AGP Executive Report

Defense & Industry: The U.S. Air Force added $826 million to Lockheed Martin’s cruise missile work, pushing the deal past $10 billion and extending JASSM/LRASM production through 2030, with deliveries to allies including Poland, the Netherlands, Japan and Finland. Missile Defense: Northrop Grumman won up to $4.84 billion for full-rate production of the CIRCM laser-based helicopter defense system, aimed at countering heat-seeking MANPADS. Local Energy Fight: A Shelby County landowner asked a judge to pause an Alabama Power transmission line, arguing eminent domain would threaten home privacy and force access roads through his property. Cost Pressures on Alabama: Rep. Terri Sewell says farmers in her district are squeezed by rising fuel and fertilizer costs, warning subsidies aren’t enough. Food Safety Watch: Bama Dining is facing questions after multiple national food recalls, with supply chain handled by Aramark. Health & Education: Alabama ranks near the bottom for vaccination rates in a new WalletHub study, while UA’s AI club kicked off the year with President Mohler urging AI infrastructure. Politics & Voting: The Trump administration is escalating its push against mail ballots ahead of the midterms.

Defense & Jobs: Northrop Grumman won a $4.84B U.S. Army contract to build a laser-based system to protect aircraft from heat-seeking missiles, with work tied to Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. Space & Science: NASA’s Chandra telescope study found 84 “hypersoft X-ray sources” in multiple galaxies, a new class that could help answer big astrophysics questions. Health Tech: UAB-led researchers unveiled a new protein-based MRI contrast agent that can detect lung tumors and metastatic disease as small as 1 millimeter earlier than conventional scans. Roads: ALDOT will resurface a 2.53-mile stretch of I-20/59 in Tuscaloosa at night for about three months, with lane-closure limits around peak hours and home football Saturdays. Alabama Business: United Bancorporation of Alabama rejected activist investors’ push for board seats, calling their request “unreasonable.” Robocall Crackdown: Alabama AGs joined a bipartisan push urging the FCC to tighten “Know Your Upstream Provider” rules to stop illegal robocalls. Local Economy/Industry: TVA is rolling out a new data-center rate structure starting Oct. 1, including a capacity charge, to protect household and small-business electric bills. Community & Culture: The Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy in Gee’s Bend is set for its Airing of the Quilts Festival Oct. 3, celebrating civil-rights-era quiltmaking history.

Defense & Industry: Austal shares jumped after the company said its board will consider a higher, non-binding takeover proposal for Austal USA from Miami-based Wildcat Infrastructure, valuing the Mobile, Alabama shipyard and US entities at about $1.25B–$1.35B (cash-free, debt-free), topping a prior Hanwha bid. Local Economy & Jobs: A Huntsville-area employment roundup found more than 2,200 openings across major employers, led by Huntsville Hospital, with demand spanning healthcare, aerospace, defense, education, and biotech. Health in Alabama: Alabama Cancer Statistics 2026 highlights a sharp prostate cancer gap for Black men, with much higher incidence and mortality than White men, urging earlier screening conversations. Politics & Campaign Rhetoric: Republicans are pushing Muslim identity into the 2026 midterm debate, with Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville warning “the enemy is inside the gates,” while critics call it unfair targeting. Community & Culture: Monte Sano Art Festival returns Sept. 19–20 with 140+ artists, live music, and local food at Monte Sano State Park. Sports: Jackson County high school football teams all face road region games in Week 3.

Local Growth & Jobs: Decatur approved a $10.5M permit for the Modaus Road Sportsplex revamp, adding eight fields plus multi-purpose space and upgrades to restrooms, concessions, and batting cages. Public Health: A frozen Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend recall expanded to 16 states after an E. coli outbreak linked to frozen berries; Alabama shoppers are among those affected, with specific lot codes and “best if used by” dates to check. Education & Community: Rep. Terri Sewell will hold a press conference in Selma on Sept. 9 after meeting with the Alabama Farmers Federation to discuss issues facing farmers and her work in Congress. Higher Ed Spotlight: University of West Alabama was named the nation’s top rural college by Washington Monthly, with Jacksonville State also ranking in the top 100. State Policy Watch: Alabama’s “Beau’s Law” takes effect Oct. 1, setting minimum standards for outdoor dog tethering and shelter. Tech & Infrastructure: C Spire announced a new high-capacity fiber corridor in Mississippi connecting Jackson to Olive Branch to support the “AI economy.” Politics & Campaign Tone: A Reuters report highlights Republicans trying to make Muslim identity and Islam part of the 2026 midterm campaign debate, including comments from Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville.

Direct Admissions Shift: Michigan is testing a new “profile-first” direct admissions model that could spread to other states, with Alabama’s earlier rollout cited as a blueprint. 9/11 in Schools: AP finds most states now prompt some 9/11 instruction, but what students learn varies a lot by state standards. Hoover Growth: Broad Metro bought the last 65 acres for Stadium Trace Village Phase Three in Hoover, aiming to add retail, medical, offices, and luxury housing. Insurance Scrutiny: Newly released court documents raise questions about how State Farm handles damage claims, with attorneys alleging a program to reduce payouts. Local Utilities: Red Bay city leaders are seeking a 10% sewer-rate decrease to ease monthly water bills. Medical Cannabis Expansion: Talladega opened a new medical cannabis dispensary, expanding access for qualifying patients. Food Safety: Marshall County posted July inspection grades for dozens of eateries, from Little Caesars (74) up to top scores in the 90s. WWE in Birmingham: WWE Raw aired from the BJCC with Money in the Bank qualifiers and Bayley’s return storyline. Gee’s Bend x Ralph Lauren: Alabama quilters partnered with Ralph Lauren on a limited collection blending denim and tradition.

Labor Day & Work Ethic: WalletHub ranks Alabama 16th overall for “hardest-working” states, citing strong workweek hours (12th), a high employment rate (5th), and relatively shorter commutes (22nd). State Government & Transportation: Alabama’s Labor Day message from Gov. Kay Ivey spotlights the “hardworking” spirit across factories, farms, classrooms, and construction sites. Defense & Industry: Austal says it’s in preliminary talks with Florida-based Wildcat Infrastructure about Austal USA, potentially challenging Hanwha’s bid; separately, Lockheed Martin’s Javelin JV signed an MOU with Tata Advanced Systems to explore India co-production. Education & Student Rights: The Heights joined a coalition backing an amicus brief urging the 11th Circuit to protect student press freedom in a case tied to UA shutting down student magazines. Local Economy & Housing: U.S. VA Purchase Loans in Alabama averaged $334,058 in Q2 FY2026, while a broader housing trend report highlights more build-to-rent growth in places like San Antonio. Sports & Alabama Football: Alabama opened Week 1 with a 48-10 win over East Carolina, with Keelon Russell making a strong first start.

Local Sports: Homewood beat Mountain Brook 33-13 on Friday, with Reid Goldstein returning from a hamstring injury to rack up 164 yards and three TDs. Birmingham-Area Business: Hoover approved tax breaks to help redevelop Riverchase Crossing, aiming to bring in a HomeSense and a Shoe Dept store. State Politics & Policy: Alabama’s governor’s race fundraising remains tight in August, with Doug Jones out-raising Tommy Tuberville but Tuberville holding more cash on hand. Workplace Rights: A new Oxfam report says Georgia ranks near the bottom for workers’ rights, citing low minimum wages and right-to-work limits—an issue that also affects the region. Energy & Industry: Hyundai Steel and POSCO broke ground on a $5.8B electric arc furnace mill in Louisiana, part of a broader push to build a local steel-to-automaker supply chain. Community & Culture: Sloss City Festival faces criticism over branding and pay practices for local DJs. Science & Environment: A new atmospheric research observatory at Bankhead National Forest is helping track how forests affect humidity, clouds, and storms.

Alabama Politics & Campaigns: Democrats and Republicans running for Alabama statewide offices largely matched fundraising in August, with Doug Jones outraising Tommy Tuberville in the month but Tuberville still holding a big cash-on-hand edge heading into the fall. Rural Health: U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda pushed a bipartisan “REH 2.0” bill to fix the rural hospital rescue program created in 2020, aiming to help struggling facilities keep maternity and emergency services. Cyber & Data Centers: Alabama’s data-center debate keeps heating up as officials warn about grid impacts and pushback grows over where new power-hungry projects should go. Consumer Fraud: Pike Road and other Alabama cities continue to post scam reports in BBB Scam Tracker’s July rankings, with Birmingham and Huntsville among the highest statewide. Workforce & Defense Tech: Montgomery TechLab showcased defense innovation and local talent at the Air Force IT & Cyberpower conference, pitching new tools to industry and military leaders. Education & Community: Vestavia Hills City Schools earned top global accreditation status, while AAMU graduate Taylor Pippins completed a second Army SPARK robotics research fellowship. Local Business: Tourism numbers from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach show lodging revenue running ahead of last year through July.

Auto Industry & Manufacturing: Toyota says it’s putting $280 million into Alabama to modernize engine production for hybrid vehicles, boosting Huntsville’s output of four-cylinder and V6 hybrid-ready engines. Steel & Climate: Hyundai-Posco’s $5.8B electric-arc furnace steel mill in Louisiana is set to supply Hyundai and Kia plants in Alabama and Georgia, aiming for lower-carbon steel by 2029. Local Economy & Growth: Norfolk Southern says it finished rail upgrades across Alabama’s 3B Corridor to increase capacity for key industries, including automotive and chemicals. Energy Policy: Researchers expect 2027 to be the biggest year yet for renewable energy siting bills as data centers expand and affordability concerns keep pressure on state lawmakers. Public Safety & Environment: Black Warrior Riverkeeper is investigating a fish kill on Mulberry Fork, with low-oxygen and algae conditions suspected while state agencies lead the probe. Consumer Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker reports show Alabama cities hit hard—Birmingham and Huntsville lead statewide scam reports, with Montgomery also ranking high. Politics & Trade: WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and U.S. lawmakers praised Trump’s signing of a two-year AGOA extension, keeping duty-free trade preferences for eligible African countries.

Alabama Justice: A Cullman County murder trial ended in a mistrial after a central defense witness invoked the Fifth Amendment, with the defense now asking the court to dismiss the case and bar retrial. Local Fraud Watch: The Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker shows Montgomery ranked 4th among 158 Alabama cities for scam reports in July, with 15 reports and $4,053.61 in listed losses. Sports & Culture in the Heart of the State: College football Week 1 is here, with Alabama set to open against East Carolina and a big LSU-Clemson spotlight featuring Lane Kiffin’s Baton Rouge debut. Community Events: Gulf Shores’ “Experience the Oyster” returns to The Hangout for its fifth year, bringing oyster farms, chefs, and live music Nov. 6-7. Energy Policy: Researchers say 2027 could be the biggest year yet for state energy siting bills as data centers and affordability concerns keep driving legislation.

Labor Day & local events: Section’s free Labor Day celebration runs Monday with a 5K, kids’ activities, live music, and fireworks at 8 p.m., plus a Sept. 13 Mentone Moon Lake Library screening/discussion tied to “Sallie’s Ashes.” Nonprofits & city funding: Decatur City Council heard six nonprofit pitches seeking about $3.2M total, with council approval of just over $4M for 21 groups for fiscal 2026. Food assistance crackdown: Alabama lawmakers approved an $8.5M contract to fight EBT fraud, targeting losses for cardholders and theft in stores, with the state aiming to reduce the SNAP error rate below federal thresholds. Animal shelter update: Marshall County Animal Shelter finished drainage work and partnered on a free wellness clinic that delivered 130+ pet exams/vaccines and 161 spay-neuter vouchers. Public safety & storms: Severe storms in Western Pennsylvania left more than 32,000 outages reported, with crews working to restore power. Tech & security: Thomson Reuters disclosed a cyber incident that may have exposed court records across multiple jurisdictions, including Alabama. Alabama in the news beyond the state: Hyundai Steel broke ground on a $5.8B Louisiana mill, and the U.S.-Japan $550B investment pact puts AI and chips at the center.

Energy & Courts: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says a federal judge blocked New York’s “Climate Change Superfund Act,” which sought $75 billion in retroactive fines on energy producers, calling it unconstitutional overreach. Local Governance & Data Centers: Decatur, Ala., approved new rules for future data center development, requiring public project reviews and special permits before construction. Rural Health Funding: U.S. Rep. Barry Moore highlights $144 million in rural health grants for Alabama, aimed at expanding telehealth, emergency and maternal care, and workforce training. Insurance & Cost of Living: Alabama’s Department of Insurance approved 2027 ACA individual-market premium rates, with average increases ranging from 11.4% to 33.8% by carrier. Public Safety & Fraud: Lanett ranked among Alabama cities with scam reports in July, while Alabama officials also warned residents about cattle-sale scams on social media. Food Safety: An E. coli outbreak tied to frozen blueberries has grown to 17 cases, with Alabama among states that received recalled product. Community & Culture: Theatre UAB’s “Red Flags” show will tour Alabama schools to help teens spot relationship-violence warning signs. Sports: Alabama hired Alex Accetta, the wife of Nate Oats, as director of program relations for the Crimson Tide men’s basketball program.

Cybersecurity & Courts: Alabama appellate courts are investigating whether sensitive court-record information was accessed after Thomson Reuters’ West Publishing C-Track platform incident, with officials saying Alabama systems weren’t compromised but some records may have been affected, potentially including Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, medical and sealed/redacted details. Local Business & Jobs: Coca-Cola Bottling United is opening a new $300M+ Birmingham headquarters, bringing about 750 employees under one roof and upgrading distribution and sales operations. Energy & Cost of Living: Alabama Power says a system update will temporarily block online/app account access until Sept. 7, and it’s also urging customers to cut cooling costs by adjusting thermostats, sealing windows/doors, and using efficient filters and LED bulbs. Public Safety & Privacy: East Alabama lawmakers heard concerns about Flock license-plate cameras, including worries about privacy and how long data is stored or whether it can be sold, with discussion expected in next year’s legislative session. Health & Consumer Alerts: Walmart shoppers in 16 states are affected by an expanded recall of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend over possible E. coli contamination. Crime: Mobile investigators arrested neurosurgeon Shawn Broxton Clark on charges tied to possession and production of child pornography. Community & Culture: Fans are demanding answers after Kehlani’s Birmingham concert at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater was canceled days before the show.

Education & Workforce Pipeline: Northwest Shoals Community College and the University of North Alabama signed an articulation agreement to let Career Tech grads in computer, industrial systems, salon/spa, and welding transfer into UNA’s bachelor pathway—plus transfer scholarships and a 20% tuition discount. Drinking Water Policy: Rep. Gary Palmer opened a House Environment subcommittee hearing on reauthorizing drinking water programs, including how data centers are adding pressure on water infrastructure. Cybersecurity & Courts: Kentucky officials say a Thomson Reuters court filing system breach was tied to a cybersecurity incident, with unauthorized access to sensitive court data across multiple states, including Alabama. Alabama Economy: Alabama collected $1.4B in individual income taxes in Q1 2026, up 3.3% from the prior quarter, according to Census Bureau figures. Agriculture Scam Warning: Alabama agriculture officials warned cattle buyers about fake social media listings, including AI-generated images, urging buyers to verify before paying. Local Growth & Jobs: Central Alabama Community College’s Prattville campus reported a 470% enrollment increase since 2022 and outlined major planned investments. Sports Legal Fight: The SEC sued LSU in federal court over LSU’s plan to roster former NFL players, escalating the conference’s crackdown ahead of LSU’s season opener.

Cybersecurity: Thomson Reuters says an unauthorized party accessed backup data in its C-Track case management system, hitting court systems in Alabama and 10 other states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada—officials warn some records may include names and personal info. Local Politics/Policy: Doug Jones renewed calls for a data center moratorium in Alabama, arguing Sen. Tommy Tuberville has financial ties to the industry and pushing for stronger statewide rules. Education & Speech Rights: Student media groups, including Alabama outlets, backed an amicus brief in the Eleventh Circuit supporting student magazines in the Alice/Nineteen Fifty-Six dispute over whether university-funded publications count as “government speech.” Community & Safety: Uniontown received a $100,000 garbage truck donated by Waste Connections to help tackle ongoing trash problems. Health/Access: Russellville Hospital received $1.29 million through Alabama’s Rural Health Transformation Program to expand rural care. Trade: Rep. Terri Sewell announced Congress passed a two-year AGOA reauthorization through 2028, extending trade ties with Africa.

Local Culture & Tourism: North Little Rock’s atg Pavilion is set to open in October, adding a covered events space and sculptures honoring Arkansas music legends. Food & Agriculture Politics: A Trump order allowing 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free foreign ground beef for 90 days has sparked backlash from Alabama cattle leaders and Rep. Shomari Figures, who says it could hurt local farmers. State Government & Taxes: Alabama DOR issued guidance for employers on withholding Alabama income tax for remote and traveling workers, stressing withholding only for wages tied to services physically performed in Alabama. Public Safety & Courts: A Pennsylvania trooper’s family filed a federal civil suit tied to a fatal I-81 crash, naming an Alabama trucking company and a Texas freight broker. Business & Growth: Norfolk Southern finished Alabama rail upgrades to boost freight capacity and improve access to the Port of Mobile. Community Spotlight: Autauga County honored Extension leaders for statewide achievements, including awards for healthy living and agricultural literacy programs. Workforce & Industry: Gov. Kay Ivey backed a federal crackdown on fraud and illegal activity in commercial trucking, pointing to Alabama’s enforcement efforts. Entertainment: Birmingham’s September calendar is packed with 41 concerts, from major hip-hop and rock acts to country and singer-songwriters.