Facebook Data Center + Local National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

Hello, Huntsville! I'm back with the latest on the Rocket City! Let's take a look at:

• National Merit Scholar semifinalists in the Huntsville area so far
• Budgets for Huntsville City Schools and the commission's approved budget for Madison County
• The Facebook Data Center in Huntsville

Shoutout to our premier local sponsor, Martinson & Beason, P.C. They’ve been providing trusted legal advice in Huntsville since 1937. Give your loved ones peace of mind with a comprehensive estate plan. Click here to learn more.

First, today's weather:

Possible light rain in the morning. High: 81 Low: 68.

Here are the top stories today in Huntsville:

1. Twelve seniors in the Huntsville City Schools have been named semifinalists to become National Merit Scholars. One student from Decatur City Schools has also been named a finalist. There are 16,000 semifinalists competing for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships, so good luck to our local competitors! I’ll be keeping my eye out for other local systems with finalists, but I expect more announcements in the coming days. (Huntsville City Schools, Decatur City Schools)
2. Partnership for a Drug-Free Community is hosting their 3rd-annual Recovery Resource Fair. Regardless of your insurance status, you’re welcome to attend and find out what help are available! (WZDX)
3. The Madison County Commission approved a $272 million spending budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget was not approved unanimously, and Commissioner Violet Edwards abstained from the vote because she felt it was not inclusive of her district and wanted more time but was not supported by other commissioners. (AL.com)
4. Huntsville City Schools has passed a $400 million budget for the 2022 fiscal year. The general fund takes up $235 million of the budget and they currently have 2.8 months of money in reserve. (WHNT)
5. The Facebook Data Center in Huntsville is officially online! To celebrate, they donated $300,000 to the Space and Rocket Center to provide scholarships for local students to attend Space Camp! (AL.com)

Today's Huntsville Daily is brought to you by our friends at FTD, the most trusted name in flowers. FTD's network includes over 8,800 local florists in communities around the country. Send flowers to someone you care about today and get a 15% discount on your order. Click here to make someone feel awesome.

Today in Huntsville:

• 2021 Breakfast & Biz (Sept) - POSTPONED (7:00 AM)
• Wacoal Fit for the Cure at Bridge Street Town Centre (9:00 AM)
• Ribbon Cutting: Neon Lilly - Huntsville Madison County Chamber (10:00 AM)
• Basic PC Skills 2 at North Huntsville (1:30 PM)
• Bookwatchers Movie Night - Gurley Public Library (3:45 PM)
• STEAM Club - Ages 7 & Under - North Huntsville Public Library (4:00 PM)
• Ribbon Cutting for MCC Member The Avenue Madison (4:00 PM)
• City Council Work Session - City of Huntsville (5:00 PM)
• Madison Planning Commission Meeting - City of Madison - Planning and Economic Development Calendar (5:30 PM)
• One Way Ticket Downtown Mystery Book Club (5:30 PM)
• Cahaba Group Mtg "The Truth About Plastics" (7:00 PM)

Today in Schools:

• Jemison vs Decatur - Volleyball (6:00 PM)
• Homecoming Parade - Huntsville High School (6:00 PM)
• Grissom vs. Arab - Volleyball (6:00 PM)
• Columbia Vs Oakwood - Volleyball (6:30 PM)
• Grissom vs. Albertville - Football (7:00 PM)
• Bob Jones vs Sparkman vs Albertville - Volleyball (12:00 AM)
• Fall Picture Makeup Day - James Clemens High School (12:00 AM)
• Grissom vs. Fairview - Volleyball (5:00 PM)
• Columbia Vs JP II - Volleyball (4:30 PM)
• Jemison vs Decatur - Volleyball (4:30 PM)
• Nothing But Noodles Spirit Night - Blossomwood Elementary School (4:00 PM)
• First Priority - James Clemens High School (7:40 AM)

Huntsville Patch Notebook

• The South Huntsville Library will finally open September 28!! (Details)
• Are you ready for the Rocket City Playwrights' Series? It is coming up September 25th at 7 pm! (Details)
• You can expect your recycling collection to be 1-2 days late, but you should still have your carts out on your normal day by 7 a.m. (Details)

You can get your local business featured here in the Huntsville Daily for just $79/month. Click here to get started.

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update! If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Amy Young

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Huntsville Daily? I'm all ears. You can email me at huntsville@patch.com.