May 31, 2026

Which of these is NOT one of Alabama’s venomous snakes?

A) Copperhead
B) Cottonmouth
C) Rat snake
D) Timber rattlesnake

This Weeks Newsletter Presented By...

The Rotary Club of Madison will be hosting a Parrots on Parade Block Party on June 6th.

The event will feature an art competition, live music, food trucks and more.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and enjoy the festivities while supporting local artists and the Rotary Club's charitable efforts in the community.

Admission is free and the event promises to be a fun-filled evening for all.

Madison City Schools posts summer food help information

Madison City Schools has a 2026 Summer Feeding and SUN Bucks page available for families. This matters for parents whose children rely on school meals during the year, and it is also useful for neighbors, churches and nonprofits helping families bridge the summer food gap.

[Read More]

Alabama’s grocery tax pause is still in effect through June

Alabama’s state portion of the grocery tax is paused from May 1 through June 30, 2026. The same law also creates a state income tax deduction for qualified overtime compensation of up to $1,000 per taxpayer for tax years 2026 through 2028. Madison families may see modest savings at checkout, but local grocery taxes may still apply, so the total discount can vary by store location. [Read More]

Madison short-term rental rules are heading to a public hearing

Madison has scheduled a June 22 City Council public hearing on proposed short-term rental regulations. The city says STRs are currently not permitted, but some are operating through platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO. The proposal would cap permits at 190 units citywide, require an STR permit and business license for each unit and set inspection and complaint rules. Homeowners, neighbors and anyone considering a rental property should follow this closely. [Read More]

Here’s a look at the 7-day weather forecast for Madison, AL:

Three of the hardest things for people to say... I was wrong... I need help... and worshesheshire sauce.

Lightning Bugs

Q: Are lightning bugs actually bugs?

Not exactly... Lightning bugs, also called fireflies, are actually beetles. Their glow is one of the things that makes warm evenings feel like summer.

Q: Why do lightning bugs light up?
Most lightning bugs flash to communicate and attract a mate. Different species can have different flashing patterns which is kind of like having their own tiny porch-light language.

Q: How can you help lightning bugs show up in your yard?
Keep parts of your yard a little more natural, avoid using too many pesticides and reduce bright outdoor lights at night when possible. Lightning bugs like moist areas, leaf litter, taller grass and quiet darker spaces where they can do their thing.

Q: When do lightning bugs start showing up?
Around Alabama, lightning bugs usually begin showing up in late spring, often late May through June, depending on the weather. Warm evenings, humidity and moist ground can help bring them out. Some years you may spot a few earlier, but early summer is when most people start noticing them in the yard.

BTW... Monte Sano State Park and Huntsville Botanical Gardens usually will offer walks to see the guys ❤️

Miso Happy

Looking for a Japanese spot to satisfy your tummy. You can find one just off of busy Madison Blvd. You can't miss it. On the menu, you'll find sushi, teriyaki, sashimi, rolls, ramen, poke bowls and more. They also serve milk tea, fruit tea and coffee.

Miso Happy looks just like what you'd expect in a traditional Japanese tea house. You'll see hints of Japanese anime and a big Totoro outside.

The food is excellent and the presentations may surprise you. Beautiful rolls! It's a great place for a date and also to enjoy in groups. You can sit at the bar, have a party, do take out or cater for your own party at home. Definitely a must try.

🌐 Website

104 Intercom Dr, Madison

AL 35758

📍Google Maps

(256) 898-4460

Did You Know? Hurricane Season Starts in June

Did you know the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30? Even though Alabama isn't sitting directly on the coastline here in Madison, we can still feel the effects of tropical weather. When storms move inland, they can bring heavy rain, strong wind, flooding and even tornadoes. That means hurricane season isn't just a beach-town concern. It can become a North Alabama concern too.

Hurricanes don't always arrive as giant, movie-style storms by the time they reach inland areas. Sometimes the biggest issue is the leftover moisture. A storm that weakens after landfall can still dump a lot of rain across the Southeast. That's why it helps to keep an eye on tropical systems even when they are still hundreds of miles away. The category of the storm matters, but so does the path, speed and rainfall potential.
For 2026, NOAA is forecasting a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season, with 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes and 1 to 3 major hurricanes. But “below-normal” doesn't mean “no risk.” It only takes one storm tracking the wrong way to cause flooding, power outages or travel problems.

The simple takeaway: June is a good time to check your basics. Make sure you have flashlights, batteries, bottled water, charged power banks and a way to receive weather alerts. Around here, being prepared doesn't have to mean panic. It just means not waiting until the rain is already sideways to wonder where the flashlight went.

Time to Upgrade Your Kettle?

Earlier today, I was watching a video of Ronnie Chieng (Comedian) giving a speech to Harvard students (NSFW), and I just saw the label in tag on this kettle and laughed...

We once had a pretty green kettle for many years and it started to rust... so we purchased a glass kettle which later went into the garage because we ended up getting a Keurig. But since having moved to Starbucks Instant, It was time for something shiny and new... thus the Cosori!

Check Availability

If you missed the new kind of mop..

Here you go...

We Want to Spotlight Your Business

If you have a local business and would love to be featured in our newsletter, you can connect with us here.

Want more visibility to your business, create your free account here.

Download Your Wallet Size Madison Memo Quick Contact Card

 Madison County |  Limestone County

We are currently in the AI revolution and I believe that AI will not take your jobs. It will help you to do your job better and make you more productive... at work and at home. I would encourage for you to learn about AI and if you don't know where to start, you can go here. Use Coupon Code "KEEPLEARNING"

Let's look forward to a sun-filled week! ☀️

Thank you for being a valued subscriber and neighbor in our community!

Don't forget to share our newsletter link with your neighbors at

https://themadisonmemo.com

We appreciate ALL of your suggestions or recommendations, so feel free to reply with your feedback.

In time we will have rotating sections for recipes, job opportunities, events and much much more. So stay tuned!

If you have read this far, you may wonder why there isn't any news about tragic events, hate and terrible crimes and it's because there is just too much of that everywhere else. We want this newsletter to bring you kind awareness and also to help spread joy and information on your Sunday!

Thank you for your support 🙏

- Robert

C) Rat snake

Copperheads, cottonmouths, timber rattlesnakes, pygmy rattlesnakes, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, and eastern coral snakes are the six venomous species in Alabama.

https://www.outdooralabama.com/snakes/venomous-snakes