This is Alabama

08/23/2025

It’ll be a while before Deerfish Distilling Co. serves its first made-in-Mobile, aged-in-Mobile, bottled-in-Mobile whiskey, but the city’s first modern craft distillery has opened its doors to offer a taste of things to come.

The two couples behind the new company, Austin and Ashley Hallford and Lee and Emilie Hallford, held a ribbon-cutting followed by a “sneak peek” retail opening on Friday, with a public grand opening celebration to follow.

“We knew we had something special, something big,” Emilie Hallford said of the notion to open a family-owned distillery.

Read the full story here: https://www.al.com/life/2025/08/mobiles-first-craft-distillery-opens-its-doors-something-special-something-big.html

📷: Lawrence Specker

08/22/2025

There's only ONE WEEK left to get in your nominations for the 2026 Class of Women Who Shape the State! We're looking for the women transforming healthcare, education, business—or blazing a trail in their own way here in Alabama.

Submit their info asap here 👉 https://www.thisisalabama.org/women-who-shape-the-state

08/22/2025

GOBankingRates recently analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Zillow, focusing on cities with at least 5,000 households to identify the 50 suburbs with the highest average household incomes.

A Birmingham suburb took 30th place with an average household income of $302,510. According to Census data, this is nearly 5 times the state average of $62,212.

Read which suburb it was at the link here: https://www.al.com/news/2025/07/one-of-americas-wealthiest-communities-is-in-alabama-analysis-shows.html

08/22/2025

There's so many reasons to love Foley! 💕

Read them here: https://www.al.com/life/2024/06/8-reasons-we-love-foley.html

08/22/2025

Brandon Young’s life changed forever in 2019.

His brother, Randy Young, was just 40 years old when he was shot and killed just outside a restaurant in Trussville.

The death of his brother stoked his desire to seize the moment and make a bold decision to start his own company.

Young, 39, is founder and CEO of Young Management & Consulting, a professional services firm.

“I used the pain to fuel the fire,” Young said. “I could either give up or I could keep going and try to make an impact.”

Read the full story here: https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2025/08/birmingham-entrepreneur-builds-100-million-firm-after-brothers-murder.html

08/22/2025

It’s no secret that white barbecue sauce is a tasty specialty in Alabama, beloved by folks who visit restaurants such as Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q and more.

Now, Southern Living has proclaimed Alabama white sauce as one of the South’s most iconic recipes.

Read the full story here: https://www.al.com/life/2024/01/southern-living-says-this-alabama-barbecue-sauce-is-one-of-souths-iconic-recipes.html

08/21/2025

If you were making an Alabama bucket list, what would you put on it?

That’s what we recently asked our social media followers, and the responses are proof that there’s plenty of worthwhile things you can see and do (and eat) without ever having to cross state lines.

Check out a few of them here and find the full list here: https://www.al.com/life/2025/08/11-things-that-should-be-on-every-alabama-bucket-list.html

08/21/2025

There’s a pretty good chance you recently heard this Alabama guitarist’s music playing in your home – right about the time Peggy and Hank Hill returned to Arlen, Texas, after a stint in Saudi Arabia.

It’s a small part of the show, but the snippets scattered throughout the new episodes help give the show a sense of place and set the mood for its happenings.

“I’m just proud to be a part of it,” said Guthrie Trapp, a guitar prodigy from coastal Alabama. “I mean, it’s kind of another one of those living-the-dream, kind of surreal experiences to go, wow, I’m watching this show that I always loved. Now you’re on there playing the guitar on the soundtrack.”

Read more: https://www.al.com/life/2025/08/alabama-guitarist-instrumental-in-new-king-of-the-hill-soundtrack.html

08/21/2025

The Amelia Center is committed to providing ongoing support tailored to each family's unique and personal grief process.

"We are a niche product," Executive Director Robert Smith says. “We don't do divorce counseling, and we don't do other kinds of grief that are not related to bereavement. So we can focus on that small segment of hurting people and do a really good job of addressing their specific needs."

The grief counseling department at Children's of Alabama, known as The Amelia Center, provides specialized support for children, teens and families coping with the loss of a loved one. Established in 1997 following the tragic death of Amelia Elliott and three other camp counselors, The Amelia Center...

08/21/2025

What advice would you give to someone visiting Alabama for the first time?

08/20/2025

Soap opera star Greg Vaughan shared on social media that his son will be attending the University of Alabama this year as a freshman.

Vaughan posted a message on Instgram Monday congratulating his son, Jathan, on the milestone of entering college.

“From California skies to Carolina tides, with Texas grit and a touch of European roots—every memory and mile we’ve shared has led you here,” Vaughan said. “Now a freshman at the University of Alabama, stepping into dorm life, roommates, and fraternity brotherhood… maybe even an extra freshman 15lbs.”

Read more: https://www.al.com/life/2025/08/soap-opera-star-says-proud-doesnt-even-begin-to-cover-it-as-son-starts-at-university-of-alabama.html