Voter turnout in Alabama for Tuesday‘s general election was the lowest percentage in the state during any presidential election year since 1988. According to Secretary of State Wes Allen’s office, turnout was 58.52%. Fifty-nine percent of voters in Madison County showed up at the polls. Turnout in Limestone County was 64%. AL.com notes the last time turnout for a presidential election in Alabama was below 60% was for the race between President George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis 36 years ago, when it was 56%.
Marshall County residents voted in favor of alcohol sales. The county has been the second-largest remaining in Alabama that is still considered somewhat “dry.” Voters were asked to back a referendum that one state lawmaker says gets people “caught up to the 21st century.” AL.com reports that with 100% of the boxes in, Marshall County voters approved the referendum by a 74% to 26% margin.
Huntsville City Councilors approved a bid from Britt Demolition and Recycling Inc. to bring down the old city hall on Fountain Circle. The $1.2 million contract is for 240 days. The city had earlier estimated the cost at $2.4 million. AL.com reports initial work will focus on environmental abatement inside the building, after which the structure will be mechanically dismantled, not imploded. No start date has yet been set for the work. When completed, the space will become an extension of Big Spring Park.
The Port of Huntsville saw its most profitable year to date, according to its annual report for the fiscal year that ended this summer. That’s due to an increase in passenger air traffic and growth in intermodal cargo volume. AL.com reports the airport saw a record number of passengers – close to 1.6 million -- during the year. That number represents an increase of 16% over Fiscal 2023.
Alabama now has a new Aerospace and Defense Council. Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth and members of Manufacture Alabama unveiled the new council this week. WAKA TV in Montgomery reports The Alabama Aerospace and Defense Council is designed to push for policies that encourage the growth of Alabama’s aerospace and defense industry. It will support job creation and economic impact. According to Lt. Gov. Ainsworth, Huntsville has more engineers per capita than any other city in the world, while Mobile is considered the fourth largest aerospace producer in the world.
Huntsville will honor all of our country's veterans with a Veterans Day Parade on Monday, November 11 downtown. The parade starts at 11 AM. The parade route will begin at lot K on Woodson St, go to the Veterans Memorial on Monroe Street and end on Clinton Ave near the post office.
All branches of the Huntsville Madison County Public Library will be closed Monday in honor of Veterans Day.
An email from the Huntsville Museum of Art says that due to unforeseen circumstances, the opening date for Skating in the Park has been adjusted. They’re now aiming to open on November 27.