By Brian Lyman | Editor
“I think we always need to listen to the people. And ultimately, it was the weird survey that ended up pointing us in the right direction. But when you listen to people, they’ll remind you what path you need to stay on.” — Pete Conroy, former member of the Alabama Educational Television Commission
Members of the Alabama Educational Television Commission listen to a speaker during a meeting on July 21, 2026 in Birmingham. Gov. Kay Ivey removed five members of the AETC Friday night. (Andrea Tinker/Alabama Reflector)
EDUCATION
By Andrea Tinker
Gov. Kay Ivey Friday dismissed five of seven members of the Alabama Educational Television Commission. The move came after months of arguing on the board over whether to disaffiliate from the Public Broadcasting Service, which some members accused of being hostile to President Donald Trump. A survey released last week found broad support for APT continuing to broadcast PBS programming.
Voters in Lawrence and parts of Colbert and Morgan counties will choose between Trent Ford (left), Angelo Mancuso (middle) and Rep. Ernie Yarbrough (right) to be the Alabama House District 7 representative. (Photos of Ford and Trent courtesy of candidate; Photo of Yarbrough by Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector; Graphic by Andrea Tinker/Alabama Reflector)
ELECTIONS 2026
By Andrea Tinker
Voters in House District 7, taking in parts of Colbert, Lawrence and Morgan counties, will see the only three-way contest in the Alabama House this year. Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, faces independents Trent Ford and Angelo Mancuso. Ford and Mancuso said in separate interviews that they both want to get rid of the grocery tax. Ford also said he wants AI controls, while Mancuso said he wants a trauma emergency room in Lawrence County.
Voters wait in line at First Baptist Church during Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Huntsville, Ala. (Eric Schultz for Alabama Reflector)
COMMENTARY
By Brian Lyman
Preparing our voter guide over the last several weeks meant doing research and visiting over 200 political campaign websites. (Journalism is glamorous.) But amid a seemingly endless stream of photos of candidates posing with their families while apparently stranded in the woods, some patterns became clear. In my column this week, I write about what candidates say and don’t say on those sites tells us about the state of the contest.
ICYMI
Anxiety is growing Trump may try to disrupt the midterm elections. States are prepping. | Jonathan Shorman, DC Bureau
After states sue, Trump administration walks away from disability rights enforcement | Anna Claire Vollers, Stateline
Here's what's driving the Gen Z gender gap | Mariel Padilla, The 19th
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