Good morning, Tuscaloosa.

Walmart Neighborhood Market in Tuscaloosa opened its first store to sell liquor, creating over 100 jobs—this location features groceries, a fuel station, and a pharmacy at the corner of Highway 69 South and Patriot Parkway, offering a new convenience for local shoppers.

Ten University of Alabama students are among 43 contestants who will compete for the Miss Alabama title from June 23—28 at Samford University in Birmingham.

The pageant will test interview, talent, evening gown, health and fitness, and on-stage question categories while offering a $15,000 cash scholarship and the chance to represent Alabama at Miss America in September.

The University of Alabama Astrobotics team earned accolades at the 2025 NASA Lunabotics Challenge in Florida by finishing second in autonomy and third in berm construction (they also received Best Use of Reviews as Control Gates) as they fine-tuned their lunar robot ahead of the final event. The team worked long hours in shifts and overcame technical challenges in their lab (which featured simulated lunar regolith) to improve the robot's design for digging and transporting lunar material.

The University of Alabama is partnering with the Air Force Research Lab on a $6 million project that will use new materials and 3D printing to develop a less toxic, more efficient satellite fuel—research that may replace the costly iridium catalyst.

The University of Alabama’s Division of Strategic Communications and Center for Public TV and Radio earned awards this spring including a Southeast Emmy for the magazine program Junkyard Bots and multiple ADDYs for campaigns like the Roll Tide Room and UA Homecoming Drone Show—UA sports broadcasters also earned Sports Emmys for their work on ESPN’s College GameDay and NBC’s Olympic broadcast.

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Peter J.

Mohler, PhD as the new president of UA today. He will take office on July 21 and brings over 20 years of higher education leadership from his work at Ohio State University — including his term as acting president in 2023.

Alabama will receive up to $75 million over the next 15 years from a settlement with Purdue Pharma, which is accused of fueling the opioid crisis+ state officials said the funds will support addiction treatment and recovery efforts.

Existing settlements have already provided money to recovery centers and nonprofits that help people heal.

UA athletics announced that Alabama basketball will face a slate of SEC opponents in the 2025-26 season.

Home games at Coleman Coliseum will host Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas and Texas A&M—while road contests include Florida, Georgia, LSU, State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt plus additional matchups against Auburn, Mississippi State and Tennessee with dates and times still pending.

Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Concert

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater — Tickets available — Experience classics from The Beatles and Ringo's solo hits live on stage.

Masters of the Mic

6-7:30 p.m. — Tuscaloosa Amphitheater — Check event host for ticket pricing — Experience the classic beats of Doug E. Fresh in a lively outdoor setting.