Good morning, Huntsville.

A local law firm is providing new shoes through its Soles of the Season campaign to 400 children who will return to school next week.

Attorney Tyler Mann partnered with HEALS, Inc. — along with the Huntsville Havoc and Academy Sports+Outdoors — to raise $6,000 for the holiday drive.

The West Huntsville Recreation Center opened last week at 150 Martin Rd. SW to serve District 5 with two gymnasiums, a fitness center, multipurpose rooms and four lighted pickleball courts (27,350 sqft).

Community programs will begin soon.

North Alabama Veterinary Emergency (NAVES) has donated $2,500 to Madison Hospital’s Canines for Coping program, ensuring Apple’s veterinary care and food are covered for 2026.

This donation highlights the local commitment to patient comfort.

The Cooper, Lea and Harris House, marked by an Alabama Historical Commission marker and featured in Madison’s sesquicentennial book (Memories of Madison: A Connected Community), was relocated by Tyler and Evelyn Darwin in the 1970s to its current site and once housed former City Attorney Ann Marie Lacy.

Regina and David Raney from Athens are marching in the Pasadena Rose Parade today as one of 300 band directors promoting music education; they will follow the 5½-mile parade route in California and wear uniforms provided by the parade (their rehearsed charts underscore decades of teaching).

Redstone Arsenal transformed local farmland into a space research center— it once served as a chemical munitions facility during World War II before becoming a U.S. Army Post.

Madison is set to host the 2026 Alabama All-Girls State Chess Championship at the Madison Community Center on Feb.

7. Players will compete in three sections (grades K-12, K-6, and K-3) with the K-12 champion advancing to the national tournament in Columbia, S.C.

Math teacher Mrinal Joshi at Journey Middle School has secured about $5,500 in grants from local groups (NDIA, National Space Club, Optimist Club of Huntsville) to cover competition costs for her 70-student math team for the 2025-2026 school year.

Huntsville Hospital leaders report that flu cases and severity have increased while advising parents to use primary care or urgent care for mild symptoms and visit the emergency room only for severe signs (difficulty breathing, bluish skin, chest pain, unresponsiveness, seizures, or severe dehydration).

Dr. Ryan McMorries at Hartselle Health Park ER reports a surge in flu cases, with numbers doubling and tripling as many patients show signs of the H3N2 & subclade K variant.

He advises mild cases to be treated at home while those with severe symptoms seek emergency care.

At the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, the Kennesaw State Owls battled No. 16 Alabama and lost 92-81—Alabama built a 30-point lead early in the second half while the Owls struggled with turnovers.

Andrew Jesky of Harvest won first place at the FAI F3A World Championships in Muncie, Indiana earlier this year, marking a milestone for the local RC community and his long career in precision aerobatics.

Bob Jones softball head coach Braeden Netherton was awarded the 2025 Wade J.

Bruggeman Memorial Scholarship + she received complimentary registration, 700 dollars travel reimbursement and up to four nights at Harrah’s for the NFCA National Convention in Las Vegas where she networked with fellow coaches.

Nine players from local schools earned All-State honors for the 2025 football season when the Alabama Sports Writers Association announced its teams.

Local standout M.J. Gideon from James Clemens was named First-Team while Bob Jones, James Clemens and Sparkman each had two honorees and Madison Academy had three players honored.

Cactus Tate Live Comedy Show

7-11 p.m. — Huntsville Levity Live — Tickets starting at $27.02 — Enjoy an evening of laughs with Cactus Tate at this vibrant comedy venue.

Candlelight Concert Featuring Coldplay & Imagine Dragons

6:45-7:45 p.m. — Stovehouse Event Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magical sounds of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons in a captivating candlelit setting.

Huntsville Boat Show

10 a.m.-8 p.m. — Von Braun Center — Single Day Admission: $12 — Explore a variety of boats and enjoy family-friendly boating activities.

Real Interactive Ghost Hunt at The Historic Lowry House

7-10:30 p.m. — The Historic Lowry House — Tickets required — Experience a thrilling paranormal investigation at one of the most haunted places in Alabama.

PMP Exam Preparation Training

9 AM – 5 PM — Alabama A&M University — Contact for pricing — Enhance your project management skills with a comprehensive PMP certification bootcamp.

Twelfth Night Performance

7:30-9:30 p.m. — VBC Playhouse — Ticket prices vary — Experience Shakespeare's classic comedy of mistaken identities and love.

Alabama Regional Future City Competition

7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. — T.M. Elmore Gymnasium — Free entry — Middle school students showcase innovative cities of the future tackling real-world problems.

FREE Latin Dance Night

6:30-10:00 p.m. — The Electric Belle — Free entry — Start with a free dance lesson and keep the rhythm going all night on the dance floor.

Phi Beta Sigma Founders Day Celebration

6-11 PM — Stovehouse — Refund policy available — Celebrate 112 years of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service with music and camaraderie.

Los Rugar Concert

8 PM – 12 AM — Ok Corral — Ticket prices vary — Dance the night away to the melodic sounds of Los Rugar featuring their hit Cortinas Guindas.