🌱 Discovery Middle Parents Upset Over Survey + CASA Rebrands

Hello, friends. It's me, Amy Young, your host of the Huntsville Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town these days. Today we'll cover:

• Discovery Middle School parents are upset over a survey sent to students
• Huntsville Utilities prepares to send team to help in Florida
• CASA of Madison rebrands

But first, your daily weather:

Sunny and pleasant. High: 76 Low: 47.

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Here are the top stories in Huntsville today:

1. A group of Huntsville City Schools parents are upset after a survey was sent to their children by a Challenger Middle School teacher. Parents found some of the questions about the students’ sexual orientation and their parents’ political beliefs, specifically if they were liberal. While the survey was removed and the district said it was not properly vetted by the district before the teacher sent it out, some parents are upset that more has not been done. It is not clear whether or not the teacher will face consequences. (WAAY)
2. Huntsville Utilities is preparing to send an eight-man crew to Florida once the hurricane passes. The workers will be gone for up to two weeks while they help Floridians restore power. This is part of the American Public Power Association’s Mutual Aid Network, so utility companies can assist one another during disasters. (WAAY)
3. After 40 years of serving our community, CASA of Madison County has announced a transition to a new name and look for the organization. They hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the United Way building to signify the change, which makes them Enable Madison County. (WAFF)
4. Arts Huntsville is looking for local artists to create a lighting project that will hang from the trees at Apollo Park and will help light up part of the park. Application submissions are due by October 30 and five semi finalists will be chosen to participate in a workshop in November. The winner will receive $15,000 to bring their idea to life. (WZDX)
5. The University Of Alabama In Huntsville is working to understand and better current climate change models. To do this research, they have received a grant of almost $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy and will go on for three years. (Patch Press Release Desk)

Today in Huntsville:

• Biergarten at the Space and Rocket Center (4:30 PM)
• $5 After 5 p.m. @ the Huntsville Museum of Art (5:00 PM)
• Burritt Barnyard Bash Fundraiser and Southern Supper (6:00 PM)
• Chorus Concert, Coffee & Cake - Madison City (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Huntsville City Schools will have an e-learning day tomorrow ahead of fall break to mark the end of the first nine weeks. (Details)
• Tomorrow is the last Movies in the Park of the year! Catch “Lightyear” (PG) at Constitution Hall Park. (Details)
• Sign ups for the Fall Break STEM Camp at the Huntsville Botanical Garden are still open right now! (Details)
• Applications for visual artists for Panoply 2023 are open now! (Details)

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.

— Amy Young

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Huntsville Daily? Contact me at huntsville@patch.com