category at last weekend’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest in Memphis. Big Bob’s has won 15 prior world barbecue championships for pork, brisket, ribs and chicken. AL.com reports Executive Chef Chris Lilly also took third place in the Kingsford Tour of Champions category which is selected by the general public. This win adds to the long list of accomplishments for the restaurant. In 2023, Food Network named ‘Big Bob’ Gibson’s the top Bar-B-Q place in Alabama.
The American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame announced that it'll posthumously induct Big Bob Gibson in its Class of 2024 later this year. AL.com reports Gibson first got into the business in 1925. He will join Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q in the Hall of Fame. Lilly is the husband of Gibson's great-granddaughter.