By Brian Lyman | Editor
The fight over Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility for governor is now where it was always expected to end up: the Alabama Supreme Court.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, speaks to reporters after voting in the GOP primary in Auburn, Alabama on May 19, 2026 (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
ELECTIONS 2026
By Anna Barrett
Plaintiffs challenging Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility to serve as Alabama’s governor appealed a lower court’s dismissal of their lawsuit on Tuesday. A Montgomery circuit court judge last week said she did not have jurisdiction to rule on the case but did not address the merits of the challenge. The Alabama Supreme Court had not set a briefing schedule as of Tuesday afternoon.
Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey points at a board showing English Language Arts scores from the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program during the Alabama State Board of Education Meeting on July 14, 2026. (Andrea Tinker/Alabama Reflector)
EDUCATION
By Andrea Tinker
Alabama students showed significant gains in science proficiency on this spring’s Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) tests. Fourth, sixth and eighth graders showed gains between 6% and 13%. Alabama Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey credited the adoption of a new science course of study and textbooks for the gains. Reading and math were more mixed, though second and eighth-graders showed improvements.
Jeffery Lee was convicted of the murders of Jimmy Ellis and Elaine Thompson during a pawn shop robbery in 1998. (Alabama Department of Corrections)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
By Ralph Chapoco
Attorneys for Jeffrey Lee, an Alabama death row inmate who successfully challenged his planned execution by nitrogen gas last month, asked a court earlier this month to stop the state from attempting to execute him by lethal injection. The attorneys argue that the state agreed not to execute Lee by lethal injection after settling a lawsuit with him in 2018. The Alabama Attorney General’s Office has until Friday to respond.
ICYMI
Fed Chair Warsh vows to fight inflation even as new CPI report shows 3.5% rise | Ashley Murray, DC Bureau
After 2 deadly shootings, ICE reportedly ordered to end vehicle enforcement stops | Ariana Figueroa, DC Bureau
US Supreme Court needs more security funding amid threats, justices tell lawmakers | Jennifer Shutt, DC Bureau
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