Huntsville City officials revealed the city’s population increased 20% from 2019 to 2024. The Huntsville Police Department said major crimes have decreased by 26%, and violent crimes have decreased by 39% since 2019. HPD is attributing the lower crime rates to factors such as new technologies, officer response time, and collaboration with other agencies. However, they said the number one factor is the help from the community. Captain Jeff Rice tells WHNT TV that the community is the key.
The city of Huntsville added 112 acres this week. That includes more than 91 acres in Limestone County and another 21 acres in Madison County. The action by the City Council pushes Alabama’s most populated city beyond 227 square miles. AL.com reports the city has taken in more than 500 acres this year, most of it in Limestone County.
Alabama state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, has filed a bill that would prohibit protesting and picketing under certain circumstances. It prohibits a person from “picketing or protesting at or near the residence of any individual with the intent to harass, intimidate, or disturb during the period starting 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise.” AL.com notes the bill does not define what proximity would be considered “near” and does not differentiate between private residences or public ones, like the governor’s mansion.
A multi-year effort to eliminate Alabama’s state sales tax on baby care, feminine hygiene and maternity products is expected to be considered in a Senate committee next week. This follows a strong bipartisan showing last Thursday after passing unanimously in the House. The Alabama Daily News reports that under the bill, not only would the state sales tax on baby and women’s products be completely eliminated, but local municipalities would be given authority to reduce or eliminate their own sales tax on said products through a resolution or ordinance.
The City of Madison will track and store license plate numbers through Flock security cameras. Huntsville and Decatur have used them for years. City leaders and law enforcement say the cameras work very simply. The cameras capture car tags and store them for 30 days. WHNT TV reports the cameras are not used for red light violations or speed detection. Police say Flock cameras do not have that ability and are only used for identifying and locating vehicles associated with crime. The city and police have not yet decided where the 14 cameras will be installed.
The Alabama Department of Transportation is warning people about scammers sending texts pretending to be with the organization. WHNT TV reports the texts claim people may be subject to legal action if they don’t pay outstanding toll fees. The Federal Trade Commission warns that clicking on links included in a scam text can lead to a phishing attack where scammers try to steal personal information such as credit card information and other details.
Huntsville International Airport has finished renovating its concourse connector area, adding elevators, escalators and stairwells. The airport doubled access points for passengers. WHNT TV reports passengers will now be able to access the concourse by taking two elevators, four escalators, or two stairwells. Previously, the area was served by one elevator, two escalators and a single set of stairs. Airport officials added that the area had not been updated since the 1990s