Alabama’s footprint in NASA’s return to deep space was on display this week as the Artemis II mission launched, marking the first human journey toward the moon in more than 50 years.

From work at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville to leadership across the Artemis program, the state has played a central role in developing the systems powering the mission.

Among those contributions is Kimberly Robinson, a Birmingham native who helped develop the Artemis program and contributed to the formulation of the Space Launch System rocket used for the mission.

Robinson also served as payload mission manager for Artemis I, the uncrewed test flight that laid the groundwork for Artemis II.

Her connection to the current mission extends to its crew. Years ago, Robinson briefed astronaut candidate Victor Glover on the Artemis rocket during a visit to Marshall Space Flight Center. Glover now serves as pilot of Artemis II.

Robinson, a graduate of Shades Valley High School, told Birmingham television station WBRC the moment carries both personal and professional significance.

“It’s very historic and has a lot of meaning for me personally as I was a part of setting up the program and organizing it,” Robinson said.

She reflected on how her path to NASA began with an early interest in space exploration.

“It’s really incomprehensible. I can’t believe it. I remember doing my 5th grade term paper on Wernher von Braun and his rocket team. Never in my wildest imagination would I think that I would ever do something in a center he created,” she said in her interview with the outlet.

Robinson spent more than 30 years at NASA and later led the U.S. Space and Rocket Center before retiring in 2025.

The Artemis II mission is expected to push astronauts farther into space than ever before, building on decades of work led in part by Alabama-based teams.

“Not only are we returning them to the area, picking up where we left off but we are going further than humans have ever ventured into space before. They will have a perspective that we have not ever had before and I want to hear about their experiences so I’m very excited for that,” Robinson said, according to the station.

She added that continued space exploration could lead to advances beyond spaceflight itself.

“It’s very important that we keep pushing forward and meeting challenges because that’s where we’re going to find new materials, new drugs to cure diseases that have been around a long time,” she said.

Artemis II’s mission is anticipated to last ten days, with the astronauts returning to earth in mid-April.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— You could hear a pin drop in Rhoads Stadium after the first inning of Friday night’s game between No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Alabama, but the silence didn’t last very long.

Despite trailing by four runs after the top of the second inning, the Crimson Tide rallied for five two-out runs in the bottom half of the frame and kept it going with an 11-4 win to even the series against the Longhorns.

“Before you look up, it’s 4-0, and it’s like, ‘Uh oh, here we go again,’” Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said after the game. “And then in the bottom of the second, the hitters took over

Freshman Vic Moten could not find the strike zone for Alabama to start the game. She was lifted for Jocelyn Briski after facing just eight batters, but five of those batter drew walks, and the Longhorns scored three runs. Moten had previously not allowed more than three walks in any of her previous starts.

The Alabama pitcher showed ultimate grit when she re-entered for Briski with bases loaded and one out in the third inning. She got out of the jam unscathed and did not allow another run for the remainder of the game.

“I knew my stuff was moving today, it was just a matter of finding the strike zone and executing timely pitches,” Moten said. “I just went out and worked on the pitch that wasn’t working, and I came back in, and it worked.”

Pitching coach Lance McMahon told Moten that she would eventually be coming back into the game right after she exited. She took a deep breath and went to work in the bullpen. Moten threw 46 pitches in the first inning alone and only 61 pitches over the final 5.1 innings she threw. She finished with six strikeouts, including the final out of the game.

Texas had its own issues throwing strikes as Alabama drew four free passes in that second inning. Brooke Wells provided the big blow with her bases-clearing double that gave the Tide its first lead of the series at 5-4.

“We had our best hitter up to bat with the bases loaded, and that’s what you want,” Murphy said. “She comes through in the clutch.”

Freshman Ambrey Taylor continued to prove why she belongs in the lineup with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the fourth inning absolutley crushed out to dead center. She followed it up the next inning with a two-RBI single to make it 10-4 Tide. Taylor wasn’t even a starter when conference play began, but she already has four home runs and 10 RBIs in SEC play.

“When the one went over tonight, I was like, ‘Damn, this kid is a gamer,’” Murphy said of Taylor. “I mean, there’s no other way around it… She worked her way into the lineup for sure. She showed me. She absolutely showed me, ‘You gotta put my name in the lineup.’ And she continues to do it. That’s what you want as a coach.”

Audrey Vandagriff added on the final run with an RBI single in what was a two-hit day for her down in the six spot.

The Crimson Tide easily could’ve folded after facing a four-run deficit to the defending national champions and top-ranked team in the nation, especially after losing the first game of the series by eight runs. Instead Alabama rallied in Rhoads for an important win that can be a building block for the rest of the season.

“Our biggest thing on the season this year is just not getting beat back to back, and we really take pride in that,” Moten said. “So today we knew we were coming out with a dog-fight mentality.”

Alabama (34-3, 8-3 SEC) will be going for its fourth straight SEC series win while trying to hand Texas (32-3, 9-2 SEC) its first conference series loss in the finale on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

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Every year, Americans devour an estimated 50 million burgers, a sizzling testament to the nation’s enduring passion for beef, buns and bold toppings.

From roadside diners to upscale gastropubs, the hamburger has become a culinary symbol, with each state offering its own unique twist.

The team at Foodie has taken on the delicious challenge of finding the very best burger in every state. By combing through hundreds of customer reviews, spotlighting local award winners and even digging into regional news coverage, they’ve crafted a list that celebrates standout spots from coast to coast. 

And when it comes to Alabama, one burger rises above the rest.

What is the best burger in Alabama?

In Alabama, Vicki’s Lunch Van in Montgomery claims the top spot.

What sets it apart? According to Foodie, the small, no-frills spot is “darn-near flawless,” known for freshly made cheeseburgers that taste exactly how a classic burger should.

If there’s one dish that defines the experience, it’s the Gunter Pile. This decadent creation layers a juicy burger patty with gravy and a mixture of fried and crispy onions, all atop a bed of fries. It’s messy, indulgent and distinctly Southern.

How to grab your burger at Vicki’s Lunch Van

If you want to try Vicki’s Lunch Van, note that this Montgomery favorite typically operates during limited lunch hours. Vicki’s is located at 106 Coliseum Blvd. 

A lasting legacy

According to posts shared on Facebook, the restaurant’s owner, Vicki Lammon, passed away in February 2026.

The news brought an outpouring of support and memories from devoted customers. Many spoke not just of the quality of the food, but also of the welcoming atmosphere and personal touch that made the place special.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.