Claudia Peppenhorst
Reporter
Huntsville, AL
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Claudia Peppenhorst is an Alabama native and joined the WAFF News team as an MMJ/Reporter in January 2023. She attended Troy University where she was the student news director at TROY TrojanVision News. She is excited to serve the Tennesee Valley, bringing you the latest stories.
Education
Updated: 43 minutes ago
|By Kate Norum and Claudia Peppenhorst
A man was transported to Huntsville Hospital on Sunday morning.
Updated: Sep. 30, 2023 at 8:43 AM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
One person was transported to Huntsville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Updated: Sep. 28, 2023 at 5:19 AM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
The ongoing Medicaid expansion battle here in Alabama is causing one home health provider to close its doors in just a few days.
Updated: Sep. 26, 2023 at 8:00 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst and Javon Williams
Mayor Tommy Battle will deliver his address at the Von Braun Center in the Saturn ballroom.
Updated: Sep. 25, 2023 at 7:54 AM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Today, Sept. 25 marks the deadline for a special master to submit 3 proposals for the new Alabama congressional map to the federal court.
Updated: Sep. 21, 2023 at 7:57 PM CDT
|By WAFF 48 Digital Staff, Claudia Peppenhorst, Matthew King and Megan Plotka
Firefighters and other emergency officials are on the scene.
Updated: Sep. 19, 2023 at 9:21 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
City council members recently gave their stamp of approval on the Stadium Commons project, which will include retail, dining, apartments, a hotel, office space, and a parking garage.
Updated: Sep. 18, 2023 at 5:50 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Updated COVID vaccines are making their way into Huntsville. This time, the vaccine will target COVID strains descended from the Omicron variant which are currently causing the most illnesses nationwide.
Updated: Sep. 14, 2023 at 10:00 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Deconstruction has begun on Saturn 1B along I-65 in Ardmore but a bill that was signed into law this summer could call for a replica to be put in it’s place.
Updated: Sep. 13, 2023 at 7:13 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
One of the iconic symbols of Alabama’s role in space exploration is coming down. Crews are currently working to deconstruct the 224-foot-tall Saturn 1B Rocket at the Alabama Welcome Center on Interstate 65 in Ardmore.
Updated: Sep. 12, 2023 at 10:14 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Just over 60 years ago, the first black student enrolled in an all-white school in Huntsville. Today, the work for equality continues for Huntsville City Schools as they slowly chip away at a desegregation order.
Updated: Sep. 11, 2023 at 6:40 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
The City of Huntsville’s budget for next year will be introduced this Thursday, but council members are already laying out their priorities.
Updated: Sep. 7, 2023 at 4:37 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Over-the-counter Narcan hit the shelves this week in major retail stores, including Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid.
Updated: Sep. 6, 2023 at 8:18 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
A Florida man is still behind bars in the Limestone County Jail after being found not guilty by reason of mental defect last year. Now, his attorney is fighting to get him released and home to his family.
Updated: Sep. 4, 2023 at 7:09 AM CDT
|By WAFF 48 Digital Staff, Claudia Peppenhorst and Savannah Sapp
Decatur Morgan Hospital’s Parkway Medical Center was placed on lockdown Sunday night, according to Decatur PD.
Updated: Sep. 4, 2023 at 12:01 AM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
A family in Madison County is mourning the loss of 23-year-old Devin McDonald. McDonald was killed on Quality Circle in Huntsville early Tuesday morning.
Updated: Sep. 1, 2023 at 5:35 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Now that there is a vacant seat, the residents of District 10 are wondering what’s next. Former Secretary of State John Merrill says the answer is simple.
Updated: Aug. 31, 2023 at 7:03 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Starting on September 1, the current 4 percent Alabama grocery tax will decrease to 3 percent thanks to new legislation that was passed this year.
Updated: Aug. 31, 2023 at 11:53 AM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst and Wade Smith
Officers responded to reports of shots fired on Bonnell Dr. around 10:30 a.m. on August 29
Updated: Aug. 30, 2023 at 6:40 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
The Camp in MidCity is known for its outdoor venue and live music. While those two things bring many people in to MidCity, owners of the neighboring Holiday Inn claim it’s also what’s pushing their customers out of their hotel.
Updated: Aug. 28, 2023 at 5:51 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
One Huntsville City Council member just introduced a new ‘Hands Free’ Driving Ordinance. If it’s passed, it would call for some big changes when it comes to driving and using your cell phone.
Updated: Aug. 28, 2023 at 11:18 AM CDT
|By Javon Williams, Matthew King and Claudia Peppenhorst
Both men involved have been identified by Huntsville Police and arrested on similar charges.
Updated: Aug. 23, 2023 at 8:14 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Tuesday afternoon’s shooting on Alabama A&M’s campus shooting sparked major concerns with parents and students when it comes to university safety. With it being so early in the school year, students and parents are now calling on University leaders to increase security measures.
Updated: Aug. 21, 2023 at 7:41 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Maui residents continue to process the devastation across the island from the deadly wildfires.
Updated: Aug. 21, 2023 at 4:02 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Huntsville City Council members are looking to improve residents’ quality of life through the discretionary improvement fund.
Updated: Aug. 18, 2023 at 6:43 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Many Huntsville residents got to see some of their favorite artists in concert at the Orion Ampitheater this week, with performances from Snoop Dogg and the Smashing Pumpkins.
Updated: Aug. 17, 2023 at 6:03 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Alabama A&M students hit the campus on Thursday for their first day of classes. While many of them were able to head back to their dorm room after a long day of classes, others were not so lucky.
Updated: Aug. 17, 2023 at 8:17 AM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
The devastation in Maui is hard to watch and it’s even harder for those with connections to the state.
Updated: Aug. 16, 2023 at 6:30 AM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
No matter the night, concert goers buy tickets and fill the Orion Amphitheater to see their favorite acts. Residents of Sherwood Park, a neighborhood a little over a mile away, hear the concerts for free.
Updated: Aug. 14, 2023 at 7:31 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
If you are looking for more places to live, eat, stay or shop in Downtown Huntsville, you’re in luck. More development for Big Spring Park is on its way.
Updated: Aug. 10, 2023 at 4:45 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
A local company is paying for a huge portion of two Alabama A&M students’ education.
Updated: Aug. 9, 2023 at 6:12 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
The remainder of the displaced Huntsville Summit residents are still not able to go home after being told they could likely return on Wednesday morning.
Updated: Aug. 8, 2023 at 10:49 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Over 100 residents were evacuated from their Huntsville Summit Apartments after an apparent electrical issue and fire two weeks ago.
Updated: Aug. 7, 2023 at 9:42 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Monday’s line of severe storms slowed down progress for utility crews still working to restore power from Sunday afternoon’s storms.
Updated: Aug. 3, 2023 at 12:47 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst, Wade Smith and Liz Hurley
Construction workers at the site said the engines have already been removed
Updated: Aug. 2, 2023 at 6:15 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
With classes back in session this means school zones are once again active. The Huntsville Police Department will patrol active zones all year to ensure students are safe and commuters obey traffic laws.
Updated: Aug. 2, 2023 at 7:04 AM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Almost 23,000 Huntsville City School students headed back to the classroom on Aug. 2, but they are not the only ones starting a new chapter.
Updated: Jul. 31, 2023 at 6:26 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
For those that have driven down Pratt Avenue in Five Points recently, you know there is a lot of construction going on in the Old Towne neighborhood.
Updated: Jul. 28, 2023 at 7:50 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Many residents of the Huntsville Summit Apartments were able to return home Friday morning after an apparent electrical issue Tuesday morning forced them to evacuate.
Updated: Jul. 27, 2023 at 8:11 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Each month WAFF 48 News is taking the opportunity to honor Extraordinary Veterans. This month, we are honoring Daniel Frey.
Updated: Jul. 27, 2023 at 8:09 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Residents of a the Huntsville Summit Apartment complex are still unable to return to their homes, more than 2-days after they were forced to evacuate.
Updated: Jul. 27, 2023 at 6:19 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the communities help to identify the person who dumped a box of kittens on the side of Highway 41A.
Updated: Jul. 26, 2023 at 6:16 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Prescription type 2 diabetic medications have taken social media by storm as many high-profile celebrities use them for weight loss.
Updated: Jul. 24, 2023 at 7:14 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Currently, 7.6 million disabled people are employed in the U.S. compared to 4.8 million in April of 2020 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Updated: Jul. 21, 2023 at 8:53 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Early Friday morning storms damaged homes all across the Tennessee Valley. Dozens of homes were flooded from the rain. Some were even struck by lightning.
Updated: Jul. 20, 2023 at 6:42 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Law enforcement nationwide is struggling to recruit new members into their agencies and it’s a story the Madison County Sheriff’s Office knows all too well.
Updated: Jul. 19, 2023 at 6:37 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
The National Weather Service announced that an EF0 tornado touched down for about 4 minutes during Tuesday night’s storms. Monrovia is one of the affected areas, where residents spent the day picking up the seemingly neverending debris.
Updated: Jul. 18, 2023 at 5:27 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Canadian Wildfire smoke has made its way to North Alabama, causing the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to issue an air quality alert for Madison County on Tuesday, July 18th.
Updated: Jul. 15, 2023 at 9:19 AM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
Dozens of dead fish were discovered on Saturday at an area of the Flint River, near Mt. Carmel Elementary. Leaders with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management say that their investigation turned up no unusual contaminants in the water.
Updated: Jul. 13, 2023 at 8:31 PM CDT
|By Claudia Peppenhorst
The Food and Drug Administration approved the oral contraceptive Opill Thursday morning for over the counter sales. It is the first hormonal contraceptive pill in the United States that does not require a prescription.