AGP Executive Report

Extreme Heat Safety: Central Alabama remains under First Alert Weather Days and heat advisories through Monday, with heat index values often topping 105–110°F and only low storm chances—officials urge hydration, shade breaks, and extra care for pets. Public Health at Events: At Fultondale’s Founders Day Festival, UAB Heart and Vascular staff handed out water, checked blood pressure, and taught CPR as organizers worked to keep people safe in dangerous temperatures. Coastal Conservation & Community: The Alabama Black Belt Birding Festival was named the first “Black Belt Signature Event,” with a $5,000 grant to support conservation and education efforts tied to birding tourism. Surveillance Backlash: Flock Safety cut its license plate reader retention from 30 days to seven after community pushback, while still letting agencies set their own rules. Water & Health Monitoring: A Coosa River swim guide flagged multiple sites with high E. coli levels, underscoring ongoing water-quality concerns for recreation. Missing Boater Search: Crews are searching for a missing man after a fishing boat was found adrift on Wheeler Lake.

Dangerous Heat: Alabama is under another stretch of extreme summer heat, with Heat Advisory warnings across central and north Alabama and heat index values pushing toward 105–110°F, plus only low rain chances and guidance to limit outdoor time, hydrate, and watch for heat illness. Public Health—Coastal Bacteria: Health reports highlight rising “flesh-eating” Vibrio vulnificus risk in warm brackish Gulf waters, with cases and deaths reported in the region and warnings tied to exposure through wounds and raw shellfish. Local Environment & Water Safety: Search efforts continue for a missing boater after a fishing boat was found adrift on Wheeler Lake in Lauderdale County, underscoring ongoing risks on Alabama waterways. Conservation & Community: The Alabama Black Belt Birding Festival was named the first official “Black Belt Signature Event,” with a grant supporting conservation, education, and rural tourism. Data & Privacy: Flock Safety cut automated license plate reader retention from 30 days to seven after community backlash, renewing debate over surveillance and public oversight. Workforce/Industry: DeKalb Works received an Innovate Alabama Network designation to expand talent attraction and workforce development in DeKalb County.

Coosa River Water Quality: Coosa Riverkeeper’s Week 13 Swim Guide found high E. coli at four recreation spots in northeast Alabama, including Little Canoe Creek, Big Wills Creek, Cheaha Creek, and the Highway 77 Boat Ramp—with some sites staying high for a second week. Public Health & Heat: Alabama health officials and the National Weather Service warned of dangerous heat across the state, with heat index values pushing toward 110° and heat advisories continuing through the weekend. Gulf Coast Bacteria Alert: Reports highlight a flesh-eating bacteria surge tied to warm coastal waters, with Alabama public health urging residents to take precautions. Local Transparency Fight: In Somerville, residents trying to stop a planned 50-megawatt Bitcoin mining center say they’ve traced ownership through a web of companies tied to a Texas man, raising concerns about transparency. Coastal Cleanup Call: Organizers are seeking volunteers for the 39th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup this September, keeping pressure on shoreline protection efforts.

Dangerous Heat: West Alabama is under a Heat Advisory through Aug. 15, with heat index values topping out around 110 and staying dangerously high into the weekend and early next week. Public Health: The Alabama Department of Public Health is urging residents and schools to recognize heat illness warning signs and take precautions. Coastal Cleanup: Volunteers are being recruited for the 39th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 19, running 8 a.m. to noon across beaches, bays, parks, and storm drains. Reef Restoration: Alabama’s oyster-shell recycling program is continuing to return discarded Gulf Shores restaurant shells to coastal waters to rebuild oyster reefs. Wildlife Protection: An Iowa man faces 124 charges after allegedly capturing protected flattened musk turtles in Winston County, a species found only in Alabama. Data Center Accountability: PSC nominee Sheila McNeil is pushing a regional review plan for large data centers to assess electricity, water, and infrastructure impacts before approvals. Conservation Honors: Sen. Katie Britt and Commissioner Chris Blankenship received Alabama Wildlife Federation conservation awards.

Extreme Heat Safety: Alabama Department of Public Health is urging residents to recognize heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke as dangerous heat and high humidity persist, with heat index values pushing into the low 100s and beyond. School & Sports Precautions: Pike Road high school football practices are shifting to earlier hours, with misting fans, cold tubs, and emergency action plans in place as triple-digit temperatures hit the River Region. Public Health Warnings: UA physician Brett Bentley says students and rush participants should hydrate and use light clothing and fans, noting heat index risks can spike further at stadium events. Wildlife Protection: In Winston County, an Iowa man faces more than 100 charges tied to taking protected species, including flattened musk turtles, as advocates warn that pollution and poaching threaten Alabama’s rare river life. Gulf Coast Disease Watch: Health updates highlight continued concern over flesh-eating Vibrio vulnificus infections across the region, with Alabama reporting cases and at least one death. Land & Power Dispute: John Rich is backing a Shelby County landowner challenging Alabama Power’s eminent domain easements, arguing the process is unfair to property owners. Community Cleanup: Volunteers are being invited for the Alabama Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 19, aimed at reducing trash before it reaches waterways.

Extreme Heat Watch: Alabama health officials issued warnings as dangerous heat returns, with heat advisories in multiple counties and “First Alert Weather Days” as heat indexes push toward 110°F. Public Health—Vibrio vulnificus: Gulf Coast states report a spike in “flesh-eating” Vibrio vulnificus cases and deaths; Alabama health updates urge people to avoid seawater with open wounds and seek care fast if symptoms appear. Food Safety—Salmonella: Whole Foods recalled prepared foods made with jalapeños tied to a salmonella outbreak, adding to a wider wave of jalapeño-related recalls. Local Land & Water Concerns—Data centers: Former Sen. Doug Jones spoke at a Lowndes County community meeting opposing a hyperscale data center, arguing for transparency and local guardrails; residents also continue pushing back on Alabama’s patchwork zoning rules. Energy & Environment—Feral hogs: A federal push to control feral pigs highlights ongoing damage to crops, water quality, wildlife habitat, and livestock. Biodiversity Discovery: Scientists reported a new eyeless, colorless cavefish species found beneath Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, underscoring how much remains hidden in Alabama’s underground ecosystems.

Public Health—Heat: Alabama is under heat advisories through Friday, with heat indexes pushing past 105° daily and weekend highs near/over 100°; officials urge hydration, frequent breaks, and watching for heat cramps, exhaustion, and heat stroke. Public Health—Cyclospora: Cyclosporiasis cases in Alabama have topped 100 (106 confirmed), with 67 in North Alabama and most linked to a Mexican restaurant chain. Public Health—Gulf “flesh-eating” bacteria: Alabama health officials are warning swimmers about Vibrio risk along the Gulf Coast, stressing that bacteria can enter through open wounds and advising people to avoid coastal water with skin openings. Community & Environment—Coastal cleanup: Volunteers are being recruited for the 39th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 19 in Baldwin, Mobile, and Escambia counties. Local Environment & Recreation: Oak Mountain State Park opened the Jack Hammer Trail, a new backcountry mountain bike path built by BUMP with support from Innovate Alabama and the Shelby County Commission. Housing & Health—Renters’ rights: Legal Services of Alabama highlights growing reports of landlords cutting power or failing to fix serious issues like mold and broken systems, and explains what tenants can do.

Extreme Heat & Public Health: Alabama is under multiple heat advisories as heat index values push to 105–110°F through Friday, with ADPH urging residents to watch for heat cramps, exhaustion, and heat stroke and to take frequent breaks in shade or air conditioning. Heat Safety for Kids: A national update reports more child hot-car deaths, highlighting the need for simple, consistent safety habits. Heat + Storm Outlook: Forecasters warn of a marginal severe storm risk in north and east Alabama while a stronger ridge keeps hot, humid conditions locked in. Mobility Access Outdoors: Lake Guntersville State Park added a TVA-funded all-terrain Trackchair to help visitors with mobility challenges explore trails and natural areas. Local Infrastructure: ALDOT began resurfacing State Route 102 in Fayette County, with a pilot car guiding traffic through the work zone. Manufacturing & Jobs: 2A USA announced a $32 million Auburn expansion creating 50 jobs, boosting aluminum die-casting and machining capacity for heavy trucks. Defense Tech in North Alabama: Lockheed Martin and L3Harris reported major propulsion test milestones for the Next Generation Interceptor program being built in Courtland.

Heat & Public Health: The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory for Wednesday, Aug. 12, with heat index values pushing into the mid-to-upper 100s across parts of Alabama, urging residents to hydrate, limit sun exposure, and check on neighbors and pets. Walkability & Safety: Huntsville is seeking public input on changes along University Drive in three areas to improve pedestrian safety after deadly crashes, with residents pushing for proposals that actually translate into safer streets. Accessible Recreation: TVA funding helped expand outdoor access at Lake Guntersville State Park with a new mobility all-terrain vehicle for visitors who use wheelchairs. Water & Pollution Governance: Alabama’s new dredging law is sparking a state-versus-federal fight over Mobile Bay material management, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers saying state rules don’t control the federally maintained navigation channel. Data Centers & Waterways: Brookwood residents and advocates are raising concerns about a proposed data center after an Alabama environmental permit, pointing to potential impacts on Hurricane Creek and nearby tributaries. Local Energy/Industry Conflict: In Somerville, utility work has started for a Bitcoin mining site despite a county moratorium, highlighting limits on local enforcement in rural areas.

Data Center Scrutiny in Brookwood: Residents and environmental advocates are pressing Brookwood officials for answers after ADEM approved a permit tied to a proposed massive data center near Hurricane Creek and Brookwood Middle School, raising worries about watershed impacts and power demand. Coastal Oversight in Gulf Shores: Gulf Shores City Council will review an agreement with ADEM tied to the Alabama Coastal Area Management Plan, pairing coastal stewardship with public safety recognitions. Public Health Warning—Flesh-Eating Bacteria: Gulf Coast health officials issued urgent guidance as deaths from Vibrio vulnificus continue to rise, urging beachgoers to treat small cuts and seek prompt care. Heat and Storm Alerts: The National Weather Service issued a Level 1 severe weather risk for parts of northeast Alabama with damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, alongside a Heat Advisory for Cherokee, Etowah and Calhoun counties with heat index values near 105. Oyster Restoration Funding: Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council is seeking project ideas for RESTORE Act funding aimed at restoring natural resources, wetlands, fish and wildlife, and flood protection.

Brookwood Data Center Scrutiny: Neighbors and environmental advocates in Brookwood say a new ADEM-permitted data center could harm Hurricane Creek and raise power-grid and water-shed concerns, while residents complain about limited transparency and unanswered questions to Mayor Joe Barger. Public Health—Infant Safety App: Alabama’s ADPH launched the Wiregrass Infant Net for Safety (W.I.N.S.) app, adding back-seat hot-car alerts, safe-sleep games, vaccine reminders, and recall/weather alerts for caregivers in pilot counties. Heat & Climate Records: NOAA reported July 2026 as the hottest month ever recorded in the Lower 48, underscoring intensifying heat extremes. Gulf Coast Health Risk: Officials warn about vibrio vulnificus, a “flesh-eating” bacteria in warm brackish waters; deaths were reported in Florida and Louisiana. Local Governance—Jasper Encampment Rules: Jasper adopted an ordinance adding buffer zones for camping/encampments near sensitive sites like water and wastewater facilities and K-12 schools. Weather Watch: The Farmers’ Almanac’s 2026-27 outlook for Alabama points to a stormier pattern with rain chances and temperature swings, with snow still uncertain.

Public Health & Food Safety: Taylor Farms recalled ready-made foods with fresh jalapeños that could be contaminated with salmonella, with distribution reaching Alabama and many other states. Coastal Health: Vibrio vulnificus, a warm-water “flesh-eating” bacterium, has killed at least seven along the Gulf Coast this year, including cases tied to Alabama’s Orange Beach. Heat & Storms: Alabama faces more scattered storms and dangerous heat, with heat indices near 100 and possible advisory-level conditions later in the week. Local Housing Safety: An Alabama tenant sued after Homewood condemned much of an apartment complex, citing mold, rats, sewage problems, and displacement. Ovarian Cancer Disparities: A University of Pittsburgh study links neighborhood social vulnerability to higher death risk after ovarian cancer diagnosis, with Black women facing even greater risk. Education & Health Workforce: Alabama opens its first residential healthcare high school, with classes starting in August while a Demopolis campus is built. Shoreline Restoration: Gulf of America Alliance and 1PointFive back a living shoreline project using oyster shell and native marsh grass to reduce erosion in Texas. EMS Care: A new look at stimulant prescribing argues EMS schedules don’t match traditional clinic models, raising safety and fatigue-management concerns.

Courthouse Health Fight: Greene County courthouse workers say years of rat infestations, faulty air-conditioning, and a leaky roof made them sick, and Alabama’s Supreme Court ordered the case to move forward on whether an insurance fund must defend the county commission. Mississippi-to-Alabama Gas Build: FERC has granted construction permission for the 208-mile Mississippi Crossing Project, a natural gas pipeline crossing 10 counties and ending in Butler, Alabama—bringing jobs and raising environmental concerns for Delta residents. AI Power Pollution Watch: Amazon confirmed it’s backing a large on-site natural-gas power plant for its Pecos County data center, with filings showing potential emissions up to 33 million tons of CO2 a year, reigniting scrutiny of the company’s climate pledge. Norwood Hospital Eminent Domain: Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill allowing the state to seize Norwood Hospital property via eminent domain and transfer it to a qualified nonprofit, after flood damage left the project stalled. Waterway Cleanup: Hundreds of volunteers joined the 16th annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup along Valley Creek in Jefferson County, removing trash before it reaches the water. Weather & Heat: Central Alabama stays in a classic August pattern—hot, humid days with scattered afternoon storms and frequent lightning risk.

Climate & Energy: Alabama regulators are considering lowering allowed profits for Spire Alabama and Spire Gulf for the first time in 40 years, after the AG couldn’t reach an agreement on the rate of return—an issue that could affect utility costs and how quickly upgrades happen. AI Data Centers & Health/Water Concerns: Rep. Terri Sewell is backing a temporary moratorium on new large AI data center construction until federal safeguards are in place, citing risks to water, energy, and local communities. Coastal Restoration: Alabama’s ADCNR won $7.1 million in Deepwater Horizon NRDA funds for an oyster reef resilience project that links brood reefs to sink reefs to boost oyster abundance and survival across habitats. Water Quality: Hundreds of volunteers joined the 16th annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup along Valley Creek, removing trash before it reaches waterways—part of a long-running effort that has removed 16 million pounds since 2000. Weather & Heat: Central Alabama is stuck in a classic August pattern: low-90s heat, heat indexes near 104, and scattered afternoon storms with lightning and locally heavy rain. Local Infrastructure: ALDOT announced intermittent I-65 north lane closures in Lowndes County starting Aug. 11 for road repairs.

River Cleanup: Hundreds of volunteers joined the 16th annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup along Valley Creek in Jefferson County, pulling trash from roadsides and the waterway; the effort has removed 16 million pounds of debris since 2000. Data Center Climate Concerns: A Texas Amazon data center plan includes a permitted on-site natural gas power plant that could emit 33 million tons of CO2 a year, raising alarm about whether AI-driven growth will undercut climate goals. AI Guardrails in Alabama: U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell backed a temporary pause on new large AI data center construction until federal safeguards are set, citing risks to water, energy, and local communities. Oyster Restoration Funding: Alabama’s ADCNR received $7.1 million from Deepwater Horizon NRDA funds for a reef-connection project aimed at boosting oyster abundance and resilience. Heat & Storms: Central Alabama faces hot, humid conditions with scattered storms that can bring heavy rain, lightning, and localized flooding.

AI Data Center Moratorium Push: U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell backs a bill to temporarily pause large AI data center construction in Alabama while Congress writes federal safeguards, citing risks to water, energy, and local communities. Coastal Oyster Restoration: Alabama’s conservation agency won $7.1 million for a Deepwater Horizon NRDA project linking brood and sink oyster reefs to boost abundance and resilience across habitats. Mobile Bay Dredging Fight: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refused a public hearing on a Mobile Bay maintenance dredging plan that keeps “mud dumping” as an option, drawing backlash from oyster farmers. Heat & Storms: Central Alabama faces rapidly building heat with scattered storms and a heavy rain/lightning risk through the weekend. School Bus Heat Safety: Shelby County Schools warns most buses lack air conditioning as students return, urging hydration and early, efficient routes. Public Input on Waste: Jasper opened a public comment period for its 2026-2036 solid waste management plan, including recycling and composting options.