By Brian Lyman | Editor
August: When the humidity peaks; children return to school, and lawyers go to the Supreme Court to argue about a gubernatorial nominee’s eligibility for office.
The Heflin-Torbert Judicial Building in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, seen on January 24, 2023. The building houses the Alabama Supreme Court and the state appellate courts. (PBrian Lyman/Alabama Reflectorhoto by Name/Newsroom)
ELECTIONS 2026
By Anna Barrett
The Alabama Supreme Court Tuesday set an expedited briefing schedule in a lawsuit over Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility to run for office. The justices set a schedule that will set briefing through the month of August. Plaintiffs in the case allege Tuberville has not met the seven-year residency requirement to run for governor, which Tuberville denies. Associate Justice Greg Cook recused himself.
Members of the Alabama Educational Television Commission listen to a speaker during a meeting on July 21, 2026 in Birmingham. (Andrea Tinker/Alabama Reflector)
EDUCATION
By Andrea Tinker
Members of an authority overseeing Alabama Public Television Tuesday voted to fund an upcoming survey of APT viewer interests using money from a rainy day fund. The decision drew criticism from some members of the governing board and APT staff, who said the fund is supposed to be used for emergency purposes. The survey will be conducted by McLaughlin and Associates, which tends to do work with Republicans.
Investigators work near the Houston location of a fatal ICE shooting July 7. (John Shapley/The Texas Tribune)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
By Tim Henderson, Stateline
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Monday made more than 43,000 arrests in June and daily immigration arrests reached nearly 1,600 in early July amid a detention push that has led to deaths in traffic stops. June’s numbers were higher than those reported in December, which included Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis. If July’s numbers maintain their current pace, there would be about49,000 arrests by month’s end.
ICYMI
Trump proposal will turn federal grants into a system of political favors, Democrats warn | Amelia Twyman, DC Bureau
Private investment in youth sports draws state, federal scrutiny | Anna Claire Vollers, Stateline
Brennan Center report predicts mass voter challenges likely in midterm elections | David Lightman, DC Bureau
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