Good morning, Montgomery.

Cold weather has led to postponement of the Prattville Mardi Gras parade until Feb.

14. Families across the River Region can enjoy a Mexican food workshop for children — a treat-making event — while Lehman Trilogy opens at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and Messiah Lutheran Church hosts a free chili cookoff.

Mac Sporting Goods, a local staple for (57 years), is closing its doors today off North Eastern Boulevard.

The McLendon family invites interested buyers to contact them about the space.

A volunteer program is inviting residents aged 55+ to support students in improving their reading skills.

Sessions will soon begin at designated community centers in Montgomery.

Child Protect (a Montgomery-based child advocacy group) is raising awareness during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month by educating families on grooming tactics like extravagant gift-giving and secretive communication.

The group cites hotline data showing 927 cases statewide and advises families to watch for any red flags.

National School Choice Week is an annual effort that highlights alternative educational options for families — Montgomery parents can learn about non-traditional public school choices while the campaign provides vital resources and guidance.

During budget hearings Thursday, state lawmakers heard that the Children’s Health Insurance Program needs an extra $19.5M from the Education Trust Fund to keep funding coverage for 105,000 low-income children.

The proposal, part of a supplemental education spending bill, aims to prevent a funding shortfall this fiscal year and in 2027.

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is marking 20 years of its annual Give from the Heart Blood Drive on Feb.

13 when WSFA partners with the center to encourage blood donations, offering Montgomery residents a chance to help save lives.

Extreme temperatures are stressing the power grid, so experts urge residents to keep generators outdoors + at least 20 feet from windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and electrical shocks by using heavy-duty extension cords.

January is National Train Your Dog Month, promoting simple pet training to boost behavior and well-being; local experts like Five Freckle K9 offer classes for Montgomery owners.

Chef Janett Malpartida of D’Road Café cooked a Broccoli & Cottage Cheese Omelette and a Moqueca Fish dish on Friday in the Bryan Jewelry Kitchen on WSFA as part of the weekly Fridays in the Kitchen series.

Local high school basketball saw Prattville and Stanhope Elmore girls win their regular season area titles and earn home tournament spots; Prattville's Lady Lions posted a standout triple-double while Stanhope Elmore celebrated key career milestones for several players.

Critter Crawl 5K and Yeti Dash

2:30-5 p.m. — Alabama Nature Center — Registration fee applies — Participate in a fun-filled 5K race and Yeti Dash supporting local nature initiatives.

Viking 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon

2-6 p.m. — Blount Cultural Park — $30-$65 — Run through beautiful Montgomery and challenge yourself with a range of distances from a 5K to a Half Marathon.