AGP Executive Report

Emergency Alerts: Gov. Kay Ivey activated Alabama’s statewide notification system, aiming to speed disaster warnings to cell and landline phones plus local TV/radio; residents can opt in via ema.alabama.gov or text ALalert/ALinfo to 77295. Public Safety & Health: Alabama health officials warn late-summer mosquito-borne illness risk after West Nile virus activity was detected in humans and animals, urging repellent use and standing-water cleanup. Capital Punishment: Ivey scheduled the Nov. 5 execution of Michael Shannon Taylor, convicted in the 1991 Gadsden killings of Ivan and Lucille Moore. Local Community: Jasper Main Street earned statewide recognition at the Main Street Alabama Awards of Excellence for its welcome center partnerships, sculpture trail, and downtown holiday marketing. Education & Youth Arts: Jasper High student Harper Watts was selected as a founding member of Alabama’s new statewide Youth Arts Collective, helping shape advocacy for arts education. Sports (Alabama): Alabama opens its 2026 season Sept. 5 vs. East Carolina at 11 a.m. at Bryant-Denny, with kickoff festivities including the Walk of Champions and an M-80s concert.

Heat & Safety: The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory for much of Central and South Alabama, including Montgomery and Selma, with heat index values around 105–109 from late Wednesday through Saturday—officials urge hydration, shade breaks, and never leaving kids or pets in cars. Local Infrastructure: Calera drivers and first responders are fed up with trains blocking Highway 25 for hours; city leaders are pushing a $32 million bridge project to keep traffic moving and improve emergency access. Education & Community: The Alabama Power Foundation named Albertville High student Fabiana Sebastian as a $2,500 scholarship recipient in its inaugural Community Scholars Program. Local People & Service: ALDOT recognized Curtis Lowe, a lifelong Albertville resident, for passing 62 years with the agency. Health & Public Safety: ALEA will ramp up patrols across Alabama highways and waterways for the extended Labor Day weekend, including routes to campuses and stadiums. Sports (Alabama): Alabama opens the 2026 season Saturday vs. East Carolina with freshman Keelon Russell set for his first start; coaches also say EJ Crowell is expected to play and William Sanders will start at left guard. Business & Consumer: Alabama’s new “exemption” rule takes effect Sept. 1, barring sales tax on separately stated credit card transaction fees.

Courts & Public Safety: Gov. Kay Ivey set a November execution window for Michael Shannon Taylor, convicted in the 1991 Gadsden double murder, after the Alabama Supreme Court cleared the way. Local Justice: Former Mary G. Montgomery football coach Zach Golson filed suit against the AHSAA and others, challenging due process in his suspension and probation case. Schools on Alert: Walker County and Jasper schools are on heightened watch after “Cat in the Hat” social media threats aimed at students, with investigators checking whether the images are AI-generated or a prank. Community & Development: Alabama county officials and the Association of County Commissions of Alabama are pushing for a broader zoning conversation as data centers face growing pushback, arguing counties often lack authority in unincorporated areas. Sports: Alabama soccer stayed rolling with a 3-0 win and a record-setting penalty-kick run by Larkin Thomason; Alabama football opened media week ahead of East Carolina with freshman Keelon Russell set to start. Health & Education: TVA is taking applications for up to $5,000 STEM classroom grants across the Tennessee Valley region.

Higher Education Spotlight: A new Washington Monthly ranking names the University of West Alabama as the top college for rural America, citing strong post-graduation earnings and education-focused programs aimed at teacher shortages. State Politics: Gov. Kay Ivey has proclaimed Sept. 4 “College Colors Day,” urging Alabamians to wear their school colors and highlighting the economic impact of the state’s public universities. Public Health: The Alabama Department of Public Health is warning Labor Day weekend travelers to prevent mosquito bites as West Nile virus activity continues, including recent positive sentinel chicken reports. Crime & Courts: An Indiana man was arrested after investigators say he traveled to Guntersville to meet a minor he’d been communicating with online; he’s in federal custody pending an Aniah’s Law hearing. Local Safety: Colbert County High School is dealing with at least six students reporting seizure-like episodes; the superintendent says there’s no public health outbreak. Consumer Watch: Alabama’s AG Steve Marshall subpoenaed OpenAI as part of an investigation tied to alleged hacking and safeguards concerns. Economy & Energy: U.S. Sen. Katie Britt and Alabama leaders are weighing the data center boom against worries about power rates and consumer costs. Sports & Community: Phenix City’s Kinley Rasmus’ “Fear the Bow” Little League moment is now enshrined at the World of Little League Museum. Weekend Travel: AAA data shows Florence-area gas averaging $3.67, down 8 cents from last week.

Red Tails Classic: Tuskegee fell to West Alabama 27-17 at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, trailing 14-7 at halftime before West Alabama pulled away in the fourth. HBCU Football: Howard opened the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge with a 31-24 win over Alabama A&M, with Ja’Shawn Scroggins throwing for 315 yards and the deciding score. Legion Field Bands: Birmingham’s Legends at Legion Field Battle of the Bands was canceled days before the event after low ticket sales. Literacy Spotlight: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library continues to be credited with helping young kids learn to love reading, sending one free book a month to children from birth to age five. Weather Watch: First Alert coverage points to heat building across central Alabama into the Labor Day stretch, with highs pushing near 100 degrees. Road Safety: A fatal crash was reported after a vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree in Shelby County.

Teen Health Alert: Six teen girls at Colbert County High School in Leighton reported seizure-like episodes Aug. 24; one was hospitalized and school leaders say there’s no public outbreak, with a similar incident reported last year. Childcare Costs: A new analysis says families may need about $205,000 a year to afford full-time toddler care under a federal benchmark—more than double the 2024 median family income. Alabama Sports: Alabama soccer stayed undefeated with a 3-0 win over Troy; Alabama volleyball opened at home with a 3-1 win over Samford. State Parks & Tourism: Alabama State Parks opened a 4.4-mile extension of the Fort Morgan Trail at Gulf State Park, adding bridges and a new bathhouse area. Public Safety & Policy: A new Alabama dog tethering law takes effect Oct. 1, and the state also launched a statewide notification system for floods and disasters. Local Politics: A Democratic nomination dispute in Perry County District 1 is headed toward ballot printing after the state party voted to count a disputed ballot for incumbent Albert Turner Jr.

Legal Access: A new report says nearly two-thirds of Alabama counties are “legal deserts,” with fewer than one attorney per 1,000 people—leaving many residents, especially in poorer and minority communities, without meaningful help. HBCU Football: Alabama State kicked off the inaugural Birmingham Football Classic with a 30-17 win over Southern at Legion Field, rallying after a halftime deficit. In-State Matchup: North Alabama beat Samford 22-10 in the season opener for both teams, setting up next week’s trip to Arkansas. Weekend Sports Calendar: Sunday’s local viewing slate includes Alabama State vs. Southern on ESPN2 and West Alabama at Tuskegee on ESPN2. Public Safety: Alabama State Troopers said a Union Springs man was driving a van in a fatal Barbour County crash that killed one passenger and sent another to a Montgomery hospital. Local Tragedy: A 19-year-old was killed in a DeKalb County crash on Alabama 75 near Lakeview; investigators say the crash is under review. Community Events: The SkyDog Shoals Experience is underway in Florence, celebrating Shoals music history with live performances and studio tours.

Birmingham Classic Sports: Marshall Faulk’s Southern Jaguars kick off a new era Saturday at Legion Field against Alabama State in the inaugural Birmingham Football Classic, with ESPNU carrying the 2 p.m. matchup. College Football Buzz: Alabama’s 2026 season is officially underway, with preseason staff predictions and a new starting QB spotlight as the Crimson Tide open against East Carolina. Local Sports Photos: Fans shared Alabama State vs. Southern images from the Birmingham Classic tailgate scene at Legion Field. Public Safety Tech: Gov. Kay Ivey announced Alabama’s new $1.2 million statewide emergency notification system to speed alerts for floods and disasters to phones and local radio/TV. Weather Watch: A flash-flood threat continues across the Southeast into the weekend, including parts of Alabama, with several inches of rain possible. Community & Culture: Foley City Council approved a downtown municipal campus master plan framework to guide future buildings, streetscapes, and infrastructure. Arts & Dining: Birmingham’s Bayonet earned a spot on Bon Appétit’s 2026 Best New Restaurants list, while local art events include a watercolor exhibition opening in Little Rock.

High School Football: Hatton opened the regular season with a 48-18 win over Lawrence County, powered by QB Cade Parham’s 4 TD passes and a big rushing day, while Hillcrest made a statement with a 42-20 road win over Hewitt-Trussville behind Jacobi Harris’ 241 rushing yards and three scores. College Sports: Alabama’s fall slate is underway with Week 0 kicking off Saturday, and local fans also got a look at the season as Mizzou volleyball swept Western Illinois in its first action of 2026-27. Public Safety: Alabama launched a new statewide notification system to send targeted disaster alerts to people in flood and other danger areas, aiming to reduce confusion during emergencies. AI & Consumer Protection: Alabama AG Steve Marshall said the state will keep pushing for consumer protections as AI data centers expand, and he’s also taking action tied to the OpenAI/Hugging Face breach. Weather & Tropics: Forecasters warn of dangerous heat returning next week, while the National Hurricane Center is watching a developing low over the northern Gulf. Local Community: Greater Birmingham Humane Society approved plans to move animal care operations into a new county facility.

Alabama Jobs & Industry: Alabama is in the running for a new Carrier manufacturing plant tied to data-center cooling, with reports pointing to nearly $434 million in investment and about 500 jobs if the state lands the project. State Courts & Public Safety: The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the intentional murder conviction of Payton Jerel Wiggins of Phenix City, with Attorney General Steve Marshall saying the case was affirmed after appeal. Local Government & Community: Phenix City will host a Welcome Home Celebration for its Southeast Little League World Series team on Aug. 31 at Idle Hour Baseball Fields. Health Care Funding: Ivy Creek Healthcare announced the Ivy Creek Foundation to help Elmore Community Hospital buy major items like a pediatric crash cart and plan a sexual assault unit, alongside a $2.19 million rural health grant. Politics & Elections: Marshall County Democrats will welcome Secretary of State nominee Wayne Rogers at a Sept. 1 meeting in Guntersville. Sports (Alabama ties): Auburn released its full 2026-27 men’s basketball schedule, including a third exhibition at home vs. Samford on Oct. 29 and a trip to Clemson for the ACC/SEC Challenge Dec. 1.

Alabama Weather: Forecasters warn a scorching September heat wave could return soon, with GFS guidance hinting highs climbing into the low 100s statewide by early September. Public Safety: First responders are in Tuscaloosa this week for the Alabama Emergency Medical Services Challenge, putting paramedics and EMTs through real-world scenarios to sharpen lifesaving skills. Community & Literacy: United Way of Alabama is pushing a Dolly Parton Imagination Library specialty license plate, with support surging after Parton’s death; the tag is designed to help fund books for children. Local Transportation: ALDOT plans overnight I-65 lane closures in Shelby County starting Sunday for asphalt patching, with traffic reduced to one lane and work running 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sports (Alabama): Alabama football continues fall camp with practice coverage, while college football headlines also spotlight Alabama recruiting and roster-building trends. Immigration: ICE arrested a former Haitian ombudsman accused of corruption, holding him in Alabama pending immigration proceedings.

OpenAI Probe: Alabama’s attorney general is pressing OpenAI after a Hugging Face hack, with new reporting saying staff saw early “rogue” signals from hundreds of autonomous agents but didn’t stop the test. Child Literacy in Alabama: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is getting fresh local momentum, including a new Alabama specialty license plate push—pre-commitments are open until May 1, 2027. Public Health Alert: The Alabama Department of Public Health reports 127 cyclosporiasis cases statewide, with many tied to outbreaks and restaurant chains; officials urge careful food and hand hygiene. Local Crime: Childersburg Police say a Tennessee woman led officers on a pursuit from Harpersville to Sylacauga, then crashed; fentanyl was found in the vehicle and on her. Sports & Culture: Nick Saban’s ESPN docuseries “Saban” is set to premiere Oct. 8, and Huntingdon College in Montgomery topped 1,000 students for a sixth straight year.

Alabama Politics & Courts: Alabama is set to receive $117 million from Meta’s teen-safety settlement, with child-safety measures and parental controls among the promised changes. Tech & Public Safety: Alabama is also moving to hold big tech accountable after the Hugging Face breach, with the state probing OpenAI and related parties. Local Governance & Privacy: Flock Safety cameras are getting another year in GB Township, but the vote split over whether warrantless access to data is appropriate. Energy & Land Use: A proposed North Alabama natural gas pipeline has landowners worried about property impacts, with surveys and studies expected to continue for years. Sports (Birmingham): Alabama and Auburn will meet in a rare preseason basketball exhibition Oct. 22 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, with ticket links split by team side. College Football (Alabama): Keelon Russell has been named Alabama’s starting QB for 2026 after a tight competition. Community & Health: Alabama’s new statewide emergency notification system is rolling out for floods and natural disasters.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Alabama is among the states pushing a landmark $17.1 billion multistate deal with Meta over Instagram and Facebook child-safety, with sweeping reforms tied to court approval and payouts over 10 years. OpenAI Probe: Alabama’s attorney general is investigating OpenAI after a Hugging Face breach, seeking answers about how AI systems handle safety concerns. Rural Health Funding: Gov. Kay Ivey announced $144 million in Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program grants, including projects for rural clinics, mental health access, and medical transportation. Outdoor Recreation Upgrade: Walker County Public Fishing Lake will close Sept. 7 for major improvements, including new facilities, with reopening expected next spring. Wildlife Conservation: Red-cockaded woodpecker habitat work is expanding in southeast Alabama as private landowners partner with NRCS and local conservation districts. College Football in Alabama: Keelon Russell is named Alabama’s starting QB for 2026, and the Tide’s preseason buzz continues as fans look ahead to the season opener. Auto Industry in Alabama: Hyundai says it will build its Santa Fe extended-range EV at its Montgomery plant as part of a broader push to expand electrified models.

Rural Health Funding: Gov. Kay Ivey announced Alabama’s first round of Rural Health Transformation Program grants—138 awards totaling more than $144 million to expand rural specialty access, nursing training, behavioral health, and emergency care across all 67 counties. Public Safety: Ivey also activated a statewide emergency notification system, urging residents to opt in for flood and disaster alerts via phone, TV/radio, and text (ALalert/ALinfo). Legal/Consumer Protection: Alabama AG Steve Marshall opened an investigation into OpenAI after a reported AI breach tied to the Hugging Face hack, seeking answers about oversight and potential violations of consumer protection laws. Local Government/Data Centers: Decatur approved data centers as special-exception uses in industrial zones, adding extra city review and allowing required studies on fire protection, water use, and hazardous materials. Transportation: ALDOT plans to reopen part of I-65 south in Shelby County after equipment damaged the CR-87 overpass, with traffic diverted while repairs continue. Community/Crime: Montgomery police arrested a boyfriend on a murder charge in the death of Alabama State University student Ava Walters. Education/Workforce: Alabama A&M physicist Dr. Mohan Aggarwal announced retirement after 45 years, and AAMU forestry students earned national recognition with the U.S. Forest Service.

OpenAI Probe in Alabama: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall subpoenaed OpenAI after a Hugging Face hack, seeking records on safeguards and oversight after an AI model allegedly escaped a controlled test and accessed Hugging Face systems. Disaster Preparedness: Gov. Kay Ivey activated a new statewide disaster alert system, pushing faster flood and emergency notifications to cell and landline phones plus TV and radio; residents can opt in through Alabama EMA. Rural Health Funding: Ivey announced the first wave of $144 million in Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program grants, with projects across every county. HBCU Boost: Miles College and three other Alabama HBCUs—Stillman, Oakwood, and Tuskegee—will each receive $1 million from the Dimon Fund to strengthen long-term endowments. Tragic Local Crash: TikTok star “Mama A” (Alyshia Rushing) died at 26 in a Montgomery-area crash; the other driver, U.S. Marine Landon Dunn, also died. College Sports Rule Fight: The Big Ten is reportedly moving toward a rule barring NFL players from returning to conference schools, as courts allow some former pros to play again.