Small Business Spotlight: A conversation with Donny of Donny’s Diamond Gallery

When Donny and Fatemeh Nazarieh sat down for their first date on December 5, 1993, Donny shared two dreams: to visit his family in Iran, whom he hadn’t seen in 18 years, and to open his very own jewelry store. That conversation became the beginning of their love story and the foundation of a family […]

Battle, Stinson, and Whitaker Advance into Expanded Leadership Roles at ServisFirst Bank

ServisFirst Bank has announced three leadership promotions within its Huntsville office. Angel Stinson has been promoted to Regional Chief Operating Officer; Drew Battle has been promoted to Executive Vice President; and Stuart Whitaker has been promoted to Senior Vice President. These promotions reflect the bank’s ongoing focus on leadership, customer service, and continued growth in […]

Sit Down With Success: A Conversation with Brett Pierce of The Masters Salon

Brett Pierce grew up in the world of hairstyling as the son of award-winning hair artists Gary and Ann Bray, who opened The Masters Salon in 1973 inside Huntsville’s old Dunnavant’s Mall. His mother, Ann, began styling hair as a teenager and went on to earn international acclaim, becoming the first American woman to win […]

Holidays in Huntsville: How Shopping Local and Giving Back Strengthens the Economy

As the holiday season approaches, Huntsville residents have a powerful way to make an impact: support local businesses while giving back to the community. From small shops to major employers, the city’s business ecosystem relies on residents’ holiday spending and generosity to fuel economic growth and strengthen local services. Citizens Supporting Small Businesses Shopping locally […]

Protecting Growth: A Beginner’s Guide to Small Business Insurance in Huntsville

As Huntsville’s small-business ecosystem accelerates, insurance is becoming a strategic necessity rather than an afterthought. From new retailers opening along South Parkway to agile tech consultancies in Cummings Research Park, the city’s entrepreneurial climate comes with new forms of risk—and securing the right insurance can be the difference between a temporary setback and a long-term […]

Huntsville Police Honors K-9 Boomer as Retirement Highlights the Expanding Role of Working Dogs

The Huntsville Police Department (HPD) celebrated the retirement of one of its most respected four-legged officers this week: K-9 Boomer, an explosives-detection dog who has served the department and the community for six dedicated years. The event marked more than the end of a single K-9 career. It offered a look at how Huntsville’s rapidly […]

UAH Students Score Major Wins in International CanSat and Rover Challenges

Three CanSat teams from The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) placed first, second and sixth nationally in the 2025 International CanSat competition held in Monterey and Staunton, Va. UAH teams BlueStreak, Cosmos and Rotorstorm also earned sixth, eighth and fourteenth place, respectively, in the international rankings for the annual event, which showcases student-built CanSats—miniature […]

A Thanksgiving Letter from the Editor

In late August, my daughter—who is on the cusp of driving—and my husband convinced me to trade my sensible sedan in for a used Jeep. They are a persuasive duo and I now have a couple of ducks on my dash and am trying to remember to wave. It’s not a fancy vehicle, but it […]

Defense technology company DuoTech expands to Huntsville with new operations center

DuoTech, a North Carolina-based defense technology company, is expanding its operations to Huntsville with a new 25,000-square-foot location in Thornton Research Park near Bridge Street Town Centre. The facility will open in Spring 2026.  Duotech’s Vice President of Business Strategy, Robert Cox, said the Rocket City’s strong defense industry and skilled workforce were crucial factors […]

Thankful in the Rocket City: Six Huntsville Residents Share What They Are Most Grateful for in 2025

By: Katie Holt and Sarah Zupko As we move into the holiday season, we reflect on what we have to be thankful for as residents of Huntsville and North Alabama. Huntsville benefits from a growing music scene, natural beauty, consistent economic growth, and many philanthropic organizations that enrich the lives of everyone who calls this […]