Rock & Community Events: Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard lit up Tanglewood, while Arab’s Mini Ren Renaissance Faire returns Sept. 19 with costumes, artisans, and family-friendly medieval fun. Youth Sports & Local Culture: Flag football keeps growing in Alabama, with Albertville’s program building a “culture” and momentum for a strong season. Learning & Access: Alabama Community College System launches free AI classes statewide through the AI Community Caravan, and Wallace Community College-Dothan’s “See 4 Free” event offers a no-cost GED path for adults. Education Costs & Planning: New reporting lists in-state tuition and required fees at UA ($12,180 in 2024-25) and other Alabama colleges, as College Savings Month spotlights 529 planning via CollegeCounts. Policy Watch: Alabama lawmakers push to eliminate the state grocery tax, now at 2%, as election-year relief talk heats up. Workforce & Career-Tech: Walker County’s delegation secured another $12 million for the Heman Drummond Center of Innovation in Jasper, expanding career-tech training. Public Safety: Irondale Fire Department earned 2026 Trailblazer Department recognition for prevention and community education.