Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a $462K AI grant could change Huntsville students’ futures

Also check out Yappy Hour Infodump Party on the Huntsville Patch calendar

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Friday December 26th Patch AM
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Morning Huntsville! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $462K AI grant could change Huntsville students’ futures
  • How a historic Huntsville church is rethinking Christmas Mass for everyone
  • How a Huntsville-area family turned medical challenges into Disney magic

Also on today's calendar: Yappy Hour Infodump Party and 7 more events.

Find out what's happening in Huntsvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Huntsvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 70 and low of 58 degrees.
  • Saturday: Cloudy; near-record warmth, temps: high: 73, low: 60.
  • Sunday: Low clouds, with a high of 70 and low of 45 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Arc of Madison County awarded first-of-its-kind AI grant (waff.com) — A Huntsville-based nonprofit, the Arc of Madison County, has secured a $462,000 People-First AI Fund grant to boost job readiness for students with autism. The money will support AI-driven video feedback on social and problem-solving skills, expanding local training that helps young people with disabilities move into STEM careers and the broader workforce.
   

2. Huntsville church offered sensory-friendly Christmas mass for fifth year (rocketcitynow.com) — St. Mary of the Visitation in downtown Huntsville held its fifth sensory-friendly Christmas Mass, tailoring the service with softer lighting, quieter music, and no incense to better support people with sensory sensitivities. Parishioners say these changes, along with accessibility upgrades like a ramp, are helping the historic church welcome more families and nearly quadruple its congregation in recent years.
   

3. Alabama Make-A-Wish recipient takes Orlando trip with a special surprise (al.com) — A Madison City Schools family from the Huntsville area just returned from a Make-A-Wish trip to Orlando that carefully accommodated 8-year-old Elijah Edwards, who sees 23 doctors in Huntsville and Birmingham for Trisomy-18. With help from local school leaders and a former Madison student turned Disney artist, the family enjoyed accessible rides, personalized artwork, and support that turned the vacation into lasting memories.
   

4. How Huntsville command tracked Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve (waaytv.com) — Right here in Huntsville at Redstone Arsenal, the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command spends Christmas Eve tracking Santa’s sleigh with real radars and satellite sensors. Local soldiers and leaders describe how their high-tech systems follow Rudolph’s glowing nose and feed data to NORAD, blending serious defense tools with a playful mission that delights families worldwide.
   

📸 Around Huntsville

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • 2025 has blessed our family in ways that seem so undeserving at times.
    It’s crazy to think Christmas is here, and another year will be coming to an end. I hope the next several days are filled with your favorite people,… (Nextdoor Lake Forest)
  • Today, my daughter was the victim of a robbery at the South Target.
    Thankfully she is fine. There were two suspects, and the incident occurred around 5:25 PM. The robbery happened right in front of the Starbucks-side… (Nextdoor Blevins Gap)
  • Alabama Staffing posted a job opening for Forklift driver / Material Handler in Huntsville. Apply here.
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Huntsville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Huntsville here.

Ok Huntsville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m out of time.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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