256 Today

Whlle stating Alabame Public Television must “align with Alabama values,” Gov. Kay Ivey today said planning is needed on the issue of the network disaffiliating from PBS. At a meeting last month, APT board members and commissioners discussed severing its affiliation with PBS due to questions about the programming of the national organization. The discussions are also in the wake of President Donald Trump cutting $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in July. In those cuts, APT lost more than $2.8 million in funding from the CPB, nearly 13% of its budget. In September, APT laid off 11 employees, about 15% of its staff. “I am writing about the prospect of APT disaffiliating with PBS,” Ivey said in a letter to the Alabama Educational Television Commission. “While I am sympathetic to the concerns that may be prompting this proposal, such a sweeping, immediate action, especially if taken unilaterally by the executive branch, should be undertaken only after a thorough planning process and only with a thorough understanding of public opinion. “For the sake of our people, it is imperative that APT’s programming align with Alabama values. At the same time, I have also strived to ensure that state government operates in an orderly fashion, with due regard for deliberation and collaboration among stakeholders.” This won’t be the first time commission was involved in controversial decisions involving programming. In 1976, the FCC delayed renewed and then briefly revoked licenses because the network refused to carry programs about the Vietnam War or the Black community. Then, in May 2019, APT and the Arkansas Education Television Network refused to air an episode of the children’s series “Arthur” because it featured a same-sex marriage. If the APT does cut its PBS ties, it will have to come up with about 90% of its programming – including all of the educational programs during the day. APT would lose access to programming such as “Sesame Street,” “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” and “PBS News Hour.” At last month’s meeting, board members discussed an “a la carte” alternative and find out if APT can pick and choose its programming from PBS. The commission’s next meeting is Tuesday. Ivey said she is asking the commission to do two things before disaffiliating from PBS, without direction from the Legislature.

A pair of North Alabama school administrators with major contributions to high school athletics have been selected for induction into the Class of 2026 Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame. Willie Moore of Athens and Hackleburg’s John Hardin are among 12 people announced by AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon and Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association Director James T. Lawrence. The induction will be March 26 in Montgomery. Also selected were administrators Jamie Chapman and Kimberly Kiel; football coaches Jeff Smith and Larry Strain; basketball coaches Ricky Austin, Owen Butts, Anthony Edwards, Willie Maxey, and Joseph Pettway; and from the Old-Timers’ Division was track coach Samuel Pettaway. “What a difficult task our Hall of Fame selection committee had this year – and every year,” said Harmon. “It was very heartwarming to see so many individuals nominated from all across the state who truly have made a lasting positive impact on so many lives.” Lawrence also praised the committee and the member schools for their roles in the nomination and selection process. “This was indeed a difficult job paring down the selections to just 12 as the bylaws require,” he said. “We appreciate all the member schools who submitted their respective nominees. The nominees have dedicated their lives to helping promote and support education-based athletics. “We can’t thank them enough for their service and sacrifice.” The first class was inducted in 1991. The 12 new inductees will push the total enshrined into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame to 427. WILLIE MOORE (ADMINSTRATOR/COACH) An Athens faculty member said, “Anyone in contact with Mr. Moore is better for the experience because above all else, Mr. Moore is a model of integrity that my peers and I hold as our exemplar.” A graduate of Bibb County High School (1988), Moore, 55, graduated from the University of Alabama (1994) cum laude, and earned degrees from Jacksonville State and Alabama State, cum laude. He returned to his hometown of Centreville to begin his teaching and coaching career in 1995 at Brent Elementary School. He moved to West Blocton High School the next year serving as a teacher and coach, then returned to Bibb County High School in 1997 where he coached and taught through 2005. He served as a teacher, coach and administrator at Dallas County High School from 2005-2018 – becoming the school’s principal in 2016. In 2018, he moved north to Athens High School as the Academy principal and was elevated to executive principal in 2020 – a position he still holds. As an administrator, he has served as a CLAS Director (2023), AASSP District 8 President (2020–2023). He moved rapidly into leadership as an administrator – leading to his present position at Athens High School. As a basketball coach, his accomplishments have been legendary – earning Coach of the Year in Bibb County in 1996, Tuscaloosa News Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2001, Selma Times-Journal Coach of the Year twice, and AHSAA Class 4A state coach of the year in 2014. His boys’ basketball coaching record was 539-138, coached 18 area championships, reached the region tournament 10 times and the AHSAA Final Four twice – winning the state crown in 2014. Moore served many roles at Dallas County including girls’ softball coach (106-43), boys’ baseball coach (109-44), and stepped in as interim football coach. He coached the South squad in the 2015 North-South Basketball Classic. He is described by a faculty member at Dallas County as having exceptional leadership skills and exhibiting a strong dedication to the continuous personal and professional growth of every student he encounters. Moore was an AHSAA Class 4A “Making a Difference” recipient in 2016 while at Dallas County. His wife Linda Moore received the same honor in Class 6A at Athens High School in 2021. JOHN HARDIN (ADMINISTRATOR) While his leadership statewide was important, his leadership at home after a tornado destroyed much of his town and county and the high school was his finest moment. “The true test was in 2011,” said nominator Ann West, superintendent of Marion County Schools, in her recommendation letter for Hardin. “The April 27 tornadoes that year destroyed both the elementary and high schools in Hackleburg. Mr. Hardin stepped up and provided great leadership during a very trying time. Not only were the schools destroyed, but the entire town was also destroyed. For the next four years, they had school in modular units. “It was a tough situation that Mr. Hardin made the best of every day – and did it with a great attitude.” Those who watched his leadership at work certainly agreed. Hardin was named the Hackleburg Alumnus of the year in 2019 and earned the AHSAA’s coveted Class 1A “Making a Difference” Award in 2019. Hardin was inducted into the Marion County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. Born in Jackson, Miss., Hardin, 69, grew up in Hackleburg, graduating in 1974 and earning his college degree four years later at the University of Mississippi. He finished his master’s at West Alabama. He began his career as an educator at Amory, Miss., where he taught and coached through 1983. He then moved back home to Hackleburg to begin a tenure that would last for the next three decades. He made his impact first as a teacher and coach – guiding the Panthers’ football team to a 118-98 record, 12 state playoff appearances and seven region championships from 1980-2008. Hardin also served as the school’s head girls’ softball coach with even greater success compiling a 246-119 record from 1988-2000. His teams won five area titles, advanced to two Final 4 appearances, and four Elite Eight appearances. He was girls’ head basketball coach from 1992-2005 with 236 wins, 106 losses, four area crowns, two Elite 8 appearances, two Northwest Region titles and two Final Four appearances. As impressive as his coaching success was, his remarkable rise to become one of the AHSAA’s strongest leaders. As the Hackleburg principal, he served 23 years on the District 7 Legislative Council, eight years on the AHSAA Central Board of Control with two terms as CBOC president. His sage advice and wise counsel helped mold the AHSAA’s future. He served on the Finance Committee, Re-classification Committee, Long-Range Planning Committee, and Hall of Fame Selection Committee during his time on the board.

Katherine Robertson, chief counsel to the Alabama attorney general, says her decade inside the office is the driving force behind her campaign to become the state’s next attorney general. She spoke to 256 Today on a recent stop on Huntsville. Robertson, who has served as chief counsel for nearly 10 years, said she entered the race after evaluating what the office will need once Attorney General Steve Marshall departs. He is running for U.S. Senate to succeed Sen. Tommy Tuberville who is running for governor. “Since my boss can’t run again, I just started looking at where the office was heading and wanting to keep it heading in the same direction, I decided to throw my name into the mix and [I’m] excited about it,” Robertson said. “I think we need continuity in the office so long as we’re doing a good job. And so I offer myself to the folks.” If elected, Robertson said her priorities would be “to continue doing what we’re doing, but better.” “Our mission is to make the state safer [and] the country freer,” she said. “And as long as it fits into that, then we go full speed in that direction.” One of Robertson’s primary opponents, St. Clair County Circuit Judge Pamela Casey, has emphasized her prosecution background on the campaign trail and has said she is the only candidate with “real prosecution experience.” Robertson pushed back on that argument. “Yeah, well, I’m not running for district attorney. She’s correct,” Robertson said. “I’m running to run the attorney general’s office, which does an array of litigation from criminal trials all the way to constitutional defense and so on. So I’ve got the diversity of practice here. “I’m not running as a prosecutor. I’m running as chief counsel. The AG [has] seen a little bit of everything, weathered a lot of storms, and [I] think I have the savvy to continue doing the job well.” Robertson has already secured a long list of endorsements, which she says reflects the relationships she has built over two decades in public policy and law. “I wouldn’t have gotten into the race if I didn’t think I had a pretty good group of friends out there that have watched my career since it began in D.C. 20 years ago and in Alabama 12 years ago,” she said. “From my time for Sen. Jeff Sessions to the Alabama Policy Institute, till now, I think there are a lot of people that believe in what I’m offering the people and have seen my track record and are willing to support me and I appreciate it so much.” Asked about another candidate, former Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Jay Mitchell, Robertson declined to weigh in. “I really don’t want to talk about my opponents,” she said. “I like talking about myself and my track record and what I’m bringing to the table here. No one else in this race has run the AG’s office before. “No one else has fought the fights that we have. And so I feel really good about my message and I just want to stay focused on that.” The GOP primary is May 19, 2026.

Katherine Robertson, chief counsel to the Alabama attorney general, says her decade inside the office is the driving force behind her campaign to become the state’s next attorney general. She spoke to 256 Today on a recent stop on Huntsville. Robertson, who has served as chief counsel for nearly 10 years, said she entered the race after evaluating what the office will need once Attorney General Steve Marshall departs. He is running for U.S. Senate to succeed Sen. Tommy Tuberville who is running for governor. “Since my boss can’t run again, I just started looking at where the office was heading and wanting to keep it heading in the same direction, I decided to throw my name into the mix and [I’m] excited about it,” Robertson said. “I think we need continuity in the office so long as we’re doing a good job. And so I offer myself to the folks.” If elected, Robertson said her priorities would be “to continue doing what we’re doing, but better.” “Our mission is to make the state safer [and] the country freer,” she said. “And as long as it fits into that, then we go full speed in that direction.” One of Robertson’s primary opponents, St. Clair County Circuit Judge Pamela Casey, has emphasized her prosecution background on the campaign trail and has said she is the only candidate with “real prosecution experience.” Robertson pushed back on that argument. “Yeah, well, I’m not running for district attorney. She’s correct,” Robertson said. “I’m running to run the attorney general’s office, which does an array of litigation from criminal trials all the way to constitutional defense and so on. So I’ve got the diversity of practice here. “I’m not running as a prosecutor. I’m running as chief counsel. The AG [has] seen a little bit of everything, weathered a lot of storms, and [I] think I have the savvy to continue doing the job well.” The GOP primary is May 19, 2026.

The Lions will close the regular season at home this Saturday for Senior Day against Southern Utah. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m. in the final Lions’ game at Braly Stadium. 256today.com/una-falls-to-n…

"The nominees have dedicated their lives to helping promote and support education-based athletics. We can’t thank them enough for their service and sacrifice.” - James T. Lawrence 256today.com/athens-moore-h…

“Since my boss can’t run again, I just started looking at where the office was heading and wanting to keep it heading in the same direction, I decided to throw my name into the mix and [I’m] excited about it.” - Katherine Robertson 256today.com/robertson-says…

The Bulldogs (4-7 overall, 1-6 SWAC) trailed 26-23 in the final minute and had the ball, but quarterback Eric Handley was sacked as time expired to give the Rattlers the road victory. 256today.com/snake-bitten-b…

“If the commission is going to disaffiliate from PBS, it should do so in response to trends in voter opinion, not just an isolated snapshot.” - Gov. Kay Ivey 256today.com/ivey-wants-tho…

In addition to being named the 2025 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from APCG, Pretes also served as the Distinguished Visiting Professor of Geosciences at the Air Force Academy. 256today.com/una-geography-…

"I will do everything I can as a member of the Alabama Supreme Court to live up to the high standards set by her and embodied by all of Team Ivey.” - Will Parker 256today.com/ivey-chooses-g…

Along with the 5K and 10K runs on the fastest and flattest course in North Alabama, there will be prizes for the three most festively dressed participants, free hot chocolate for all, free holiday scarves for the runners and great food and beverages. 256today.com/huntsville-cit…

"While the ice work will temporarily limit our summer use of the Propst Arena, we do not expect it to significantly affect our concerts or sports events." - VBC Executive Director Steve Maples 256today.com/von-braun-cent…

"I learned the value of being a leader and knowing when to sit back and let others lead, too. This conference inspired me to be a community leader and step up and lead the correct way.” - Holly Pond 10th-grader Hudson Stephens 256today.com/alfa-youth-lea…

Ethic Tech will provide a broad range of inter-related administrative, acquisition, financial management, professional, and program management support services in support of the Pentagon and the Office of Golden Dome for America. 256today.com/ethic-tech-awa…

Through the program, UAH will fund up to 15 doctoral fellowships across four NSF directorates – Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Engineering, Geosciences, and Computer and Information Science and Engineering. 256today.com/uah-awarded-2-…

When Chuck’s Fish opens its doors on Thanksgiving Day, there will be no prices on the menu, no reservations and no limits on who is welcome. For the first time, the restaurant at Clift Farm will host its Thanksgiving Day Feast, a free community meal open to anyone who wants a place at the table. The event, held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is part of a long-running holiday tradition started more than 30 years ago at Chuck’s sister restaurant, Harbor Docks, in Destin, Fla. “It actually originated in Destin,” said Cris Eddings, partner with Chuck’s Fish. “My partner, Charles Morgan, started doing it there more than 30 years ago, and it’s grown to be quite a production. They’ll serve over 2,000 meals this Thanksgiving and donate all the proceeds to a local charity.” “The idea is that Thanksgiving is a time when everyone, no matter what walk of life you come from, deserves a good meal and good company,” Eddings said. “You could be homeless or a family having trouble making ends meet. You could be a student or worker away from home, or a family that just wants to come in, eat, and not have to cook or do the dishes.” While the meal is free, guests often choose to give back. Donations are accepted but never solicited, and this year, all proceeds from the Madison feast will benefit Madison Visionary Partners (MVP). “What we don’t do is actively ask for donations the day of the event,” Eddings said. “We never want anyone to feel obligated. The point is for everyone to sit under one roof and break bread together. If people want to donate, they’ll find us, and they’ll do it from the heart.” The menu is as traditional as it gets: roast turkey and ham, casseroles, mashed potatoes, vegetables, gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls and dessert. There’s even a to-go option that’s become a fan favorite. “We make a couple hundred turkey sandwiches for folks to take home,” Eddings said. This year’s feast also marks a special milestone for Chuck’s Fish in Madison, its first Thanksgiving since opening at Clift Farm. The Chuck’s Fish Thanksgiving Feast is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteer opportunities can be found on the Madison Visionary Partners’ website.

Redstone officials see the range as a nearby asset that can reduce the backlog for missile and munitions testing, helping accelerate critical work and improving readiness ... by providing a dedicated testing location in closer proximity to the arsenal. 256today.com/defense-muniti…

“Yeah, baby!” Amid cheers rivaling a football game, a New Glenn booster landed Thursday afternoon after delivering a NASA mission into orbit. The New Glenn orbital launch vehicle completed its second mission, deploying NASA’s Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (ESCAPADE) twin-spacecraft into a designated loiter orbit, and landing the fully reusable first stage on Jacklyn in the Atlantic Ocean, officials said. And Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp provided a classic quote from Han Solo in “The Empire Strikes Back” to celebrate. “We achieved full mission success today, and I am so proud of the team,” Limp said. “It turns out ‘Never tell me the odds’ had perfect odds — never before in history has a booster this large nailed the landing on the second try. “This is just the beginning as we rapidly scale our flight cadence and continue delivering for our customers.” New Glenn’s seven BE-4 engines built in Huntsville ignited Thursday at 2:55:01 p.m. CST at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, according to a news release. ESCAPADE is the first multi-spacecraft orbital science mission to Mars. The ESCAPADE spacecraft will begin their journey to Mars once the Earth and Mars reach an ideal alignment next fall. Its twin orbiters will take simultaneous observations from different locations around Mars. The observations will reveal the planet’s real-time response to space weather and how the Martian magnetosphere changes over time. In addition to deploying the NASA spacecraft, the Viasat HaloNet demonstration onboard New Glenn’s second stage executed the first flight test of Viasat’s telemetry data relay service for NASA’s Communications Services Project. “Congratulations to Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, UC Berkeley, and all of our partners on the successful launch of ESCAPADE,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. “This heliophysics mission will help reveal how Mars became a desert planet, and how solar eruptions affect the Martian surface. Every launch of New Glenn provides data that will be essential when we launch MK-1 through Artemis. “All of this information will be critical to protect future NASA explorers and invaluable as we evaluate how to deliver on President Trump’s vision of planting the Stars and Stripes on Mars.” Blue Origin officials said New Glenn is foundational to advancing their customers’ critical missions as well as their own. “The vehicle underpins our efforts to establish sustained human presence on the moon, harness in-space resources, provide multi-mission, multi-orbit mobility through Blue Ring, and establish destinations in low Earth orbit,” the company said. The New Glenn program has several vehicles in production and multiple years of orders. In addition to NASA and Viasat, customers include Amazon’s Project Kuiper, AST SpaceMobile, and several telecommunications providers, among others. The mission marked the vehicle’s second National Security Space Launch (NSSL) certification flight. Blue Origin is certifying New Glenn with the U.S. Space Force for the NSSL program to meet emerging national security objectives. “Today was a tremendous achievement for the New Glenn team, opening a new era for Blue Origin and the industry as we look to launch, land, repeat, again and again,” said Jordan Charles, vice president, New Glenn. “We’ve made significant progress on manufacturing at rate and building ahead of need. “Our primary focus remains focused on increasing our cadence and working through our manifest.”

Area utility companies are warning customers about an increase in a specific type of scam, and how they can easily protect themselves. This is a phishing scam that uses third-party payment services to steal private banking information from customers trying to pay utility bills, Huntsville Utilities said in a news release. According to the utility, when customers search online to pay their utility bill, a number of fraudulent links sometimes emerge from that search that look legitimate. Instead of taking customers to the Huntsville Utilities website or HSVUTIL App, the fraudulent links take unsuspecting victims to websites for third-party payment services promising to pay bills for a small fee, Huntsville Utilities said. “These sites require entering personal information, such as bank account numbers, debit/credit numbers, etc.,” the news release said. “While these services may actually pay utility bills, we are seeing a rising number of cases where customer bank accounts are emptied, or fraudulent charges appear on credit card statements afterwards.” Similarly, scammers are building web pages with URLs similar to Huntsville Utilities’, the utility said. When customers go to these sites and click the link to pay their bill, they are directed to a third-party service requesting personal information. Officials are advising customers, when they see this, to stop and contact Huntsville Utilities. “The only free, safe, and secure way to pay your Huntsville Utilities bill online is to use the MY HU link on our homepage at hsvutil.org or by using the HSVUTIL app,” the utility news release said. Customers should never give personal banking information to a service that promises to pay their Huntsville Utilities bill. Doing so significantly increases the risk of identity theft and having bank accounts being compromised.