Decatur
Morning News
Thursday, January 8th, 2026
Good morning, Decatur. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 8th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Decatur Youth Services is seeking volunteers for its Heart to Heart mentoring program that pairs local school students with trusted adult mentors. A meet-and-greet is scheduled next Wednesday at 5 p.m. for interested community members. WAAY-TV
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Decatur is hosting the 15th annual Festival on the Cranes from Friday to Sunday at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge - attendees will spot thousands of sandhill cranes and endangered whooping cranes during the event. WAAY-TV
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ In November, state data showed Alabama’s unemployment rate dropped from 3.3% to 2.7% & record average weekly wages were reached, officials said. The figures mark steady economic growth for workers. Decatur Daily
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A $13.5M federal grant has approved plans for a new veterans cemetery east of Huntsville on Maysville Road NE to ease travel for families. The facility, designed for 10,000 interments + service for generations, will see construction begin by late summer. Rocket City Now
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Alabama health officials have launched Operation Wipeout to reduce cervical cancer by promoting routine screening and HPV vaccination at clinics statewide—experts stress early detection to prevent abnormal cell growth. Rocket City Now
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ The North Alabama market is expected to see strong home buying & selling activity in 2026 as inventory rises and new homes join listings, with sellers maintaining a slight advantage. Broker Mike Sandoval advises homeowners to list soon since days on market have lengthened. WAAY-TV
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.
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Reveal the authorAbout Decatur Morning News
Welcome to the Decatur Morning News, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Decatur, Alabama community. If you like the Decatur Morning News, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Decatur.
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