AGP Executive Report

Military Honors: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency confirmed U.S. Army Pfc. Joseph D. Chancery’s remains, with interment set for Aug. 8 in Atmore, Alabama. Education & Culture Wars: Alabama’s new Ten Commandments display law requires approved posters in 5th–12th grade history classrooms and common areas, starting Jan. 1, 2027. Local Arts & Community: Moulton City Council approved $73,000 for FY27 across five partner organizations, including the public library and mental health and children’s advocacy groups. Sports on the Alabama Radar: ESPN released its 2026 college football broadcast crews, with Fowler/Herbstreit returning and multiple Alabama-game call assignments noted. Music & Entertainment: Alabama Shakes brought new songs and classic soul-rock energy to a Vancouver amphitheatre show. Campus Policy Update: University of Alabama System schools removed explicit LGBTQ+ language from non-discrimination policies, while officials say protections remain under “sex.” Food & Fun: Chick-fil-A quietly debuted four Cream Cold Brew drinks, plus flavored options for its iced coffee.

Nick’s Kids Foundation: Nick Saban and Terry Saban helped headline the annual luncheon in Tuscaloosa, with more than $775,000 directed to local causes. College Football Poll Buzz: Alabama opens the 2026 season at No. 11 in the US LBM preseason Coaches Poll, ending a long run inside the top 10. HBCU Marching Bands: Fans are already debating who will rule halftime in 2026, with Alabama State and Alabama A&M among the top BOTY Division I programs to watch. Free Speech Win at UA: The University of Alabama earned FIRE’s top “green light” rating after policy updates aimed at better protecting protected speech. Ten Commandments Classroom Law: Alabama schools are preparing to implement the new requirement for Ten Commandments displays in history classrooms, with districts weighing how to handle donated materials. Alabama Humanities Alliance Grants: The alliance opened its 2026-2027 Major Grants cycle, offering up to $15,000 for arts-and-humanities projects. Local Arts & Culture: Foley Main Street launched “Friends of Downtown Foley” to fund murals, public art, and live music in downtown.

College Football Buzz: The preseason US LBM Coaches Poll is out, with Ohio State No. 1, Oregon No. 2, and Indiana No. 6 after its title run—while Alabama lands in the mix and Clemson checks in at No. 23. Big Ten Spotlight: Big Ten teams dominate the top 10, including Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana, plus Michigan and Penn State in the teens. Alabama Sports Moves: UAB is launching a new master’s degree in college athletics administration this fall, aiming at the business and higher-ed side of running sports programs. Local Arts & Culture: Alabama Public Television premieres “My Home’s in Alabama: The Randy Owen Story” Aug. 8, spotlighting the Fort Payne-born ALABAMA co-founder. Community Events: Irondale hosts a free Back to School Pep Rally Aug. 4 with supplies, food trucks, and a College & Career Zone. Music & Entertainment: Country singer Riley Green keeps momentum with new releases, while Ella Langley’s rise continues as her success fuels more mainstream attention.

Local Arts & Culture: The Burrow Museum at Wallace State will host a free virtual lecture with Birmingham Museum of Art curator Maggie Crosland on Monet and the history of art, tied to its current “Water Lilies of Light” exhibition. Health Watch: Alabama health officials report a growing Cyclospora outbreak, with 85 cases statewide (78 lab-confirmed) and most concentrated in North Alabama. Food & Community: Zaxby’s is rolling out a limited run of Alabama White BBQ Sauce nationwide, partnering with Alabama native Rob Rausch. Sports (High School): Opelika’s iHeartRadio High School Media Days kicked off the fall season buzz across East Alabama, with AHSAA updates and major private-school athletics changes on the horizon. Pro Sports (Alabama): The KC Diamonds are set to play in the inaugural Professional Softball League Championship in Birmingham at Bill Roberts Stadium. Entertainment & Music: Riley Green teases his upcoming album “That’s Just Me,” while Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner are highlighted for August concert nostalgia.

High School Football (Alabama): West End football kicked off fall practice in Walnut Grove, with photos capturing the grind as the program prepares for preseason action. College Football (Alabama): Alabama’s fall camp is here, and the spotlight is on the QB race between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell after Ty Simpson’s 2026 NFL move. Music & Culture (Alabama): Ella Langley keeps stacking major milestones as “Choosin’ Texas” stays at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and her Dandelion era continues to surge. Local Arts & Community (Alabama): Huntsville released a 2026 music industry economic audit showing $278.2M in output and big job growth tied to city music investments. Food & Pop Culture (Alabama): Zaxby’s is launching a limited-batch Alabama White BBQ Sauce nationwide starting Aug. 4, with Rob Rausch teaming up for the drop. Sports Media (Alabama): Girls Soccer Network’s “The BIG LIFE” podcast returns Aug. 6, following Alabama’s Paige Thompson through the NCAA season. Entertainment (National): Green Day’s new film “Nimrods” leans into band-tour lore and real-life road chaos.

College Football Buzz: Alabama’s 2026 SEC slate gets a spotlight with CBS Sports naming three “elusive” Power Four QBs on its list, including South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, who’s already tangled with the Tide twice. Recruiting Watch: USA TODAY reports all 16 SEC teams are ranked in the top 48 for 2027 recruiting, underscoring how deep the conference is getting. Local Sports & Community: Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed is using the Birmingham Stallions’ exit to push a debated $375M sports complex bond. Arts & Auditions: Appalachian Ballet Company announces auditions for its 2026-27 season (Aug. 15 in Maryville) and marks its 55th anniversary. Museum/Art: Wallace State’s Burrow Museum hosts a free virtual Monet-focused lecture Aug. 7. Food & Family Fun: Sumac Cottage teams up with Alabama Audubon for the Black Belt Birding Festival with an art exhibition, live music, and maker pop-ups.

Data Centers & Local Impact: A free public forum on data center development is set for today in Demopolis, with speakers tackling planning, water, infrastructure, and rural effects. Jazz Spotlight: Newport Jazz Festival’s Saturday finale marked the centennial of Miles Davis and John Coltrane with a tribute led by Kamasi Washington and Chief Adjuah. Golf in Alabama: The U.S. Women’s Amateur spotlight keeps rolling, with Memphis native Rachel Heck heading to Ooltewah for this week’s championship. Art & Culture: Mär Martinez reflects on her artist-in-residence work, weaving themes of power and resilience into tactile, carpet-like paintings. Quirky Dining: Tuscumbia’s Rattlesnake Saloon earned Tasting Table’s “quirkiest restaurant” nod for its cave setting and “saloon taxi” ride. College Sports Shake-Up: The NCAA fires back after a Colorado judge’s eligibility ruling, warning it could spark chaos across college athletics. Softball & Leadership: Alabama pitcher Vic Moten hosts an Elite Softball and Leadership Camp at Daphne High School. Wildlife Watch: Shelby County black bear sightings keep going viral, with experts urging residents to keep distance. Entertainment Calendar: TOTO headlines the Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach as part of the 2026 C Spire Concert Series.

College Sports Shake-Up: A Colorado judge’s class-wide ruling could grant extra eligibility to many 2022 NCAA athletes, triggering a fresh transfer-portal scramble as schools move fast to add roster pieces. Local Sports Spotlight: Muscle Shoals’ Mark Sears hosted his second basketball camp, showing off his Alabama-to-Ohio State-to-UA journey and mentoring kids 5–18. Wrestling Win: Clearfield native Crate Buchanan (Lenox) swept national titles at the Deep South Nationals in Birmingham, going 5-0 with two fall wins. Softball International Cup: USWNT beat China 10-1 in Oklahoma City, ending it early on the run rule. Community & Health: Cullman’s Good Samaritan Health Clinic partners with Alabama Lions Sight for reduced-price vision exams on Aug. 26 and Sept. 30. Wildlife Watch: A black bear sighting in Shelby County neighborhoods is going viral; experts advise keeping distance (about 20 yards) and not approaching. Music & Entertainment: Air Supply brings its “Lost in Love Experience” tour to the Grand Sierra Resort Aug. 9.

College Sports Shake-Up: A Colorado judge’s ruling could reopen eligibility for 2022 class athletes who already used four seasons, with the transfer portal set to open Aug. 3—meaning college rosters may scramble fast. Local Football & Community: Southern’s 2026 preseason practice kicked off under Marshall Faulk, while Alabama fans are also watching offseason chatter around discipline and leadership. Art & Culture: Dyess’ Johnny Cash exhibit, “Ragged Old Flag,” ties the singer’s boyhood story to American history, and Alabama’s art scene keeps buzzing with new shows and community events. Music Calendar: August is packed with must-see concerts and comedy, plus classic-rock nights like Foreigner and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Health & Helping Hands: Cullman’s Good Samaritan Clinic is partnering with Alabama Lions Sight for reduced-price vision exams, and a North Alabama community is rallying for 3-year-old Lexi Harris after a Stage 3 Wilms tumor diagnosis. Wildlife Watch: A black bear roaming North Shelby County went viral, with wildlife officials noting young males can travel long distances. Weather Alert: Birmingham’s First Alert Weather Day calls for strong storms and an isolated flooding risk.

Alabama Sports & Community: Irondale and Trussville police are teaming up for a cornhole tournament Aug. 29 at the Trussville Civic Center to benefit Children’s of Alabama’s Spina Bifida Program. Local Education: Selma City Schools reopened the $17M School of Discovery with a ribbon cutting and open house, adding a new fifth- and sixth-grade campus. College Sports Legal Watch: A Colorado judge granted a class-wide injunction giving some NCAA athletes an extra year of eligibility, potentially shaking up the transfer portal schedule. Homeschool Growth in Alabama: Alabama expanded CHOOSE Act ESA funding options as approved homeschool student counts jumped 70% to 12,367 for 2026-27. Arts & Culture: The Museum of Contemporary Photography is debuting a new Emmett Till exhibition that imagines what his life could have looked like if he’d survived. Music Spotlight: Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” stays No. 1 on the Hot 100, with experts pointing to her faith and authenticity as key to her crossover success. Tech & Privacy: Decatur residents are pushing back over Flock license-plate cameras, saying they weren’t told the surveillance tech had been in place for years. Sports Legacy: Former Chiefs safety Bobby Hunt, a Super Bowl I starter and Alabama Sports Hall of Fame member, died at 85.

Local Weekend Guide: Montgomery Public Schools’ Back-to-School Bash hits the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl, with more events in Prattville and Maplesville, plus bowling fun at Bama Lanes, a Tallassee/Opelika talent stage, a Montgomery Whitewater rodeo, Prattville Water Day, and Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s “Beautiful The Carole King Musical.” Alabama Arts Spotlight: Huntsville’s WARHOL: film, fashion, photography opens July 31 at the Huntsville Museum of Art (runs through Oct. 18). Music & Culture: Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” keeps climbing, hitting a 15-week Billboard Top 100 milestone. Sports (College Football): Alabama QB battle talk heats up as fall camp nears, with one major focus: Austin Mack vs. Keelon Russell. Sports (Pro/Legacy): Tributes continue for Auburn legend Bobby Hunt, a two-way star and Super Bowl I starter, who died at 85. Weather Watch: West Alabama braces for damaging-wind storms Saturday, with gusts up to 60 mph possible. Crime & Courts: A federal sextortion case details alleged targeting of teens nationwide, including nearly a dozen from Alabama.

Tuskegee University Culture Shift: Tuskegee’s new classroom and dining dress code bans hair bonnets and do-rags, sparking debate and drawing comparisons to Booker T. Washington’s pragmatic approach to education. Local Sports & Community: Dothan police and Houston County deputies will wait tables at Texas Roadhouse to benefit Special Olympics Alabama during the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Alabama Arts & Film Buzz: “Hellbilly Hollow,” a new blood-soaked horror film shot at a real Alabama haunted attraction in Vincent, hits theaters Sept. 25. Higher Ed Leadership: Tusculum University names Dr. Sarah Hartman dean of academic operations and Education Division leader. Sports on the Field: Eagles training camp opens with early practice takeaways, while Cowboys rookie Caleb Downs impresses in camp. North Alabama History Project: Decatur-area leaders launch a $20M campaign to build the Northern Gateway to Alabama’s Civil Rights Trail, tied to new museum and legal learning center plans. Tech & Policy: Alabama partners with the DOJ to fight business fraud, spotlighting major tax schemes. Sports Media Moment: ESPN announces a seven-game high school football kickoff slate, including an Alabama matchup in Fairhope.

Local Tech & Policing: The Alabama Sheriff’s Association is backing Flock-style license plate cameras—while urging “good practices”—as the national debate over mass surveillance and constitutional concerns keeps heating up. Sports Betting Rules: Alabama AG Steve Marshall joins 43 states pushing the CFTC to stop treating sports prediction markets as beyond state gambling law. TV in West Alabama: A major West Alabama station shakeup is underway, with CBS moving to a digital subchannel and WTTO set to become an independent station; the CW network lands on Sept. 1. Crime & Tech: Drones and license plate readers helped track down a Florida child-kidnapping suspect to Dothan, Alabama, leading to a safe recovery. College Football Spotlight: Jeremiah Smith says his dream was Alabama before ending up at Ohio State, and he turned down a reported $10M NIL transfer offer. Entertainment & Culture: The 36th Lone Pine Film Festival returns with a genre-mixing lineup, including sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, and westerns. Arts & Fashion: Ralph Lauren’s collaboration with the quilters of Gee’s Bend spotlights Alabama’s living textile legacy. Weather Watch: Central Alabama heat stays dangerous, with Saturday severe storms possible and damaging winds a key threat.

Education & Workforce: Trussville educators and principals spent four days at A+ College Ready’s E3 summer conference (Equip, Empower, Expect More), with subject- and grade-level training for teachers and a matching support session for administrators. Local Development: Birmingham is pitching a $45M plan, led by a $40M Future Ready Career and Innovation Center at the former Arthur School site, with hands-on tracks starting in nursing and physical therapy and expanding later into fields like HVAC and cybersecurity. Arts & Community: The Gordon Gallery is set to open in Water Valley with a grand-opening reception featuring photographer/author Erin Austen Abbott, plus a live funk-and-soul DJ set by Hush. Film Culture: A new opinion piece laments Alabama’s lack of IMAX 70mm access for Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” calling out the elitism and long drives. Sports Spotlight: Lane Kiffin reportedly added former Nick Saban assistant Kevin Sherrer to LSU’s staff, while Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats married former staffer Alex Accetta after a quiet divorce.

College Hoops Spotlight: Auburn’s Stratford Academy standout Dylan Driver is set for her senior season as the Tigers aim to bounce back to postseason play. Coaching Moves: Chattahoochee Valley CC names Marcus Thomas as its men’s basketball head coach. High School Sports Culture: Russell County High earns an AHSAA Sportsmanship Award after a season with no sportsmanship-related fines or ejections. Community & Patriotism: Le Center, Minnesota marks its 250th Birthday Celebration for America with a cannon-kickoff parade and local heritage events. Local Arts Education: Wilcox Gallery Music Studio in Chatom is taking applications for free 2026–2027 piano and violin lessons for ages 7+. Music on the Air: Mobile’s Sunday Jazz Brunch returns on Labor Day weekend after being paused since Catt Sirten’s passing. Entertainment Pop Culture: “American Idol” is renewed for a 25th season, with auditions kicking off Aug. 25 via “Idol Across America.” Wine & Alabama Pride: Crimson Dynasty Wines (UA-linked) earns top Decanter ratings across its portfolio.

Youth Spotlight: Scottsboro High’s Hannah Grace Shelton, an all-A student headed for a medical career, was recognized for leadership and science-heavy honors plus CNA/EKG/PCT training. Local Community & Food: Decatur rallied behind food truck owner Raymond Clay after a pre-opening fire, raising $15K and planning a mid-September comeback. Music & Culture: Huntsville officially renamed a downtown street and dog park for blues legend “Microwave” Dave Gallaher, cementing his impact on the city’s creative scene. Sports & Local Pride: Guntersville junior golfer Ty Hester kept stacking elite junior events, including Alabama state championships and the U.S. Junior Amateur. Arts & Entertainment Calendar: MadLife Stage & Studios hosts The Jake Hughes Band (July 29), and Alif Institute brings Arabic music and dabkeh workshops to Johns Creek (July 29). Community Events: North Alabama’s August festival lineup spotlights everything from the World’s Longest Yard Sale to farm heritage days and dragon boat racing. Education: Madison County unveiled Sparkman Intermediate School, a $45M campus opening Aug. 5 with art and band spaces. Sports Business/Facilities: A national venues push includes Alabama among states seeing new or expanded recreation and aquatics projects in the second half of 2026.