By Brian Lyman | Editor
We’ve got quite a line-up of stories this morning. Let’s jump in.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones (left) and Republican nominee Tommy Tuberville (right) were evenly matched with funding in September according to campaign finance reports. (Jones photo by Andrea Tinker /Alabama Reflector; Tuberville photo by Dan Anderson for Alabama Reflector; Graphic by Andrea Tinker Alabama Reflector)
ELECTIONS 2026
By Andrea Tinker
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones and Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville raised nearly identical amounts of money in September, though Tuberville outspent Jones and maintains an edge in cash-on-hand. In other races for state constitutional offices, Republicans generally outraised and outspent Democratic opponents, except for the race for commissioner of agriculture and industries.
Rep. Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale, walks across the floor of the House of Representatives on Feb. 3, 2026, at the Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
By Andrea Tinker
Rep. Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale, and former Satsuma City Schools Board of Education President Kory Wesley have been charged with attempted human trafficking following what prosecutors described as a sting in court documents filed Monday. Easterbrook was also charged with soliciting prostitution while Wesley faces a charge of eluding an officer. Wesley resigned from the Satsuma board of education Sunday.
President Donald Trump waves to the crowd after speaking at the Mitchell Center at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama on October 2, 2026. (Dan Anderson for Alabama Reflector)
COMMENTARY
By Catherine Dorrough
President Donald Trump’s rally in Mobile Friday came about 11 years after the city hosted the then-presidential candidate’s first large rally in 2015. Catherine Dorrough writes that the changes between those two events were noticeable — not just in the smaller venue last week, but also in the president’s faded and subdued appearance compared to that first rally.
ICYMI
Lawmakers renew contract auditing ADOC compliance with federal sexual assault laws | Ralph Chapoco, Alabama Reflector
US House Dems’ campaign chief predicts they’ll gain majority control in midterms | Jennifer Shutt, DC Bureau
Trump drops longtime aversion to mail-in voting with GOP trailing in polls | Jonathan Shorman, DC Bureau
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