Gulf Coast Media

6 days ago | gulfcoastmedia.com | Colin James

Tensions were high before the meeting even began. A crowded room in Montgomery was the spot for contention as dozens of people spoke for or against the Fairhope Public Library, whose decision to keep challenged books in its teen section despite losing state funding has garnered a spotlight. The executive board meeting for the Alabama Public Library Services (APLS), which was originally scheduled for May 15, was moved up to May 8.

1 week ago | gulfcoastmedia.com | Colin James

Sweet Grown Alabama hosted their 10th-annual Seafood Cook-Off at The Wharf in Orange Beach on Monday evening. In the competition, four chef teams from across the state are selected to compete, with each challenged to cook and serve a dish featuring Alabama Gulf seafood and at least one locally grown ingredient to a panel of judges. The winner receives a $2,500 cash prize and will also represent Alabama at the nationally recognized Great American Seafood Cook-Off later this summer.

1 week ago | gulfcoastmedia.com | Colin James

Regulations on consumable hemp and CBD products are all but certain to be signed into law and take effect next year. On Tuesday, May 6, the Alabama Senate passed a bill to restrict, regulate and tax the sale of consumable hemp products containing psychoactive chemicals. The bill will now be sent to the desk of Gov. Kay Ivey, where it awaits her signature. The bill itself, HB 445 from Rep.

1 week ago | gulfcoastmedia.com | Colin James

ORANGE BEACH — Crave Cookies is now open at The Wharf in Orange Beach. After opening its doors to the public on May 3, Crave Cookies is serving gourmet cookies with new menu items rotated each week in the new Portside on Main section of The Wharf. Owner Christian Augustin said he is glad to be in The Wharf, citing the area's customer traffic and their location at the Portside on Main, with a stage area for bands just outside their business.

1 week ago | gulfcoastmedia.com | Colin James

FOLEY — A man and his friend were sitting in his living room when a shadow eclipsed the window. As they walked outside and watched from the driveway, Karen Kent landed her hot air balloon in his yard. The annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival was held at OWA in Foley over the weekend, with dozens of massive hot air balloons vibrant with color filled the skies of Foley and Baldwin County.