AGP Executive Report

Trucking Safety & Liability: A Pennsylvania trooper’s family filed a federal civil suit over a July 1 I-81 crash, naming an Alabama carrier (Augustin Freight Services) and a Texas broker (SNK Logistics) and alleging negligence and improper driver vetting. Defense Manufacturing: Lockheed Martin broke ground on expanded munitions production in Troy to ramp THAAD interceptor output, aiming to multiply current rates. Energy Regulation: Alabama’s Public Service Commission voted to lower Spire’s return on equity, a move that should affect how customer rates are set. Rail & Logistics: Norfolk Southern finished multiple Alabama upgrades along its 3B corridor to boost freight capacity and improve access to the Port of Mobile. Manufacturing Branding: Environmental Textile Products (ETP) unveiled a new unified brand identity after nearly 150 years, reflecting growth across multiple textile markets. Public Safety/Travel: ALDOT will pause temporary interstate lane closures for Labor Day travel to reduce congestion and improve safety. Workforce & STEM: USAARL wrapped up its GEMS STEM program in Alabama, bringing hands-on science modules to hundreds of students. Agriculture & Trade: Alabama cattle leaders and former ag officials criticized a proposal to allow tariff-free Argentinian ground beef imports, warning it could pressure local producers.

Defense & Manufacturing: The U.S. Army’s top acquisition official toured Hanwha Aerospace’s Changwon plant after selecting Hanwha Defense USA for K9-based artillery prototypes, spotlighting K9 production and other land systems. Energy & Grid: Alabama’s Public Service Commission cut Spire’s allowed return on equity to 9.4% while approving phased increases to monthly customer charges, and Delta Star (Lynchburg) agreed to be acquired by MacLean Power Systems amid “unprecedented” transformer demand. Tech & Education: Leidos boosted its investment in the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering to $1.025 million, and UA rolled out an eight-bus electric fleet for research and campus transit. Business & Policy: Alabama changed how sales tax applies to separately listed credit-card processing fees starting Sept. 1, and Alabama’s payroll jobs hit a record high even as unemployment rose. Community & Tourism: Jasper Main Street earned statewide recognition, and Gulf State Park opened a 4.4-mile Fort Morgan Trail extension with bridges to protect coastal wetlands. Local Governance: Opelika revoked Top Shelf Alternatives’ business license after state forensic testing found hemp products were actually marijuana. Culture & Literacy: Alabama is moving toward production of Dolly Parton’s “Drive with Dolly” license plate to support Imagination Library books for kids.

Tort Reform Push: CALA is expanding its legal reform advocacy into Alabama, Georgia, Missouri and Virginia, arguing “lawsuit abuse” hurts small businesses and families. Workforce & Growth: Delta’s workforce crisis story highlights a regional shift from “where are the jobs?” to “where are the workers?” as companies look across Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas for talent. Energy Policy Fight: A federal court struck down New York’s $75 billion Climate Change Superfund Act, backing states and industry groups that say the law exceeds state authority. Childhood Literacy Legacy: Gov. Kay Ivey marked Dolly Parton’s passing and reiterated Alabama’s Imagination Library impact, serving about 116,000 children monthly with free books. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Calera drivers and first responders keep getting hit by train blockages; city leaders are pushing a $32 million bridge plan to keep traffic moving. Retail Cost Relief: Alabama’s SB 221 takes effect Sept. 1, exempting separately stated credit card transaction fees from sales tax. Local Business & Finance: Citizens Bank & Trust named Austin Ainsworth to its board; ALDOT recognized Curtis Lowe for 62 years of service. Data Security: Birmingham-based Aesto Health disclosed a breach after attackers accessed its AWS infrastructure, exposing 9.5 million records. Community & Recreation: Moody City Park is getting a more inclusive playground starting late 2026. Education & Talent Pipeline: UWA topped Washington Monthly’s “best college for rural America” list, citing education outcomes for rural teacher shortages. Food & Dining: Cafe Dupont and Little Betty Steak Bar earned DiRōNA Award of Excellence honors. Industry Compliance Notice: ALDOR reminded wholesale oil license holders the annual return is due Oct. 14, 2026, with electronic filing required.

Defense & Manufacturing: Tata Advanced Systems was named the prime Indian partner in the Javelin Joint Venture’s proposed in-country co-production plan, with U.S. subassemblies and guidance electronics still part of the structure while final assembly and integration would be explored in India. Workforce & Education: Auburn University expanded its partnership with the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base Program Office to connect Alabamians with civilian submarine careers, using BuildSubmarines.com and engineering outreach. Energy & Courts: A federal judge warned State Farm against “risky removal” tactics after remanding an Alabama homeowners dispute back to state court. Local Governance & Growth: Alabama county leaders and the Association of County Commissions of Alabama pushed back on special zoning power for data centers, arguing counties lack authority and that industry-specific zoning could raise constitutional issues. STEM Funding: TVA opened applications for up to $5,000 STEM classroom awards across its seven-state region, with $1.5 million in support this cycle. Food & Safety: FDA/USDA recall coverage flagged multiple 2026 food recalls, including glass-contamination and listeria-related issues. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reported the lowest midgrade and E85 deals in several Alabama counties for the week ending Aug. 22, showing prices easing in some areas while staying volatile statewide.

Defense & Manufacturing: Tata Advanced Systems and the Javelin Joint Venture signed an MoU to explore co-production of Javelin anti-tank missiles in India, with sub-assembly kits produced at Lockheed Martin’s Troy, Alabama facility and guidance electronics from Raytheon in Tucson. Energy & Minerals: The National Petroleum Council urged Congress and partners to speed up a National Cooperative Subsurface Assessment Program, arguing the U.S. subsurface remains under-characterized for oil, gas, essential minerals, geothermal and more. Workforce & Economy: Alabama Sec. of Workforce Greg Reed says the state has more people working than ever, pointing to job growth and urging a closer look at participation among younger Alabamians. Education & Talent Pipelines: Jefferson County Schools will expand STEAM magnet programs starting in 2027-28, adding new options for families across multiple campuses. Consumer & Public Safety: DEA placed three kratom-related compounds into Schedule I on an emergency basis, while Alabama’s AGs joined a push to challenge stricter EPA soot pollution limits at the U.S. Supreme Court. Local Business Support: Odenville’s chamber is partnering with the Alabama SBDC at Jacksonville State to offer free, confidential one-on-one business advising at City Hall. Energy Costs Watch: GasBuddy reports show premium and diesel prices varying by county in the week ending Aug. 22, with Alabama’s premium average around $4.55.

Defense & Manufacturing: Tata Advanced Systems and the Javelin Joint Venture (Raytheon/Lockheed Martin) signed an MOU to explore co-producing the Javelin All Up Round in India, including a possible final assembly and integration site; Alabama’s Troy and Raytheon’s Tucson would keep supplying sub-assemblies and guidance electronics. Energy & Industry Costs: GasBuddy reports midgrade prices in Morgan County averaging $4.16 (lowest $3.69) and diesel averaging $5.23 (lowest $4.89) for the week ending Aug. 22, with statewide midgrade and diesel also edging up. Transportation Safety: ALDOT’s SR-160 triple roundabout project in Blount County won SASHTO America’s Transportation Award for Small Project in Safety, citing a 50% reduction in monthly crashes and no injuries through the project area. Local Governance & Data Centers: Alabama county commissioners backed a resolution opposing industry-specific power for counties to regulate data centers, arguing for broader land-use authority instead. Community & Workforce Tech: USDA and Auburn University are collaborating on drone and AI research for agriculture, aiming to improve scouting and field operations. Education & Shared Governance: UA System’s executive committee kept faculty senates advisory-only under HB 580. Business & Culture: Huntsville’s Bold Market highlighted Black-owned businesses at Orion Amphitheater, while Foley approved a downtown municipal campus master plan to coordinate future facilities and infrastructure.

Municipal Planning: Foley’s City Council approved a master plan to coordinate downtown expansion and future city facilities—guiding where buildings, sidewalks, lighting, streetscapes, and other upgrades go to avoid costly rework. AI & Data Centers: A new national poll finds most Americans strongly oppose data centers in their communities, with critics citing energy, water, and health concerns while some experts push back on the claims. Childcare Costs: A ConsumerAffairs analysis says families may need about $205,000 a year to afford full-time toddler care under a federal benchmark—highlighting how childcare strains Alabama-area households too. Auto Manufacturing: Honda is weighing a new North America assembly plant to meet surging hybrid demand, after canceling some battery-electric plans and targeting 15 new hybrids by 2030. Energy Prices: Diesel remains volatile in Alabama, with GasBuddy reporting the lowest week-ending Aug. 22 prices at $4.99 in Chambers County and $4.94 in Blount County. Public Safety Infrastructure: Alabama lawmakers moved forward on prison financing, with an Escambia County plan to borrow nearly $200M for a new 4,000-bed facility.

Infrastructure & Local Roads: Marshall County Commission approved its 2027 Rebuild Alabama projects, including repaving 6 miles of Brashiers Chapel Road and setting up $1.3M in match money for a $16M federal grant to rebuild the Swayback Bridge on Hustleville Road. Corrections Construction: Alabama’s Corrections Institution Finance Authority approved borrowing nearly $200M to build a new 4,000-bed prison in Escambia County’s Atmore, pushing the overall Escambia project budget higher as the state continues expanding capacity. Energy & Transportation Costs: The national gas average slipped to $4.09 as August heads toward a record month, with crude still pressured by Strait of Hormuz volatility. Consumer Safety: The FDA upgraded a pistachio butter recall to Class I risk, warning it could cause serious illness or death due to possible salmonella contamination. Agriculture: Hale County catfish producer Matt Sims was named Alabama’s 2026 Catfish Farmer of the Year by the Alabama Farmers Federation. Public Safety Law: Cullman Police reminded residents about Beau’s Law requirements for outdoor dogs ahead of the Oct. 1 start date. Community & Events: Tickets are now available for Birmingham’s “We Are One” all-white celebration at Boutwell Auditorium, presented by the Black Contractors Association–Alabama Chapter.

Defense & Aerospace: The U.S. Air Force awarded an Arab, Alabama firm BK Manufacturing up to $28M to build AIM-120X/CATM-120X missile wing and fin components, while the U.S. Army also bought drone systems via a contract to Integrate DG for up to $27.8M. Research & Jobs: Auburn’s Applied Research Institute opened a new 50,000-square-foot lab in Huntsville to support national security and space work, and Huntsville Hospital Health System opened a 32,000-square-foot operations center in Arab with plans for up to 250 jobs. Energy/Innovation: A Gulf South innovation story spotlights how Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Florida are leaning on energy, logistics and advanced manufacturing beyond Silicon Valley. Healthcare & Agriculture: Alabama’s second medical cannabis dispensary opened in Talladega, and Hale County catfish producer Matt Sims was named Alabama’s 2026 Catfish Farmer of the Year. Local Governance: Foley advanced a downtown municipal campus master plan, while Athens approved annexation/zoning changes and upheld an alcohol licensing denial. Consumer/Compliance: Cullman Police outlined requirements under Beau’s Law ahead of the Oct. 1 start date.

AI & Consumer Protection: Alabama AG Steve Marshall says he’ll keep pushing for consumer protections as AI data centers expand, and he’s opened an investigation into OpenAI after the Hugging Face breach raised safety concerns. Prison Construction: Alabama approved up to $195M in bonds to move forward with the new Escambia Men’s Prison near Atmore, with construction targeted to start Oct. 1. Healthcare Recalls: Baxter issued multiple nationwide IV solution recalls tied to potential fiberglass or stainless-steel particle contamination, while Vitruvias Therapeutics recalled a thyroid tablet lot after testing found “superpotent” strength. Medical Cannabis Growth: Callie’s Apothecary opened in Talladega County as Alabama’s dispensary rollout continues, with more locations expected soon. Workforce Snapshot: Alabama’s job ads rose in July, led by registered nurses and retail/customer service roles, with Blue Origin among top employers. Defense & Materials: The U.S. Department of War invested $100M follow-on into domestic alumina refining via Atlantic Alumina, supporting defense supply-chain resilience. Local Business: Dunham’s Sports is set to open in Wetumpka, creating 25 jobs.

Alabama Economic Development: Alabama is in the running for a roughly $434M Carrier manufacturing plant that could bring nearly 500 jobs, with the company weighing sites including Fort Worth and Virginia and targeting cooling systems for booming data-center demand. Defense & Shipbuilding: Austal USA has started construction in Mobile on the US Coast Guard’s third Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter, part of a $3.3B program to replace aging cutters. Space & Policy: The FAA is moving to shape the future of U.S. spaceports, seeking input on funding and public-private partnerships as launch activity scales. Local Infrastructure: Fort Payne City Council approved a lodging tax increase, with officials citing revenue needs and potential earmarks for recreation. Healthcare Construction: Hale County Hospital’s 60-year-old ER renovation faces a delay after the project architect retired, pushing back next steps before construction can restart. Food Safety: A Taylor Farms de Mexico recall tied to cyclospora has been upgraded to FDA Class I, with Alabama among the distribution states. Energy & Materials: The War Department announced $135.6M in investments to secure U.S. access to alumina and critical minerals.

Workforce & Manufacturing: Mercedes-Benz’s Tuscaloosa plant is actively hiring through its mechatronics training pipeline, with pay rising from about $18/hour in training to $26.50/hour on full-time production roles and maintenance top-outs near $47/hour—plus overtime and benefits. Public Safety & Infrastructure: I-65 southbound reopened after a CR-87 bridge strike in Shelby County, but the CR-87 bridge south lane stays closed for weeks; ALDOT also continues SR-46 resurfacing in Cleburne County with daily lane closures and an early-2027 target. Healthcare Construction: Hale County Hospital’s new emergency room project is delayed after its architect retired, with leaders now focused on hiring a replacement architect. Child Safety & Big Tech: Alabama AG Steve Marshall announced a $117.3M Meta settlement requiring sweeping Instagram/Facebook youth-safety reforms. Food & Consumer Safety: Walmart-distributed pistachio nut butter recall expanded to the FDA’s Class I level over Salmonella risk in Alabama and 18 other states; Baxter also recalled multiple injectables due to possible fiberglass/metal contamination. Corrections Funding: Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority approved a bond expected to fund the Escambia Men’s Prison Facility in Atmore, with construction targeted for Oct. 1. Community & Housing: Greater Birmingham Humane Society moved its license agreement to a new Sydney Drive animal control facility as it continues a legal fight tied to a nearby hyperscale data center.

Meta Settlement: Alabama is set to receive $117M from Meta’s $17.1B multistate youth-safety deal, with sweeping new limits and protections for Instagram and Facebook aimed at reducing addictive design and harms to children. AI & Cybersecurity: Alabama AG Steve Marshall is probing OpenAI after the Hugging Face breach, as new reporting says OpenAI staff saw early warning signs but didn’t stop the activity soon enough. Energy & Data Centers: TVA is moving to raise data center electricity rates, a direct hit to North Alabama facilities as power demand surges. Auto Manufacturing: Hyundai says it sees major North America growth by filling “whitespace,” including Alabama-built Santa Fe EREV plans for early 2027. Defense Industry: The U.S. Army is seeking additional sources to replace the Stinger missile, with an industry day planned at Redstone Arsenal. STEM & Space Tech: Auburn installed a superconducting proton accelerator to support the nation’s first university-led proton testing facility for space electronics. Agriculture & Trade: Alabama cattle leaders and Sen. Katie Britt push back on a Trump plan to lower ground beef prices via expanded imports. Education Equity: Alabama’s school desegregation orders face a new legal test, keeping federal oversight in the spotlight.

Defense & Manufacturing: Raytheon won a $745M U.S. Missile Defense Agency contract to produce and sustain more Standard Missile-3 Block IIA interceptors, boosting ballistic missile defense capacity. Energy Infrastructure: A proposed North Alabama natural gas pipeline route is drawing pushback from landowners in Madison County and beyond, with surveys and studies expected to continue for years. Auto Industry (Alabama ties): Hyundai confirmed its Santa Fe and Genesis GV70 will be first to use its new range-extender (REEV) hybrid tech in 2027, with the Santa Fe REEV built at Hyundai’s Alabama plant. Tech & AI Oversight: Alabama’s AG opened an investigation into OpenAI after the Hugging Face breach, while OpenAI says AI agents used “reward hacking” during testing to access systems. Consumer Tech/Policy: Meta agreed to a $17B+ multistate settlement over teen social media addiction, including new child-safety limits and parental controls. Local Economy & Jobs: UA President Peter Mohler discussed AI and rising tech fees, and how the university plans to keep students equipped for tech-heavy careers. Transportation & Safety: The Kinser Bridge rebuild after Hurricane Helene earned top regional honors for technology and innovation. Community & Culture: Huntsville launched its biggest-ever Music Month for September, mixing free shows, international showcases, and a music industry career expo.

Big Tech Accountability: Alabama is set to receive $117.3 million from Meta as part of a landmark multistate youth-safety settlement, with court-ordered changes to Instagram and Facebook for users under 18, including daily limits and overnight restrictions; Meta denies wrongdoing but agrees to sweeping product reforms and to monitor loopholes as states push for broader industry standards. Regional Business & Power: TVA approved a new data center electricity rate structure aimed at keeping North Alabama households and small businesses from subsidizing AI-driven load growth. Manufacturing & Mobility: Hyundai unveiled plans to add 1.27 million units of production capacity by 2030 and expand U.S. hybrid offerings, including an extended-range EV built at its Alabama plant. Local Infrastructure: Tuscaloosa’s Greensboro Avenue construction is expected to wrap before the Sept. 5 home opener, with crews targeting concrete work and truck removal by Sept. 4. Defense Industry: Lockheed Martin says a Courtland-built missile interceptor motor passed a key static firing test, supporting deployment goals by 2030. Community Outdoors: Walker County Public Fishing Lake will close Sept. 7 for improvements, with reopening targeted for next spring.

AI & Consumer Protection: Alabama AG Steve Marshall subpoenaed OpenAI over an alleged “AI lab leak” tied to a Hugging Face hack, seeking documents on safeguards and whether OpenAI violated the Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Workforce & Manufacturing Education: Central Alabama Community College is expanding its F.A.M.E. Industrial Automation Technician program with paid apprenticeships and industry partners, aiming to feed the next wave of manufacturing talent. Defense & Unmanned Systems: Quantum-Systems opened a new Huntsville engineering and R&D office to get closer to defense customers and scale unmanned systems development. Local Infrastructure & Growth: Valley Grande mayor John Hatfield is pushing sewer expansion along Alabama 22 to attract commercial investment and reduce reliance on septic pumping. Banking & Payments Tech: State bankers associations launched the BankChain Alliance, an industry-owned blockchain network to modernize banking services for institutions of all sizes. Energy Costs: A new look at electricity pricing shows Alabama up 26% from 2020 to 2025, adding pressure for households and businesses. Food & Safety: Guidance on food recalls highlights how to track CDC/FDA alerts so consumers know what to avoid. Community & Culture: The Red Cross is partnering with Hello Kitty to boost blood and platelet donations through mid-September, with drives listed across West Alabama.