AGP Executive Report

College & Community Spotlight: Gov. Kay Ivey declared Sept. 4 “College Colors Day,” welcoming mascots from Alabama’s 14 public universities to the Capitol and urging residents to wear school colors as a reminder of higher ed’s statewide impact. Rural Health & Access: Alabama’s Rural Health Transformation Program is moving forward, with Coosa Valley Medical Center in Sylacauga receiving $2.83M to upgrade records, expand behavioral health capacity, and improve patient transportation coordination. Public Health Education: A free “Engage: An Opioid Summit” webinar (Aug. 31) will bring Alabama health experts and residents together on opioid awareness and overdose prevention, with a focus on reducing stigma and sharing practical prevention steps. Local Culture & Learning: Tuskegee University’s dress code controversy continues to spark debate about respectability politics and Black student culture at HBCUs. Civic Rights: Civil rights groups are urging action on voting rights ahead of midterms, warning that recent legal changes could weaken Black representation. Sports & Youth: An Alabama youth sports summit emphasized safety training and injury prevention for coaches and recreation professionals. Arts & Heritage: The Sidewalk Film Festival returns for its 28th year in Birmingham, highlighting the region’s growing film culture.

Historic Preservation: Selma’s Edistone Hotel—tied to the Freedmen’s Bureau and civil rights-era organizing—suffered a partial exterior collapse, putting conservation efforts in a “race against time” to stabilize a landmark that helped host demonstrators near Edmund Pettus Bridge. Education & Community Literacy: Reading Allies is recruiting volunteers for 30-minute weekly tutoring in Tuscaloosa to help first- through third-graders build reading skills, with sessions running from early September through mid-November. Higher Ed & Workforce: Huntingdon College in Montgomery topped 1,000 students (1,018) for a sixth straight year of enrollment growth, including a new rural teacher education initiative aimed at easing Alabama’s teacher shortage. Arts & Local Culture: Birmingham’s UAB Center for the Arts Block Party returns Sept. 18 with free family activities, local vendors, and a headline outdoor concert featuring Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience. Sports & Media: ESPN announced an Oct. 8 premiere for a six-part Nick Saban documentary series, while Tuscaloosa climbed to No. 2 in USA TODAY’s best college sports towns readers’ choice rankings. Immigration & Rights: A federal ruling orders release of a Cuban detained after entering via CBP One, spotlighting how immigration enforcement can derail pending legal status cases.

Maternal Health Crisis: Alabama’s maternal mortality rate is the highest in the nation, with new reporting from the ACLU of Alabama’s “Moms Matter” highlighting stark risks for Black mothers and barriers like long travel distances to care. Rural Schools & Transportation: Sen. Garlan Gudger announced major investment to fully fund school transportation in Cullman County, freeing millions for classrooms instead of bus costs. University of Alabama Under Pressure: UA faces growing enrollment and capacity questions, while a separate debate continues over LGBTQ+ student space after DEI restrictions, plus a Q&A with UA President Peter Mohler on tech fees and AI access. Open Records Fight: “Our View” calls out an open records crisis at UA and beyond, arguing delays and rejections are tied to system-wide resource gaps. Student Voices in Court: Attorneys for two UA student magazines—shut down over DEI-related concerns—appealed to the 11th Circuit, pushing back on alleged viewpoint discrimination. Culture & Community: Huntsville launches its biggest Huntsville Music Month with free citywide shows and international showcases; Free2Teach expands into Morgan County with a $170,000 grant for free classroom supplies. Arts & Legacy: Charles B. Hall’s plaque unveiling honors the Tuskegee Airman’s Alabama ties, while Dolly Parton’s death at 80 sparks tributes and renewed focus on her philanthropy and Appalachian roots.

Youth Safety & Big Tech Accountability: Alabama is set to receive more than $117 million from Meta under a youth-safety settlement, with new Instagram/Facebook protections and daily/overnight limits for teens. Rural Health & Food Access: USA Health and Feeding the Gulf Coast are launching a care model that routes patients identified as food-insecure to food resources, SNAP help, and nutrition education. Healthcare Workforce & Training: Cullman Regional Medical Center wins $3.8M to build a family medicine residency with an obstetrics track, alongside smaller Cullman-area grants for opioid treatment tech and school-based mental health. Education & Student Life: Montgomery College adds family-friendly study spaces for student parents, letting kids play nearby while parents work. Career Pathways for Teens: Athens City Schools hosts the Be Pro Be Proud Alabama Mobile Workshop with interactive career and VR experiences for grades 8-10. Campus Philanthropy: South Alabama’s Alpha Tau Omega kicks off Viking Week fundraising for Feeding the Gulf Coast, including a Sept. 12 tug-of-war event. Higher Ed Governance: UA System trustees approve post-tenure reviews and new program review rules, while keeping faculty senates advisory under the state’s evolving higher-ed law. Culture & Community: Prairie View A&M’s SWAC championship run is framed as a long-awaited turnaround—and a new challenge of staying on top.

Education & Community Leadership: Franklin County’s newest school leaders are a father-daughter team—Robert Gervais at Montgomery Elementary and Julie Kittell at Bakersfield Elementary—both longtime educators focused on improving their communities. Student Achievement: Alabama’s 11th-graders posted some of their strongest ACT proficiency gains in years, with statewide jumps in English, math, and science. Workforce & Career Pathways: Central Alabama Community College is expanding manufacturing training through its F.A.M.E. Industrial Automation Technician program, pairing classroom learning with paid apprenticeships. Rural Health: District 10 rural healthcare projects are set to receive more than $7.1 million in grants, targeting everything from security and transport to telehealth and nurse recruitment. Arts & Culture: Birmingham’s Southbound Food Festival returns for a fourth year, bringing multi-course dinners, chef demos, and live music to major city venues. Civic Life: Gadsden voters head to the polls today for the 2026 municipal election, including mayor and local school board races. Public Policy & Rights: Alabama’s early childhood education conference promotion was pulled after backlash over a speaker known for advocating LGBTQ+ books for kids.

Education & Community Funding: Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox says city money for dozens of outside agencies will face tighter accountability, with 2026 funding totaling more than $14.7 million across 41 groups. HBCU & Student Support: Stillman College is set to receive $1 million to grow its permanent endowment, part of a UNCF push that also backs other Alabama HBCUs. Health & Rural Access: West Alabama providers are among recipients of more than $144 million in Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program grants aimed at expanding quality care statewide. Workforce & Local Business: Tuscaloosa City Schools launches a Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) program, sending students into local businesses for hands-on learning and credit. Culture & History: A new historical marker in Decatur Square honors the Muscogee (Creek) people and their forced removal, adding context to a site once marked by a Confederate-era cannon. Sports & Legacy: Roy Drinkard, a Cullman businessman and WWII Marine, died at 106, remembered for decades of community leadership and economic development.

Education & Community Giving: Food City’s School Bucks program is distributing $800,000 to more than 1,000 schools, with another $800,000 pledged for 2026–27 as shoppers earn points via ValuCard and Spirit Weeks. Workforce & Youth Entrepreneurship: Tuscaloosa City Schools launches CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities), sending students to about 40 local businesses for hands-on learning and credit. Accountability in Local Funding: Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox warns city-funded nonprofits and agencies to expect tighter scrutiny as outside-agency spending tops $14.7 million. Behavioral Health in Alabama: VitAL’s statewide conference draws 500+ people in Tuscaloosa to share best practices for mental health, substance abuse, and trauma care. Rural Healthcare Investment: Gov. Ivey announces 138 ARHTP grants totaling $144M to expand rural access, workforce, and mental health services. Civic Safety: Perry County Schools close after an anonymous threat; officials say new statewide procedures are now guiding how threats are handled. Arts & Learning: Stillman College’s Alabama Speaks series returns Sept. 15 and Oct. 8, spotlighting student activism and the long civil rights movement. Local Legacy: Cullman’s Roy Henry Drinkard, the nation’s oldest living U.S. Marine at 106, dies.

Animal Welfare & Sports: Montgomery native Solomon Beebe, a UAB-to-Virginia running back, was arrested Aug. 17 on three counts of animal cruelty tied to alleged pit bull abuse. Education Funding: Franklin County commissioners approved resolutions to put a 10-mill school tax renewal on the Nov. 2 ballot, a vote that would decide “critical” funding for Franklin County and Russellville City schools. Local Grants: Northwest Alabama RC&D Council wrapped up 26 Franklin County projects using $175,000 in FY26 grant money, highlighting how state-backed funding feeds community needs. STEM & Youth Opportunity: SriLankan Airlines is sponsoring Sri Lankan students for Mission ShakthiSAT, sending an all-girls team to India to help design and build a satellite. Arts & Wellness: Tuscaloosa’s Crimson Rage brings rage-room therapy to the area, turning donated breakables into a stress-release experience. Community Learning: Selma’s McRae Learning Center is raising scholarship funds to expand early childhood education access. Outdoor Life: Alabama’s new My Outdoor Alabama license system goes live Aug. 24, aiming to make hunting and fishing licensing easier for more people. Workforce & Culture: Alabama’s unemployment ticked up to 3.4% in July, while labor force participation fell—an economic backdrop for the state’s ongoing skills-building push.

High School Sports Milestone: Sammie Coates, a former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, won his first game as Columbia High School’s head coach and snapped the program’s 101-game losing streak with a 41-14 win over Greensboro—an instant culture shift that turned the field into a celebration. Outdoor & Lifestyle: Alabama’s new My Outdoor Alabama hunting and fishing license system goes live Aug. 24, with online account access and updates aimed at making the process easier, including for people with disabilities. Local Education & Community: Selma’s McRae Learning Center is raising scholarship funds to expand early childhood access, aiming to grow support beyond last year’s nearly $15,000 haul. Workforce Watch: Alabama’s unemployment rate ticked up to 3.4% in July while labor force participation fell, according to state workforce data. Civic & Culture History: A spotlight on Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray traces how her early barriers in education and activism helped shape major civil rights battles. Faith & Public Life: AFT leaders are urging a Target boycott tied to claims about ICE operations, keeping the education-and-immigration debate front and center. Arts & Heritage: Cullman is a Hallmark “Merriest Christmas Towns” finalist, leaning on its German-rooted Christkindlmarkt tradition and tourism momentum.

Education & Faith in Public Schools: Texas is moving to add religious readings to K-12 curriculum, reigniting the church-state debate and raising questions about teacher autonomy. Local Culture & Community: Mobile’s DAR is set to host “Red, White and Boom,” a free fireworks celebration over Mobile Bay. Alabama Outdoors & Lifestyle: Alabama’s new My Outdoor Alabama license system launches Aug. 24, aiming to make hunting and fishing licensing easier—especially for people with disabilities and active-duty military. Local Education Watch: Montgomery’s Loveless Academic Magnet Program (LAMP) wasn’t ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools list, prompting questions and follow-up with state education officials. Health & Food Research: A new look at blueberry science highlights potential cardiovascular, metabolic, and cognitive benefits tied to anthocyanins. Work & Economy (Walker County): Walker County unemployment dipped to 3.6% in July, with statewide job growth also reported. Sports (UAH/College Football): UAH welcomed NSF-funded graduate fellows, while college football chatter continues around who “can’t” win a national title.

Mobile Community Celebration: Mobile’s Alabama Society DAR is set to host “Red, White and Boom,” a free fireworks show over Mobile Bay Saturday night (Aug. 22) with a 8:15–8:35 p.m. display launched from a barge near the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf. Education & Local Impact: A new SmartAsset study estimates a single adult needs about $87,610 to live comfortably in Alabama, ranking the state No. 41 nationally. Outdoor Alabama Update: Alabama hunters and anglers will use the new My Outdoor Alabama license system starting Monday, Aug. 24, with updates aimed at a smoother experience and easier access for people with disabilities. Women’s Health Spotlight: Dr. Ashley Gooding, an Alabama-based OB/GYN and menopause specialist, is featured for building a practice centered on trust, unhurried care, and long-term patient relationships. Arts & Community Memory: A Mobile-focused op-ed argues for revitalizing the city by investing in public schools and expanding a medical research hub around USA’s medical school. Sports Culture: Olivia Rodrigo quietly helped an Alabama student pay for her final semester, turning a private message into a public thank-you.

Alabama Hunting & Fishing: The state’s new licensing system rolls out Monday Aug. 24, with hunters and fishers able to use Outdoor Alabama’s website or app while prior education details transfer over. Cost of Living: A SmartAsset study estimates a single adult in Alabama needs about $87,610 a year to live comfortably, up 2.7% from last year. Faith & Public Life: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing back on airport wudu washing stations, arguing they discriminate, after which Dallas-Fort Worth scrapped plans for more public stations. Local Education & Community: Athens City Schools names Dr. Lloyd Jones interim Director of Bands after Dr. Ty Parker’s move to Huntsville City Schools. Workforce & Opportunity: Rep. Milou Mackenzie announced $560,000 in PAsmart grants for Lehigh Carbon Community College, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, and Montgomery Community College. Culture & Sports: Kirk Franklin headlines Alabama A&M’s 2026 Homecoming Gospel Explosion on Oct. 11. Legal & Local Impact: An Alabama jury awarded former UA basketball walk-on Kai Spears $9.25 million in a defamation case against The New York Times. Civic Leadership: Leadership Tuscaloosa announces its 48-person 2026-27 class.

Education & Rights: Alabama joins a multi-state friend-of-the-court push at SCOTUS defending parents’ ability to choose private school while keeping access to public benefits. Student Life & Money Skills: Family Savings Credit Union teams up with Gadsden State’s Cardinal Foundation to expand financial literacy, debt education, and budgeting support across campuses. Arts & American History: Stockbridge’s Norman Rockwell Museum opens a sweeping exhibition tracing U.S. history through 300+ works by artists, photographers, and craftspeople. Coastal Alabama Investment: Gov. Kay Ivey announces $52M+ in GoMESA-funded projects for 21 coastal efforts, including water quality, boating access, and environmental outreach. Libraries & Culture Wars: Alabama Public Library Service delays filling a compliance-focused role tied to removing “sexually explicit” and “gender ideology” books from youth sections. Community & Local Legacy: Mobile honors Kim Otto with a Lifetime Planning Achievement Award for decades of work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Sports & Language Access: Gray Media’s Telemundo affiliates will air select Braves games in Spanish, including Alabama and Montgomery-area stations. Public Safety & Justice: Alabama reentry pilot expands as Workforce Alabama joins a referral network to connect probationers and parolees with jobs, treatment, and services. Local Loss: Gadsden-area brewery founder Jason Wilson dies at 46, remembered for revitalizing downtown and building a regional craft beer community.

Education Access: Huntsville’s Mae Jemison Accelerated Studies Program launches Aug. 5, letting select students take Drake State dual-enrollment courses right on the high school campus. Higher Ed Honors: University of West Alabama awards honorary doctorates to Rep. A.J. McCampbell and Sen. Bobby Singleton during summer commencement. Public Safety & Health: Dothan celebrates its 100th HeartSafe workplace certification with Michelin, expanding CPR training and AED support. Coastal Environment: Gov. Kay Ivey announces $52M+ in GoMESA grants for 21 coastal Alabama projects across Mobile and Baldwin, from wetlands and boat ramps to outdoor classrooms. AI & Kids Safety: Alabama lawmakers react to OpenAI’s new ChatGPT for teens, weighing whether safety features can hold up in real use. Local Roads: ALDOT begins SR-605 pipe replacements Aug. 24 in Rehobeth and Taylor, with detours and possible delays. Community & Culture: Montgomery’s Tractor Parade returns Sept. 5, followed by a farm show and live music at the Village of Montgomery. Education Outcomes: Rehobeth High School posts major English language arts gains on ACAP, landing among the state’s top growth schools. Civic Life: A Democratic congressional nominee holds a town hall in Opelika focused on rural health care, education, affordability, and veterans care. Education Oversight: North West education officials investigate a circulating video alleging corporal punishment at Prestige Secondary School in Klerksdorp.

Cost of Living Check: A SmartAsset study estimates Alabama needs about $87,610 a year for a single adult to live comfortably, up 2.7% from last year. Antibiotics Update: A new study challenges the old rule to “always finish your antibiotics,” finding many Americans still believe it even though guidance is more nuanced now. Health & Community: Tuscaloosa’s Saban Center names UA veteran Jamie Burke as Director of Development as the $120M learning campus moves toward its public opening. Coastal Investment: Gov. Kay Ivey announced $52M+ in GoMESA-funded projects for Coastal Alabama, targeting water quality, boating access, and environmental outreach. Local Government: Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox recommends a record $356M FY2027 budget, boosting pay and public safety while cutting department operating budgets. Arts & Heritage: A rare African-American fine art collection is set to open in Hampton, featuring works tied to Gee’s Bend quilters. Outdoor & Youth: Alabama youth ages 12–16 can apply for a free shooting sports class at Pursell Farms. Weekend Picks: iHeartMedia’s Gulf Coast roundup highlights music, food, and local events for Aug. 21–23.

Wellness & Recovery: Red Light Method opened its 18th location in Huntsville, bringing cellular health, movement, fitness, and recovery to Alabama as the franchise keeps expanding nationwide. Education & Campus Life: Tuscaloosa students adjusting to university life are spotlighted in a story on how rural-to-campus transitions reshape football culture, friendships, and belonging. Youth & Community Events: Miss Macon returns Sept. 12 at the Grand Opera House with a “Find Your Paradise” theme, plus performances by contestants and the Belles. Local Safety & Schools: Tuscaloosa City Schools approved adding parking-lot security cameras at multiple high schools and other sites to reduce blind spots and improve safety during busy after-school events. Faith & Leadership: The Alabama Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship hosts its 2026 State Conference Aug. 20–22 in Birmingham for worship, Christian education, and leadership development. Public Service & Sports: Pickens County Schools named Jeff Campbell superintendent, while Trussville’s Hans Keasler earned Alabama Wildlife Federation Hunter Safety Instructor of the Year. Culture & Lifestyle: A community events calendar for Aug. 20–30 rounds up local happenings, from outdoor story time to concerts and library programs.