AGP Executive Report

Economy Watch: Alabama’s unemployment rate inched up to 2.8% in April, from 2.7% in March, while the state hit a new record for wage-and-salary jobs—up 13,200 over the year to 2,211,300. Workforce Push: Workforce officials are urging teens to grab summer work and apprenticeships, pointing to Alabama’s steadier teen employment compared with rising national rates. Consumer Safety: Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup sold in Alabama and 16 other states (plus D.C.) is recalled over possible undeclared shrimp; no illnesses reported, but people with shrimp allergies are at risk. Local Politics: DeKalb County voters picked Ron Saferite as commission president and settled key district races. Labor News: Starbucks workers in Muscle Shoals voted to unionize, the fourth Alabama store under Starbucks Workers United. Sports: NFL MVP Matthew Stafford agreed to a one-year Rams extension through 2027.

Consumer Safety Settlement: Arkansas will receive $3.9M from Family Dollar to resolve claims tied to a rat-infested West Memphis warehouse, after more than 1,000 rodents were found and products were recalled across multiple states. Defense Expansion in Alabama: Lockheed Martin broke ground in Troy on a new THAAD missile production building, aiming to quadruple interceptor output as the Pentagon pushes a munitions surge. Local Travel Boost: Allegiant starts nonstop flights from Louisville to Gulf Shores, with fares reported as low as $45 before fees. Public Health Recall: Kettle Cuisine is recalling Whole Foods Kitchen Minestrone Soup due to undeclared shrimp allergens in cups distributed across 17 states, including Alabama. Sports & Politics: NFL MVP Matthew Stafford agreed to a one-year Rams extension through 2027, while the NAACP renewed pressure with a college football boycott call tied to voting rights concerns.

Cost Relief Push: President Trump moved to loosen a federal refrigerant rule, arguing it will cut grocery costs—an EPA shift that could ripple through how stores and cooling companies operate. Local Outdoors: In Alabama, Frank Jackson State Park in Opp is getting attention as a quieter alternative to the coast, with Lake Jackson fishing and uncrowded trails drawing about 18,000 visitors a year. DNC Fallout: Pressure is building on DNC chair Ken Martin after he released an autopsy report tied to the 2024 campaign, with critics questioning why it was handled so secretively. Sports: Reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford agreed to a one-year Rams extension through 2027, keeping him in L.A. as the team also looks ahead with Alabama QB Ty Simpson. Justice System: Tennessee halted Tony Carruthers’ execution after IV access problems, and the state says it won’t try again for at least a year.

Politics & Voting Rights: The NAACP launched its “Out of Bounds” campaign urging Black athletes and fans to reconsider supporting major Southern college programs in states facing intensified voting-rights rollbacks after the Supreme Court’s Louisiana decision. Alabama Power & Runoffs: Alabama GOP voters rejected one PSC commissioner and sent another to a June runoff, with electricity prices fueling anger. Public Safety: Sheriff Nick Smith lost his re-election bid in Alabama’s primary amid fallout from a jail death investigation. Historic Preservation: The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Chaco’s cultural landscape—and other equality-linked sites including Stonewall and the President’s House—among the nation’s most endangered historic places. Business & Health: Kroger recalled Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons in multiple states over possible salmonella contamination. Local Economy/Defense: Anniston Army Depot opened a new $44M combat vehicle welding facility.

Alabama Runoffs Set After Primary Night: Alabama voters delivered big wins for Tommy Tuberville (84.40%) and Doug Jones (78.62%), but several statewide races fell short of a majority—so June 16 runoffs are coming, including GOP lieutenant governor (John Wahl vs. Wes Allen) and the GOP attorney general race. Crypto Money in the Mix: Fairshake and allies poured about $20M into Southern primaries, backing candidates who either won outright or advanced to runoffs—Alabama’s Barry Moore is headed to a runoff. Voting Rights Pressure on Sports: The NAACP and CBC are urging Black athletes and fans to boycott major public university sports programs in states they say are restricting Black voting power, with Alabama among those named. Education Spotlight: A new push from Gov. Kay Ivey adds a patriotic summer reading challenge for K-8 students, while one analysis points to continued declines in reading scores. Public Health Watch: Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons are recalled in 17 states over possible salmonella risk.

Politics: Trump’s grip on the GOP tightened again after Rep. Thomas Massie lost his Kentucky House primary to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein in a record-spending race, underscoring how quickly dissent can get purged. Alabama Elections: In Alabama’s AG race, Deputy AG Katherine Robertson and former Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell are headed to a June 16 GOP runoff. Local Health Care: Alabama is facing a major nursing crunch, with estimates saying the state could be 14,000 nurses short by next year as hospitals struggle with burnout and retirements. Healthcare Facilities: Crowne Health Care of Mobile earned a 3-star CMS rating in Q1, while multiple other Alabama nursing homes saw CMS ratings ranging from 1 to 5 stars. Economy & Housing: A new trade report ranks Texas as the No. 3 state most reliant on emergency repair workers, with Alabama also listed among the most in-demand. Sports & Culture: Huntsville is honoring blues icon “Microwave Dave” Gallaher with a street and dog park renaming.

Politics/Primaries: Trump-backed Ed Gallrein beat Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky’s GOP primary, a reminder that the president’s influence is still reshaping who wins inside his own party. Alabama Elections: Alabama’s primary results are rolling in as voters pick nominees for governor, U.S. Senate, and key state offices. War Powers: The U.S. Senate voted to take up a measure that would force Trump to end the Iran war or seek authorization from Congress. Health/Consumer Safety: Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons are under a voluntary recall in 17 states over possible salmonella contamination. Local Economy/Jobs: Virginia Transformer says it will build a 600,000-square-foot power transformer plant in Muscle Shoals, aiming to employ about 1,100 people, with production expected in January 2028. Civil Rights: The NAACP and Congressional Black Caucus are urging a college sports boycott tied to voting-rights concerns after a Supreme Court ruling. Science/Health Tech: UAB optometry professors received a patent for a lens design aimed at slowing myopia. Sports: Kentucky’s baseball team is out of the SEC Tournament after a late collapse against Vanderbilt.

Top Story—Election Day: Alabama voters head to the polls Tuesday for primary races across the state, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and photo ID required; the bigger political fight is how much President Trump’s endorsements shape outcomes in Alabama and other key states. Hate Crime Investigation: In San Diego, police are treating a mosque shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego as a possible hate crime; three people died and two teen suspects were found dead nearby, with the FBI now involved. Public Health—Food Recall: Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons are being recalled in 17 states over possible salmonella risk tied to a milk-powder ingredient; no illnesses reported. Local Business—Tuscaloosa Retail: A new Piggly Wiggly is set to replace a closed Winn-Dixie in Five Points, bringing back a familiar grocery anchor. Community & Workforce: Northeast Alabama’s Challenger Learning Center opened with NASA-style STEM mission simulations, aiming to build a local talent pipeline. Roads & Costs: A new look at potholes highlights how deferred maintenance is turning into a real money problem for cities and states.

Memorial Day Guide: Stark County’s Memorial Day plans are rolling out now, with parades and ceremonies scheduled across Alliance, Canal Fulton, Canton, and more communities as the holiday hits May 25. Bomb Threat Arrest: A Robertson County, Tennessee man was arrested in Alabama after authorities say he sent a burner-phone bomb threat targeting workers at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium construction site, prompting work to be canceled for safety. U.S. Attorneys Confirmed: The Senate confirmed Phil Williams and Thomas Govan Jr. as U.S. Attorneys for Alabama, putting two Trump picks into top federal prosecutorial roles. Birmingham Growth: Three $40 million permits were issued for Nebius’s AI data center in Birmingham, set to replace the Regions Lakeshore Operations Center and employ about 100 people. Local Voting Info: Alabama GOP sample ballots are now online for Tuesday’s primary, county-by-county. Healthcare & Research: UAB won a $634,334 grant to advance nutrition strategies for preterm infants, and Coosa Valley Healthcare Center earned a 5-star CMS rating in Talladega County.

Cybersecurity & Education: U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Sen. Bill Cassidy are demanding answers from Instructure after a Canvas breach exposed data tied to about 275 million students, teachers, and families—just as schools hit finals and graduation season. Voting Rights & Alabama Politics: Alabama’s primaries are Tuesday, but only four congressional districts will vote as planned; elections in the other four districts are pushed to an Aug. 11 special primary after a Supreme Court map shake-up that critics say weakens Black voting power. Middle East Markets: World stocks mostly slipped and oil jumped after Trump warned Tehran the “clock is ticking” as U.S.-Iran talks stall, with fresh tensions underscored by a drone strike targeting the UAE’s nuclear plant. Local Health & Safety: In Jefferson County, 33 companies received 33 FDA inspections in 2025, a big jump from the prior year. Housing & Business: In Atlanta, a new affordable housing grand opening highlights ongoing funding partnerships, while Uniti Wholesale expands fiber and colocation builds in Birmingham and beyond.

Voting Rights Act fallout: Protesters in Selma and Montgomery rallied after the Supreme Court gutted a key Voting Rights Act protection, with Alabama lawmakers and other states moving fast on redistricting—raising fears Black-held districts could disappear. Legal & education politics: The American Bar Association voted to remove a DEI requirement from law school accreditation standards, though the change still needs more approvals. Local business & jobs: Crunch Fitness is coming to EastChase in Montgomery, taking over the former Renfroe’s Market space. Sports: The Steelers reportedly re-signed Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal, setting up OTAs with four quarterbacks in the mix. Energy: Alabama Power is urging customers to manage summer bills as demand climbs. Community & culture: Ella Langley won big at the ACM Awards, and Red Clay Strays delivered a gospel-choir-backed “Demons in Your Choir” performance.

Alabama Seafood Spotlight: Four Alabama chefs—Chris Ippolito (Birmingham), Jason McGarry (Montgomery), C.R. “Robbie” Nicolaisen (Auburn), and Emilio Urban (Orange Beach)—are set for a live Gulf seafood cook-off at The Wharf in Orange Beach, turning local catch and farm ingredients into a high-pressure stage competition tied to Sweet Grown Alabama’s push to connect diners with the people behind the food. Local Politics: The Alabama lieutenant governor’s race is heating up ahead of Tuesday’s primary, with nine candidates chasing a role that’s been steadily stripped of power over the years. STEM Startup Win: Auburn senior Joseph Rusk just landed $75,000 in Alabama Launchpad funding for The BreadBoard Company, building hands-on robotics/electronics kits for younger learners. Public Safety Crackdown: Police say they targeted drug and illegal liquor hotspots in Alabama, arresting three suspects in a coordinated operation. Health/Business: Blue Cross Blue Shield’s $2.67B antitrust settlement is beginning payouts, with millions of claimants expected to receive checks.

US Food Safety Alert: USDA expanded a public health warning tied to a dairy recall, adding more frozen pizza and snack varieties—including Mama Cozzi’s Biscuit Crust Pork Belly Crumbles and Cooked Bacon Topping—telling shoppers not to eat and to throw away or return listed items. Hantavirus Response Scrutiny: A top Trump-era hantavirus official, Adm. Brian Christine, is drawing fresh backlash after reports spotlighted his medical background in penile implants and past skepticism of federal health responses. Voting Rights Fight: In Savannah, protesters rallied against a Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act as organizers push “Day One” mass mobilization and map redraw battles across southern states. Local Politics: Alabama’s primary election is Tuesday, May 19, with Perry County voters facing sheriff, county commission, and school board races plus constitutional amendments. Alabama Economy/Industry: Alabama commerce is boosting foreign-investor outreach at SelectUSA, citing $3.6B in foreign direct investment last year and $19B since 2020. Sports & Culture: Michigan landed 4-star RB Tyson Robinson; and in Macon, Phoebe Bridgers is set for a surprise show Saturday.

Public Health: A new study warns mosquito season could be worse this summer in major U.S. cities, with experts pointing to longer seasons from warmer temperatures and rising disease risk. Hantavirus Controversy: CNN is spotlighting the Trump administration’s hantavirus response leader, Dr. Brian Christine, a former Alabama urologist and penile-implant specialist who also hosted a conspiracy podcast—sparking backlash over his public-health background. Alabama Economic Push: Alabama’s Commerce Department is expanding its pitch to foreign investors at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, citing billions in recent direct investment. DEI in Legal Education: The American Bar Association voted to remove a DEI accreditation requirement for law schools, a move tied to mounting political pressure. Alabama Primary Countdown: Alabama’s May 19 primary is next Tuesday, with voters heading to the polls for statewide and local races, plus possible runoffs in June. Local Government: Parrish approved an Economic Development Board to advise on growth and job creation.

Supreme Court & Redistricting: The U.S. Supreme Court tossed Virginia’s emergency bid to revive a congressional map that would have helped Democrats, leaving the broader redistricting fight to keep shifting state by state. College Sports: The Big Ten and SEC drew a line with a major TV-money message to Washington as 26 DI commissioners back a bipartisan SAFE Act aimed at regulating college sports. Public Safety: In Alabama, a deadly train crash site’s planned safety upgrades were canceled years ago, and a Mobile water system says divers found and destroyed a grenade-type IED at a drinking-water dam. Health & Policy: Texas Children’s Hospital agreed to create a “detransition clinic” after a DOJ and state investigation, while a controversial hantavirus response leader faced fresh scrutiny. Local Alabama Politics & Community: Candidates are lining up for Alabama’s lieutenant governor race, and Tuscaloosa’s Northridge Middle earned a National Gold Star School honor. Crime & Courts: An Auburn graduate’s death case moved forward with a manslaughter charge against her boyfriend’s father.

Housing Market: Gen Z is now nearly one in five mortgage purchase requests nationwide, with Birmingham ranking No. 2 at 25.7%—a sign younger buyers are finding openings even as costs stay high. Child Safety Lawsuits: Oklahoma became the 12th state to sue Roblox, alleging the platform “endangering children” through grooming and sextortion, while claiming it marketed itself as safe. Student Loans: U.S. lawmakers grilled Education Secretary Linda McMahon over new federal student-loan borrowing limits for graduate and professional tracks like nursing and teaching, tied to a Trump-signed overhaul. Weather Watch: Forecasters are calling for a warmer-than-normal summer for much of the U.S., meaning more strain on cooling systems. Alabama Water & Safety: Central Alabama Water got a Wall Street boost as S&P removed it from negative watch, while an explosive device was safely detonated after being found in an Alabama drinking-water reservoir. Politics: Alabama’s attorney general GOP primary keeps heating up as candidates lean on national issues and law-and-order messaging.