Top 10 September stories you might have missed
Reading time: 5 minutes
September was a busy month across Alabama. So before we move on to October, let’s take a quick look back at the 10 highest traffic stories from the last month. Read to the end to see what was No. 1!
#10. US Steel breaks ground on $475M project in Fairfield
U.S. Steel employees, community leaders and elected officials gathered in Fairfield for the ceremonial groundbreaking of a new $475 million Quench & Tempering (Q&T) facility at the company’s Fairfield Tubular Operations.
With construction set to begin in Q4 2026, the new Q&T facility will expand U.S. Steel’s ability to produce high-value heat-treated tubular steel products used throughout the domestic energy industry.
#9. Trash Pandas become 3rd straight Alabama team to win Southern League title
The Rocket City Trash Pandas made history when they defeated the Biloxi Shuckers 3-1 to capture their first-ever Southern League title.
One season after finishing 45-92, the Trash Pandas improved by 27 victories to go 72-65 during the regular season. Under first-year manager Joe Kruzel, they followed a North Division second-half title with their first playoff series victory, first North Division championship and—ultimately—their first Southern League crown.
#8. North Alabama opens new football stadium
The University of North Alabama was first established all the way back in 1830 and the school’s football program had its first season in 1912.
But during all those years, the Lions never played a game on the university’s campus. That changed on Sept. 19 when UNA hosted Alcorn State, winning the game 38-20.
#7. Octavia Spencer wins first Emmy
Oscar-winning actress, producer and Montgomery native Octavia Spencer has added a Primetime Emmy Award to her impressive list of accolades.
Spencer earned the award for Outstanding Narrator at the Creative Arts Emmys for her compelling voice work in Investigation Discovery’s true-crime docuseries Lost Women of Alaska. Spencer, who also executive produced the project, utilized her platform to highlight stories surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous women in Alaska.
#6. Hope Hull native Ella Langley continues historic run
The popular country singer set more records this month to continue her historic year.
On Sept. 10, she received nine CMA Award nominations, tying the record for most by a female artist in the awards show’s history.
Less than two weeks later, Langley broke a record previously held by Mariah Carey’s song “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a 23rd week, becoming the first song to ever hold the top spot for that many weeks.
#5. Actor Dennis Quaid stops by Talladega BBQ restaurant
Alabama has plenty of restaurants that have received national and international recognition for their food but sometimes it’s the hidden gems who get some special surprise visitors.
That was the case for Buddies BBQ in Talladega last month when long-time actor Dennis Quaid stopped in for a bite to eat.
#4. Auburn breaks ground on $332M renovation at Jordan-Hare Stadium
Auburn University has officially broken ground on its expansive renovation project at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The $323 million project will add to the inside and outside of the north end of the stadium. The Board of Trustees approved the project in April and it includes:
- $305M multipurpose events center: A 7-story, 300,00 sq. ft. facility with a ballroom, gameday suites and more
- $18M North Plaza: Located along Heisman Drive, this would provide operational support space for the events center
“The Jordan-Hare North Project will be an elite space that serves the entire Auburn community 365 days a year. Jordan- Hare is the best game day environment in the country, and this project is going to take that experience to a completely different level. It’s a great time to be an Auburn Tiger.”
Alex Golesh, Auburn football coach
#3. Alabama’s historic late summer heat wave
Fall temperatures have finally started to arrive but just two weeks ago, our state was receiving some record-high temperatures.
Several cities set new record temperatures on Sept. 2-3 including Tuscaloosa which reached triple digits multiple days during the month of September. Some cities also set record highs and record averages for September 14.
Tuscaloosa temperatures also tied the record for hottest game in Alabama football history, reaching 99 degrees shortly after kickoff of the team’s season opener.
#2. Alabama singers join Team Riley on The Voice
This season of The Voice on NBC was always going to have some extra Alabama flair added to the mix with Jacksonville native Riley Green joining the coaching staff.
And Green got some in-state company during the season premiere as a pair of Alabama singers impressed during the blind auditions.
Caroline Alexis of Ozark and Joe Henley of Grand Bay both joined Team Riley, looking to become the third singer from Alabama to win The Voice in the last three years. Alexiaa Jay won in Season 29 while Asher Havon won Season 25.
#1. Alabama restaurants named to New York Times Restaurant List 2026
The Restaurant List 2026 from the New York Times was announced this month, celebrating some of the best restaurants across the country and two from Alabama made the cut.
Alabama was one of just 13 states to have multiple restaurants make the list of 50. Our representatives included:
- Little Bird in Fairhope
- Perennial in Montgomery
