By Brian Lyman | Editor
We hope you’re having a restful holiday weekend. Programming note: We’ll have a shorter newsletter tomorrow as our talented staff enjoys the holiday, but we’ll be back to our regular offerings on Tuesday.
Barbed wire seen behind a fence at an Alabama prison. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
By Ralph Chapoco
In a 260-page filing on Wednesday, federal prosecutors asked a federal court to deliver a judgment that Alabama’s prisons violate inmates’ Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment. The filing, coming about two months before a scheduled trial in November, includes evidence and testimony from people incarcerated in the state’s prisons and from former and current Corrections officials.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones speaking at a press conference in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sept. 2, 2026. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
ELECTIONS 2026
By Anna Barrett
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones Wednesday called for strengthening Alabama’s ethics laws and accused Republican nominee Tommy Tuberville of engaging in unethical investments in technology companies with connections to AI and data centers. The move came a day after Tuberville released a data center plan representing something of a step back from his prior enthusiasm. Tuberville’s campaign manager said the U.S. senator employs a broker and “is not making those day-to-day trading decisions.”
The Public Education Employee Health Insurance Plan board unanimously approved a plan to ask the Legislature for a $222 million increase for fiscal year 2028 at its quarterly meeting on Sept. 1, 2026, in the RSA tower in Montgomery, Alabama. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
HEALTHCARE
By Anna Barrett
The state boards overseeing health insurance plans for education and state employees Tuesday took steps to address deficits caused by rising healthcare costs. The Public Education Employees Health Insurance Plan voted to request an extra $222 million from the Legislature next year. The State Employees Insurance Board recommended the first premium increase for state employees in 11 years. However, potentially difficult budgets may complicate their plans.
ICYMI
Commentary: The danger for the Alabama GOP in the data center issue | Brian Lyman, Alabama Reflector
Alabama commission recommends simplifying, standardizing court fees| Ralph Chapoco, Alabama Reflector
California Gov. Gavin Newsom visits Montgomery; public events limited | Andrea Tinker, Alabama Reflector
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