News from the South - Alabama News Feed

Passenger rail set to return between Mobile and New Orleans | Louisiana

Published

4 months ago

December 5, 2024

www.thecentersquare.com – By Nolan McKendry | The Center Square – 2024-12-04 09:13:00

SUMMARY: Summarize this content to 100 words:
(The Center Square) − Shovels hit the dirt in Mobile in October, marking the long-anticipated revival of passenger rail service between Mobile and New Orleans. According to the Southern Rail Commission, service will begin in spring of 2025. Communities along the Gulf Coast, including Pascagoula, Biloxi, and Gulfport, will once again be linked by Amtrak’s Gulf Coast Corridor — a service last operational before Hurricane Katrina ravaged the region in 2005.

Map shows Amtrak route from Mobile to New Orleans

Southern Rail Commission

The project, backed by years of federal, state, and local collaboration, has been hailed as a major step in restoring vital transportation infrastructure and fostering economic growth. The Southern Rail Commission, which spearheaded the effort, has emphasized the wide-reaching benefits of the renewed rail line.”This is an incredible outcome,” said SRC Chairman Knox Ross. “With the funding in place, this train can roll soon, and it will have a great return on investment. It will connect people with jobs and education opportunities, boost our local economies, and support the growing tourism industry in our coastal cities.”The Gulf Coast Corridor Improvement Project has received significant federal backing. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg highlighted the importance of the restoration effort during a visit to Mobile on Oct. 22.Buttigieg celebrated the project, calling it a milestone for the Gulf Coast. “The Gulf Coast Corridor Improvement Project will restore passenger train service between Mobile and New Orleans for the first time since Hurricane Katrina devastated the region in 2005,” Buttigieg said.The restoration has been years in the making, thanks to grants awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration and other federal prograMiss.In 2016, the SRC began planning and station upgrades with more than $2 million in rail administration funding. Subsequent grants included $5.45 million in 2019 for operational costs and $33 million for critical infrastructure improvements. The effort has also drawn matching funds from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Mobile.The project’s success is a testament to persistent advocacy. Ross and other SRC leaders credited support from elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss. and the late U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss. as well as local partners like Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson and the Mobile City Council.”We are almost to the finish line,” Ross said. “We look forward to riding this train in the near future.”The rail line is expected to enhance mobility along the Gulf Coast, providing new connections for workers, students, and tourists alike.

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News from the South - Alabama News Feed

Panoply 2025’s Musical Guests | April 18, 2025 | News 19 at 9 a.m.

Published

8 hours ago

April 18, 2025

Staff Editor

www.youtube.com – WHNT News 19 – 2025-04-18 11:25:01

SUMMARY: Panoply 2025, set for April 25-27, will feature a diverse lineup of live music, including rock, R&B, smooth jazz, and local acts such as Alana White and The Red Flags. Headliner Billy Allen and The Polly’s will perform on Friday night. New this year are DJ sets between performances, generating excitement among attendees. The event will offer a range of activities, including food and entertainment. Tickets are $15 for a weekend pass, with parking and logistics advised for ease. The festival’s website and Huntsville social media will provide updates on weather and other event details.

Panoply 2025 is a week from today! Patrice Johnson with Arts Huntsville swung by News 19 at 9am to tease this year’s musical guests!

News 19 is North Alabama’s News Leader! We are the CBS affiliate in North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley since November 28, 1963.

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News from the South - Alabama News Feed

Alabama House committee approves Senate version of cell phone ban

Published

2 days ago

April 16, 2025

Staff Editor

alabamareflector.com – Anna Barrett – 2025-04-16 15:51:00

by Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector
April 16, 2025

The Alabama House Education Policy Committee Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would ban cellphones in public schools during class instruction time.

SB 92, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, is identical to HB 166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, which passed the House earlier this month.

“It is identical to the way that we passed it out of the House and amended it on the floor recently. So we’re making sure that they’re tracking identically, and we have been able to successfully do that,” Hulsey, who carried the bill for Chesteen, said Wednesday.

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The bill requires local school boards to adopt a policy to store student cell phones during class hours. Some schools use Yondr Pouches to store phones, but the legislation does not specify how a phone should be stored.

“They just have to turn the phone off, store it off your person in a locker, car, whatever your storage solution is, it’s a similar solution. Whatever they choose,” Hulsey said.

There are three exceptions for when a student can access their phones: if they study under an Individualized Education Plan that allows it; for teacher-approved instruction and for medical purposes.

The bill was approved with no discussion. It moves to the full House for consideration.

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Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.

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News from the South - Alabama News Feed

Foley man wins Race to the Finish as Kyle Larson gets first win of 2025 Xfinity Series at Bristol

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2025

Staff Editor

Foley man wins Race to the Finish as Kyle Larson gets first win of 2025 Xfinity Series at Bristol

www.youtube.com – WKRG – 2025-04-14 23:01:45

SUMMARY: Kyle Larson dominated the 2025 Xfinity Series race at Bristol, leading 277 of 300 laps and claiming his first win of the season. Despite a few scary moments, Larson maintained control, finishing with only 12 cars on the lead lap. He also won the Cup Series race on Sunday. James Livingston from Foley won a NASCAR hat in a prediction contest, joining 11 others in a chance to win tickets to the NASCAR Xfinity Championship in Phoenix. The Xfinity Series will return to Rockingham for Easter weekend, with Casey Kane making his return to racing.