By Brian Lyman | Editor
“Toforest Johnson is innocent. Now it is up to the courts to overturn his conviction and grant him a new trial. We will keep fighting until he is home with his family.” - Ty Alper, attorney for Toforest Johnson
ELECTIONS 2026
By Anna Barrett
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones says he faces an “uphill chug” as he tries to become the first Democratic candidate to win an Alabama gubernatorial election since 1998. Recent polling has shown him behind Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville. But for Jones, the campaign is just as much about building an infrastructure for the state party as it is winning the contest.
Toforest Johnson is seen in this undated photo. Gov. Kay Ivey Tuesday commuted Johnson's death sentence to life without parole. (Alabama Department of Corrections)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
By Ralph Chapoco
Gov. Kay Ivey Tuesday commuted the death sentence of Toforest Johnson, whose conviction for the murder of off-duty Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy William Hardy has faced years of questions over prosecutorial conduct and the reliability of witnesses. Ty Alper, an attorney for Johnson, praised Ivey’s move and said Johnson’s team would continue to fight for a new trial.
Residents gather in the Charles Smith Annex for a special meeting of the Lowndes County Commission on Oct. 20, 2026, in Hayneville, Alabama. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Anna Barrett
Two residents of Lowndes County have filed a lawsuit against the local county commission, alleging that its approval of a 2,200-acre hyperscale data center last week violated the state’s Open Meetings Act. The suit came before a contentious meeting of the commission Tuesday morning, where members sparred over approval of minutes before a crowd of 125 people.
ICYMI
Commentary: What do we need after Nov. 3? Political imagination. | Brian Lyman, Alabama Reflector
Alabama's SNAP error rate on downward trend, preliminary data shows | Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector
In Alabama congressional races, incumbents hold fundraising advantages | Andrea Tinker, Alabama Reflector
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