By Brian Lyman | Editor
“There is a direct correlation between how much you pay your lawyers and how bad of a client you are. And the Department of Corrections is an awful client.” - Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, on a $38 million increase to ADOC legal contracts
Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, speaks with reporters on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, after a meeting of the Alabama Legislature’s Contract Review Committee. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
By Ralph Chapoco
Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, blocked two contracts between the Alabama Department of Corrections and a private attorney that could pay the attorney an additional $33 million. Contracts before the Legislature’s Contract Review Committee on Thursday, some of which were approved, would increase pay to Butler Snow attorney Bill Lunsford by a total of $38 million on top of previous payments running in the millions.
A plan for a data center is displayed before Bessemer City Council members during a hearing on Nov. 18, 2025 in Bessemer, Alabama. (Andi Rice for Alabama Reflector)
ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
By Anna Barrett
Data centers are not new in Alabama, but the hyperscale projects proposed around many communities has led to protests and moratoriums. The issue has gotten into state politics as well, with Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville sometimes aggressively embracing them and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones calling for a moratorium. But a law approved by the Legislature this spring may limit what the state can do about them.
An aerial view of the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images)
EDUCATION
By Andrea Tinker
Three schools in the University of Alabama System have removed language including LGBTQ+ individuals in the schools’ non-discrimination policies. The University of Alabama; the University of Alabama Birmingham and the University of Alabama Huntsville all took out the language in last several months. Representatives of UA and UAB said the new language would provide sufficient protections.
ICYMI
Commentary: Doug Jones’ agenda is a reminder: Alabama Democrats have to be bold | Brian Lyman, Alabama Reflector
Alabama Public Service Commission approves solar project supporting data center | Ralph Chapoco, Alabama Reflector
Alabamians to vote on four statewide constitutional amendments in November | Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector
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