By Brian Lyman | Editor
“We had thought it would probably stabilize this year. We didn't know for sure, but it turns out this year's loss is more than double, or essentially double, what last year's was.” - Eric Mackey, Alabama state schools superintendent
Hurricane Isaias is expected to make landfall on the Gulf Coast late Friday evening. (Alabama Emergency Management Agency)
ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
By Ralph Chapoco
Officials urged residents Thursday to prepare for Hurricane Isaias, expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds and the threat of tornadoes late Friday and Saturday. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the western end of Dauphin Island, and Gov. Kay Ivey ordered visitors to leave southern Mobile and Baldwin counties. In Montgomery, Mayor Steven Reed and U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, urged people to gather supplies and keep phones charged.
Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey speaks to Alabama State Board of Education members in the Gordon Persons Building after the Alabama State Board of Education meeting on July 8, 2025, in Montgomery, Alabama. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
EDUCATION
By Andrea Tinker
Alabama’s public schools may have seen enrollment fall by 12,000 students last year, to about 702,000 students, the second straight year enrollment has declined. The drop could lead to a reduction of 800 teaching units and hurt rural districts in particular, though even fast-growing areas saw declines. Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey said the department will study the data to look for reasons.
Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, stands on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on Feb. 8, 2024 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Ralph Chapoco
The Alabama Ethics Commission Wednesday said that political candidates can use campaign funds to pursue civil lawsuits related to job duties while in office. The opinion came from a request from Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, who has threatened legal action against a political action committee over flyers that targeted him ahead of the May primary. Simpson said Thursday he had not made a decision about litigation.
ICYMI
Judge extends temporary access to White House for news organizations Trump banned | Jennifer Shutt, DC Bureau
Aging workforce, immigration crackdown are depleting skilled workers | Tim Henderson, Stateline
Voters in midterm elections identify a culprit for rising cost of living: Trump’s tariffs | Ashley Murray, DC Bureau
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