AGP Executive Report

Alabama Football: Keelon Russell made his first career start count, throwing for 249 yards and a TD while running for 86 yards and another score as No. 13 Alabama rolled East Carolina 48-10. The Tide’s defense set the tone early, including a Yhonzae Pierre pick-six, and the offense leaned hard on Ryan Coleman-Williams’ big day (130 yards). Alabama State Football: The Hornets opened 2-0 with a 34-0 home shutout of Lane College, forcing turnovers and keeping the Dragons off the board; ASU hosts Troy next. South Alabama Football: Bishop Davenport powered South Alabama past Southeastern Louisiana 39-14, with the Jaguars jumping out to a 19-0 lead and controlling the ground game. Troy Football: Goose Crowder threw three TD passes as Troy beat Sam Houston 24-21, sealing it after a late onside kick. College Football National: LSU’s Lane Kiffin era began with a 51-10 demolition of Clemson, while Michigan survived a clock controversy to beat Western Michigan 13-12.

Alabama Football Season Opener: Alabama kicks off its 2026 home slate against East Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with several offensive players listed as injured but dressed for warmups, including RB EJ Crowell, RB AK Dear and WR Noah Rogers, while kickoff is set for late morning. SEC Legal Fight: LSU coach Lane Kiffin says it “wasn’t easy” to decide not to add former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris for the Clemson opener, citing uncertainties as the SEC’s lawsuit continues in federal court in Alabama. College GameDay Spotlight: ESPN’s College GameDay begins its season tour with LSU-Clemson in Baton Rouge, while Kirk Herbstreit picks Notre Dame to win the national championship. Local Sports Pipeline: Multiple Alabama-area high school standouts are listed on college rosters for the week ending Sept. 6, including players tied to Alabama A&M and other regional programs. Community & Education: New state data show Madison County’s Black bachelor’s completion rate at 24.6% and Tallapoosa County schools remain majority white in 2023-24.

Local Animal Care: Marshall County Animal Shelter in Albertville finished drainage-system renovations and teamed up with Greater Huntsville Humane Society for a free Monte’s Wellness Clinic, with 130+ pets getting exams and vaccines and 161 spay/neuter vouchers handed out; the shelter is now asking for forever homes for its ready-to-adopt dogs and cats. Alabama Football Kickoff: Alabama opens the 2026 season at noon Saturday vs. East Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium with Keelon Russell making his first career start at QB, as the Tide look to prove themselves in a new era under Kalen DeBoer. High School Spotlight: Thompson quarterback and Alabama commit Trent Seaborn set the AHSAA career passing yardage record in a 49-0 win over Vestavia Hills. Road Work in Huntsville: ALDOT says nighttime resurfacing on US-231/US-431/North Memorial Parkway starts Tuesday, Sept. 8, with single-lane closures Sunday through Thursday nights. Community Help: Bottoms Up Diaper Bank is running a September donation drive for diapers and baby essentials for West Alabama families. Sports Elsewhere: UAH volleyball stayed undefeated in the UAH Invitational, and West Alabama swept LeMoyne-Owen before edging Henderson State in five sets.

College Football Kickoff in Alabama: No. 11 Alabama opens its season Saturday at noon ET vs. East Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with Keelon Russell set to lead the offense and the Pirates bringing sixth-year QB Mitch Griffis. Local Sports Business: Alabama hires Nate Oats’ wife, Alex Accetta, as director of program relations for the Crimson Tide men’s basketball program. Public Safety: A Villa Rica man faces multiple charges after a high-speed chase in Cullman County that topped 130 mph and ended with spike strips and a controlled substance found in the car. Health Alert: Walmart expanded a frozen-berry recall tied to E. coli risk, including Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold in 16 states (Alabama included). State Government & Elections: The Trump administration asks the U.S. Supreme Court to lift a lower-court block on new Postal Service mail-ballot restrictions as midterm mail voting begins. Montgomery Community: Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama donated $25,000 to the Montgomery Zoo to support capital improvements, including a new reptile facility. Education & Opportunity: University of West Alabama was ranked No. 1 nationally for rural America by Washington Monthly.

Mars Communications: NASA picked Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin to build a new $700 million Mars Telecommunications Network, aiming to be operational by 2030 and boosting data relay for missions. Alabama Education: As students head back to classrooms, Alabama leaders point to mixed statewide test results and ongoing efforts to lift public education outcomes. Capital Case Upheld: Alabama AG Marshall says the 11th Circuit upheld capital murder convictions for the 2001 claw hammer double homicide in Sylacauga. Court Cyber Scrutiny: Alabama appellate courts are investigating whether sensitive court-record information was accessed after Thomson Reuters’ C-Track platform incident. Voting Fight: The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to lift a block on USPS mail-in voting rules, warning ballots could go out in Alabama and North Carolina before the deadline. Labor Day Costs: Gas prices are surging ahead of Labor Day, with AAA reporting a national average near record highs. Local Business: Coca-Cola Bottling Company opened a new Birmingham headquarters, bringing employees and distribution functions under one roof. Sports & Courts Collide: LSU’s eligibility fight continues as a judge clears former NFL players to return, while the SEC pursues legal action in Alabama.

Alabama Sports & Community: Alabama men’s basketball made two staff moves, naming Josh Pierre director of player development and bringing back Alex Accetta as director of program relations. Public Safety & Health: Alabama is bracing for dangerous heat at the sold-out Bryant-Denny opener, with extra medical staff and cooling and water stations, plus guidance for fans to hydrate early. Opioid Response: In Guntersville, an opioid committee meeting focused on funding for housing, mental health links, and more staffing and presence in Marshall County. Local Growth: LivAway Suites broke ground on its first Alabama location in East Montgomery, offering extended-stay rooms with kitchens and workspaces. Food Safety: The FDA expanded a recall of frozen organic blueberries due to possible E. coli contamination, including a Great Value triple berry blend sold in Alabama. Wildlife & Outdoors: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge was flagged as a tick hotspot, with warm weather and thick vegetation helping ticks thrive.

Space & Defense: The Pentagon says U.S. Space Command is accelerating its headquarters move to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, with more than 140 staff already there and plans for 900-plus by fiscal 2028. Energy & Growth: Huntsville Utilities says rising natural gas demand is driving a proposed 137-mile pipeline, with surveys underway and nearly 1,000 landowners contacted. Cybersecurity: Thomson Reuters says an unauthorized party accessed files tied to its C-Track court platform, affecting court systems including Alabama. Public Safety: Parents in multiple states are pushing Congress for a federal ban on nitrous oxide (“whip-its”), arguing Louisiana’s ban hasn’t stopped sales elsewhere. Schools & Tech Misuse: Alabama officials increased security after a viral AI “Cat in the Hat” trend showed up around Walker County schools. Health: UAB doctors warn extreme heat can affect anyone and stress prevention steps as Alabama faces dangerous conditions. Community: The YMCA of the Coosa Valley will end operations Sept. 30 after 120 years, with water-safety work continuing through a regional YMCA alliance. Local Outdoors: A new courtesy dock at Lake Catoma in Cullman aims to make boat access safer for anglers.

Federal Trucking Crackdown: Gov. Kay Ivey backed a new Trump administration push targeting fraud and illegal activity in commercial trucking, pointing to Alabama’s ALEA Motor Carrier Safety Unit work with ICE and recent enforcement numbers. Holiday Travel: ALDOT is pausing temporary lane closures on interstate routes for Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4 noon to Sept. 7, 11:59 p.m.) to ease congestion and improve safety. Tax Guidance for Employers: The Alabama Department of Revenue issued guidance on when employers must withhold Alabama income tax for remote or traveling nonresident workers—only for wages tied to services physically performed in Alabama, with a 30-day safe harbor for limited in-state work. Rail Upgrades: Norfolk Southern says it completed major infrastructure improvements across Alabama’s 3B Corridor, including sidings, track changes, and centralized traffic control, to boost freight capacity and access to the Port of Mobile. Local Impact: Tuscaloosa City Schools named Brittany Grayson principal of University Place Elementary. Health & Community: Nurses at Huntsville Hospital helped a dying patient get baptized in the ICU using a kiddie pool setup.

Emergency Alerts: Gov. Kay Ivey activated Alabama’s statewide notification system, aiming to speed disaster warnings to cell and landline phones plus local TV/radio; residents can opt in via ema.alabama.gov or text ALalert/ALinfo to 77295. Public Safety & Health: Alabama health officials warn late-summer mosquito-borne illness risk after West Nile virus activity was detected in humans and animals, urging repellent use and standing-water cleanup. Capital Punishment: Ivey scheduled the Nov. 5 execution of Michael Shannon Taylor, convicted in the 1991 Gadsden killings of Ivan and Lucille Moore. Local Community: Jasper Main Street earned statewide recognition at the Main Street Alabama Awards of Excellence for its welcome center partnerships, sculpture trail, and downtown holiday marketing. Education & Youth Arts: Jasper High student Harper Watts was selected as a founding member of Alabama’s new statewide Youth Arts Collective, helping shape advocacy for arts education. Sports (Alabama): Alabama opens its 2026 season Sept. 5 vs. East Carolina at 11 a.m. at Bryant-Denny, with kickoff festivities including the Walk of Champions and an M-80s concert.

Heat & Safety: The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory for much of Central and South Alabama, including Montgomery and Selma, with heat index values around 105–109 from late Wednesday through Saturday—officials urge hydration, shade breaks, and never leaving kids or pets in cars. Local Infrastructure: Calera drivers and first responders are fed up with trains blocking Highway 25 for hours; city leaders are pushing a $32 million bridge project to keep traffic moving and improve emergency access. Education & Community: The Alabama Power Foundation named Albertville High student Fabiana Sebastian as a $2,500 scholarship recipient in its inaugural Community Scholars Program. Local People & Service: ALDOT recognized Curtis Lowe, a lifelong Albertville resident, for passing 62 years with the agency. Health & Public Safety: ALEA will ramp up patrols across Alabama highways and waterways for the extended Labor Day weekend, including routes to campuses and stadiums. Sports (Alabama): Alabama opens the 2026 season Saturday vs. East Carolina with freshman Keelon Russell set for his first start; coaches also say EJ Crowell is expected to play and William Sanders will start at left guard. Business & Consumer: Alabama’s new “exemption” rule takes effect Sept. 1, barring sales tax on separately stated credit card transaction fees.

Courts & Public Safety: Gov. Kay Ivey set a November execution window for Michael Shannon Taylor, convicted in the 1991 Gadsden double murder, after the Alabama Supreme Court cleared the way. Local Justice: Former Mary G. Montgomery football coach Zach Golson filed suit against the AHSAA and others, challenging due process in his suspension and probation case. Schools on Alert: Walker County and Jasper schools are on heightened watch after “Cat in the Hat” social media threats aimed at students, with investigators checking whether the images are AI-generated or a prank. Community & Development: Alabama county officials and the Association of County Commissions of Alabama are pushing for a broader zoning conversation as data centers face growing pushback, arguing counties often lack authority in unincorporated areas. Sports: Alabama soccer stayed rolling with a 3-0 win and a record-setting penalty-kick run by Larkin Thomason; Alabama football opened media week ahead of East Carolina with freshman Keelon Russell set to start. Health & Education: TVA is taking applications for up to $5,000 STEM classroom grants across the Tennessee Valley region.

Higher Education Spotlight: A new Washington Monthly ranking names the University of West Alabama as the top college for rural America, citing strong post-graduation earnings and education-focused programs aimed at teacher shortages. State Politics: Gov. Kay Ivey has proclaimed Sept. 4 “College Colors Day,” urging Alabamians to wear their school colors and highlighting the economic impact of the state’s public universities. Public Health: The Alabama Department of Public Health is warning Labor Day weekend travelers to prevent mosquito bites as West Nile virus activity continues, including recent positive sentinel chicken reports. Crime & Courts: An Indiana man was arrested after investigators say he traveled to Guntersville to meet a minor he’d been communicating with online; he’s in federal custody pending an Aniah’s Law hearing. Local Safety: Colbert County High School is dealing with at least six students reporting seizure-like episodes; the superintendent says there’s no public health outbreak. Consumer Watch: Alabama’s AG Steve Marshall subpoenaed OpenAI as part of an investigation tied to alleged hacking and safeguards concerns. Economy & Energy: U.S. Sen. Katie Britt and Alabama leaders are weighing the data center boom against worries about power rates and consumer costs. Sports & Community: Phenix City’s Kinley Rasmus’ “Fear the Bow” Little League moment is now enshrined at the World of Little League Museum. Weekend Travel: AAA data shows Florence-area gas averaging $3.67, down 8 cents from last week.

Red Tails Classic: Tuskegee fell to West Alabama 27-17 at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, trailing 14-7 at halftime before West Alabama pulled away in the fourth. HBCU Football: Howard opened the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge with a 31-24 win over Alabama A&M, with Ja’Shawn Scroggins throwing for 315 yards and the deciding score. Legion Field Bands: Birmingham’s Legends at Legion Field Battle of the Bands was canceled days before the event after low ticket sales. Literacy Spotlight: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library continues to be credited with helping young kids learn to love reading, sending one free book a month to children from birth to age five. Weather Watch: First Alert coverage points to heat building across central Alabama into the Labor Day stretch, with highs pushing near 100 degrees. Road Safety: A fatal crash was reported after a vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree in Shelby County.

Teen Health Alert: Six teen girls at Colbert County High School in Leighton reported seizure-like episodes Aug. 24; one was hospitalized and school leaders say there’s no public outbreak, with a similar incident reported last year. Childcare Costs: A new analysis says families may need about $205,000 a year to afford full-time toddler care under a federal benchmark—more than double the 2024 median family income. Alabama Sports: Alabama soccer stayed undefeated with a 3-0 win over Troy; Alabama volleyball opened at home with a 3-1 win over Samford. State Parks & Tourism: Alabama State Parks opened a 4.4-mile extension of the Fort Morgan Trail at Gulf State Park, adding bridges and a new bathhouse area. Public Safety & Policy: A new Alabama dog tethering law takes effect Oct. 1, and the state also launched a statewide notification system for floods and disasters. Local Politics: A Democratic nomination dispute in Perry County District 1 is headed toward ballot printing after the state party voted to count a disputed ballot for incumbent Albert Turner Jr.

Legal Access: A new report says nearly two-thirds of Alabama counties are “legal deserts,” with fewer than one attorney per 1,000 people—leaving many residents, especially in poorer and minority communities, without meaningful help. HBCU Football: Alabama State kicked off the inaugural Birmingham Football Classic with a 30-17 win over Southern at Legion Field, rallying after a halftime deficit. In-State Matchup: North Alabama beat Samford 22-10 in the season opener for both teams, setting up next week’s trip to Arkansas. Weekend Sports Calendar: Sunday’s local viewing slate includes Alabama State vs. Southern on ESPN2 and West Alabama at Tuskegee on ESPN2. Public Safety: Alabama State Troopers said a Union Springs man was driving a van in a fatal Barbour County crash that killed one passenger and sent another to a Montgomery hospital. Local Tragedy: A 19-year-old was killed in a DeKalb County crash on Alabama 75 near Lakeview; investigators say the crash is under review. Community Events: The SkyDog Shoals Experience is underway in Florence, celebrating Shoals music history with live performances and studio tours.

Birmingham Classic Sports: Marshall Faulk’s Southern Jaguars kick off a new era Saturday at Legion Field against Alabama State in the inaugural Birmingham Football Classic, with ESPNU carrying the 2 p.m. matchup. College Football Buzz: Alabama’s 2026 season is officially underway, with preseason staff predictions and a new starting QB spotlight as the Crimson Tide open against East Carolina. Local Sports Photos: Fans shared Alabama State vs. Southern images from the Birmingham Classic tailgate scene at Legion Field. Public Safety Tech: Gov. Kay Ivey announced Alabama’s new $1.2 million statewide emergency notification system to speed alerts for floods and disasters to phones and local radio/TV. Weather Watch: A flash-flood threat continues across the Southeast into the weekend, including parts of Alabama, with several inches of rain possible. Community & Culture: Foley City Council approved a downtown municipal campus master plan framework to guide future buildings, streetscapes, and infrastructure. Arts & Dining: Birmingham’s Bayonet earned a spot on Bon Appétit’s 2026 Best New Restaurants list, while local art events include a watercolor exhibition opening in Little Rock.