Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa News Director and Tuscaloosa native Don Hartley has two lengthy careers under his belt. 22 years in radio and television news and sports journalism and 23 years as a county and state emergency manager. Don also worked as a press aide to former Alabama Governor Guy Hunt and U.S. Senator Jeremiah Denton. Don marched four years in the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band and did the stadium announcing for the band for 16 years. His attachment to UA also extended to being the radio play-by-play announcer for Crimson Tide Baseball and Women’s Basketball. He also served as public address announcer for Bama Gymnastics. For several years, Don did radio and television play-by-play for high school football and basketball, including Central’s 2007 4-A AHSAA Championship Game at Legion Field in Birmingham. In February, Don earned the Alabama Broadcasters Association ABBY as "Best Midsize Market News Reporter". He has also won multiple Associated Press recognition for both quality news and sports broadcasting. Don is married with two adult children and two grandchildren.
Don Hartley
Friday Deadline Looms for Aid to COVID-19 Impacted Tuscaloosa Businesses
Businesses within the City of Tuscaloosa, negatively impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown have until Friday to apply for assistance from the Restart Tuscaloosa million dollar contribution to the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama' Small Business Relief Fund.
Mayor Maddox to Make Mega Apartments Recommendations Today
Mayor Maddox's recommendations today presage a comprehensive plan of action by the council to better deal with large-scale apartment and condo development.
Mercedes Says Auf Wiedersehen to C-Class Sedan at Vance
The Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance will stop producing the C-Class sedan according to a press release today by the automakers's parent company Daimler.
Improving Jobs Picture Gives reason for Hope, for Now!
June unemployment figures in Alabama give reason for optimism. Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today (Friday) that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted June unemployment rate is 7.5%
Investing in Under-served Communities Key to Economic Success
Addressing the systemic and social injustices and needs of the past starts with investment.
57 Years Ago Two Black Youth Challenged George Wallace and Won
As voices raise and people march for racial justice a watershed moment in civil rights is being marked by the University of Alabama today.
Pandemic Then and Now – Spanish Flu versus COVID-19
Had it not been for statewide lockdowns, stay-at-home orders, social distancing, travel restrictions, mandated mask wearing; COVID-19 might well have surpassed the Spanish Flu as the worst pandemic.
West Alabama Pandemic Unemployment Rate Continues Upward
Last week 3,546 unemployment claims were filed in West Alabama’s 11 counties as the pandemic devastated economy staggers on.
Wearing a Mask Key to COVID-19 Safety
Wearing a mask is an outward sign of an individual who wants to participate in the management and control of the coronavirus in the community.
Voting Politics Heating up in Alabama
“Alabama does not have nor will it have direct mail-in voting,” Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill assures President Trump.