By Brian Lyman | Editor
“Protecting children requires clear legal boundaries and automatic defaults that favor children and families.” - Caroline Friedman Levy, clinical psychologist and policy fellow, Center for AI and Digital Policy
Canned foods on grocery store sA sign explaining delays in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the government shutdown is displayed at a Sprouts grocery store in Bountiful, Utah, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. (McKenzie Romero/Utah News Dispatch)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Ralph Chapoco
A study released Tuesday found that over 80,000 Alabamians lost access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after President Donald Trump signed a law last year imposing new restrictions on program eligibility. The number, representing an 11% decline in program participation, also includes 23,000 children. Changes to funding could cost Alabama hundreds of millions of dollars.
Mock medical cannabis tinctures in a display case at Callie's Apothecary in Montgomery, Alabama, on May 14, 2026. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
HEALTHCARE
By Andrea Tinker
A group of conservative activists Wednesday expressed objections to the federal rescheduling of marijuana at a public hearing held by the Alabama Department of Public Health. ADPH in May voted to object to rescheduling because officials said they needed time to determine how it would play out in the state. Rescheduling would move marijuana into a class of drugs deemed to have low to moderate risk of physical or psychological dependence.
Rep. Ben Robbins, R-Sylacauga, speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Commission on Artificial Intelligence and Children’s Safety on July 22, 2026, in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
HEALTHCARE
By Anna Barrett
A group of experts urged a state commission Wednesday to draw up legislation targeting addictive and harmful algorithms and banning the sale of children’s data. The testimony before the Commission on Artificial Intelligence and Children’s Safety also touched on mental health issues among adolescents.
ICYMI
Gov. Kay Ivey signs executive order creating commission to study screen-based learning | Andrea Tinker, Alabama Reflector
Feds have a new teen pregnancy prevention plan: Fertility and ‘reproductive goals’ | Kelcie Moseley-Morris, Stateline
Onetime acting FEMA chief fired by Trump now on track to be confirmed to head agency | Jennifer Shutt, DC Bureau
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