AGP Executive Report

Education & Tech Policy: Gov. Kay Ivey signed an executive order creating a commission to study how much screen-based instruction Alabama K-12 students should get, with recommendations due by Dec. 1 and possible legislation in 2027. Rural Health: Sen. Katie Britt celebrated Senate committee passage of the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act, aimed at boosting emergency maternity care in rural Alabama “maternal care desert” counties. Food Security: A new analysis says more than 80,000 Alabamians lost access to SNAP after Congress tightened rules, including a sharp drop affecting children. Community & Culture: Stillman College welcomed Japanese exchange students through the Tuscaloosa-Narashino sister city program, offering a first look at Alabama college life. Local Business Spotlight: Alabama companies and entrepreneurs earned “Best of Alabama” recognition, from a Muscle Shoals lighting manufacturer to an Anniston women’s boutique. Immigration Enforcement: ICE took custody of an Alabama man after he was denied a visa in 2017, following a traffic stop and arrest report.

Arts & Education Loss: University of Dayton English professor and poet Herbert Woodward Martin, a leading scholar on Paul Laurence Dunbar, died July 20 at 92, leaving behind decades of teaching African American literature and poetry. Local School Policy: Gov. Kay Ivey signed Executive Order 745 creating a Governor’s Commission on Screen-Based Instruction to study classroom screen time in Alabama K-12, building on the 2025 FOCUS Act and 2026 early-childhood screen limits. Community Learning Wins: Central Alabama Community College’s Adult Learning Program hit a record 133 GED and diploma graduates for 2025-26, highlighting adult education as a pathway to work and college. Food & Public Health: A produce-linked stomach parasite outbreak has spread to 41 states, with Alabama among those reporting first cases this week. Alabama Food Culture Spotlight: A Hamilton-area home cook advanced to the Quarterfinals of the Favorite Chef competition, with voting open through July 23. Sports & Culture: Alabama’s SEC Media Days buzz felt muted as coach Kalen DeBoer and players leaned into “prove it” energy, while Huntsville’s weekend events lineup keeps local music and festivals front and center.

Workforce & Public Safety: Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) is rolling out a streamlined Criminal Justice pathway that pairs its associate degree with Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) certification, aiming to fill the state’s growing law enforcement needs. Education & Community Support: The Sammie Lee Vann Darty Education Foundation held its annual scholarship luncheon in Fort Mitchell, awarding college scholarships and recognizing local education trailblazers. Local Culture & Lifestyle: Sweet Grown Alabama Day is set for Saturday, July 25—an invitation to shop Alabama farmers’ markets and farms, not just for one day but year-round. STEM & Innovation: Morningbird Space Corporation won an Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant to build an apparatus for experimental spacetime distortion propulsion testing, partnering with Alabama A&M. Health & Wellness: FirstHealth launched a supervised exercise therapy program for peripheral artery disease at Montgomery Memorial Hospital in Troy, with medically guided visits and insurance coverage options. Community Care: Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System and the Montgomery VA Benefit Office hosted a Vet Fest resource fair, connecting veterans and families with enrollment, claims help, and support services. Arts & Entertainment: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre is gearing up for comedian Leanne Morgan with multiple shows this weekend.

Voting Rights Fight: A new report argues the U.S. Supreme Court is using Louisiana as a “test case” to weaken the Voting Rights Act, including moves that blocked enforcement and disrupted House primaries. Community & Civic Life: Athens-Limestone County Chamber will host a Legislative Update July 30 at Athens State University, connecting local leaders with lawmakers on education, workforce, and infrastructure. Immigration & Safety: A Mexican father identified as Juan Jairo Coronilla Durán was killed in Florida while fleeing ICE; DHS says it was an operation near the scene. Education & Opportunity: Cullman City Schools says its Class of 2027 posted the highest ACT results in a decade, with gains across English, reading, math, and science. STEM & HBCU Innovation: Alabama A&M was selected by the USPTO to expand innovation and intellectual property education across the Southeast. Tech Policy: Rep. Terri Sewell cosponsored a bill to pause AI data center construction until federal “guardrails” are in place. Local Culture & History: Mound Bayou Museum of African American Culture and History marks its fourth anniversary, continuing its mission to preserve a story too often left out. Student Debt Pressure: An AP analysis finds Alabama among states with high student loan default rates, tying financial strain to broader local economic stress.

Student Loans: A new AP look shows Alabama among the states with the highest student-loan default rates, with about 26% of borrowers in default as protections fade and consequences like wage or Social Security garnishment loom. STEM & Workforce: Cullman County Schools broke ground on a new $18 million–funded STEM Academy, aiming to replace the current tech center and be ready for students in the 2028-29 school year. Education Policy: The Alabama Public Charter School Commission approved a merger policy that lets charter schools combine under one governing board if enrollment drops. Arts & Culture: Bisa Butler’s quilt portraits are highlighted as a bold mix of love, justice, and history—using layered fabric and references to Alabama photographer Gordon Parks. Local Housing: Alabama home sales rose for a fifth straight month in June, reaching the highest monthly level since late 2022, with more listings and steady median price growth. Community & Safety: A Cullman-area STEM push and broader school-resource leadership spotlight how districts are investing in training and student support.

Alabama Education & Youth: Kayla Bowens, an agriculture teacher from Logan Elm, was named one of 88 National FFA Teacher Ambassadors, spotlighting new ways Alabama educators can access free ag curriculum and support classroom programs. School Nutrition: Auburn City Schools’ Child Nutrition Director Ashley Powell was elected president of the School Nutrition Association for 2026-27, a win that also highlights the district’s push for free breakfasts and more locally sourced menu items. Student Life & Community: Tuscaloosa is in the running for USA TODAY’s Best College Sports Town, with voting open now through Aug. 17—an easy way for residents to boost local restaurants, arts, and game-day culture. Civil Rights & Memory: Clara Ester, a Memphis activist who rushed to help after Martin Luther King Jr. was shot, died at 78, leaving behind one of the last firsthand links to that moment. Immigration & Safety: ICE detained a Houston ISD student at school, raising fresh concerns among families pursuing asylum claims and about how quickly cases move toward detention. Public Health & Policy: A Medicare AI pilot in Washington was allowed to continue after a Senate resolution failed, keeping the focus on how algorithm-based coverage decisions affect seniors. Local Arts: Lone Tree’s Gershwin musical “Nice Work if You Can Get It” made Henry Awards history with 12 wins—proof that Alabama audiences love a big, bold stage moment. Sports Governance: SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said internal talks about breaking from the NCAA are “real,” underscoring rising frustration in college athletics. Student Debt: Across the U.S., loan defaults hit record levels as pandemic-era protections ended, with Alabama among the states seeing high concentrations of borrowers in default.

Student Life & Debt: A new Associated Press look shows federal student loan defaults hitting record levels: about 9.5 million borrowers—roughly 1 in 5—are now in default after pandemic protections ended, with advocates warning the fallout is growing as payments resume. Public Health: CDC provisional data finds overdose deaths fell 13.2% year over year, but about 69,000 Americans still died in the 12 months ending January 2026, and analysts warn policy shifts could reverse gains. Workforce & Education: Northwest Shoals Community College’s Adult Education Program held its 2026 graduation, with 90 students completing pathways to citizenship, GED, or high school diploma options. Local Business & Growth: Anderson Collaborative opened a new office in Hoover, expanding its data-driven marketing and PR footprint in Alabama. Culture & Community: Birmingham’s “Good Trouble Lives On” weekend honored John Lewis with youth panels, music, and voter engagement events. Arts & Entertainment: “Don’t Stop Believin’” is back on Billboard charts as Journey reaches new peaks, while “Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender” debuts on Paramount+.

Birmingham Health & Equity: A new federal grant is set to end soon for Birmingham AIDS Outreach, funding HIV/STD prevention efforts aimed at black gay and bisexual men and transgender youth of color, including thousands of free condoms. Arts & Community: Theatre Tuscaloosa brings the Broadway musical “Big Fish” to the Bean-Brown Theatre with Alabama-set storytelling and local performers running July 17–26. Local Learning: Hewitt-Trussville educators and administrators wrapped up A+ College Ready’s E3 summer training, focusing on how teachers teach and how leaders support instruction. Environment & Education: The Foothills Land Conservancy expands its Farmland Raptor Project with a Cornell Lab grant, adding habitat work and community outreach for birds of prey. Sports & Pride: Alabama A&M announces its 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame class, honoring nine former athletes and coaches with an induction ceremony Sept. 18. Culture Watch: A new “Star Trek” franchise update spotlights Captain Kirk’s final foe, while a separate “Star Trek” piece argues the series has been stuck in the past for decades.

Alabama A&M Athletics: The Bulldogs announced a nine-person 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame class, spanning volleyball, swimming, men’s basketball, football and track, with induction set for Sept. 18 at the Ernest Knight Center. Human Rights & Community Safety: A local-focused look at fighting human trafficking highlights how communities can spot and respond to exploitation before it escalates. Education & Daily Life: Area schools are leaning on district cellphone rules as state legislation falls short, while one Alabama charter school keeps training faculty through DEI-linked groups despite claiming compliance with the state’s “divisive concepts” limits. Local Culture & Arts: Brittany Howard talks about fleeing fame and the big return of Alabama Shakes, and Wallace State Community College prepares “I Am a Pilgrim: The Evolution of American Gospel Music” July 23-25. Scholarships & Youth: Ratterman-Shell scholarships push past $1 million, and an international Youth Ambassadors Africa program brings students to Alabama for leadership and cultural exchange. Sports & Health: Walker County schools approved athletic training services, and Alabama’s endangered-species spotlight spotlights biodiversity right here in the state.

Civil Rights & Voting Rights: Lynchburg marked John Lewis’s legacy with its second annual “Good Trouble Lives On” weekend, urging people to step out of comfort zones and get involved beyond voting. Arts & Faith: Wallace State Community College will stage “I Am a Pilgrim: The Evolution of American Gospel Music” July 23-25, blending gospel history, shape-note singing, and African American spirituals ahead of an Edinburgh Fringe run. Education & Community Health: Walker County schools approved a $250,000 agreement for athletic training services with Orlando Health/Walker Baptist support, emphasizing care for student athletes. Local Leadership in Schools: Baldwin County named Marty McRae superintendent, keeping 36 years of experience inside the district and shifting from interim leadership to the permanent role. Scholarships: Cullman’s Stella Meyer and Holly Pond’s Aubrey Mayfield each received $1,000 Alfa Foundation scholarships for Alabama college plans. Immigration & Schools: A Birmingham LGBTQ charter school continues DEI-related faculty training despite claiming compliance with Alabama’s “divisive concepts” rules. Culture & Books: A review spotlights Jack Marchbanks’ “Art and Activism,” tracing how jazz artists and writers fueled the modern civil rights movement. Food & Local Business: Yee Mama’s handmade frozen dumplings—packaged with who wrapped them—are growing from a pandemic hobby toward wider grocery distribution.

Immigration & Work Enforcement: UK Home Office raids hit Evri depots, arresting workers in Redditch, Croydon, and Crawley for overstaying and other immigration violations, with possible fines for employers and plans to remove those detained. Education & Local Scholarships: Cullman’s Stella Meyer and Holly Pond’s Aubrey Mayfield each earned $1,000 Alfa Foundation Scholarships for Alabama college plans. School Leadership in Baldwin County: The Baldwin County Board of Education named Marty McRae as next superintendent, bringing 36 years of district experience and shifting leadership from interim superintendent Tony McGee. Health Care Training Expansion: Tanner Health and Mercer University School of Medicine opened a Carrollton clinical campus and simulation lab to place third- and fourth-year students in local training. Civil Rights Legacy: Clara Ester, an activist and eyewitness to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination who later worked in Mobile, died at 78. Community Giving: Jackson County foster children are set for back-to-school with a donation drive for clothes and supplies.

Education & Culture Spotlight: Tuscaloosa’s Northridge High Spanish teacher Jennifer Canterbury heads to Jeopardy! on July 22, bringing local classroom pride to national TV. Arts & Youth Programs: Orange Beach’s Coastal Spotlight Theatre Camp is wrapping its second week, giving 70 Baldwin County students hands-on training from stagecraft to full production. Community & Heritage: Gee’s Bend’s newest visitor stop, Willie Quill’s Quilt Studio & Pantry, opens July 18 in Boykin with live quilting, storytelling, and local food. Public Safety: “Operation Southern Slow Down” ramps up Southeast enforcement through July 18, targeting speeding with education and patrols across Alabama and neighboring states. Civic Life & Rights: A Foley Square rally honors John Lewis’ legacy as organizers push back on voting-rights rollbacks. Local Learning & Workforce: Central Alabama Community College launches an online AI Microcredential for Fall 2026, aiming to boost practical AI skills for workers.

CDL Fraud Probe: Federal DHS and DOT investigators are looking into about 75 commercial driver’s license schools nationwide for alleged fraud, including improper certifications, falsified training records, and skipped required instruction—coming after Alabama tightened rules for foreign-issued licenses and made fraudulent presentation a crime. Community Grants: Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation awarded $1.3 million in Community Impact Grants to nonprofits tackling food insecurity, housing, mental health, and care access across Polk and nearby counties. Aerospace & Education: Alabama higher-ed leaders are showcasing aviation and aerospace programs and partnerships at the Farnborough International Airshow, aiming to strengthen industry ties and talent pipelines. Immunology Career Boost: Alabama State University professor Manoj Mishra was appointed to a national American Association of Immunologists career development committee, reflecting the university’s research and health-disparities work. Long-Term Care Milestone: The Alabama Nursing Home Association marks 75 years supporting skilled long-term care, highlighting the workforce and resident needs that are only growing more complex. Voting Rights & Organizing: First United Methodist Church in Pasadena will host Katy Hickman to discuss empowering voters of color, immigrant rights, and election mobilization efforts that include Alabama. Back-to-School Prep: Gov. Ivey is urging families to use Alabama’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday (July 17–19) for tax-free school supplies and related items. Higher Ed Leadership: Baldwin County selected interim superintendent Marty McRae as the new superintendent, with a focus on safety and making the district more competitive. Civil Rights on Campus: A College and Cultural Experience Tour took 32 Pine Bluff-area high school scholars on a weeklong trip centered on colleges and Civil Rights Movement history.

Education & Youth Opportunities: Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce awarded scholarships to 13 students from the Autauga County Technology Center’s Early Childhood Education program, funded through the Alabama Summer Adventures grant, highlighting hands-on classroom experience and career pathways. Local Arts & Culture: Alabama Music Hall of Fame added a new “Microwave Dave” exhibit, continuing its push to spotlight regional music history. Community Colleges & Scholarships: Cullman’s Annalee Allen earned a $1,000 Alfa Foundation scholarship, one of 100 statewide recipients supporting Alabama students’ tuition and goals. Campus & Sports Academics: Tennessee’s NABC Team Excellence Award streak (and SEC academic recognition including Alabama) underscores how athletics and classroom performance are being celebrated. Immigration & Work Rights: The impending end of Temporary Protected Status is leaving restaurant employers scrambling with fast-moving deadlines to verify or end employment for TPS holders. Civic Life & Voting: DHS says Alabama is among states that found deceased people and noncitizens on voter rolls, fueling renewed debate over election safeguards. Faith & Public Life: CAIR condemned Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s anti-Islam remarks as inflaming violence, while Tuberville doubled down on data center expansion claims amid backlash.

Pre-K Expansion: Tuscaloosa County School System is adding more pre-K classrooms for 2026-27, with Gov. Kay Ivey announcing 64 new statewide slots to meet growing early-education demand. Student Success: Alabama students posted their strongest science results in years on the ACAP, with proficiency rising in 4th, 6th, and 8th grades. Workforce & Industry: Alabama State University and Callan JMB are partnering on workforce training and research tied to a planned Marion pharmaceutical manufacturing and logistics complex. Local Arts & Music: Chamber Music Tuscaloosa named four young Alabama musicians as Rogers-Dean Award winners, including multiple students with Tuscaloosa ties. Community & Lifestyle: Auburn’s Recycling Drop-Off Center has moved to a new permanent location and is now open 24/7. Food Safety: Alabama urged residents to take extra precautions amid a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to fresh produce. Health Costs: Alabama’s state employee health insurance program is projected to face a $38.5 million shortfall, with possible benefit changes coming. Culture Notes: Lana Del Rey announced a companion album to “Stove,” and Alabama’s peanut history gets a spotlight on Morris Avenue.

Local Sports: Scottsboro’s Cohen Thompson has signed to play college baseball at UAH, choosing the Wildcats for the coaching staff, culture, and the chance to compete while earning a degree. College Football Recruiting: Alabama flipped three-star WR Cedrick Simmons from Auburn, with the receiver citing the program’s standards, development, and wideout coach Derrick Nix. SWAC Spotlight: Alabama State and Southern will open the season in Birmingham for the SWAC’s inaugural Birmingham Football Classic, with Marshall Faulk on the media-day scene. Community & Faith: Meridian will dedicate a new street honoring Apostle W.J. Peterson, celebrating a legacy tied to revivals and community faith. Arts & Entertainment: Paramount+’s “Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender” gets an awards-qualifying theatrical run in select theaters before its July 25 streaming debut. Health & Wellness: Free well-woman cancer screenings are set for July 23-24 at Cuero Regional Hospital, with appointments encouraged by phone. Education Leadership: Alabama Charter School Commission members elected Rep. Terri Collins as chairwoman, stepping in after Shelia Austin stepped down for health reasons.