AGP Executive Report

Immigration & Rights: Florida’s Board of Governors voted to bar undocumented students from enrolling in selective public universities, joining Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina in tightening access to higher education. Public Health: Colleges are urging faculty and staff to gather proof of measles immunity now, after outbreaks elsewhere showed how one case can trigger weeks of disruption. Education & Community: A Huntsville-area educator and theatre director was arrested and placed on leave after a charge of electronic solicitation of a child. Culture & Pride: Jackson, Mississippi drew big crowds for the HBCU Labor Day Classic battle of the bands, with Alabama schools among the performers. Local Schools Snapshot: Clay and Escambia counties’ 2023-24 student populations were majority white, with Black or African American students the next-largest group. Arts & Ideas: Promethean Theatre Ensemble is staging “Blood of the Lamb,” a reproductive-rights thriller that tracks the post-Dobbs legal limbo. Labor Day: Alabama leaders marked the holiday with messages honoring workers.

Local Education & Equity: New federal data show Auburn University’s Lee County Black bachelor’s completion rate at 67.1% for the 2018 cohort by 2024, with Tuscaloosa County’s UA rate at 60.1%—figures that highlight how outcomes vary by county and student group. School Spotlight: Vestavia Hills City Schools earned “Accredited with Distinction” from Cognia, with all nine schools recognized—an Alabama win for classroom quality and community support. Arts & Culture: “Blood of the Lamb” brings a reproductive-rights dystopian thriller to Chicago, while “Letty Lynton” returns on Blu-Ray and at the Roxie, reviving Joan Crawford’s pre-code drama for new audiences. Community & Learning: Montgomery TechLab used the Air Force’s DAFITC conference to connect defense tech with local talent, and a student-made card game, Tumor Tactics, is teaching kids cancer biology through play. Civil Rights & Public Life: Robin Morgan, a second-wave feminist writer and activist, died at 85, leaving a legacy that reshaped women’s rights discourse. Immigration & Human Rights: A Texas judge authorized ICE to force-feed a Cuban hunger striker with a surgical tube, adding to a growing controversy over detainee treatment. Labor Day Culture: A Labor Day concert in Columbus celebrates workers through music and stories, tying the holiday to the dignity of work.

Arts & Activism: Robin Morgan, a poet and second-wave feminist icon who helped spark the Miss America protest and edited “Sisterhood Is Powerful,” has died at 85. Community & Culture: Mosaic Dance Theatre Company is staging “Cassandra: An Ongoing Tragedy” in October, a modern retelling of Greek myth that spans events from My Lai to Sandy Hook. Alabama Education (data): New county-by-county reporting shows shifting student demographics and outcomes, including Jacksonville State’s white bachelor completion rate at 59.1% and Madison County’s Black student completion rate at 24.6%. Local Sports & Pride: USM fans packed the energy for the Golden Eagle home opener, while Alabama’s Northport residents are getting ready for the season with “Roll Tide” game-day spirit. Food & Lifestyle: “Experience the Oyster” returns to The Hangout in Gulf Shores for its fifth year, spotlighting Southeast oyster farms and local chefs. Politics & Rights: A report says ICE received permission to force-feed a Cuban hunger striker at a Texas detention center, renewing concerns from advocates.

Education & Equity Data: Chambers County schools show Black or African American students as the largest group (51.3%) in 2023-24, with white students next (35.6%), while Tallapoosa County’s student body is majority white (59.1%) and Limestone County is also majority white (69%). Higher Ed Outcomes: Madison County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Black or African American students is 24.6% (cohort entering 2018, measured through 2024), while Lee County reports 81.8% completion for Asian students at Auburn. Local Schools & Community Support: Teachers walked out at Westhills Elementary in Bessemer after a principal resigned following an alleged confrontation; separate coverage highlights how communities can help students who start school without essentials. Culture & Arts: Robin Morgan, a major second-wave feminist poet and editor, has died at 85. Food & Coastal Lifestyle: “Experience the Oyster” returns to The Hangout in Gulf Shores for its fifth year, Nov. 6-7. Sports & Campus Life: A new cheerleading education scholarship is launched by Illinois cheer founder Dave Mizer, and Alabama football season hype continues with local Northport celebrations. Immigration & Rights: Reports say ICE was allowed to force-feed a Cuban hunger striker at a Texas detention center, and Alabama’s CHOOSE Act gets a spotlight through a Birmingham family’s education savings account story.

Education Funding & Health Care: Alabama’s Public Education Employee Health Insurance Plan board approved a request for a $222 million increase for fiscal 2028, with the State Employees Insurance Board also seeking more support. School Community & Faith: Walker County Christian Chorus is recruiting singers for its fall “Messiah” performance with Alabama Symphony Orchestra accompaniment in Sumiton. Local Culture & Family Fun: Section’s Labor Day celebration packs a full day of music, kids’ activities, sports tournaments, and fireworks. K-12 Safety: Andalusia police say a teen is in custody after a “Cat in the Hat” threat tied to an AI-driven social media trend. Education Choice Spotlight: Gov. Kay Ivey highlighted a Birmingham family using CHOOSE Act education savings accounts to move their sons to a school they say better fits their needs. Online Privacy & Parenting: A new push for app age-verification is framed as a privacy tradeoff that could leave teens “safer” on paper but not in practice. Labor Day Message: Ivey issued a statewide Labor Day note honoring Alabama workers across industries. Community Health: A behind-the-scenes effort to contain measles is spotlighted, including vaccine clinics held in homes and places of worship.

Education & Opportunity: University of West Alabama was named Washington Monthly’s No. 1 Best College for Rural America, ranking highest for earnings performance and for degrees in fields rural communities need. Community & Youth Grants: Megan Thee Stallion’s Pete & Thomas Foundation is teaming with Southern Black Girls to fund 100 “Black Girl Joy Challenge” micro-grants of $550 for Alabama and other Southern states’ teens and young women. Local Culture & Learning: HMMA donated $25,000 to the Montgomery Zoological Society to support education, conservation, and capital improvements ahead of Zoobilation on Sept. 17. Campus & Workforce: Alabama Power Company launched an endowed scholarship at Gadsden State’s Valley Street Campus to expand career-technical training and industry credentials for students. Sports & Identity: Southside High School in Etowah County rebranded its athletics as “Southside-Rainbow City” to better reflect the community it serves. Higher Ed Spotlight: Jax State received an FAA Air Agency Certificate to launch its Provisional Pilot School and commercial aviation coursework. Politics & Values: Alabama Republicans backed a House resolution condemning socialism, while national coverage also highlights how election rules and immigration policies are reshaping civic life.

Education & Equity: Alabama leaders are reviewing statewide assessment results as students head back to classrooms, with progress in math, science and some reading grades but uneven outcomes still driving next-step plans. Child Care Crunch: Alabama’s child care assistance waitlist is back, leaving working parents stuck as demand rises and pandemic-era funding fades. Libraries & Gender Content: The Alabama Library Association is pushing back hard against Alabama Public Library Service rules tied to transgender and gender-identity book restrictions, warning of fallout for local libraries. Arts for Youth: Jasper High student Harper Watts was selected as a founding member of Alabama’s new statewide Youth Arts Collective, aiming to give students a real voice in arts education. Community & Culture: The Alabama Museum of Natural History hosts Alabama Fossil Fest Sept. 12 with hands-on activities and expert talks. Wildlife & Foodways: A free Wild Pig Workshop in Weogufka next Saturday will cover trapping, management, and even pork processing. Sports & Law: The SEC sued LSU in federal court over LSU’s plan to use former NFL players, a fight landing in Alabama just before the season opener. Local Business: Cullman City Council approved transportation improvements and an intelligent traffic system deal with ALDOT.

Selma Voting Rights Commemoration: A four-day Selma Freedom Ride Rally runs Thursday through Sunday, mixing live performances, a car show, food tastings, a movie in the park, and ending with a motorcycle ride to Montgomery—aimed at keeping the Voting Rights Movement’s legacy front and center. Alabama Education & Workforce: Central Alabama Community College’s Prattville campus is surging, with a 470% enrollment jump since 2022 and major new investment planned—while the Alabama Road Builders Association names Houston Blackwood to lead a heavy-equipment simulator training pilot tied to career pathways. Community Health & Service: Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties will host a Veterans Brunch Sept. 23, bringing veterans and Gold Star families together for a salute panel and community recognition. Higher Ed Opportunity: The University of Alabama is one of 26 schools selected for First Lady Melania Trump’s Fostering the Future scholarship initiative for people from the foster care community. Sports & Culture: The SEC has filed suit against LSU and Lane Kiffin over former NFL players returning to college football, escalating a high-stakes legal fight just as LSU opens its season. Local Learning Tech: A new focus on using student data to guide career planning highlights how districts like Talladega County Schools are building cybersecurity pathways through regional partnerships. South Alabama Nature: Foley Community Library launches a fall speaker series, starting Sept. 15, with experts from Graham Creek Nature Preserve discussing invasive plants and how they’re reshaping local ecosystems.

Education & Tech: OpenAI rolled out ChatGPT for Teens (ages 13–17) with Study Mode, homework reminders, and parent oversight tools aimed at learning—not shortcuts. School Choice & Equity: Jefferson County Schools announced a three-year staggered expansion of magnet and International Baccalaureate options, positioning Alabama as a “School Choice state” while navigating its long-running desegregation consent order. Student Life & Culture: At the University of Alabama, students are debating how much football gameday culture should matter—and whether traditions feel welcoming or socially mandatory. Higher Ed & Student Media: University of Alabama student magazines tied to the Alice and Nineteen Fifty-Six fight are getting national support, with 40 outlets backing an amicus brief in the Eleventh Circuit. Community & Health: The YMCA of the Coosa Valley will end operations Sept. 30 after 120 years, though water-safety work will continue through a regional alliance. Public Policy & Health Care: A new review finds menopause is largely missing from prison policy language nationwide, with Alabama among the few states that address it. Workforce & Cybersecurity: Cullman High School’s cybersecurity program is feeding into a broader Community Security Operations Center vision, training students for industry certifications and public-infrastructure defense. Arts & Heritage: UA’s Classics Club is bringing Greek and Roman culture to campus life, leaning into “nerd” community around language, mythology, and history. Immigration & Family Impact: An Albertville teen held in ICE custody faces another bond-hearing delay, extending uncertainty for his family and supporters.

Civil Rights & Memory: Birmingham opened a new 16th Street Baptist Church Education and Visitor Center beside the site of the 1963 bombing, aiming to turn history into lessons for how the city lives now. Education & Accountability: Parents sued Fayette County’s school board and staff after alleging a kindergarten child was put on the wrong bus and left alone in Montgomery. School Success: Tuscaloosa City Schools named Brittany Grayson principal of University Place Elementary, while Montgomery Area School District’s 2024-25 four-year graduation rate hit 94.1%. Health & Cost Pressures: Alabama’s PEEHIP board approved a request for about $222 million more next year as rising costs strain the public education health plan. Public Safety & Preparedness: Alabama EMA activated a statewide alert system for floods and disasters, with residents urged to text ALalert/ALinfo. Culture & Community: The first Lawrence County Chautauqua in over 90 years drew crowds with performances portraying Carver and Rosa Parks. STEM & Youth: USAARL’s GEMS program wrapped another milestone, bringing hands-on science modules to hundreds of students. Libraries & Policy: North Alabama libraries are scrambling to comply with new state rules restricting youth access to transgender-themed books or risk losing state aid.

HBCU Giving: Jamie Dimon and his wife Judith donated $12 million to 12 Black colleges and universities, creating the Dimon Fund to build permanent endowments through UNCF’s campaign. Election Access & Culture: Alabama’s Nov. 3 turnout could decide key races, with reporting highlighting how participation gaps—especially for Black voters—shape outcomes. Arts Education for Youth: Jasper High student Harper Watts was named a founding member of Alabama’s new statewide Youth Arts Collective, set up to give students a real voice in arts learning. Community Health & Safety: Carbon Hill Drugs installed a medication disposal drop box with help from Alabama opioid settlement funds, aiming to curb misuse by keeping unused opioids out of homes. Campus Life & Values: Tuskegee University President Mark Brown defended the school’s dress code, framing it as workplace preparation while allowing religious and medical accommodations. Local Flavor: Decatur and Birmingham earned top-10 barbecue city spots in a new national ranking, giving Alabama bragging rights beyond the usual hotspots. Family Support: UA’s Regional Autism Network will host the free C.A.R.E. Summit in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 28 for caregivers and families. Dolly Parton’s Alabama Impact: Gov. Kay Ivey mourned Parton and reiterated the Imagination Library’s reach—about 116,000 Alabama children getting books monthly.

Dolly Parton’s Alabama legacy: Gov. Kay Ivey marked the singer’s passing by spotlighting how Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has mailed free books to about 116,000 Alabama children each month since the statewide launch in 2023, now serving all 67 counties. Local schools fundraising: Selma’s Selma Freedom Ride Rally returns Labor Day weekend (Sept. 3–6) with a four-day mix of rides, food, tours, and a movie night—aiming to raise $100,000 for underfunded Selma schools. Education wins in Tuscaloosa: Tuscaloosa City Schools reported big gains on the 2026 ACAP, with elementary ELA proficiency rising from 42% (2021) to 65% and elementary math from 21% to 45%. Rural healthcare innovation: Alabama is among states approved to use Rural Health Transformation Fund money through a Rural Tech Catalyst Fund that backs early-stage tech aimed at rural provider challenges. College spotlight: Washington Monthly ranked the University of West Alabama as the best college for rural America, citing its education pipeline and rural teacher impact. Library culture fight: Alabama Public Library Service faces a Sept. 30 deadline tied to state rules on transgender and gender-identity materials, with funding contingent on compliance.

Overdose Awareness: Tuscaloosa City Hall, the Intermodal Facility and the Fountain at Alberta Park will light up purple for International Overdose Awareness Day, with local advocates pointing to Narcan access and community grief support. School Safety: Walker County and Jasper schools are on heightened alert after “Cat in the Hat” social media threats, described as possibly AI-generated, prompting extra security and an Alabama Bureau of Investigation review. Campus Life & Identity: Tuskegee University’s president defends a strict professional dress code amid backlash, arguing it prepares students to be “job-ready,” while critics question limits on expression. STEM in Classrooms: TVA is taking applications for K-12 STEM education awards up to $5,000, supporting hands-on projects like 3D printing and classroom tech across the Tennessee Valley region. Local Arts & Learning: Birmingham Botanical Gardens announces its fall plant sale Sept. 18–19, with natives, perennials and gardening advice from Master Gardeners. Community Calendar: Ongoing Opelika and Auburn events include weekly food trucks, Mahjong nights, garden drop-ins and NAMI East Alabama meetings. Education Policy Watch: Alabama’s math overhaul trend continues as states expand screening, instruction changes and teacher-prep updates under numeracy-focused reforms. Tech-in-Schools Debate: A Walker County teacher warns that heavy screen use is harming basic skills like handwriting and attention, fueling renewed classroom technology arguments. Culture Spotlight: Alabama author Jennifer Hallman’s “How Mae Got Moxie” lands as the state selection for the Library of Congress National Book Festival.

Local Adoptions: Montgomery Humane Society is spotlighting Atticus, a calm 5-month-old kitten, and Chai, a high-energy 7-month-old retriever-mix—both available for adoption or fostering. Justice & Human Rights: Mobile attorney Kathryn Lee Boyd discusses winning a major case tied to alleged funding of genocide in Darfur, highlighting how legal action can drive accountability. Education & Choice: Jefferson County Schools plans a phased expansion of STEAM magnet programs starting in 2027-28, with Brighton and Irondale Community joining first, and more campuses to follow. Workforce & Community: Alabama Secretary of Workforce Greg Reed says more Alabamians are working than ever, while also flagging concerns about participation among younger workers. Arts & Culture: Alabama Shakes returns with its new album I Must Be Dreaming, leaning into psychedelic soul and unity themes. Higher Ed Pride: Gov. Kay Ivey proclaims Sept. 4 as College Colors Day, urging Alabamians to wear university colors statewide. Local Business Growth: ClarkDietrich plans to move its corporate headquarters to Montgomery Quarter, targeting occupancy in fall 2027. Community Health: West Alabama Women’s Center hosts a breastfeeding support event bringing together groups to bridge cultural and language barriers.

Methodist Leadership in Liberia: The United Methodist Church’s Africa College of Bishops Meeting opened in Monrovia with a Thanksgiving Service, featuring Bishop L. Jonathan Holston of Alabama West Florida and a theme focused on deeper ecumenical ties and stronger church sustainability. HBCU Music Spotlight: Birmingham’s “Legends at Legion Field” Battle of the Bands was canceled days before the event, blamed on low ticket sales—an abrupt hit to a long-running local tradition. Tuskegee Dress Code Debate: Tuskegee University President Mark Brown defended renewed professional dress and conduct standards, arguing “raise the bar” policies prepare students for the workplace and have early success on campus. Education & Equity Push: ALSDE’s Mega Conference drew 3,000+ educators for training that included warnings about “racial microaggressions,” plus related LGBTQ-focused school discussions. STEM Talent in Alabama: Seven Alabama elementary students were named 2026 National Math Stars, unlocking mentoring, advanced coursework, and long-term enrichment through high school. Local Culture & Community: Homewood Public Library announced free workforce development and career readiness programs this fall, from GED prep to tech classes and teen college planning. Road Work Update: ALDOT will continue SR-605 pipe replacement near Coleman Road with temporary closures and detours starting Sept. 1, weather permitting. Immigration Detention Relief: In Houston, Victor Hugo Salgado Araujo was released from ICE custody after more than 50 days, reuniting with family following his brother’s fatal shooting during an ICE operation.

Tuskegee University Dress Code Debate: Tuskegee president Dr. Mark Brown says the school’s renewed dress and conduct standards are meant to “raise the bar” for job readiness, arguing the rules are about professionalism—not personal style—while critics push back on restrictions like non-religious head coverings. Workforce & Learning in Homewood: Homewood Public Library is rolling out free fall programs for adults and teens, from GED prep and computer skills to career planning and Spanish-language tech classes. Legal Access in Alabama: A new report flags Alabama’s “legal deserts,” saying nearly two-thirds of counties have fewer than one attorney per 1,000 people, leaving many residents without adequate legal help. HIV Stigma Still Sticks: Despite medical advances, a GLAAD report finds many Americans lack trust or understanding of prevention and treatment, with Alabama advocates calling for clearer, more accessible education. Birmingham Food for Peace: Former South Carolina Gov. David Beasley is bringing his “Breaking Bread Together” initiative to a Birmingham farm, betting that shared meals can build real peace. Local Public Safety: Selma’s police chief candidates faced tough questions on crime and trust during interviews, while Millbrook police arrested two men after disorderly conduct during a high school football game.