Education & Tech Policy: Gov. Kay Ivey signed an executive order creating a Governor’s Commission on Screen-Based Instruction, with Rep. Jeana Ross (R-Guntersville) set to chair, building on Alabama’s classroom cellphone limits and K-12 screen exposure rules. Public Safety: ALEA reported a fatal Perry County crash on July 16 where a Marion man, Barry E. Moore, died after his car left the road, hit a tree, and caught fire; he was not wearing a seat belt. SNAP Oversight: The Alabama DHR board voted to ask Alabama’s congressional delegation to seek the same two-year delay granted to states with the highest SNAP payment error rates, warning Alabama could face a 10% cost share starting in FY2028. Defense & Federal Funding: Alabama’s GOP congressional delegation highlighted House passage of the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act, pointing to major projects at Redstone Arsenal and Maxwell Air Force Base. Data Centers Debate: Sen. Tommy Tuberville renewed calls for transparency as he defends data center development amid local moratoriums and backlash. Rural Innovation: Sen. Katie Britt celebrated a $15 million NSF award for HudsonAlpha’s BRIDGES Engine, aimed at boosting rural manufacturing and farm-linked biotech markets. Government Records & Secrecy: A report says Gov. Jeff Landry personally signed an NDA with Meta’s data center subsidiary, raising questions about how deal details and even the agreement’s existence are treated as confidential.