TikTok Settlement: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced TikTok will pay at least $100 million and implement teen protections, including a default two-hour daily limit, midnight-to-6 a.m. curbs, pauses during use, stronger age checks, tighter parental controls, and a ban on cosmetic filters—avoiding a trial scheduled to start Monday. Local Government & Utilities: Marion lifted a boil-water advisory after a Sept. 16 water main break near Rice Creek; the city also approved wastewater equipment bids and updated financing at a Sept. 21 council meeting. Workforce & Education: Morningbird Space Corporation partnered with Alabama A&M’s research and economic development office to expand the Morningbird Academy’s online workforce training and career-connected programs. Immigration & Hiring: Alabama employers in the “Other Services (except Public Administration)” category filed nine H-1B petitions in 2025, all approved, per USCIS data. Retail Pressure: Cato plans to close 120 stores by the end of fiscal year, citing pressure on discretionary spending. Energy Watch: GasBuddy reported a mix of lower local prices for the week ending Sept. 19, including a Jefferson County midgrade low of $3.99 and Tuscaloosa County diesel low of $5.59.