Friday, July 4th, 2025

Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Huntsville.
Good morning, Huntsville. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 4th of July.
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Decatur Police charged Dakota Charles Epps with possessing child sexual abuse material after investigators, led by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, found three videos during a home search — he is now held on a $300,000 bond — while the investigation continues with more charges expected. WAAY 31
- ➤ Hartselle police responded to a shooting on Thursday when officers found unarmed 59 year old Nancy Deanne Sandline Fox at a home on Stage Road and arrested 25 year old Wyatt Braxton Young from Falkville for capital murder—police said the incident was isolated and posed no danger to the community. WHNT News 19
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ More than $1 billion in new construction has started in the Huntsville area this year through June 30, with Huntsville Hospital’s Madison Street Tower expansion adding 154,000 square feet of clinical space—top builders like Robins & Morton, Davidson Homes, and Lennar Homes are responsible for major projects and future plans include expansions to parks and community facilities. This growth reflects strong local development and signals continued investments in the region. AL.com
- ➤ Lawmakers passed a smokable hemp ban that took effect on July 1 and has hurt small business owners and patients who rely on hemp products, with vendors like Jason Pauls at the Green Lady Dispensary reporting an 80% income drop and fears that up to 2,000 jobs could be lost. The law (HB445) makes selling these products a Class C felony and new guidelines from the ABC Board (expected Jan. 1, 2026) are still pending. AL.com
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reopened Wilson Lock on the Tennessee River this morning at 6:00 a.m. after nearly nine months of repairs to fix cracks in the chamber gates and pintle assemblies—a project costing $20 million and supported by TVA. The main lock will now restore full navigation capacity, making barge tows 4 to 6 times more efficient—saving 16 to 24 hours per 15-barge tow and easing delays for local vessels. FOX 54
- ➤ The Huntsville Police celebrated the graduation of eight new officers from the 72nd Academy Session on July 3 at the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering—local leaders praised the graduates for their hard work and commitment. The officers will soon begin field training to serve the community. City of Huntsville
TRAVEL NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR Compression packing cubes are a travel game-changer — fit twice as much, stay organized, and avoid suitcase chaos. Perfect for any trip, they keep clothes tidy, save space, and make packing and unpacking a breeze. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Huntsville.
-
Butterfly Release Program
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. — Purdy Butterfly House — $8 for Garden Members, $20 for Non-Member children — Experience the joy of releasing live butterflies and capturing unforgettable moments.
-
George Willborn Comedy Show
6-7:30 p.m. — Huntsville Levity Live — Ticketed event — Enjoy an evening of laughter with the talented comedian George Willborn.
-
Phusion Comedy Open Mic
8-10:30 p.m. — Phat Sammy's — Free entry — Enjoy a night of laughter with local comedians at this weekly open mic event in Huntsville.
-
Heartshakers - Tom Petty Tribute
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Mars Music Hall — Tickets available at the VBC Box Office and online — Don't miss out on The Heartshakers, a live tribute to the music of Tom Petty.
-
The Market at MidCity
12-4 p.m. — The Camp — Free entry — Explore local vendors and enjoy community vibes in Huntsville.
-
Level Up STEAM Camp: Python Coding for Beginners
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM — DiVRgence — Registration required — Dive into Python programming with hands-on projects for young learners.
-
Mick Foley: A Night of Comedy and Storytelling
7-8:30 p.m. — Huntsville Levity Live — Tickets required — Experience the wit and wisdom of wrestling legend Mick Foley as he shares stories from his colorful career.
-
Catacombs & Comedians
7-11 p.m. — Huntsville Levity Live — Tickets from $21.42 — Experience a night of laughter with Brandi Augustus, Jesse Brady, Rayna Cahill, Elliott White & Dan Taylor.
-
CodeHSV Summer Tech Mixer
6-8 p.m. — The Camp — Free entry — Network and innovate at Huntsville's vibrant tech community mixer.
-
Columbus Clingstones vs. Rocket City Trash Pandas
6:35–8:35 p.m. — Toyota Field — Admission Charged — Don't miss the exciting matchup between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Columbus Clingstones.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.

Maximize Space and Stay Organized with Compression Packing Cubes
Don’t overlook compression packing cubes for your next trip — they’re a simple but transformative travel essential. Designed to compress clothing and maximize space, these cubes help you fit twice as much into your suitcase without the bulk.
Beyond just saving space, compression packing cubes keep your luggage neat and organized. Group your outfits by day or category, separate clean and dirty clothes, or designate cubes for different family members when traveling together. No more rummaging through your suitcase — everything stays in its place, easily accessible when you need it.
Lightweight and durable, these cubes are ideal for carry-ons and checked bags alike. They also help prevent overpacking by limiting how much you can fit in each cube. Once you try them, you’ll wonder how you ever traveled without them.
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Huntsville.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.
~ John Wayne
About Daily Huntsville
Welcome to the Daily Huntsville, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Huntsville, Alabama community. If you like the Daily Huntsville, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Huntsville.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Huntsville and across Alabama. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Huntsville
A free Huntsville community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.

© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyhuntsville.com/sitemap