AGP Executive Report

Ada’s Law Push: After DCH Regional Medical Center worker Ada Doss was shot and killed, a co-worker-backed proposal—“Ada’s Law”—would require stronger safety steps for healthcare workers, including better security, visibility, and protection; the draft was sent to Gov. Kay Ivey and state Sen. Gerald Allen says it may need to become actual state law. Primary Election Chaos: Alabama voters head to the polls Tuesday amid confusion over redrawn congressional maps and court fights—some congressional results won’t be certified, but statewide races and two constitutional amendments will count. Gas Prices: Drivers across Alabama are feeling higher pump costs ahead of summer travel, with AAA Alabama putting regular around $4.06 a gallon. Weather Watch: West Alabama stays mostly dry Tuesday, with rain chances rising midweek, especially north and west. Business & Tech: ProSat Networks says it’s expanding Starlink and wireless networking installs statewide in Alabama.

Memorial Day Fuel Crunch: AAA says Memorial Day travelers will face the highest gas prices in four years, with Alabama’s average around $4.04 a gallon and the national average near $4.51 as oil stays elevated. Fatal Crashes: A single-vehicle crash early Sunday in Walker County killed a 21-year-old woman from Sumiton, and a separate early Saturday pedestrian death on Highway 69 is under investigation. Voting Rights & Redistricting: Thousands are expected to rally in Selma and Montgomery after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Alabama to reinstate an older congressional map, raising fears of reduced Black voting power. Primary Prep: With Alabama’s May 19 election one day away, officials are pushing voter education after court-driven map changes. Alabama on the National Stage: UF named Dr. Stuart Bell as its sole finalist for president, and UA alumni earned Knight-Hennessy Scholars spots at Stanford.

Voting Rights Fight: Thousands of protesters filled Selma and Montgomery Saturday, rallying against Alabama’s last-minute redistricting push after the Supreme Court effectively weakened the Voting Rights Act—organizers say the maps dilute Black voting power while lawmakers argue they’re following the court. Election Chaos: Alabama voters may have to vote twice this summer after a court-driven congressional map shakeup triggers special primaries in August, adding another trip to the ballot box. Local Sports: Alabama softball punched its NCAA-record 20th Super Regional berth with a 9-0 win over USC Upstate, while NCAA super regional matchups are now set. Public Safety: Alabama officials are urging boaters and riders to plan ahead and stay alert as summer ramps up, including reminders on water safety and helmet use. Other News: Indiana coach Darian DeVries is recruiting for bigger lineups as IU tries to fix rebounding and defense.

Alabama Softball’s Big Moment: The No. 1 Crimson Tide crushed USC Upstate 9-0 in the Tuscaloosa Regional final, sealing a super regional berth after earlier run-rule and shutout wins. Trump’s Party Purge: In Louisiana, GOP primary voters ousted Sen. Bill Cassidy—another sign Trump is tightening control over Republicans who break ranks. Voting Rights Fight in Alabama: Thousands marched from Selma to Montgomery for “All Roads Lead to the South,” pushing back after a Supreme Court ruling weakened key Voting Rights Act protections. Immigration Outrage: ICE is facing renewed backlash after a Honduran mother was deported and her U.S.-citizen son later died, with officials blaming her. Sports & Safety: USMNT hopefuls Brenden Aaronson and Chris Richards both dealt with injury scares; in Perry County, a crash killed one and sent two to the hospital.

Voting Rights Fight: Thousands rallied in Montgomery and Selma Saturday to protest redistricting moves they say target Black representation after the U.S. Supreme Court weakened key parts of the Voting Rights Act—organizers say the fight is now about turnout and protecting power. Alabama Politics: The legal fight over congressional maps is still moving fast, with states scrambling and lawmakers weighing next steps after the latest court rulings. Sports—Softball: Alabama kept rolling in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional, shutting out Belmont 3-0 to reach Sunday’s championship, while Akron’s season ended in Baton Rouge after a 1-0 elimination loss to South Alabama. Sports—Baseball: Southern Miss won the Sun Belt regular-season title and the No. 1 tournament seed after sweeping Georgia Southern; Alabama baseball clinched the SEC Tournament’s No. 4 seed with a 6-2 win over Ole Miss. Public Safety: Mobile County is investigating the death of a jail inmate at the Metro Jail medical clinic.

Voting Rights Fight: Protesters gathered in Selma and Montgomery for “All Roads Lead to the South,” pushing back after a Supreme Court decision they say weakened the Voting Rights Act and warning GOP-led map redraws could “resurrect Jim Crow.” Local Politics: In Alabama’s GOP state auditor primary, Andrew Sorrell hit back at Derek Chen’s attack ad, calling it dishonest and saying his campaign responded quickly. Courts & Maps: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Virginia Democrats’ bid to revive a voter-approved redistricting plan, keeping the current map in place and fueling the wider national redistricting showdown. Public Safety: A man was charged with manslaughter in the March 7 death of Whitney Robeson in Trussville. Sports: Alabama baseball lost 9-0 to Ole Miss in game two; softball and NCAA regional action continues across the state. Community & Life: Pulitzer-winning photojournalist Mark Wallheiser died after cancer.

Voting Rights Rally: Thousands are expected to pack downtown Montgomery Saturday for a voting-rights rally at the Alabama Capitol, with local, state and federal law enforcement coordinating street closures and security after Supreme Court-driven redistricting changes that protesters say weaken Black political power. Alabama Politics: The rally comes as Alabama’s election calendar stays in focus ahead of the May 19 primary, with officials warning voters about polling-place changes and ballot confusion. Sports—College Baseball: Ole Miss shut out Alabama 9-0 in Tuscaloosa to even the series, while Alabama softball rolled past USC Upstate 8-0 in its NCAA opener. Sports—Track & Field: Texas A&M’s Morgan Davis won the SEC women’s long jump, and Alabama’s Miracle Ailes placed third. Sports—LSU Football Buzz: LSU’s 2026 season is already dominated by Lane Kiffin headlines, including talk of major TV coverage for early matchups.

Politics & Voting Rights: Alabama’s redistricting fight is back in motion after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for the state to use its 2023 congressional map, setting up special primaries and fresh protests as Democrats and civil-rights groups argue the move dilutes Black voters. Statehouse & Taxes: State Sen. Arthur Orr says lawmakers are unlikely to pause the gas tax, but he’s pushing for a permanent grocery tax cut after a temporary two-month suspension takes effect. Defense: A House Armed Services grilling followed the Pentagon’s cancellation of a Poland troop rotation, with Republicans demanding answers over why the decision blindsided allies. Sports (Softball): NCAA regional play begins Friday with Alabama as a No. 1 host seed and Georgia opening its Athens Regional against Charleston. Local Life: Birmingham Zoo euthanized longtime giraffe Jalili at age 20; and a boil-water advisory is set for parts of the Carolina Beach Road area starting May 19.

Voting Rights Backlash: The U.S. Supreme Court’s latest move has reignited fears of a return to Jim Crow-style voting limits, striking down Louisiana’s congressional map and weakening the Voting Rights Act’s protections—setting off a new scramble by Southern states to redraw districts. Redistricting Dominoes: Florida’s new House map is headed to court Friday under claims it violates the state ban on partisan gerrymandering, while Louisiana and South Carolina lawmakers push special sessions to keep control of the midterm map. Alabama Courtroom Fallout: Alabama’s own congressional map fight is still driving special primaries and legal maneuvering after the Court’s redistricting shake-up. Local Life & Safety: In Alabama, a bomb was found underwater near a dam, and identity theft reports keep climbing—Alabama is among the states with the biggest per-capita increases. Sports: Georgia softball opens NCAA Athens Regional play Friday, and Alabama-area teams keep rolling through postseason baseball and softball schedules.

Public Safety Shock: An underwater bomb was found during routine maintenance at a Mobile-area dam that supplies the city’s drinking water, triggering a response from the Gulf Coast Regional Maritime Bomb Squad, with federal bomb technicians and Homeland Security brought in as the device was detonated. Health & Safety: ADPH is joining CDC’s Healthy and Safe Swimming Week (May 18–24), warning Alabamians to prevent waterborne illness—especially Crypto—by not swimming when sick and by showering before entering pools. Politics & Voting: Alabama voters are heading to the May 19 primary, but some U.S. House races were moved to an Aug. 11 special primary after the Supreme Court’s redistricting changes. Sports: Ole Miss and Alabama open their final regular-season series in Tuscaloosa tonight, with both teams chasing postseason positioning. Arts & Culture: Clarence Carter, the Alabama-born soul singer behind “Patches” and “Strokin’,” has died at 90.

Redistricting Firestorm: Louisiana Republicans advanced a plan to cut majority-Black congressional districts from two to one, moving despite public opposition, as the fallout from the U.S. Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act rollback keeps spreading. Georgia Map Push: Gov. Brian Kemp called a special session to redraw Georgia’s congressional and legislative maps for 2028, with Democrats calling it rule-rewriting. Montgomery Voting Rights Mobilization: Birmingham civil rights leaders say the fight isn’t over, and organizers are planning a major voting-rights protest in Montgomery on Saturday. Statehouse Spotlight: Georgia also became the fifth state to require foreign shrimp labeling, aiming to curb misleading menu claims. DEA Drug Takeback: Arkansas led prescription drug collection at last year’s take-back event, with Alabama among the top contributors. Sports (SEC/Softball): Florida and Texas A&M gear up for the SEC Outdoor meet in Auburn, while NCAA softball regionals set Friday matchups including South Alabama vs. Virginia Tech.

Voting Rights & Courts: Rep. Terri Sewell joined the Congressional Black Caucus to denounce the Supreme Court’s latest Voting Rights Act setback, arguing it keeps chipping away at protections for Black voters in the South. Alabama Redistricting Fallout: The fight is still moving fast—Democrats say the timing and rulings are undermining fair representation right before the May primary. Local Politics: Alabama’s congressional map shakeup is already reshuffling campaigns, with candidates weighing whether to switch districts for the special primary. Business & Community: In Fairhope, a new elevated restaurant, Atticus, opened downtown in the former Plane & Coastal spot. Sports: Amari Allen’s NBA decision clock is ticking after a standout season at Alabama, while regional boys volleyball rankings rolled out after Week 10. Weather/Everyday Life: Pet owners are reacting to a new Alabama tethering law they call hard to enforce, and gas prices remain volatile as summer heat builds.

SCOTUS Redistricting Fallout: Alabama’s May 19 primary will still go forward, but the U.S. Supreme Court’s latest move has forced a scramble: Secretary of State Wes Allen says votes in congressional Districts 1, 2, 6 and 7 will be tabulated yet void for deciding the party nominee, with special primaries set for August. Legal Pushback: The NAACP and ACLU are seeking a temporary restraining order to keep the current court-ordered map in place, arguing the change disrupts an election already underway. Education Pressure: A new national report warns of a “reading recession,” with only a handful of states showing reading gains since 2022. Public Health Watch: Italy has quarantined a British tourist after possible hantavirus exposure tied to a flight with a confirmed case. Energy Costs: Gas prices are up again this week, with AAA reporting increases around the country.

Redistricting Shockwave: The U.S. Supreme Court vacated Alabama’s court-ordered congressional map, clearing the way for the state’s 2023 map to be used again—setting up a fresh fight over voting rights and prompting Gov. Kay Ivey to call a special primary for Alabama’s 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th districts on Aug. 11 (no runoff). Voting Rights Backlash: Rights groups are denouncing the move and planning protests in Selma and Montgomery, arguing the latest rulings further weaken protections for Black voters. Elections on the Ground: Alabama voters are also being reminded to bring valid photo ID to the polls. Public Safety: A T-38 Talon II crash in West Alabama ended with both pilots ejecting safely; the cause is under investigation. Local Updates: Kowaliga’s Lake Martin boat ramp renovation phase one is complete, and Alabama’s red snapper season shifts to a 7-days-a-week schedule starting May 22.

Supreme Court Fallout: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Alabama Republicans to pursue a new congressional voting map that could cut the state from two majority-Black districts to one, lifting a lower-court block just ahead of the May 19 primary. Politics & Power: The decision lands in the middle of a broader GOP push to redraw House seats, with Democrats and voting-rights groups warning it weakens Black voters’ influence. Redistricting Pressure in the States: Tennessee lawmakers also approved a new map that redraws its only majority-Black district, sparking protests and “Jim Crow 2.0” chants. Sports Spotlight: In Birmingham, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey defended keeping the College Football Playoff at 16 teams despite Big Ten calls for 24. Local Notes: A Pike Road Kiwanis Club awarded $8,000 in scholarships to area students.

SPLC Probe Escalates: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced a civil investigation into the Southern Poverty Law Center’s fundraising after a federal indictment alleged the group used money to pay informants inside extremist circles; the state says it wants records via subpoena, while SPLC says it’s reviewing the order. Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court kept women’s access to the abortion pill mifepristone in place for now, pausing restrictions while justices consider whether they can take effect. Politics & Maps: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats will win back the House despite GOP gains tied to redistricting battles, arguing gerrymandering won’t “save” Republicans. College Sports: SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey defended tougher football scheduling and weighed NCAA basketball expansion, while Alabama softball’s NCAA tournament seed and matchups set up a big postseason week. Local Sports Spotlight: UL coach Matt Deggs says the Cajuns’ priority is making the Sun Belt tournament—starting with a Coastal Carolina series in Montgomery.