AGP Executive Report

Beltline Breakthrough: Gov. Kay Ivey says the first 1.88-mile stretch of Birmingham’s Northern Beltline is now open to traffic, with ALDOT pushing the next phase toward U.S. 31 and contracts planned for 2027. State Leadership Shakeup: Alabama’s long-time finance director Bill Poole will step down at week’s end; Doryan Carlton is named to take over. Tech & Kids Safety: Alabama’s TikTok case is settled for at least $100 million, with teen-focused limits and safety features required. Workforce & Training: Alabama community colleges are rolling out a new AI training partnership with the Manufacturing Institute, aiming to build AI skills for manufacturing workers. Public Safety: Kentucky authorities say a suspect has been taken into custody after the death of a KSP trooper on I-65. Local Crime: Reports describe an unusual break-in at the Hunter Bend subdivision in Randolph County, where a woman was found asleep on a back deck and charged with criminal trespassing. Politics & Agriculture: Alabama FarmPAC adds endorsements for Wahl, Sorrell and Zeigler ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Higher Education/Immigration: An 18-year-old from Albertville, Alabama, says he’s been held in ICE detention in Louisiana for more than 200 days. Sports: Auburn faces felony charges tied to alleged recruiting “trade secrets” leaks by a former staffer.

College Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act (77-22), aiming to rein in NIL and transfer “chaos” by giving the NCAA limited antitrust authority and setting national rules—now it heads to the House. Alabama Sports: Alabama’s Josh Ford described being “punched multiple times” by South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart during the Tide’s 49-18 win; Stewart was suspended indefinitely by coach Shane Beamer. State Government: Gov. Kay Ivey announced Finance Director Bill Poole will step down at week’s end, with Doryan Carlton named to replace him. Public Health: Alabama’s Clean Indoor Air Act amendment banning vaping where smoking is prohibited takes effect Thursday. Courts/Crime: Kentucky State Police trooper Hayden Phillips was killed on I-65; a suspect, Emonnie Branch, was arrested after a statewide manhunt. Tech & Youth: Alabama is set to receive at least $100M from TikTok as part of a teen-safety settlement, with potential to reach $300M. Energy Prices: The White House is weighing broader sales of red-dyed diesel to ease fuel costs.

TikTok Settlement: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says TikTok will pay the state at least $100 million within 45 days, with potential growth to $300 million, as part of a teen safety and addiction lawsuit—plus new limits like a two-hour daily cap, stronger age checks, cosmetic filter bans for teens, and overnight restrictions. Vapor Tax: Alabama’s new excise tax on consumable vapor products starts Oct. 1—10 cents per milliliter—requiring licensed wholesalers and retailers to collect and report monthly. Diesel Relief Debate: The White House is weighing regulatory changes that could expand sales of red-dyed diesel to lower prices, as an alternative to a broader diesel export ban. State Government: Finance Director Bill Poole is stepping down after five years, and the Alabama Department of Finance is naming new leadership. Local Impact: Selma’s Main Street program won a $5,000 grant to improve the Edmund Pettus Bridge gateway area. Business: Frazier & Deeter is expanding in the Southeast by acquiring Machen McChesney and FocusPay Solutions. Sports: Alabama WR Noah Rogers returned from a spring injury, catching a pass in the Tide’s 49-18 win over South Carolina.

TikTok Settlement: Alabama reached a $100 million deal with TikTok that avoids a teen-safety trial and requires new limits and verification for minors, including a two-hour daily cap and “productive pauses” after extended use. State Politics & Campaign Trail: President Trump is set to campaign in Ohio next weekend for Sen. Jon Husted, after stops that include Alabama, as the midterm fight tightens. Local Governance: Pelham Police Chief Edward Delmore says he was placed on paid administrative leave after raising concerns about something discussed in a meeting, with a city work session planned. Higher Ed & Student Life: UA is boosting its Engagement Stipend up to $150 to help students cover costs for research, dues, orgs and curriculum-related travel. Sports (Alabama ties): Alabama’s football remains in the AP Top 10 after Week 4, and South Carolina DE Dylan Stewart was suspended indefinitely after a punch during the Gamecocks’ loss to the Crimson Tide. Public Safety: Coroner confirms the body of missing Alabaster man Glen Spence was found in Pelham.

TikTok Settlement in Alabama: Alabama Attorney General Marshall announced a landmark deal with TikTok and ByteDance: at least $100 million in payments plus new teen-safety rules, including daily time limits, overnight curfews, and changes to the app’s teen “For You” experience. Voting in Alabama: With Election Day Nov. 3 approaching, Alabama offers no early in-person voting; residents can vote absentee instead, with absentee voting already underway and deadlines to watch. College Sports—Alabama in the mix: The AP Top 25 reshuffled after Week 4: Alabama is in the top 10, while Florida surged to No. 8 after beating Ole Miss, and UCLA returned to the rankings. Politics & Midterms: Capitol Journal coverage highlights how the Iran war and affordability concerns are shaping the 2026 Senate landscape, while Trump’s campaign plans include a rally in Alabama. Campus Life: Students weighed in on scooter use, praising convenience but criticizing safety and crowding on campus paths.

TikTok Settlement: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced a landmark deal with TikTok: at least $100 million to resolve child-safety and addiction claims, plus new teen limits like a two-hour daily cap, overnight restrictions, and tighter controls on the “For You” feed. Alabama Sports: No. 8 Alabama routed South Carolina 49-18 in Tuscaloosa as Keelon Russell threw for 365 yards and four TDs; tight end Josh Ford made a standout one-handed catch. SEC Shakeup: Week 4 delivered major ranking chaos after Florida steamrolled No. 4 Ole Miss 52-28, while LSU kept rolling with a 35-6 win over Texas A&M. Local Arts & Culture: Oxford’s Southside Gallery, a free public space highlighting regional artists, is spotlighted as a go-to stop for Southeast art lovers. Community & Public Safety: Montgomery is set to debut a new city flag Oct. 1, replacing the 1952 banner. Business/Justice: Alabama-based Caddell Construction agreed to pay about $35 million in a Milan labor-exploitation probe tied to the new U.S. consulate project.

TikTok Settlement: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced a landmark deal with TikTok that ends a teen-safety lawsuit set for trial Monday. TikTok will pay Alabama at least $100 million within 45 days, with the total potentially rising to $300 million if other states reach similar agreements. The company also agreed to new teen protections, including a default two-hour daily limit, stronger parental controls, pauses after extended use, limits on overnight access and school-hours use, tighter age checks, and a ban on teen beauty filters. Immigration & Elections: Sen. Tommy Tuberville pushed new legislation to end the Diversity Visa Lottery, replacing it with a merit-based points system, and GOP congressional candidate Jerry Carl said he wants access to the now-disbanded DOGE fraud findings to target waste. Politics & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a Missouri GOP map again and clarified the Purcell principle, while Alabama politics also saw fresh scrutiny of campaign finance claims tied to Trump’s $400 million super PAC war chest. College Sports: Nick Saban drew fan backlash for comments about Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor potentially transferring after one year.

Teen Safety Settlement: TikTok and ByteDance reached a landmark Alabama deal, paying at least $100 million (with potential to rise to $300 million) and agreeing to teen-focused limits like a two-hour daily cap, midnight-to-6 a.m. blocking, stronger age checks, and added “productive pause” prompts—aimed at addressing claims of addictive design and misleading safety practices. State Courts & Policy: A new Alabama law would streamline voting rights restoration after conviction by improving how the Board of Pardons and Paroles shares steps and status, including a way to check eligibility using an Alabama Institutional Serial number. Local Business & Growth: Cullman’s Planning Commission permitting progress continues for a Murphy USA project, with a $1.36M building permit issued, while the Cullman County Commission adopted its FY 2026-2027 budget for roads, public safety, parks, and water/sanitation. Community & Culture: Scottsboro’s City Council heard updates from Retail Strategies on recruiting new retailers, including major names expected to move forward. Remembering History: Hundreds of bikers joined the annual Trail of Tears ride in Bridgeport, traveling more than 100 miles to honor Native ancestors.

NASCAR & Health: Darrell Waltrip, a three-time Cup Series champion and longtime NASCAR on FOX storyteller, is stepping back from public life after being diagnosed with a degenerative brain disease. Midterms & Alabama Politics: President Trump is set to rally in Mobile next week (Oct. 2) at the University of South Alabama, aiming to boost Alabama GOP candidates ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Public Safety & Local Government: Tuscaloosa’s executive director of public safety will keep overtime eligibility after a proposed base-salary raise and an overtime ban measure stalled in committee and deadlocked at council. Police Tech Oversight: Sen. Katie Britt and Sen. Raphael Warnock are pushing DOJ for more oversight after concerns about misuse of Flock-style license plate cameras. Courts & Schools: The DOJ moved to dismiss 50+ long-running school desegregation cases, ending decades-old federal oversight in some districts. Data Privacy: Alabama’s attorney general offices are part of multistate settlements tied to the Labcorp/AMCA data breach, with new requirements aimed at preventing future vendor-related leaks. State Policy & Cost of Living: Gov. Kay Ivey proclaimed Sept. 25 as “Dolly Day,” encouraging families to read and expand Alabama’s Imagination Library reach.

Local Politics: Russell County Democrats opened a new headquarters in Phenix City, aiming to serve as a hub for candidates and voter info ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Public Safety & Courts: Gov. Kay Ivey ordered ALEA to pause enforcement of dyed diesel fuel rules for 120 days to ease pressure on Alabama’s farmers and timber operators during harvest season. Health & Daily Life: Alabama’s Clean Indoor Air Act expands starting Oct. 1 to cover e-cigarettes and vaping in places where smoking is banned. Economy & Cost of Living: Alabama collected $4.2B in taxes in Q1 2026, up 1.8% year over year, while a new index finds 71% of Alabama residents struggle to cover at least one basic cost—especially child care and health care. Education: A statewide survey says Alabamians broadly agree education needs more funding and that some education reserve money should be used for current needs. Transportation: An Amtrak Mardi Gras train crash near Theodore involved a vehicle allegedly trying to bypass crossing gates, authorities say. Cybersecurity: Hackers claim they stole FBI data including employees’ home addresses and job details; the FBI says it’s investigating the breach point.

Alabama Energy Relief: Gov. Kay Ivey ordered the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to pause enforcement on dyed diesel fuel for 120 days, aiming to ease costs for the state’s agricultural and timber industries during peak harvest season. Local Government & Utilities: Cullman County approved its FY 2027 budget and discussed a switch in water and sanitation billing—payments through Cullman Electric Cooperative end Sept. 25, with a transition period before customers move to the county water department. Public Safety: Tuscaloosa police charged a 48-year-old man with criminal surveillance and violating Alabama’s sex offender notification law after a Sunday morning incident involving reports of a man at doors and windows. Federal Courts: The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced multiple judicial and executive nominees, including a U.S. district judge seat for the Northern District of Alabama. Education & Policy: Alabama’s vaping ban in public places takes effect Oct. 1, following a new state law restricting e-cigarettes and vapes where smoking is prohibited. Tourism Spotlight: Ave Maria Grotto in North Alabama was named the 2026 Attraction of the Year by the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association.

Public Safety & Privacy: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and Alabama Sen. Katie Britt are pushing the DOJ for federal guardrails on automatic license plate readers after reports of misuse, including officers accused of stalking partners. Law Enforcement Transparency: Alabama lawmakers largely haven’t weighed in on whether police body-camera footage should become public record, even as Mobile Police Chief William Jackson says state law keeps it secret. Health Policy: Alabama’s Clean Indoor Air Act expands Oct. 1 to ban e-cigarettes and vapes in places where smoking is prohibited. Courts & Crime: A Huntsville TV personality, Melody Shari Rodgers, surrendered in connection with a pending Huntsville municipal court matter tied to false reporting to law enforcement. Local Government & Services: The Alabama Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch marks 60 years in Summerdale, continuing its “second chances” mission for foster children. Education & Athletics: The Alabama Independent School Association will end athletics after the 2026-27 school year as a new private-school sports group forms. Business & Jobs: PPG’s Ozark Materials will close its Greenville plant by Nov. 30, cutting 52 jobs. Sports: Alabama faces South Carolina with new injury concerns as the SEC matchup approaches.

Alabama Politics: Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Phillip Ensler is using a GOP residency lawsuit to challenge John Wahl’s eligibility, setting up a high-stakes court fight weeks before the Nov. 3 election. Private School Sports: The Alabama Independent School Association voted to end its athletics program after the 2026–2027 school year, pointing to a new Gulf States Independent Athletic Association for a transition. Energy & Local Control: HD-65 GOP nominee John Knapp says rural Alabama should get “first dibs” on solar and data center development, arguing zoning should be handled by counties and cities. Youth Sports Oversight: State Rep. David Faulkner is pushing an Alabama Commission on Youth Sports aimed at improving safety and accountability for volunteer coaches. Public Safety & Health: A Limestone County DHR employee was arrested on child sexual abuse charges, with bond set at $1 million. Education Costs: Diesel prices are squeezing school bus budgets nationwide, with some districts and contractors warning service cuts may follow. Gun Rights Politics: The NRA Political Victory Fund endorsed Tommy Tuberville for governor and Barry Moore for U.S. Senate. Workforce Training: CVCC received $25,000 for an HVAC FastTrack training program to speed up hiring for skilled technicians. Clean Air Law: Alabama’s Clean Indoor Air Act expands Oct. 1 to cover e-cigarettes and vaping in places where smoking is prohibited.

Alabama Politics & Elections: Alabama voters get a clearer Nov. 3 path as sample-ballot details circulate, while the Marshall County GOP sets a Oct. 15 rally with Sen. Tommy Tuberville in Guntersville. Unemployment & Courts: The Alabama Department of Workforce is rolling out Login.gov identity verification for initial unemployment claims starting Sept. 30. Federal Funding for HBCUs: Bishop State Community College in Mobile is among Alabama schools receiving a one-time federal boost tied to a broader $174 million HBCU/HBCC package. Arts & Libraries: The Alabama Arts Council awarded more than $3.9 million statewide, and Alabama libraries face renewed pressure over transgender-related youth book rules. Economy & Agriculture: Record diesel prices are expected to hit Alabama farmers hard ahead of harvest, as fuel costs rise and commodity prices stay low. Business & Consumer Protection: Alabama’s hay listing site warns of email scams targeting cattle producers. Sports: No. 8 Alabama hosts South Carolina for its first SEC home game after a comeback win over Florida State, with kicker Conor Talty earning SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

Mobile Infrastructure: The U.S. Department of Transportation is planning a loan of up to $2.52 billion for Alabama’s Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, a major I-10 freight corridor upgrade aimed at easing congestion and improving safety, including a new six-lane cable-stayed bridge and traffic changes in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Election Law: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to restore states’ authority over voter qualifications, filing a 26-state brief tied to efforts to remove noncitizens from voter rolls. Immigration Enforcement: A federal judge temporarily blocked warrantless immigration raids at Alabama construction sites after agents arrested a U.S. citizen multiple times. Public Safety & Community: Tuscaloosa held a ribbon cutting for major renovations to the Riverview Public Boat Ramp on the Black Warrior River, part of broader ramp improvements across the area. Local Business: Northport approved a deal requiring a developer to invest at least $52 million in two hotels and an indoor sports facility next to River Run Park. Sports: Alabama OC Ryan Grubb apologized after comments about booing sparked backlash.

Local Government & Community: Tuscaloosa leaders are mourning City Council President Kip Tyner, remembering his decades of service and his role in rebuilding Alberta after the 2011 tornado; the city is already moving toward a special election for his District 5 seat. Elections & Civic Life: A Tuscaloosa voter registration and update event is set for Tuesday, with the Oct. 19 deadline for the Nov. 3 general election. Education & Local Budgeting: Guntersville City Schools approved its 2027 budget, projecting a 3.49-month reserve and detailing major spending categories. Health & Public Safety: Alabama marked National Opioid Awareness Day with state data showing overdose deaths down 46% and highlighted naloxone distribution and prevention programs. Economy & Jobs: Fairfield announced a $475 million push tied to 800 jobs, while Hanwha Defense USA opened at Pine Bluff Arsenal as part of a $2.2 billion ammunition hub plan. Sports & Culture: Alabama football offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb faced backlash after “boo birds” comments following the Tide’s win over Florida State, and Tuscaloosa also marked the loss of a longtime voice in the community.