By Brian Lyman | Editor
“There were probably 150 people here on Friday for the public hearing. This morning there were probably only 40 people here for the regular scheduled county commission meeting because no one anticipated, based on the resolution that was on the table, that there would be any vote on this today.” - Lowndes County District Judge Adrian Johnson, on a Tuesday commission approval of a $1.15 billion data center tax break
The commission approved a project proposal and 20-year $1.15 billion tax break for Alabama's largest planned data center on Tuesday amid pushback from residents. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
By Anna Barrett
The Lowndes County Commission on Tuesday approved a 20-year, $1.15 billion tax break for Alabama’s largest planned data center development. The meeting came after what residents describe as a “tense” question-and-answer session with the project’s developer. One future neighbor of the facility said the tax breaks “take your breath away.”
A group of students exit the Alabama House of Representatives after presenting the colors for the Pledge of Allegiance on April 1, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)
ELECTIONS 2026
By Ralph Chapoco
Alabama voters will consider an amendments that would require school boards to adopt policies on the Pledge of Allegiance and student-led prayer, and another that would require schools to broadcast the National Anthem each week. State law already requires recital of the Pledge of Allegiance, and federal law already allows student-led prayer in schools, and some constitutional experts have expressed concerns about the proposals.
Andrew Sneed, the Democratic nominee for Alabama's 5th Congressional District, introduces Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones at a rally at Mars Music Hall in Huntsville, Alabama on Oct. 11, 2026. (Ben Sessoms for Alabama Reflector)
ELECTIONS 2026
By Ben Sessoms
In Alabama’s 5th Congressional District in north Alabama, incumbent U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Madison, faces Democratic nominee Andrew Sneed, a businessman. The district is rated R+15, but Sneed was able to hold his own in fundraising against Strong earlier this year. Sneed says he will work on affordability and political reform and accuses Strong of not responding to constituents. Strong cites tele-town halls he held and his work bringing jobs and federal money to the district.
ICYMI
Commentary: Alabama’s political contests have lost a shared set of facts | Brian Lyman, Alabama Reflector
ADPH encourages vaccination after measles case; no new cases immediately reported | Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector
Enrollment in Alabama’s public community colleges surpasses 100,000 students | Andrea Tinker, Alabama Reflector
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