AGP Executive Report

CHOOSE Act Legal Fight: Alabama Sen. Sam Givhan says a planned lawsuit over the constitutionality of the CHOOSE Act likely won’t go anywhere, pointing to a lack of funding and arguing Alabama’s constitution doesn’t contain a unique hook to derail the program. State Government: Gov. Kay Ivey issued her Independence Day message to Alabamians, urging residents to keep America strong and teach kids to love the country. Public Safety: A Blount County head-on crash killed a 17-year-old and injured four others, including two children, with troopers still investigating. Elections Watch: The Alabama Democratic Party ordered a recount in Perry County Commission District 1, setting an $8,500 security deposit for challenger Albert Turner Jr. U.S. Politics & Voting Rights: A new Supreme Court ruling on Louisiana’s congressional map is prompting redistricting across the South, with advocates warning it could reduce minority representation—Alabama included. Local News: A missing boater search continues on Lake Wedowee in Randolph County after a crash left one person rescued and another still unaccounted for.

Voting Rights & Redistricting: A new Supreme Court ruling (Calais v. Louisiana) is already reshaping Southern congressional maps, and advocates warn Alabama and other states could further sideline minority voters as election ID rules and last-minute process fights intensify. Election Integrity Fight: A separate legal battle over the National Voter Registration Act’s “quiet period” is now before the U.S. Supreme Court, with voting-rights groups warning the Justice Department’s approach could enable voter removals based on suspicion. Local Transportation Planning: The West Alabama Rural Planning Organization will hold a Hale County Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee meeting July 21 to advise ALDOT on roads, bridges, and transit projects. State Policy & Consumer Impact: Alabama’s 21st Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday runs July 17-19, with participating localities and limits on eligible clothing, supplies, and computers. Public Safety: ALEA and state troopers are increasing Fourth of July patrols and enforcement as Alabamians hit the roads and waterways. Alabama in the Spotlight: Mobile’s USS Alabama celebration will feature live music, vendors, and fireworks over Mobile Bay on July 4.

Alabama Privacy Law: Gov. Kay Ivey signed the Alabama Personal Data Protection Act, passed unanimously by both legislative chambers, creating a comprehensive consumer privacy regime that takes effect May 1, 2027. Health Care Stability: Jackson Hospital in Montgomery says it has reached a path forward with Blue Cross Blue Shield, keeping the financially troubled facility open and protecting jobs and patient access. Public Safety Over the Holiday: ALEA and local partners are ramping up Fourth of July enforcement, with state troopers targeting speed, impaired driving, distraction, and aggressive driving. Courts and Local Government: A Birmingham AI data center fight hit a reset when a judge recused herself, forcing the trial to restart under a new judge while construction continues. Economic/Finance: Regions Financial closed on its acquisition of Montgomery’s Frazer Lanier, expanding municipal finance and investment banking services. America 250 Spotlight: Ivey urged Alabamians to participate in “Light to Unite” Week with red, white, and blue displays as the state marks the nation’s 250th birthday.

School Safety Law: Alabama’s new statewide penalties for threats against schools took effect July 1, raising first-degree terrorist threats to a Class B felony and requiring principals to contact law enforcement when a “credible threat” is received. Public Safety & Justice: A man died after a medical emergency in the Muscle Shoals Police Department jail; the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating. Criminal Justice: A Bessemer-area man was sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty in a dog-fighting case involving 78 pit bull-type dogs, plus illegal firearms charges. Public Policy—Shark Alerts: President Trump signed “Lulu’s Law,” clearing the way for emergency phone alerts for shark attacks; Alabama already approved a similar system. Courts & Appointments: Alabama Gov. Ivey appointed Howell as a chancery judge (3rd Chancery District). America 250 in Alabama: The America 250 Alabama Commission’s Sweet Home 250 festival kicks off July 3-4 at American Village in Montevallo.

U.S. Supreme Court: The justices agreed to review Arizona’s documentary proof of citizenship and noncitizen voter-removal rules, a direct test of how the National Voter Registration Act applies to federal elections. Alabama courts & regulation: The Alabama Supreme Court declined to block a 2025 vape law, backing the state’s authority to regulate a statewide health concern. Public health: The Alabama Department of Public Health will hold a July 22 hearing after objecting to federal medical marijuana reclassification, deciding whether to mirror the change in state law. Education policy: Alabama’s CHOOSE Act education savings accounts keep expanding, with tens of thousands of students gaining access for the upcoming school year. Safety & enforcement: ALEA is warning drivers as Fourth of July crash numbers rose year over year, and troopers are stepping up seat-belt and child restraint enforcement. Local governance: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach leaders are pressing ALDOT over new Intracoastal Waterway bridge traffic changes, with calls for a two-way fix. Business & law enforcement: Opelika authorities arrested two business owners in a vape/CBD hemp investigation tied to unlawful hemp flowers. State politics: Gov. Kay Ivey marked July 2 as “Made in the USA” Day, highlighting Alabama manufacturing jobs and exports.

Education & School Choice: Gov. Kay Ivey says Alabama’s CHOOSE Act is fully funded for 2026-27, with more than 34,000 approved students unlocking over $174 million in Education Savings Accounts via ClassWallet. Public Safety & Accountability: Ivey also appointed ATF veteran Jennifer Rudden Conway to the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, filling a seat left by Darryl Littleton. Death Penalty Clemency Push: A new coalition, “We The Jury,” is urging Ivey to grant clemency to death row inmates sentenced through judicial override, pointing to Alabama’s past use of the practice. Election Law Watch: A Supreme Court ruling upheld state grace periods for counting certain postmarked mail-in ballots, a decision that could shape how Alabama and other states handle election administration. Health Costs Debate: A national policy discussion highlights that both parties lack a comprehensive plan to fix the health cost crisis—setting up a major midterm talking point. Federal Tech & Defense: Lockheed Martin’s $35 billion THAAD contract is set to boost interceptor production, with Alabama facilities tied to the ramp-up. Holiday Safety: Alabama officials are reminding residents to follow fireworks rules and basic precautions ahead of July 4.

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.