By Brian Lyman | Editor
Happy Sunday, weekend crew. For those of you who get the weekend newsletter: On Thursday we published our voter guide for Alabama’s midterm elections. We’ve got information on every federal race; every contested statewide race and all 140 legislative seats. We hope you’ll find it valuable in this crowded election season.
President Donald Trump dances at the Mitchell Center at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama, on Oct. 2, 2026. (Dan Anderson for Alabama Reflector)
ELECTIONS 2026
By Anna Barrett
Speaking to about 8,000 supporters at a rally at the University of South Alabama on Friday, President Donald Trump asked voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot” for the November elections. The rally came as the war in Iran and rising gas prices have damaged Trump’s popularity in Alabama and around the country. Trump, who has repeatedly claimed the war was near completion since it began in February, said Friday it would end after the midterms.
The skyline of Huntsville, Alabama. (Jeremy Edwards/Getty Images)
ELECTIONS 2026
By Ralph Chapoco
Metro Huntsville is one of Alabama’s fastest-growing regions, thanks to public and private sector jobs and planning to attract families. But growth has increased housing prices and strained roads in the area. In legislative races in and around Huntsville, which could be some of the most competitive this November, plans to manage the region’s growth are prominent in Democratic and Republican campaigns.
As enrollment in the Affordable Care Act in Alabama drops, recent threatened disenrollments could impact the state’s health as a whole, experts say. (Getty Images)
HEALTHCARE
By Anna Barrett
Enrollment in Affordable Care Act plans in Alabama fell nearly 25% after Congress allowed enhanced premium credits to expire. Those numbers could fall still further if the Trump administration carries out threats to disenroll hundreds of thousands of people over what the White House claims is fraud. Experts say that could lead to collateral effects, particularly as the White House’s understanding of fraud may be mistaken.
ICYMI
Commentary: Alabama Republicans may have a Tommy Tuberville problem | Brian Lyman, Alabama Reflector
Steve Marshall, 2 other AGs sue states with shield laws protecting abortion-pill providers | Piper Hutchinson, Louisiana Illuminator
Corey Hill, Ron Sparks face off in race for commissioner of Agriculture and Industries | Andrea Tinker, Alabama Reflector
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