Good morning, Montgomery.

Last night the Montgomery Rotary Club welcomed international military officers and their spouses at its 36th annual International Night, which celebrated officers training at Maxwell Air Force Base — a gesture to foster bonds between local community members and global partners.

On Oct. 3, Gee’s Bend Community will welcome visitors to admire beautiful quilts and explore local heritage at a festive event.

Diesel hit a record high at $6.1596 per gallon in Alabama, up from $3.42 last year, and local farmers say the steep fuel price is raising costs for equipment and transport.

They worry the high diesel price will tighten budgets during the harvest season.

September marks National Literacy Month and Montgomery educators urge residents to build reading habits using free library cards, reading 20 minutes daily, donating books and volunteering as tutors.

The campaign supports early learning and workforce readiness in the community.

Auburn University at Montgomery earned a No. 35 ranking among public regional universities in the South in the 2027 U.S. rankings — a nod to its sustained quality in higher education.

The Alabama Independent School Association announced Wednesday it will end athletics at the close of the 2026–2027 school year to focus on academic services.

Many AISA schools are expected to join the new Gulf States Independent Athletic Association for sports next season — a major shift after 50 years.

Alabama colleges earned 12 top-10 spots in the new U.S. News rankings released Tuesday—Tuskegee University ranked highly among historically Black institutions and Auburn University improved its overall position while other schools were honored for nursing, value and social mobility.

Experts warn that if Congress does not act, Social Security benefits will be cut by up to 24% when the trust fund finally runs out (2032).

In Alabama, retirees could face a 1.6% reduction in total benefits as a share of GDP, which may lead to lower monthly income.

Ingram State held a ribbon cutting in Uniontown as it opened a new workforce training facility for the incarcerated; the center is designed to help participants build skills for future job opportunities.