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This is Alabama We share daily videos, photos and stories that tell real stories about Alabama’s innovators, natural wonders, good food, events, places to visit and more.

The reason Alabama resident Adrian Gilstrap finally got his own restaurant in Huntsville named Niyah’s Southern Grill is...
08/06/2025

The reason Alabama resident Adrian Gilstrap finally got his own restaurant in Huntsville named Niyah’s Southern Grill is tattooed on the inside of his right forearm.

There, you’ll find an inked portrait of his older brother Eric inscribed with Eric’s nickname, “Big E.”

Two months after the brothers reconnected after six years, Eric, who’d recently had heart issues, had a stroke at work.

“He was still fighting,” Adrian says. “One thing that got me is when my brother opened his eyes and looked at me. I got that five-second look, then my brother passed. That look was for me, that was our time right there. He wanted to actually buy me a restaurant. He had the means and he’d been watching me all these years on Facebook as I’m growing. ‘Bro, I’m proud of you. Let’s get you out the gas station. I just want to see you do good.”

Read more of his story here: https://www.al.com/life/2025/01/huntsville-soul-food-cooks-long-road-to-opening-his-own-restaurant.html

📷: Matt Wake

An Alabama chef has won Louisiana’s prestigious Great American Seafood Cook-Off! Over the event’s history, two Alabama c...
08/06/2025

An Alabama chef has won Louisiana’s prestigious Great American Seafood Cook-Off!

Over the event’s history, two Alabama chefs have been crowned “the king of American seafood.” Though he wasn’t representing his home state, Wesley True, a Mobile native who represented Tennessee in the 2025 competition, became the third.

The annual event, held over the weekend in New Orleans, was founded 20 years ago by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board to promote the use of sustainable, domestic seafood.

Read more: https://www.al.com/life/2025/08/alabama-chef-crowned-king-of-american-seafood-in-annual-competition.htm

For a decade now, Scott Bannon has been the face of the state when it comes to coastal fishing limits, conservation effo...
08/06/2025

For a decade now, Scott Bannon has been the face of the state when it comes to coastal fishing limits, conservation efforts and saltwater law enforcement. He’s as surprised as anyone that his “dream job” has come to an end.

Bannon says that he loved everything about his old job, but there was one itch he never got to scratch – doing more educational outreach to engage young people with the outdoors. Now that’ll be his mission.

“I was not on a job hunt. I had tentatively had a plan to retire In September of 2027,” said Bannon. “But I also told folks, what I’ve learned is, if God sent something my way, to honor that."

Read more: https://www.al.com/news/mobile/2025/08/alabama-conservation-official-gives-up-dream-job-to-run-beloved-nature-center.html

08/06/2025

What's something only Alabamians will understand?

Nick and Miss Terry Saban hosted their annual Nick’s Kids Foundation Giveaway Luncheon at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny St...
08/05/2025

Nick and Miss Terry Saban hosted their annual Nick’s Kids Foundation Giveaway Luncheon at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium today and awarded Lulu Gribbin with a Nick's kid award.

Check out the photo below!

📷: Will McLelland/AL.com

When visitors step into a courtyard outside the International Arts Center at Troy University, they’ll discover a 13-foot...
08/04/2025

When visitors step into a courtyard outside the International Arts Center at Troy University, they’ll discover a 13-foot-high statue of a bird that looks as if one eye has been gouged out.

It is meant to shock and it does.

The creepy yet thought-provoking artwork, created by famed artist and Troy native Nall, is called Violata Pax Dove, which translates to Wounded Peace Dove.

Read more about its' story here: https://www.al.com/life/2025/08/a-legendary-artist-gifted-this-eerie-statue-to-alabama-after-it-was-commissioned-by-a-pope.html

A new music venue and bar in Alabama aims to create a Nashville vibe for fans who love country music.Two Dimes, on the T...
08/04/2025

A new music venue and bar in Alabama aims to create a Nashville vibe for fans who love country music.

Two Dimes, on the Tuscaloosa Strip, is set for a soft opening Aug. 16 at 1307 University Blvd. That’s an iconic spot for entertainment in T-Town and the former location of Druid City Music Hall, The Jupiter, The Varsity, Bama Beach Club and more.

“It’s a long-term play. We’re building this venue and plan to have it for the long haul,” said co-owner Grant McCabe.

Read more: https://www.al.com/life/2025/08/iconic-spot-in-alabama-to-reopen-as-country-music-venue-and-bar-a-perfect-experience.html

Kat Files has danced since she was 4-years-old. Her talent has taken her around the country, yet every year she returns ...
08/03/2025

Kat Files has danced since she was 4-years-old. Her talent has taken her around the country, yet every year she returns to Birmingham to give back.

Growing up, Files said she remembers traveling out of state to learn dance techniques that weren’t available in Birmingham. Instead of packing her bags and never looking back, Files created a program that has exposed more than 6,000 community members to opportunities in the arts.

“I am not based in Birmingham anymore, but I am still trying to have an impact and influence because I love the city that I’m from,” Files said. “We’re trying to uplift the community and move the needle forward.”

Read more: https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2025/07/a-birmingham-dance-program-is-making-professional-arts-training-accessible-giving-back.html

Tucked away in scenic downtown Opelika is a pinball arcade that’s offering its visitors of all ages, whether they’ve pla...
08/03/2025

Tucked away in scenic downtown Opelika is a pinball arcade that’s offering its visitors of all ages, whether they’ve played pinball for decades or are trying it for the first time, a chance to have a little fun of the retro variety.

Say hello to Rock ‘N Roll Pinball, which opened in Opelika in November of 2020.

Rock ‘N Roll Pinball has dozens of pinball games, which customers can pay $10 to play for an hour or $20 for the day. They range from that first Beatles game to games themed after “Attack From Mars,” “Jurassic Park,” KISS, Led Zeppelin, “The Mandalorian,” “Star Trek” and many more.

“An arcade like ours, and even the venue of The Jailhouse, we sell fun,” said Rains. “A lot of people will come here, and they’ll leave with nothing extra in their hands, but they’ll have had a fun experience, and I see this time and again."

Read more: https://www.al.com/life/2025/07/alabama-veterans-pinball-passion-creates-unique-arcade.html

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