AGP Executive Report

U.S. Supreme Court: Alabama’s nitrogen gas execution plan for Jeffery Lee is blocked again after the justices refused to lift an injunction, leaving the state unable to proceed and extending a long legal fight over the method. Elections & politics: Alabama voters head to primary runoffs Tuesday, June 16, with key GOP contests including the U.S. Senate race between Barry Moore and Jared Hudson, plus lieutenant governor and attorney general matchups; Trump also renewed support for John Wahl in the LG race. Public safety & justice: Opelika police released a new facial reconstruction for an unidentified homicide victim found in 1990, seeking tips with a $5,000 reward. Local economy & community: Selma was named a Main Street Alabama community, aiming to revitalize downtown and boost local businesses. Healthcare costs: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals nationwide to post clearer pricing or face penalties, a move tied to rising patient costs. Cyber training: The FBI showed off a fake Alabama town used for cyber warfare drills at its Huntsville facility.

U.S. Supreme Court: Alabama’s bid to carry out a nitrogen gas execution for death-row inmate Jeffery Lee was rejected in a late decision, keeping a lower-court ruling that the method is unconstitutional and pushing the state to consider other options. Courts & Corrections: The state’s execution plans were effectively paused after the high court declined to lift an injunction, with Alabama officials saying the execution was off for the evening. Public Safety: Selma’s interim police chief told city leaders the department needs more cars and major station repairs, citing heavy wear on vehicles and an aging facility even as officers made 34 felony arrests in two months. Labor & Diplomacy: An AP report says foreign workers building a $350 million U.S. consulate in Milan were paid under $2 an hour after promised wages, with Italian prosecutors investigating Alabama-based Caddell Construction. Education: The Alabama State Board of Education reviewed proposed updates to world language standards, including adding “critical languages” such as Chinese, Korean, Russian and Japanese. Health Policy: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals nationwide to improve price transparency or face penalties up to $2 million annually. Local Government & Community: Alabama’s RESTORE Act funding plan cleared another step, with Gov. Ivey announcing $87 million for Gulf Coast restoration projects.

U.S. Health Costs & Transparency: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals to post clearer pricing or face penalties up to $2 million a year, saying patients can’t shop for costs like blood work and imaging without basic disclosure. Coastal Alabama Recovery: Gov. Kay Ivey announced $87 million in RESTORE Act funding for Gulf Coast restoration projects tied to the Deepwater Horizon spill. Alabama Execution Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court declined to allow Alabama to proceed with a nitrogen gas execution for Jeffery Lee, keeping lower-court blocks in place. Alabama Politics: A GOP open letter says lieutenant governor candidate John Wahl can’t deliver on campaign promises to cut or freeze taxes, arguing the office has no authority over revenue bills. Invasive Species Watch: Wildlife officials are racing to slow the spread of 4-foot tegu lizards, with reports including Alabama. Local Community & Heat: Shreveport opened cooling centers as extreme heat builds. Sports: Alabama baseball is headed to the College World Series, set to open vs. Oklahoma.

Alabama Senate Runoff: A new Alabama Poll shows Jared Hudson leading U.S. Rep. Barry Moore in the June 16 GOP Senate runoff, 48.7% to 39.2% with 12.1% undecided. Tax Relief Push: John Wahl is pitching a plan to eliminate Alabama’s state income tax, arguing it would deliver “immediate tax relief” and help recruit jobs. Agriculture & Energy: In the Commissioner of Agriculture runoff, Christina Woerner McInnis says she’ll review data centers and solar farms’ impacts on farmland, water, and energy demand. Abortion Access: The Yellowhammer Fund reports its busiest month since resuming abortion help, with April call volume nearing pre-Dobbs levels. Death Penalty Court Fight: Alabama plans to proceed with an execution of Jeffrey Lee after a federal judge blocked nitrogen gas as “cruel and unusual,” with the state appealing. Local Growth & Community: Rickwood Caverns State Park opens a new I-65 access road and an updated accessible playground. Business & Jobs: NFIB says small-business optimism fell in May as fuel costs and labor shortages bite.

Voting Rights & Civic Action: A national “Good Trouble Lives On” weekend of action (Teach! Reach! Preach!) is set for July 17-19 as states roll out new voting rules and documentation requirements. University of Alabama: UA has named retired Maj. Gen. Parker H. Wright as the inaugural dean of its new School of Leadership and Policy, and student media is preparing to launch “Druid,” a new Tuscaloosa/Southern lifestyle magazine. Alabama Politics (Runoff): With the June 16 Senate runoff looming, Jared Hudson made a Daleville stop arguing for change and lower costs, while campaign filings and ethics complaints continue to swirl around Secretary of State Wes Allen and John Wahl. Courts & Capital Punishment: A federal judge permanently blocked Alabama from using nitrogen gas to execute Jeffery Lee, calling it unconstitutional “cruel and unusual punishment.” Health Care & Bankruptcy: Jackson Hospital’s fight with Blue Cross over reimbursement rates is back in bankruptcy court as the hospital faces possible closure. Agriculture: A renewed screwworm alert has livestock producers watching closely, even as Alabama’s immediate risk is described as low. Sports & Security: Messi returned for Argentina’s 3-0 win over Iceland in Auburn, but a separate FIFA-related passport data leak is adding fresh controversy.

Auburn Governance Shake-Up: Auburn trustees voted to take full control of curriculum and dissolve the Faculty Senate, replacing it with a presidential advisory council—sparking faculty alarm over shared governance and what the changes will mean in practice. Death Penalty Court Fight: A federal judge permanently blocked Alabama’s nitrogen gas execution of Jeffery Lee, calling the method unconstitutional and pointing to a firing squad as a possible alternative, while Alabama’s execution plans remain tied up in appeals. HD7 Election Update: “Doc” Mancuso cleared signature verification to run as an independent in Alabama House District 7 after being removed from the GOP primary ballot. Runoff Voting Reminders: Secretary of State Wes Allen urged voters to check AlabamaVotes.gov ahead of the June 16 primary runoff and reminded residents about photo ID and polling hours. Mobile Courts Appointments: Gov. Ivey appointed Deborah McGowin as a Mobile County district judge and Theresa Williamson as a circuit judge. World Cup in Alabama, Security Slip: Lionel Messi returned from injury to score in Argentina’s 3-0 win at Jordan-Hare Stadium, but a security oversight leaked Argentine players’ passport details. Local Politics Watch: Organized labor says it plans to actively engage Huntsville municipal races, arguing local elections will shape jobs, schools, housing, and infrastructure.

Nitrogen Gas Execution Halt: A federal judge permanently blocked Alabama from executing Jeffery Lee with nitrogen gas, calling the protocol cruel and unusual punishment and likely setting up a fight that could reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Healthcare Costs & Transparency: The Trump administration warned 500+ hospitals nationwide—including 16 in Tennessee—to post clearer pricing or face penalties up to $2 million annually, with Alabama hospitals among those targeted. Defense Research in Huntsville: Alabama A&M professor Dr. Chance Glenn Sr. briefed U.S. Space Command on lab research tied to spacetime and gravitational-wave-like effects as the command builds out at Redstone Arsenal. Aquaculture Push: The University of Hawaiʻi joined a $13.5 million NOAA aquaculture consortium aimed at strengthening the U.S. seafood supply. Local Community & Business: Tuscaloosa’s One Place Tinsel Trail sponsor registration opens July 1, and a Northport council meeting will consider a deal to relocate Big Mike’s Steakhouse. Politics Watch: A new independent poll shows Jared Hudson leading Barry Moore in Alabama’s GOP Senate runoff ahead of June 16.

Alabama Politics: In Montgomery’s 1819 News runoff debate, AG candidates Jay Mitchell and Katherine Robertson sparred over “dark money,” while U.S. Senate candidates Barry Moore and Jared Hudson faced off after Moore skipped in-person appearances for a House vote. Voting Rights: A fresh Alabama-focused take says the U.S. Supreme Court let Alabama use its 2023 congressional map for 2026 despite lower-court findings of racial discrimination—legally permitted, but morally still in question. Higher Education: Auburn trustees dissolved the faculty senate and took direct control of curricula, replacing faculty governance with a presidential advisory council. Public Safety & Courts: A federal appeals court decision keeps Alabama’s nitrogen execution method under scrutiny, with critics calling it unconstitutionally cruel. Healthcare: The Trump administration warned 500+ hospitals to post clearer pricing or face steep penalties, pushing more transparency nationwide. Community & Growth: Gov. Ivey announced June 13 as Alabama Free Fishing Day, and North Alabama projects won $16.5 million in a House spending bill.

Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared Alabama to use a congressional map federal courts twice said discriminated against Black voters, setting up a special Aug. 11 primary and a November general election with only one majority-Black district out of seven. Death Penalty: A federal appeals court said Alabama’s nitrogen gas execution could cause “severe” suffering, sending the case back to consider whether Jeffrey Lee could be executed by firing squad instead. Local Government: Prichard’s court-appointed water expert says lost water dropped 12% last year, helping avoid a rate hike despite higher wholesale costs, though a long-term fix still hinges on major funding. Business & Jobs: Austal USA named Gene Miller president and added senior leaders; Caliber 1 Construction marked 10 years of its internship program with four summer interns. Immigration Enforcement: A second detainee died in under two months at a Louisiana ICE facility after an inspection raised concerns about conditions, medical care, and excessive force. Sports Betting: Sen. Katie Britt introduced a bill to block sports betting ads aimed at minors on digital platforms.

Alabama Politics & Elections: Alabama’s GOP congressional map is back in play after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared Alabama to use a version previously found to intentionally discriminate against Black voters, and Democrats are warning it could cut Black representation in Congress by about a third across the South. State House Runoff: In Alabama House District 95, court records reviewed by APR complicate challenger Joe Freeman’s “integrity and family values” pitch, while an attack ad tied to a Huntsville PAC is also sparking pushback from incumbent Frances Holk-Jones. Redistricting Fight Strategy: Sen. Merika Coleman says Democrats and voting-rights advocates need broader coalitions to respond to GOP map wins and the surge in Democratic turnout after the Callais ruling. College Sports Policy: President Trump backed the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act after former Alabama coach Nick Saban praised it, as lawmakers weigh hurdles over media rights. Birth Center Regulations: A lawsuit over Alabama Department of Public Health rules for freestanding birth centers is back before a Montgomery court, with advocates arguing licensing limits restrict access to care. Local Governance: Leeds City Council is set to consider a data-center moratorium, and Birmingham leaders are holding a public hearing on zoning changes tied to data centers. Business & Community: Huntsville cybersecurity firm MAD Security earned an Inc. Best Workplaces honor, and Orange Beach marked World Oceans Day with reef and conservation efforts.

Supreme Court & Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared Alabama’s congressional map that eliminates a majority-Black district, drawing sharp backlash from civil-rights groups that say it enables intentional discrimination. Redistricting Fallout: A broader national redistricting fight is now moving into statehouses and even local races, with Georgia’s legislature set to redraw multiple levels of districts. Weather & Flooding: Heavy rain and flash-flood warnings hit parts of the Tennessee Valley, closing roads and threatening flooding through Monday. Coastal Safety & Storm Resilience: ALEA and Gulf Shores/Orange Beach rescue teams are expanding beach safety efforts with helicopter patrols and training, while Sen. Katie Britt secured $2.063 million for Foley to bury vulnerable downtown utilities to speed storm recovery. Local Environment: Tuscaloosa held its annual Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day, giving residents a safe way to get rid of paints, chemicals, batteries and other hazardous household items. Public Safety Training: Tuscaloosa’s women’s self-defense program hit capacity fast; a free new session is planned for July or August. Higher Education Governance: Auburn’s Board of Trustees approved a Presidential Academic Advisory Council to replace the Faculty Senate under HB520. Health Care: A Jackson Hospital update argues Blue Cross reimbursement is the key to keeping the facility open. Community & Sports: Alabama’s St. John’s Super Regional game was suspended due to lightning, with the Tide leading 7-2 late in the eighth.

Supreme Court & Alabama Politics: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared Alabama to use a congressional map that lower courts said was intentionally discriminatory against Black voters, drawing sharp backlash from the NAACP and Democrats as the redistricting fight heats up ahead of November. Gun & Trans Athlete Cases: The justices also are poised to rule on major “culture wars” disputes, including gun laws and bans on transgender athletes in Idaho and West Virginia. Missing Auburn Student in Japan: The search for Auburn University student James “Weston” Higginbotham ended with his body found near Kyoto; police have not released a cause of death and say they don’t suspect foul play. Local Government (Coastal Alabama): Foley approved new restrooms, a pavilion, and trail signs at city nature parks, plus it’s seeking grant help for a boardwalk at Wolf Creek Park. Weather Watch: Central Alabama faces a flash-flood risk with rounds of heavy rain and storms returning Sunday. Health & Safety: Alabama medical regulators warned doctors about “research-grade” peptides, saying prescribing or recommending non-FDA-approved peptides can violate state rules.

Supreme Court & Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared Alabama to use a GOP-favored congressional map that lower courts said diluted Black voting power, a major shift that could reshape how election fights play out statewide. Alabama Politics: President Trump again backed Barry Moore in Alabama’s U.S. Senate GOP runoff, setting up a tight contest against Jared Hudson. Missing Person Tragedy: Auburn student James “Weston” Higginbotham, missing in Japan for more than a week, was found dead near Kyoto; his family says the grief is “impossible to put into words.” Health Regulation: The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners warned physicians about “increased interest in peptides,” saying non-FDA-approved peptides can’t be recommended or prescribed. Local Government & Schools: Vestavia Hills City Schools is seeking bids for districtwide chemical and cleaning product management services. Weather: Rain and storms return Sunday with flooding risk in Alabama, then heat builds through midweek.

Alabama Politics & Elections: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Alabama’s August 11 special primary using the Legislature’s 2023 congressional map, reshuffling districts after earlier court blocks tied to the Voting Rights Act. Higher Education: Auburn’s Board of Trustees voted to dissolve faculty governance bodies and replace them with a Presidential Academic Advisory Council, reshaping how faculty input reaches university leadership. Public Safety & Ethics: A Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office employee indicted in a campaign-funding scheme allegedly didn’t fully disclose the business used to funnel money tied to Sheriff Mark Pettway’s campaign. Local Federal/Defense: The Coast Guard held a ribbon-cutting at Birmingham-Southern College to launch a new training center on the campus. Mental Health: A Birmingham man who’s battled suicidal thoughts says social connection and support networks are key to staying safe. Community Events: Cullman’s library is hosting a Summer Reading Kickoff Block Party June 8 with vendors, activities, and treats.

Election Integrity: Alabama Sec. of State Wes Allen says a Mexican noncitizen, Homero Ramos, pleaded guilty in federal court to voting in multiple Alabama elections in Marion County. Congressional Maps: Alabama AG Steve Marshall says a three-judge panel will “stand down” after SCOTUS ruled 6-3 for Alabama’s 2023 6-1 congressional map for the 2026 cycle. Voting Rights Fight: A new Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais is framed as another setback for Black political power under the Voting Rights Act. College Sports: The NCAA permanently bans four former Alabama State players—Amarr Knox, Shawn Fulcher, Corey Hines and Tony Madlock—for accepting $2,000 from bettors to manipulate a 2024 game. Public Safety & Courts: A Montgomery man, Tory Johnson, was sentenced to 32 years and six months for a 2022 bowling alley shooting that killed one and injured six. Everyday Costs: A report warns Social Security retirement checks could shrink by about $500 a month on average if the trust fund runs out by 2032. Community & Local Life: Tuscaloosa’s free “Live at the Plaza” Friday music series runs through June, and Alabaster will stop adding fluoride to drinking water starting June 8.

College & Jobs: A new national earnings ranking finds the payoff from a bachelor’s degree varies widely by state, with Alabama tied to the broader debate over whether higher education consistently boosts pay. Food Costs: Nine states still tax groceries at checkout, including Alabama, keeping prices higher for families already squeezed by food costs. Agriculture & Grants: Alabama agriculture officials urged meat processors to apply for USDA beef processing expansion grants, aiming to grow rural capacity. College Sports Politics: Donald Trump is pushing Congress to pass the “Protect College Sports Act,” as Nick Saban backs reforms tied to NIL and revenue rules. Health Care: Jackson Hospital’s leaders say closure planning is tied to a reimbursement fight with Blue Cross, while records suggest financial trouble predates the current dispute. SNAP Systems: Alabama lawmakers approved a $12 million contract to add quality assurance for DHR’s SNAP/TANF eligibility systems. Small Business Hiring: NFIB reports small business hiring is barely moving as labor costs hit record highs. Elections & Voting Rights: The NAACP is urging Southern college athletes to help defend voting rights amid redistricting fallout. Local Politics: Kent Back announced his reelection bid for Gadsden City Council District 4.