Decatur
Morning News
Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
Good morning, Decatur. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 8th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Residents will join a volunteer cleanup at Wilson Morgan Park on April 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with supplies provided + meeting at the overflow lot on Sandlin Road. Rocket City Now
- ➤ Local leaders attended an event Tuesday at the National Children’s Advocacy Center to support child abuse prevention and officially declare April as Child Abuse Prevention Month; officials including Mayor Tommy Battle, Mayor Ranae Bartlett, and Madison County Commission Chairman Rex Vaughn joined the gathering. WAAY-TV
- ➤ Over 5,000 plants will be available for purchase at the annual Morgan County Master Gardeners Association sale in Decatur this weekend, offering residents a chance to refresh their gardens & support local green initiatives. Decatur Daily
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Ford recalled more than 422,000 trucks and SUVs due to wiper arm defects that could reduce visibility. Interim letters are expected on April 13 so affected drivers in Decatur should check their VIN and contact dealers for free repairs. Rocket City Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Downtown Decatur will host its third annual Jazz Festival on Saturday, where local bands will fill the streets with jazz music. Decatur Daily
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Alabama State Department of Education announced that 16 educators, including five from North Alabama, were named finalists for Teacher of the Year (from over 155 applicants statewide). Their candidacy will be narrowed to a Top Four and the winner will be announced in May. Rocket City Now
- ➤ Summer Hyatt, a second-grade teacher at Arab Primary School, was named FOX54 Top Teacher for her creative reading lessons, including a Magic Tree House unit about the Olympics that inspires students in the same school where she once learned. Rocket City Now
FINANCE NEWS
- ➤ Tax experts caution Decatur residents against using general AI tools for filing taxes because these systems are not built for the detailed requirements of new tax laws (Form 4868 must be filed and payments made by April 15 to avoid penalties). WAAY-TV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Animal advocates rallied for a statewide dog protection law that would ban all forms of cruelty toward outdoor dogs and set clear requirements for their care, as reported on Apr. 7. WAAY-TV
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Tide guard Labaron Philon declared on social media that he will enter the 2026 NBA Draft after two strong seasons where he averaged 22.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists, helping Alabama reach the Sweet 16 (per reports). WAAY-TV
- ➤ The Rocket City Trash Pandas added outfielders Matthew Lugo and Wade Meckler—transferred from Triple-A Salt Lake—to boost their lineup for Tuesday’s 6:05 p.m. CT series opener against the Knoxville Smokies at Covenant Health Park. Rocket City Now
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YP Decatur Mini Masters
6:30-8:30 p.m. — Funland Mini Golf — Bring non-perishable items for free putt putt — Compete in a mini golf tournament inspired by the Masters Tournament with networking and fun.
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First Priority Decatur 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run
1-2:15 p.m. — 2527 Danville Rd SW, Decatur, AL — Registration fee applies — Participate in this community race supporting local campus ministries and students.
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Taj Mahal Concert
7-9 p.m. — Princess Theatre — Tickets from $103 — Catch the legendary Taj Mahal live in concert for an unforgettable evening of music.
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Alabama Society of Medical Assistants Conference 2026
7 PM – 7 PM — Decatur Morgan Hospital — Check official website for registration details and program info.
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Decatur Pop Tab Party
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. — McDonald's — Donations welcome — Gather your collected pop tabs and enjoy giveaways while supporting a great cause.
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Brandy Clark Concert
7:00-8:30 p.m. — The Princess Theatre — Tickets from $73 — Enjoy an intimate evening of music with Brandy Clark in Decatur.
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Reveal the authorAbout Decatur Morning News
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