AGP Executive Report

Hazmat Disruption on I-59/20: ALEA says northbound lanes between Exits 89 and 97 in Tuscaloosa County stayed closed late Wednesday after a hazardous materials spill from a tanker trailer, with cleanup ongoing and the material not identified. School Safety Law: Gov. Kay Ivey’s office says a new July 1 law (HB 7) tightens how schools handle student threats, including a definition of “credible threat” and faster hearings for accused students. School Choice Funding: Ivey announced full funding for the CHOOSE Act Education Savings Accounts for 2026-2027, with about 34,000 approvals totaling roughly $174 million. Public Safety Over Fourth: ALEA and the state conservation agency are ramping up waterway enforcement for July 4, citing last year’s fatalities and targeting navigation lights and boating under the influence. Board Appointment: Ivey appointed ATF special agent Jennifer Conway to the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. Local Justice: Alabama’s SBI is investigating an Escambia County deputy-involved shooting outside Atmore. Crackdown on Hemp Products: Opelika police, with ABC and ALEA/SBI help, arrested two business owners on alleged unlawful hemp product sales. Montgomery Leadership: Montgomery Police Chief John Hank graduated from the FBI National Academy.

Education Policy: Gov. Kay Ivey says Alabama’s CHOOSE Act education savings accounts are now fully funded for 2026-2027, with nearly 49,000 applications and about 34,000 approved—totaling more than $174 million in ESAs for families. Workforce Development: Alabama also launched “Workforce Pell,” expanding federal Pell eligibility for approved short-term, career-focused training programs administered through the Alabama Department of Workforce. Public Oversight: A state audit finds repeated compliance and procurement problems at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, including questioned federal grant spending and failures tied to competitive purchasing. Voting & Civic Engagement: NAACP Alabama is pushing voter education and turnout efforts ahead of the November election, focusing on key congressional districts after recent court changes. Courts & Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed birthright citizenship, drawing sharp criticism from Alabama Republicans and calls for Congress to act. Public Safety: ALEA is ramping up “Safe Roads. Safe Waters. Safe Fourth” enforcement for July 4 travel, targeting impaired, speeding, distracted, aggressive driving, and seat belt violations.

Fourth of July Safety & Law: A new Alabama-focused guide urges residents to check local rules before lighting fireworks, noting they’re illegal in Tuscaloosa, Northport, and most incorporated cities, but generally legal in unincorporated areas; it also highlights common injury risks and basic safety steps. Alabama Politics in Court: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore’s emergency bid to preserve his $8.2M defamation win tied to a 2017 Senate race ad. Healthcare Watch: Montgomery’s Jackson Hospital says it will not begin a July 1 closure process, pointing to ongoing talks with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. New Alabama Laws Take Effect July 1: Multiple changes kick in statewide, including the grocery tax restart and a streamlined statewide food-truck inspection process. Sports & Policy: The Supreme Court upheld states’ authority to bar transgender girls and women from participating in female sports, with Alabama’s HB261 and HB391 cited. Local Government Notices: Huntsville Housing Authority posted an invitation for bids, and Madison County court notices were published, including a civil action involving Stephen Hereford Real Estate and Construction.

Gulf Coast Safety: Orange Beach and Gulf Shores lifeguards report a rough start to summer, with frequent single and double red-flag days and rescues as rip currents and heavy surf keep beach access under strict rules. Auburn Religious Rights: Alabama AG Steve Marshall pushed back on the Freedom From Religion Foundation, defending Auburn baseball coach-led prayers and Christian-themed uniforms as protected by the First Amendment. Corrections Security: ADOC says a former inmate was arrested after a drone dropped contraband near Holman Correctional Facility, with additional drugs found at the suspect’s home. Federal Courts: President Trump nominated Alabama Supreme Court Justice Greg Cook to the Northern District of Alabama, setting up a potential state-court vacancy if confirmed. State Politics: The Alabama GOP dismissed a primary contest challenging Lt. Gov. John Wahl’s candidacy, saying the filing didn’t meet legal requirements. Montgomery Government: Lawrence Davis Jr. was appointed Montgomery’s new chief operating officer. Crime & Courts: The Supreme Court upheld bans on transgender women in school sports, and Alabama’s Roy Moore lost a bid to collect an $8.2 million defamation award.

Federal Bench: President Trump nominated Alabama Supreme Court Justice Greg Cook to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, teeing up a Senate Judiciary Committee review and a key seat change in Alabama’s biggest federal district. Elections & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state rules allowing late-arriving mail ballots to be counted, a major win for voters that also keeps pressure on early-voting and election-timing fights alive. Alabama Legal Fight: In Montgomery, a judge heard arguments over whether courts should decide Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility as governor, with any ruling likely headed to the Alabama Supreme Court. Public Safety: Alabama’s ALEA reported the recovery of the body of Jefferson County assistant DA William North from Logan Martin Lake after he fell while acting as a spotter. Local Government: Mobile County’s sheriff says it has begun a major inventory of evidence stored at the Prichard Police Department, aiming to tighten chain-of-custody and documentation. Education Finance: Sylacauga City Schools named Alisa Benson as its new Chief School Financial Officer, bringing state-level finance experience back to the district.

Prison Oversight: The 11th Circuit largely upheld a remedial order in Braggs v. Lovelace, affirming Alabama prison conditions violate the Eighth Amendment while rolling back parts of the required staffing and suicide-prevention remedies. Medicaid Fraud: A Phenix City provider, Teen University, must repay $300,000 after investigators found it billed Medicaid for services residents weren’t regularly receiving. Beach Safety Law: Lulu’s Law—Alabama’s shark-attack alert push—was signed into federal law, allowing Wireless Emergency Alerts to warn phones near shark attacks, building on Alabama’s state alert system. State Politics & Courts: An attorney challenging Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s governor bid says a “majority” of the Alabama Supreme Court could recuse if the case reaches appeal, potentially sending it to a special court of retired justices. Local Development: Rep. Robert Aderholt announced a $1 million ARC grant for Dora to expand water infrastructure for the Heritage Landing development. Data Center Backlash: Cullman became the fourth Alabama city to pause new data center development, approving a one-year moratorium while it reviews water, noise, traffic, and zoning impacts. Public Safety: Alabama DYS updated multiple policies, including monthly staff contact requirements and procedures for youth medical grievances.

Alabama Politics & Policy: A new Alabama law starting July 2 will let food truck operators use one statewide health and fire inspection certification instead of repeating inspections city-by-city, cutting costs and travel time for operators. Elections & Voting Rights: The Alabama Democratic Party has ordered a recount in Perry County’s District 1 commission race after a one-vote May 19 result, while upholding dismissal of an election contest filed by incumbent Albert Turner. State GOP Eligibility Fight: The Alabama Republican Party is set to decide whether lieutenant gubernatorial nominee John Wahl is eligible under Alabama’s 7-year residency requirement, after a challenge from Limestone County Republicans. Federal Housing Showdown: U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt are defending their votes on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act as Trump ties its fate to the SAVE America Act, keeping the housing debate front and center for Alabama lawmakers. Education & Student Debt: Federal data show about 1 in 5 Alabama college borrowers are more than 90 days delinquent on Direct Loans, a warning sign for future defaults. Public Safety: Authorities are searching for a missing boater after a man fell into Logan Martin Lake during a sailboat race. Local Government: Marion officials face ethics-related fallout as affidavits circulate about whether the city council supported a part-time municipal court position for the city clerk.

College Sports Policy: A bipartisan “Protect College Sports Act” (SAFE) cleared committee and is headed to the U.S. Senate floor, with the Drake Group urging fixes on athlete compensation, employee status, and enforcement beyond NCAA/Power Five control. National GOP Power: A new roundup highlights how Trump-backed candidates are racking up primary wins, reinforcing how endorsements are shaping the 2026 GOP slate. Alabama Higher Ed: UA’s Styslinger College of Engineering jumped to No. 83 overall in U.S. News graduate engineering rankings, citing major research growth. Public Safety & Courts: Alabama’s Senate advanced a bill to change sentencing for second-degree murder, including potential life terms with aggravating factors. Civil Rights Backlash: An AP report looks at how the Voting Rights Act’s weakening is hitting families tied to the Selma-era fight, including an Alabama widow of Viola Liuzzo. Local Crime: Calhoun County identified 16-year-old Alexandria High student Jeremy “Ryan” Lambert as the victim of a rural crash. Cyber/Consumer Risk: AssuranceAmerica says a breach may have exposed sensitive data for at least 1.1 million people across seven states.

Louisiana GOP Senate Runoff: Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow beat state Treasurer John Fleming in the GOP runoff, another sign of how much sway presidential endorsements carry in Republican primaries. Civil Rights Legacy in Alabama: Alabama families and civil rights descendants are reflecting on the long fight for voting rights and the Supreme Court’s weakening of the Voting Rights Act, including the continuing pain felt by those tied to the 1963 Birmingham church bombing and Selma-era sacrifices. Education & State Policy: 1819 News CEO Bryan Dawson touted its Center for Education work, saying investigative coverage helped drive Alabama’s CHOOSE Act school choice voucher law. Higher Ed Governance: Faculty at Auburn say the Board of Trustees moved to dissolve the faculty senate and centralize control over academic decisions, raising concerns about political pressure and reduced faculty input. Legal & Consumer Watch: A federal civil forfeiture case alleges a Florence man lost $222,000+ to a “pig butchering” crypto romance scam. Public Safety: Two people were ejected and one injured in a Lake Mitchell bass-boat crash in Coosa County; marine patrol investigators are still looking into the cause. Cybersecurity: AssuranceAmerica says a breach may have exposed sensitive data for more than 1.1 million people across seven states, including Alabama residents. Environment/Politics: Seventeen Republican attorneys general, including Alabama, sued California over its plastics packaging law, arguing it unlawfully projects state rules nationwide.

Voting Rights Fight: Families tied to the Voting Rights Act are pushing back after the Supreme Court’s latest rollback, with Alabama-linked Viola Liuzzo’s son saying the law that cost lives is being dismantled. Federal Immigration/Legal Fallout: Alabama Rep. Ben Robbins praised the SCOTUS decision clearing the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of Haitians and thousands of Syrians. Housing vs. Election Politics: U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell blasted Trump for delaying a major bipartisan housing bill, saying he’s using it to leverage voter-ID changes under the SAVE America Act. Alabama Courts & Compliance: A former Faith Academy counselor in Mobile was sentenced to probation and a fine for failing to report suspected sexual misconduct involving a student. Local Government: Montgomery City Council declared Marche Johnson’s District 3 seat vacant after rejecting her residency claims, setting up a special election. Public Media Funding: Trump renewed calls to defund NPR/PBS, targeting federal support through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Sports & Politics: Alabama’s Sen. Tommy Tuberville weighed in on college sports reform, arguing momentum isn’t merit.

Montgomery Politics: Montgomery City Council vacated former Councilwoman Marche Johnson’s District 3 seat over residency rules, and Johnson says she “fully cooperated” and will let “facts and law” speak as a special election is set for September. Education Policy: State Sen. Arthur Orr pushed back on concerns about the CHOOSE Act’s constitutionality, arguing the program is structured as a tax credit-type operation rather than money going into the Education Trust Fund. State Tax Relief: Alabama’s two-month state grocery tax holiday ends Tuesday, with the 2% grocery tax portion resuming (local grocery taxes were not included). Public Safety: Alabama braces for dangerous summer heat and high humidity, with guidance for pet owners as Beau’s Law implementation approaches. Justice & Courts: A Bessemer-area man, Carlton Lenard Adams, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for running an illegal dog-fighting operation, with restitution ordered for 78 rescued dogs. Local Economy: Tuscaloosa BFGoodrich layoffs won’t begin until the first half of 2027, though the plant is slated to close in 2028. Crime/Politics National: Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says a false anonymous report led to a CPS investigation and a brief separation from his 4-year-old twins. Elections: Alabama’s GOP ballot totals fell and Democratic totals rose in the June 16 Republican primary runoff, reflecting lower overall turnout.

Defense & Industry: Lockheed Martin won a up-to-$35 billion, seven-year THAAD procurement award to quadruple interceptor production, with Alabama tied to the company’s broader munitions buildout. Workforce & Transit: Alabama Arise and the Institute for Policy Studies say a $25 million state transit investment could unlock $100 million in federal funds, creating about 2,561 jobs and boosting pay—aimed at easing Alabama’s workforce shortage. Elections & Campaigns: The Home Builders Association endorsed State Rep. Rhett Marques for Alabama’s CD-2 special election; Birmingham educator Ammie Akin launched a CD-7 bid to challenge Rep. Terri Sewell. Courts & Rights: The 11th Circuit upheld denial of relief for death-row inmate Mohammad Sharifi; Alabama AG Steve Marshall also urged dismissal of Colorado’s Space Command lawsuit. Public Safety & Politics: A Limestone County Republican filed a challenge to John Wahl’s lieutenant governor eligibility over residency. Second Amendment: Marshall hailed the Supreme Court’s Wolford v. Lopez gun-rights ruling. Local Politics: Voter turnout in Alabama’s June 16 GOP runoff fell, with Democratic ballots up while overall turnout declined. National Immigration: The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end temporary protections for thousands of Haitians and Syrians.

NFL/Crime: Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold remains jailed in Florida as prosecutors seek to keep him without bail ahead of a pretrial detention hearing Monday, after charges tied to an alleged kidnapping/armed robbery plot that prosecutors say could carry up to life. Federal Law & Enforcement: The FBI is running counter-drone operations around World Cup venues in Miami, citing “no-drone zones” and rising threats from drones that could carry payloads. Alabama Courts/Health Policy: Alabama’s SNAP payment error rate rose to 9.52% in fiscal year 2025, potentially costing the state up to $137 million under federal cost-share rules. Education Policy: Alabama is adding 64 new First Class Pre-K classrooms for 2026-27, expanding access statewide. Abortion/Legal Fight: Alabama pro-life groups are urging acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche to resolve the Louisiana v. FDA mail-order abortion drug dispute faster. Housing/Politics: U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville defended his “no” vote on a major housing bill, while Sen. Katie Britt backed it—both sides tying the fight to broader federal priorities and SAVE America Act voter ID pressure. Infrastructure/Environment: ALDOT is seeking federal permission to fill wetlands and streams for the Birmingham Northern Beltline highway expansion, drawing criticism over impacts to sensitive areas.

NFL & Courts: Detroit Lions CB Terrion Arnold (Alabama alum) was arrested in Tampa and charged as the “primary conspirator” in a Feb. kidnapping/armed robbery, facing four kidnapping counts and four weapon-related counts that could mean life in prison; his camp denies the allegations. Statehouse & Education: Gov. Kay Ivey announced 64 new First Class Pre-K classrooms for 2026-27, expanding Alabama’s early learning push. Health Care Accountability: An Alabama provider (Teen University) agreed to pay $300,000 after DOJ alleged false Medicaid billing for services not delivered. Higher Ed Policy: Florida’s Board of Governors advanced a rule that would bar undocumented students from enrolling in state universities starting in 2027-28. Environment & Trade: Alabama AG Steve Marshall joined a 17-state lawsuit to block California’s single-use plastics packaging law, arguing it violates the Commerce Clause and drives up costs. Public Safety: Dothan police say a teen was shot during an amateur music video when another teen’s loaded prop gun discharged. Local Politics: Electric Cooperatives of Alabama PAC endorsed former Rep. Jerry Carl for Alabama’s CD1 special election.

UF Governance Clash: Florida’s Board of Governors delayed confirming interim UF president Stuart Bell after contract and governance concerns, then voted to hire an outside governance expert to review system-wide rules. Higher Ed & Politics: Bell, a former UA president, insists he won’t “bring DEI” to UF, despite his prior Alabama-era DEI expansion. AI for Kids: Alabama lawmakers met on regulating AI for children and teens, with state leaders pushing for faster state action than Washington. Public Health Policy: A federal judge blocked SNAP soda-and-candy restrictions elsewhere, a potential complication for Alabama’s similar SB 57 effort. Healthcare & Rural Access: Atmore’s ACH Complete Care clinic closed while the hospital stays open, underscoring ongoing rural provider pressure. Elections & Voting Rules: Alabama’s SAVE America Act debate continues as GOP senators clash with Trump over war powers and broader policy priorities. Local Courts: A Mobile lawyer accused District Judge Jennifer Wright of bias tied to her husband’s DA investigator role. Community Safety: Lanett officials plan a gun-violence rally and highlight local resources. Statewide Legal/Policy: Alabama AG Steve Marshall announced a $300,000 healthcare fraud settlement tied to Teen University. Baby Safety: Helena opened Alabama’s Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station No. 2.

Law & Courts: Alabama AG Steve Marshall argues Alabama courts can’t enforce a constitutional governor residency requirement in a quo warranto challenge tied to Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility. Local Government: Montgomery City Council declared District 3 Councilwoman Marche Johnson’s seat vacant over residency questions and set a Sept. 1 special election. Elections: Lawrence County GOP primary runoffs decided Commission District 2 (Ben Kerby) and District 3 (Ben Logston). Public Safety & Corrections: Alabama is expanding a reentry program that issues driver’s licenses and state IDs to incarcerated people before release, after 111 credentials were issued at Elmore. Health Care Fraud: A Tuskegee provider (Teen University) agreed to repay $300,000 to Alabama Medicaid after allegations required services weren’t delivered. Economic Development: Gov. Ivey appointed tech executive Danny Windham to the Innovate Alabama board; Alabama also won a Silver Shovel Award for defense, aerospace, and Eli Lilly’s Huntsville expansion. State Policy Watch: Alabama joined a 17-state lawsuit challenging California’s plastics packaging law.