256 Today

08/10/2025

SHEFFIELD – Cody Holder, a veteran in the banking industry, has been named vice president – sales officer by Bank Independent.

“Cody’s journey at Bank Independent is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and a passion for serving others,” said Jason Windham, president of Bank Independent. “His leadership, both within the bank and in our communities, reflects the values we hold dear.

“We are proud to see Cody step into this new role and excited to watch him continue to make a meaningful impact.”

Holder has been a member of the Bank Independent team since 2010, building a career that reflects dedication, growth, and a commitment to community banking.

Starting as a part-time teller, Holder advanced through positions including personal banker, treasury solutions sales specialist, real estate specialist, and sales manager. Since 2019, he has served as sales officer.

In his new role, Holder will serve customers through Bank Independent’s Cox Creek Sales Office in Florence. His leadership and experience make him a trusted partner to clients and a respected leader among his peers.

Holder holds a bachelor of business administration in marketing from the University of North Alabama and has furthered his professional growth through Leadership Shoals and the Alabama Banking School.

08/10/2025

BIRMINGHAM — A Huntsville company is among five statewide organizations to share $1 million from Innovate Alabama through its newly launched Talent Pilot Program.

According to a news release, the awardees are pioneering innovative solutions to address Alabama’s most pressing talent challenges, with initiatives that span both rural and urban communities, while placing particular emphasis on rural spaces.

Huntsville-based Outpost Technologies, scaling the Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering’s Capstone Project, offers hands-on engineering and cybersecurity coursework tied to real-world industry challenges.

Together, the programs represent community-driven strategies to prepare Alabama for the future of work, the news release said.
From precision agriculture training in the Black Belt and surrounding areas to robotics mentoring programs between engineering students and rural middle schoolers and more, the projects reflect creative approaches that connect education and future employment.

“This pilot isn’t just about funding programs — it’s about unlocking potential,” said Shannon Allen, executive director of future talent strategies at Innovate Alabama. “We’re enabling organizations to build, test and ultimately scale models that align with Alabama’s long-term vision for innovation and economic competitiveness.”
Talent development is one of Innovate Alabama’s core pillars, essential to building a robust pipeline of skilled individuals who can drive the state’s growing innovation economy.

Click here to read more: https://256today.com/huntsvilles-outpost-technologies-shares-innovate-alabama-talent-development-award/

08/10/2025

BIRMINGHAM — Alabama A&M University guard Kalia Walker was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Year, the conference announced Tuesday during the league’s Media Day.

Walker also earned All-SWAC Preseason First Team honors and forward/center Jaida Belton was selected to the second team.

Also Tuesday, the Bulldogs received five first-place votes and was chosen second in the SWAC preseason poll.

The Alabama A&M women’s basketball program is coming off a historic season that saw the Bulldogs win 21 games for the first time during the Division I era. The Bulldogs picked up 224 points to claim the second spot as Southern, with 265 points and 14 first-place votes, was selected to win the conference.

Walker, a first team All-SWAC selection a year ago, averaged a team-best 14.6 points and 2.7 rebounds. She surpassed the 1,000-point plateau toward the end of the regular season and shot 37.9% from the field and 81.4% from the free-throw line. The Alexander, Ark., native registered a career-high 30 points in a non-conference win at North Alabama last season.

Belton, who comes to Alabama A&M from Texas Southern, averaged 6.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and nearly 1 block per game last season. She registered 10 double-digit scoring performances, including a season-high 21 points against Prairie View A&M. In addition, she had seven double-digit rebounding games, highlighted by a 14-board night against East Texas A&M. Belton also recorded six double-double games (points and rebounds).

Alabama A&M begins the season with an exhibition game Oct. 27 when UAH visits the Event Center in the return of the Mayor’s Cup.

The regular season tips off with back-to-back home games: Nov. 5 against Talladega and Nov. 7 against Ole Miss.

08/10/2025

"... nearly 1,000 lives were lost on Alabama roads last year. We can prevent most of these deaths by making safer choices like buckling up, limiting distractions and slowing down.” - Drive Safe Alabama Coordinator Amanda Deem

MONTGOMERY — Alabama saw a decline in traffic fatalities in 2024, according to the newly released Alabama Crash Facts report available online at the Drive Safe Alabama Website. The report shows […]

08/10/2025

“Cody’s journey at Bank Independent is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and a passion for serving others.” - Jason Windham, president of Bank Independent

SHEFFIELD – Cody Holder, a veteran in the banking industry, has been named vice president – sales officer by Bank Independent. “Cody’s journey at Bank Independent is a testament to hard […]

08/10/2025

East Lawrence, a Class 4A team, will forfeit its non-region win over 5A Lawrence County and its Class 4A Region 7 win over West Limestone.

MONTGOMERY – East Lawrence High School’s football program has been fined and placed on probation for playing an ineligible player in violation of the AHSAA Transfer Rule. As a result, […]

08/10/2025

“This partnership deepens our electrical engineering services portfolio, positioning the company to deliver even greater value to our NASA and DoD customers.” - Mary Scott Hunter

HUNTSVILLE — A Huntsville engineering company has partnered with a Maryland manufacturer to design, manufacture, and deliver electronics for space. Huntsville-based Resolution and Advanced Mission Partners announced the strategic partnership […]

08/10/2025

Walker, a first team All-SWAC selection a year ago, averaged a team-best 14.6 points and 2.7 rebounds. She scored a career-high 30 points in a non-conference win at North Alabama last season.

BIRMINGHAM — Alabama A&M University guard Kalia Walker was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Year, the conference announced Tuesday during the league’s Media Day. Walker also earned […]

08/10/2025

“We are committed to the success of our students. It is our belief that the use of technology is one way to offer them an enriched educational experience, ensuring they are practice-ready healthcare providers.” - Dr. Tera Kirkman

FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama’s Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for the 2025-2028 program term. “We are honored […]

08/10/2025

“What we’re facing with advanced manufacturing is how to incorporate all the new tools coming down the pipeline. While these companies lack the training, universities are currently training their future employees to fill that gap.” Dr. Judith Schneider

HUNTSVILLE – The University of Alabama in Huntsville and the University of Alabama have partnered in a new initiative: Smart Manufacturing using AI-based Revolutionary Technologies (SMART). The University of Alabama, […]

08/10/2025

“These programs give students, emerging leaders and small business owners the resources and hands-on experience they need to build successful careers and strengthen their local communities.” - Alabama Workforce Secretary Greg Reed

BIRMINGHAM — A Huntsville company is among five statewide organizations to share $1 million from Innovate Alabama through its newly launched Talent Pilot Program. According to a news release, the […]

08/10/2025

"With this exciting initiative, North Alabama is taking an important step to ensure that visitors and locals of different disabilities feel welcomed, included and inspired by what our region has to offer.” - AMLA President/CEO Tami Reist

DECATUR – The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association is positioning the region to become an accessible-friendly destination. At a news conference Tuesday, the organization announced major accessibility projects to improve […]