AGP Executive Report

Criminal Justice: A judge sentenced Matt Atcherian to 60 years for two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in a case tied to injuries found in 2020. Local Government: Auburn City Council denied rezoning requests that would have added 12 units to a residential development off Miracle Road, citing density and planning alignment concerns. Education Policy: Gov. Kay Ivey created a commission to study screen-based instruction in Alabama K-12 classrooms, with recommendations due by Dec. 1, 2026. Rural Health: Sen. Katie Britt celebrated Senate committee passage of the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act aimed at improving emergency maternal care in rural areas. Food Assistance: A new report says 81,800 Alabamians lost SNAP benefits since last year as enrollment drops amid expanded work and cost-sharing rules. Congress & Elections: Rep. Terri Sewell voted against the GOP’s fiscal 2027 defense bill over voting provisions tied to the SAVE America Act. Sports Policy: Reps. Shomari Figures and Sewell broke with Democrats to support keeping biological males out of women’s sports in a federal vote. Infrastructure & Growth: Alabama’s Republican delegation backed a short-term House spending bill to avoid a government shutdown.

Federal Budget Fight: The U.S. House passed a Republican-only $95 billion package to fund the Iran war and other Trump priorities, including $73 billion for the Pentagon, $12 billion for farmers hit by tariffs, and $10 billion for voting law changes; Democrats opposed and it now heads to the Senate. Alabama SNAP Pressure: A new report says SNAP enrollment has dropped by 4.5 million nationwide, with Alabama losing nearly 82,000 people—over 23,000 children—raising fresh concerns as school starts and Alabama faces major cost shifts later. Classroom Tech Push: Gov. Kay Ivey signed Executive Order 745 creating a commission to study screen-based instruction in Alabama K-12 classrooms, building on earlier cellphone and screen-time laws. Public Safety Alerts: An AMBER Alert for a missing 2-year-old in Enterprise was canceled after the child was found safe in Montgomery; the suspected uncle remained at large. Local Tragedy: A Jefferson County crash on U.S. 78 killed a 51-year-old man from Jasper; ALEA is investigating.

Alabama Politics & Government: Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed named Kwasi Obeng as chief of staff, aiming to coordinate priorities and improve city service delivery. Local Governance: Montgomery City Council again delayed Reed’s $375 million “Momentum 2040” bond proposal, citing unanswered questions about impacts on core services. Elections & Parties: St. Clair County Democrats plan a town hall in Moody featuring U.S. Senate candidate Everett Wess and other state races. Education Policy: Rep. Terri Sewell cosponsored a national AI data center moratorium bill, arguing Alabamians need answers on water, environment, property values, and who benefits. Public Safety & Courts: A London, Ky., man was arrested in Alabama on child sex crime charges after a joint effort with the U.S. Marshals. Workforce & Training: CVCC launched a streamlined pathway for criminal justice students to earn APOSTC certification through an ACCS partnership. Agriculture: U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures introduced a Tariff Impacted Farmer Support Act to provide up to $15B in temporary aid for small and mid-sized family farms. Tourism: Visit Tuscaloosa CEO Kelsey Rush was named Alabama Tourism Executive of the Year. National Politics (with Alabama ties): Sen. Tommy Tuberville sent GOP lawmakers a memo urging opposition to the Protect College Sports Act, backing his narrower Student Athlete Act instead.

Voting Rights Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court is again limiting enforcement of the Voting Rights Act, declining to hear a challenge tied to Section 208 and leaving in place a ruling that blocks private groups from suing to enforce it—part of a broader push critics call a “coup by law.” Immigration & Public Safety: DHS/ICE-linked operations are under scrutiny after a Mexican father was killed while fleeing federal immigration officers in Florida; separate reporting also says ICE has asked Alabama to hold a Ukrainian man convicted in a fatal Alabama truck crash. Alabama Economy: Alabama hit a record 2.22 million wage-and-salary jobs in June, even as unemployment ticked up to 3.2%. AI Data Centers: Rep. Terri Sewell backs a bill to pause large AI data center expansion while Congress sets federal safeguards. Local Land Use: Auburn approved a dense south-Auburn mixed-use project, The Lexington, after rezoning. Elections & Campaigns: In Alabama’s 5th District, Democrat Andrew Sneed outraised Rep. Dale Strong in the latest FEC period, signaling a tightening race. Weather & Safety: Tropical Storm Bertha prompted double red-flag closures along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Crime: A DoorDash dispute in Russellville ended with a driver stabbed, a customer shot dead by police, and an officer injured.

State Infrastructure Funding: Alabama lawmakers’ Community Crossings Matching Grant round pushed out more than $429,000 to Newton County for road and bridge work, part of a statewide $84 million package for 147 communities. Federal/Regional Policy: Gulf lawmakers are backing the Offshore Parity Act to expand state maritime boundaries from 3 to 9 miles, aiming to reshape fisheries rules and unlock offshore energy and mineral lease revenue. Economic Development & Aerospace: Alabama’s aerospace momentum got a boost at the UK’s Farnborough Airshow, with Doncasters planning a $50M Auburn expansion and Redwire expanding in Huntsville—together expected to create about 220 jobs. Public Safety & Privacy: Red Bay police defended a flock security camera as license-plate recognition only and scheduled an Aug. 17 community meeting amid local backlash. Congressional Politics: The NRCC added Alabama’s AL-2 to its target list, aiming to unseat Rep. Shomari Figures in a newly more favorable district. Courts & Appointments: Gov. Kemp announced multiple judicial and district attorney appointments, including Superior Court and DA roles across Georgia circuits.

Main Street Alabama: Gov. Kay Ivey designated Selma a Main Street Alabama community, spotlighting downtown Water Avenue and Old Town for economic vitality, historic preservation, promotion, and local volunteer-led organization. Statehouse Watch: Alabama’s new State House construction is still on track for a January 2027 legislative session, with interior work underway and plans to deconstruct the old building for a future green space. Public Safety: Two women were charged after a car meet assault in Montgomery where police say they tased and pepper sprayed two victims; separate from that, Russellville police say a DoorDash customer stabbed a driver and an officer before being shot. Immigration Enforcement: ICE detained a Houston ISD student at the Montgomery Processing Center, while in Houston hundreds protested the ICE killing of Lorenzo Salgado and a habeas petition seeks release of witnesses held there. Higher Education & Health Policy: The U.S. Senate rejected a move to stop an AI-driven Medicare coverage pilot in Washington state. College Sports: SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said NCAA breakaway talks are “real” but not the preferred direction, as Protect College Sports Act discussions continue. Local Politics: Mobile County GOP chairman Ken Kvalheim resigned; Stuart Lang becomes acting chairman. Business & Defense: Boresight expanded Huntsville manufacturing via a new lease to scale aerial target drone production.

Election Security Push: U.S. Sen. Katie Britt renewed her push for the SAVE America Act on Fox News Sunday, arguing only citizens should vote and citing non-citizen voting in D.C. municipal elections plus concerns about foreign interference. Courts & Eligibility: A new Alabama Supreme Court test is looming over whether judges can decide Tommy Tuberville’s residency eligibility for governor after a lower court dismissed a lawsuit on authority grounds. Local Politics: Doug Jones will hold an unscreened public town hall in Dothan July 22 as Alabama’s redrawn districts set up competitive races. State Economy: Workforce Alabama reported record job growth—2,224,200 wage-and-salary jobs—while unemployment ticked up to 3.2%. Public Health & Food Safety: FDA walked back a Cyclospora link to Taylor Farms after false positive results; Alabama health officials still report cases in Mobile and the Tuscaloosa area. Health Oversight: FDA conducted seven Alabama food/cosmetics inspections in June, with Fresh Seafood Distributors topping citations. Safety & Weather: Alabama deployed swift-water rescue teams to Texas amid severe flooding, and the NWS issued a heat advisory for parts of central and west Alabama. Crime/Justice: A Jefferson County judge set a settlement date in the case against an indicted JCSO employee tied to alleged COVID-related fraud and alleged funneling money into Sheriff Mark Pettway’s campaign.

Public Safety: ALEA and local agencies responded to a serious marine crash near The Wharf Marina in Orange Beach, sending nine people to hospitals; ALEA is leading the investigation. Local Government: Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed pushed back on a bill to set minimum police staffing numbers, calling it a “power grab” and arguing the focus should be on quality and local control. Health & Federal Funding: A Birmingham AIDS Outreach program tied to a K-12 charter school received an HHS grant aimed at HIV/STD prevention for “black MSM” and transgender youth, including free-condom distribution targets. State Leadership: Gov. Kay Ivey named Glenda Allred as Alabama tourism director as Lee Sentell retires after record tourism growth. Elections & Party Politics: Perry County Democrats’ executive committee chair cast a tie-breaking vote after a recount left the district race at 398-398, naming Donald Bennett the nominee while Albert Turner says he’ll contest. Education: A+ College Ready held its E3 summer conference in Trussville to train teachers and administrators ahead of the school year. Crime & Courts: A woman accused of poisoning her husband with fentanyl multiple times is raising a mental disease/defect defense as her case proceeds.

America 250 Spotlight: Greensboro’s Preservation and Tourism Alliance unveiled an “America 250 Liberty Tree” in the People’s Bank Courtyard, with the display set to stay until a permanent site is chosen. Agriculture & Food Prices: Catfish producers in Alabama and Mississippi say rising feed, electricity, and transport costs are squeezing farm budgets, and senators from catfish states are urging USDA to buy surplus catfish for relief. Public Safety: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating a Russellville incident where a suspect allegedly attacked a DoorDash driver and then stabbed an officer; the officer fired and is recovering. Gaming Policy: State Rep. Chris Blackshear says a “conversation” about gambling control could come in the next quadrennium, arguing opponents must explain how to rein in existing non-tribal gaming. Elections & Voting Rights: A national push tied to John Lewis’s legacy featured rallies warning that voting protections are under pressure. Local Government: Perry County Democrats certified Donald Bennett as Commission District 1 nominee after a recount ended in a 398-398 tie and a tie-break vote.

Noncompete Fight: Blue Origin employees are reportedly upset about an 18-month non-compete tied to stock options after SpaceX’s IPO windfall, raising fresh questions about how startups use equity to limit job-hopping. Sports & Education: ACU begins a new era in the rebranded United Athletic Conference ahead of fall sports, with familiar rivals and new matchups including North Alabama. Alabama Public Safety: A woman died and two children were injured in an early-morning Autauga County crash on AL-14 near Prattville; investigators say seat belts weren’t used. Legal & Courts: An Alabama woman accused of poisoning her husband with fentanyl multiple times remains in the spotlight as court filings allege bond violations and attempted drugging. State Politics & Lobbying: Montgomery lobbying firm Fine Geddie hires Preston Cauthen, a former Alabama Power constituent relations manager, as it expands governmental affairs capacity. Immigration Policy: Sen. Tommy Tuberville says he’d work with federal agencies like ICE to target illegal immigration if elected governor. Education Compliance: Birmingham’s Magic City Acceptance Academy is still reportedly partnering with DEI-aligned groups despite assurances to state leaders about “divisive concepts” compliance. Law Enforcement Pipeline: Jax State and APOSTC announce a pathway for students to graduate with Alabama law enforcement certification. Local Crime: A Russellville officer was injured after intervening in a knife attack involving a DoorDash driver; the suspect was shot and died.

Gubernatorial Race Watch: Sen. Tommy Tuberville is vowing forensic accounting over Alabama prison construction after costs reportedly doubled, while legal challenges to his run are now tabled—shifting focus to the campaign itself and the AI data center fight. AI & Data Centers: A new Alabama Politics Today look at the data center backlash argues communities are pushing back over perceived lack of honesty, transparency, and “receipts” on jobs and impacts. Local Government & Public Safety: Oxford Health Systems plans a new Oxford Paramedics ambulance station in west Oxford, backed by a land donation from Joey Callahan, a GOP nominee for House District 32. Statehouse/Local Finance: Walker County approved a one-time longevity bonus for retirees—$1 per month—plus other county budget actions. Courts & Accountability: A wrongful-death lawsuit in Alabama alleges ChatGPT contributed to an Alabama woman’s death, adding to a growing national wave of AI-related claims. Immigration Enforcement (Outside Alabama, National Angle): UK raids at Evri depots led to multiple arrests over illegal working, highlighting how enforcement can quickly hit employers and contractors.

Election Integrity Fight: A DHS-linked claim that 250,000 noncitizens are registered to vote in four states is being challenged by election experts, who say the methodology relies on less-detailed data and could be wrong. Local Government & Growth Pressure: Pinson’s City Council took a first step toward a 12-month moratorium on data centers, citing environmental and cost concerns and warning that infrastructure burdens could fall on residents. Federal Courts & Voting Rules: The Arizona Supreme Court ruled public comment isn’t required for updates to the state elections manual, a decision tied to a GOP challenge over election-integrity procedures. Alabama Legal News: A Robertsdale man was found guilty in federal court of attempting to entice a minor while traveling for illicit sexual conduct. Public Health: Alabama reports at least 11 cases in a cyclospora outbreak tied to Taco Bell shredded iceberg lettuce, with federal officials tracing the ingredient to a Mexico supplier. Congress & Water Policy: U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures says he’s pushing an amendment to block the Army Corps from using “thin-layer placement” in most Mobile Bay dredging situations. State Politics & National Security: Sen. Katie Britt is backing a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill honoring Lindsey Graham.

Economic Development & Aviation: Alabama lawmakers and higher-ed leaders are heading to the Farnborough International Airshow to pitch the state’s aerospace and workforce pipeline, including efforts tied to the Alabama Development Fund and UAH’s research partnerships. Transportation Funding: Gov. Kay Ivey announced $3.6 million for 11 road projects under the Rebuild Alabama grant program, with local matching funds required. Local Industry Site Prep: Tuscaloosa County landed a $2.3 million SEEDS grant to make a 230-acre Airport Industrial Park property “shovel-ready” for advanced manufacturing and aerospace. Public Health Leadership: Alabama’s board of the Department of Public Health voted to give State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris a 7% raise effective Sept. 1. Libraries & Governance: The Alabama Public Library Service again canceled an executive board meeting for lack of quorum, drawing criticism from groups opposing recent library policy changes. Federal Scrutiny of CDL Training: DHS and DOT launched a federal probe into about 75 CDL schools over suspected fraud, following Alabama’s March Highway Safety and Fairness Act. Elections & Security Politics: Trump pushed the SAVE America Act in a prime-time address, while Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville faced renewed national criticism over his Islam remarks.

23andMe Settlement: Alabama will receive $260,817 from a multistate settlement tied to the 2023 23andMe genetic data breach, with AG Steve Marshall saying the deal is a step toward accountability but “does not justify their actions.” Voting & Immigration: DHS says more than 250,000 noncitizens are illegally registered to vote in California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Nevada, while it also points to Alabama among states that used the SAVE system and found deceased and noncitizen registrants. Alabama Tourism Leadership: Gov. Kay Ivey announced Lee Sentell’s retirement and named Glenda Allred as Alabama tourism director, citing tourism revenue growth to nearly $25 billion. Data Centers Debate: Sen. Tommy Tuberville defended Alabama’s data center push, arguing opposition is driven by China-linked “propaganda” while stressing protections for ratepayers. Back-to-School Tax Holiday: Alabama’s sales tax holiday runs July 17-19, with higher price caps for items like clothing, computers and school supplies. Public Safety/Justice: Marshall also announced a multistate settlement with Cash App’s parent company, while CAIR condemned Tuberville’s “death cult” remarks as inciting violence against Muslims.

Tourism Leadership Change: Gov. Kay Ivey announced Lee Sentell will retire as Alabama’s longest-serving tourism director, with Glenda Allred tapped to take over. State Health Costs: Alabama’s state employee health insurance program is projected to lose $38.5 million this fiscal year, driven by rising costs and federal changes, with lawmakers already adding $18 million for 2027. Rural EMS Fix: Greene County’s ambulance service is back after a funding crisis, with two replacement ambulances funded through local spending and state EMS support. Economic Development Grants: Innovate Alabama extended its supplemental grant deadline to July 17, offering up to $250,000 for companies with eligible federal SBIR/STTR awards. Federal Criminal Case: A Tuscaloosa man accused of kidnapping was arraigned in federal court; the indictment carries a maximum life sentence. Data Center Politics: A Brookwood data center proposal is feeding the governor’s race debate, with Tommy Tuberville backing growth and Doug Jones pushing for more transparency and statewide rules. Food Safety Alert: Alabama urged produce precautions as health officials investigate a Cyclospora outbreak, with 11 Alabama cases reported. Labor & Workforce: North Alabama labor leaders unveiled a “Workers’ Agenda” and pressed candidates to treat unions as partners. Sports Law Watch: Alabama and Auburn criticized the NCAA’s proposed “Protect College Sports Act,” arguing it won’t stabilize college athletics and may invite lawsuits.

Alabama Leadership: Gov. Kay Ivey named Glenda Allred as the new Alabama tourism director, following Lee Sentell’s retirement after more than two decades leading the agency. Statehouse Watch: The U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, with Alabama among states already moving toward year-round time—now the Senate has to act. Public Safety: Courtland crash reports say the town’s police chief ran a red light and wasn’t wearing a seatbelt in his city vehicle before the June wreck. Law Enforcement Alerts: Wilcox County Sheriff Larry Colston warned residents about scammers claiming to call about arrest warrants and demanding money. Justice & Courts: A federal judge order and Senate confirmation fight are in focus as Acting AG Todd Blanche heads to a confirmation hearing. Community & Recovery: A multi-agency search effort helped recover the body of a missing boater from Lake Wedowee after days of work. Regional Crime Crackdown: Tennessee’s “Crystal Current” operation netted dozens of indictments tied to meth sales, with Alabama mentioned in the broader Southeast enforcement sweep.