AGP Executive Report

Alabama Politics: With the Nov. 3 election nearing, absentee ballot applications are due Tuesday, Oct. 27. A poll gives Tommy Tuberville an 11-point lead over Doug Jones in the governor’s race, though one state senator says Republican voters may be less energized. Storm Recovery: Gov. Kay Ivey requested a federal disaster declaration for 23 counties affected by Hurricane Isaias. Business: Nucor plans a $60 million expansion at its Morgan County facility, expected to create 60 jobs. Crimson Tide: Alabama beat Texas A&M 31-20 in Tuscaloosa, snapping a two-game losing streak as quarterback Keelon Russell threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns. Justice: Ivey commuted Toforest Johnson’s death sentence to life in prison amid doubts about evidence in the 1995 killing of a Jefferson County deputy. Mobile Economy: Carnival Spirit returned to Mobile for the winter season, with local officials highlighting the cruise line’s boost to hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Election Watch: Alabama’s Nov. 3 races are entering the final stretch. Recent polling shows Republicans leading statewide, while the 2nd Congressional District contest has tightened. Mail-in absentee ballot applications are due to county election managers by Tuesday, Oct. 27. Disaster Recovery: Gov. Kay Ivey is seeking a federal disaster declaration for 23 counties affected by Hurricane Isaias, as damage and recovery needs mount. Manufacturing: Nucor plans a $60 million expansion at its Decatur facility, expected to add 60 jobs and increase production of steel utility poles. Data Center Policy: Alabama’s new data center rules are drawing criticism from consumer advocates who say they leave customers in the dark, while some local leaders are weighing regulation over outright bans.

Storm Recovery: Gov. Kay Ivey has asked FEMA to declare a major disaster in 23 Alabama counties after Hurricane Isaias damaged homes and public infrastructure. Assessments are ongoing, and more counties could be added. Election Watch: With Alabama’s Nov. 3 election nearing, the state’s legislative races are drawing attention alongside the governor’s contest. Tommy Tuberville has outlined plans including an audit of state agencies and ending tax breaks for data centers. The 2nd Congressional District race has also tightened, with Cook Political Report shifting it to “Leaning Republican.” Jobs and Costs: Nucor plans a $60 million Morgan County expansion expected to add 60 jobs, while record-high diesel prices are squeezing Alabama food truck operators. Community Impact: A northwest Alabama ICE operation brought 195 student absences in Russellville and prompted some businesses to close temporarily, the mayor said.

Alabama Campaigns: With the Nov. 3 election nearing, Tommy Tuberville is promoting a plan to audit state agencies and contracts, widen I-65 and end tax breaks for data centers. Doug Jones is campaigning across the state, while new ratings point in different directions: Alabama’s governor’s race is rated likely Republican, but the 2nd Congressional District has shifted toward Democrats. Business and Growth: Nucor will invest $60 million in its Decatur operations, adding 60 jobs and expanding utility-pole production. Irondale is weighing rules for data centers, including limits on noise and requirements for closed-loop cooling, rather than a temporary ban. State Investment: Alabama is committing $22 million to Auburn’s new Kay Ivey Institute for Civic Leadership. Gov. Kay Ivey also announced $425,000 for urgent wastewater-lagoon repairs in Blountsville after sinkholes threatened the town’s water supply. Schools: The governor’s screen-use commission is seeking input from parents and educators on technology in K-12 classrooms; its survey closes Oct. 26.

Governor’s Race: Tommy Tuberville’s new policy playbook calls for an audit of state agencies, income-tax cuts and expanded I-65, while Doug Jones is campaigning on affordability, rural health care and support for farmers. Voters will also decide four statewide constitutional amendments, including three tied to schools. Power and Property: Alabama Power began surveying and marking trees on Fenn Church’s Calera property after the state Supreme Court lifted an injunction. Church says the protest at his gate was peaceful; Tuberville offered to help. Public Investment: Gov. Kay Ivey secured $22 million for Auburn’s new civic leadership institute, named in her honor. The state also announced $27 million for public school and college projects. Mobile Finances: Nearly $15 million in county taxpayer funds is missing after a reported scam, prompting a fraud investigation and calls for a freeze on reserve spending.

Election 2026: Alabama voters rank inflation and the cost of living as their top concern, cited by 37.3% in a new poll; political corruption came next at 15.3%. Inflation-focused voters leaned toward Doug Jones for governor, while voters focused on jobs favored Tommy Tuberville. Bessemer Development: QTS gave reporters permits it says authorize construction at its planned data center, as Mayor Louise Alexander seeks to halt work. State Government: Gov. Kay Ivey commuted Toforest Johnson’s death sentence to life in prison after prosecutors and former officials questioned the evidence behind his conviction. Higher Education: Auburn will receive $22 million for the Kay Ivey Institute for Civic Leadership, while the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences gets $5 million for construction. Public Services: Alabama’s nurse licensing board has restored online renewals after a ransomware attack; about 60,000 nurses must renew by Dec. 1. Jobs and Industry: Nucor plans a $60 million expansion at its Decatur facility, expected to create 60 jobs.

Mobile Fraud Investigation: Nearly $15 million in city funds intended for the downtown arena was diverted in a scam, prompting an FBI investigation and a review of Mobile’s financial safeguards. Death Penalty: Gov. Kay Ivey commuted Toforest Johnson’s death sentence to life in prison, citing serious questions about the evidence behind his conviction. Governor’s Race: A new Gray TV–Alabama Daily News poll puts Republican Tommy Tuberville ahead of Democrat Doug Jones, 51% to 40%. Jobs and Investment: Nucor plans a $60 million expansion at its Decatur facility, adding 60 jobs.

School Safety: Four school buses carrying students to Montevallo’s American Village collided on I-65 in Chilton County. Minor injuries were reported, and all students returned safely to school. Education: New U.S. News rankings put Montgomery’s Forest Avenue Academic Magnet and Tuscaloosa Magnet Middle School at the top of their Alabama categories. Death Penalty: Gov. Kay Ivey commuted Toforest Johnson’s death sentence to life in prison, citing concerns about the evidence in his 1995 murder conviction. Election: A new poll puts Republican gubernatorial candidate Tommy Tuberville ahead of Democrat Doug Jones, 51% to 40%, while Republicans lead statewide races. The grocery tax is also a campaign issue, with GOP leaders promising to seek its full repeal in 2027. Economy: Alabama’s unemployment rate reached 3.5%, its highest since June 2021. Ivey also announced a $60 million Nucor expansion in Decatur expected to add 60 jobs.

Death Penalty: Gov. Kay Ivey commuted Toforest Johnson’s death sentence to life without parole, citing doubts about whether the evidence justified execution; she said the decision does not determine his innocence. Election: A poll puts Republican Tommy Tuberville ahead of Democrat Doug Jones in the governor’s race, while the remaining 2% state grocery tax has become a campaign issue. Lawmakers promise to seek its elimination next year, but replacement revenue remains a concern because the tax helps fund education. Jobs and Economy: Alabama’s unemployment rate rose to 3.5%, its highest since June 2021. Separately, Nucor announced a $60 million Morgan County expansion expected to add 60 jobs. Local Government: Red Bay approved rules limiting access to and sharing of data from its license-plate cameras after public concerns. Infrastructure: A $34 million overpass opened on Huntsville’s Memorial Parkway, extending signal-free travel through the city.

Death Penalty: Gov. Kay Ivey commuted Toforest Johnson’s sentence to life without parole, citing doubts about whether there was enough direct evidence to justify execution. The move does not overturn his conviction. Manufacturing: Nucor plans to invest $60 million in its Decatur facility, expanding utility-pole production and adding 60 jobs. Governor’s Race: A new Gray Media/Alabama Daily News poll gives Tommy Tuberville a 51%-40% lead over Doug Jones, with 8.9% undecided. Education: Applications are open for Alabama’s four tuition-free specialty public high schools for the 2027-28 school year; students from all 67 counties are eligible. Research: UAB opened its $192 million Shelby Biosciences Research Building, expanding capacity for biomedical and clinical research. Water Rules: Alabama adopted changes to how pollutant limits are calculated, removing requirements to use certain federal toxicity assessments.

Public Safety: Federal authorities are investigating a suspicious white-powder letter sent to Birmingham’s Robert S. Vance Federal Building. It is part of a nationwide wave of mailings; an earlier letter sent to Alabama’s Secretary of State was found harmless. Storm Recovery: FEMA and state and local teams are assessing Hurricane Isaias damage to determine whether Alabama meets the threshold for federal assistance. Residents seeking help can call 211. State Economy: Alabama employment rose by 24,300 jobs, while the unemployment rate edged up. Republican leaders also renewed their pledge to eliminate the remaining state grocery tax in 2027. Elections: Voters will decide school-related constitutional amendments in November, while the closely watched 2nd Congressional District race could help determine control of the U.S. House. Infrastructure: The first phase of a nearly $10 million rail-crossing project is moving ahead to reduce train delays between Birmingham and Trussville, including plans for new grade-separated crossings and underpasses. State Oversight: Construction of the Governor Kay Ivey Correctional Complex has missed its deadline, with the state withholding $14.2 million from the contractor.

Grocery Tax: Alabama GOP leaders say eliminating the remaining state grocery tax will be a top priority in 2027. Sen. Andrew Jones plans to carry the bill after leading the first phase of cuts in 2023. Election Watch: Alabama voters face a Nov. 3 ballot with three proposed constitutional amendments, while candidates campaign in close congressional races. State Projects: The new Elmore County prison has missed another construction deadline; the state has withheld $14.2 million from the contractor. ALDOT has awarded $167 million to replace the Woolsey Finnell Bridge and widen U.S. 82 in Tuscaloosa. Economy: Alabama added 24,300 jobs over the past year, but unemployment edged up to 3.5% in September. Birmingham-based ServisFirst reported third-quarter earnings per share rose 33% year over year. Public Services: Alabama’s medical cannabis commission director, John McMillan, will retire Oct. 29 after a tenure marked by lawsuits and years of delays. Crimson Tide: Alabama fell 26-10 at Tennessee and dropped to No. 13 in the AP poll.

Election Watch: Alabama voters have until Monday, Oct. 19, to check or update their registration ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Gubernatorial candidates Doug Jones and Tommy Tuberville are scheduled to visit Tuscaloosa this week; a separate “No Kings” rally there drew about 100 people Saturday to promote voter participation. Election Security: The Secretary of State’s office received a suspicious package as similar mailings containing white powder prompted investigations nationwide. Transportation: ALDOT awarded a $167 million contract to replace Tuscaloosa’s Woolsey Finnell and Campus Drive bridges and widen nearby McFarland Boulevard, a busy corridor carrying about 50,000 vehicles daily. Economy: Alabama’s unemployment rate reached 3.5%, its highest in five years. Prisons: A contractor missed the final deadline for construction at the Governor Kay Ivey Correctional Complex and faces a fine.

Crimson Tide: Alabama fell to No. 13 in the AP poll after a 26-10 loss at Tennessee, its second defeat in a week. Quarterback Keelon Russell took responsibility after throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble. Alabama Elections: Rep. Dale Strong raised about $236,000 in the third quarter, narrowly ahead of challenger Andrew Sneed, but holds a much larger cash reserve: $1.2 million to Sneed’s $221,000. The Secretary of State’s office also received a suspicious package as similar mail incidents were reported nationwide. State Government: The contractor building Alabama’s $1.25 billion Governor Kay Ivey Correctional Complex missed its Oct. 15 deadline; the prison is about 85% complete, and roughly $14.2 million in damages are due. Household Costs: Republicans say they plan to eliminate the remaining 2% state grocery tax, with legislation expected next session. Alabama’s unemployment rate, meanwhile, has reached 3.5%, its highest in five years. Rural Health: Gubernatorial candidate Tommy Tuberville says rural manufacturing can help sustain rural hospitals by attracting workers and healthcare staff.

College Football: Alabama fell to Tennessee 26-10, its second straight loss, after managing just 201 yards and committing four turnovers. Auburn, meanwhile, stunned No. 1 Georgia 27-24 on a last-second field goal, shaking up the SEC race. Election Watch: Alabama’s voter-registration deadline is Oct. 19, as demonstrations around the state urged residents to register and turn out for the Nov. 3 election. The Secretary of State’s office also received a suspicious package amid a nationwide investigation into threatening mail sent to election offices. Alabama Economy: The state unemployment rate has risen to 3.5%, its highest in five years. Republicans have also proposed eliminating the remaining 2% state grocery tax next session.

Jobs and Economy: Alabama’s September unemployment rate rose to 3.5%, a five-year high, as the number of employed residents fell by 2,080. Election Watch: Attorney General Steve Marshall announced a voter-fraud investigation in Clarke County, while the Secretary of State’s office is investigating a suspicious package received amid election-related mail threats. Voter registration for the Nov. 3 election closes Monday. House Races: Republican Fred Kelley says his campaign is gaining ground in District 68, where he is challenging longtime Democratic Rep. Thomas Jackson in a race that could be competitive. Education: Gov. Kay Ivey spotlighted a family receiving CHOOSE Act support as the program’s future remains a campaign issue; Democrat Doug Jones has called for phasing it out. Storm Recovery: Alabama continues assessing Hurricane Isaias damage, with estimated timber losses at $33.5 million and federal tax relief extending some deadlines for affected residents. Development: A proposed data center in Lowndes County has drawn backlash over a 20-year tax abatement, while a defense and AI startup plans to establish operations in Washington County.