Alabama Politics This Week

This episode tackles the political fight over public safety in Montgomery, with Mayor Steven Reed pushing back on what he describes as performative fearmongering and a proposed state “takeover” of city policing. Reed argues the rhetoric doesn’t match the data, says Montgomery has already been collaborating with other agencies, and calls for practical support—funding, recruitment help, cameras, and common-sense gun policy—rather than power plays.The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Tafeni English-Relf joins to preview Affordable Alabama Advocacy Day and lays out the affordability pressures hitting residents—from utilities and childcare to housing, healthcare access, and the criminalization of unpaid garbage fees—framing the state budget as a moral document with real consequences. The hosts close with the “bonehead” segment aimed at Kash Patel and what they call the ongoing reality-show style of national politics bleeding into everything.RESOURCES & SOCIALS🔵 Bluesky: @alpoliticsthisweek.com⚫ X/Twitter: @alathisweek🔵 Facebook: facebook.com/alathisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your nameABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

Josh and David cover a wide-ranging week in Alabama politics—mourning Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy, blasting a “chemtrails” bill as unserious policymaking, and venting about environmental rollbacks they say trade Alabama’s waterways and wildlife for corporate profit.SPLC attorney Micah West joins to discuss Fayette’s practice of prosecuting (and sometimes jailing) people over unpaid garbage bills, why SPLC says it’s unlawful/ unconstitutional, and what reforms could stop it statewide. The episode closes with Jeff Bezos as “bonehead,” focusing on the Washington Post’s gutting and what the decline of local journalism means for public oversight and accountability.RESOURCES & SOCIALS🔵 Bluesky: @alpoliticsthisweek.com⚫ X/Twitter: @alathisweek🔵 Facebook: facebook.com/alathisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your nameABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

This week on Alabama Politics This Week, we hit the culture-war noise and the power politics underneath it — from the right’s meltdown over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show to a fast-tracked Alabama bill that would change the Alabama Public Service Commission from elected to appointed, even as the PSC directly shapes what you pay in utilities.Then we’re joined by Tabitha Isner, Alabama Democratic Party vice chair and a candidate for Alabama Senate District 26, to talk turnout, disengaged voters, and what it takes to build a full statewide Democratic ticket. SPLC Chief Strategy Officer Seth Levi also joins to explain why reported edits at civil rights-related national park sites (including language tied to Medgar Evers’ murder) fit a broader push to whitewash racism and slavery from public history — and what people can do to push back.We wrap with Bonehead of the Week: Pam Bondi’s DOJ, repeated grand jury refusals, and the absurdity of calling it “treason” to remind service members not to follow illegal orders — plus a quick look at why that moment could boost Sen. Mark Kelly’s 2028 prospects.RESOURCES & SOCIALS🌐 Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/alpoliticsthisweek.com🌐 X/Twitter: x.com/alathisweek🌐 Facebook: facebook.com/alathisweek🌐 TikTok: tiktok.com/@alpoliticsthisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your nameABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

The episode centers on the residency firestorm around Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s run for governor, with Josh and David arguing that state tax returns and related records are the simplest way to prove (or disprove) Alabama residency — and warning that voting and tax questions could create serious legal exposure if the fight goes to court.Guest AshLeigh Dunham, a candidate for Alabama Supreme Court, says she’s running to bring balance to a court she views as increasingly ideological, discussing constitutional rights, the IVF decision, protest-mask proposals, and book/library censorship battles.Rep. Neil Rafferty joins to outline Democrats’ affordability focus — healthcare, premiums, and high utility bills — and to assess whether GOP infighting creates openings. The show closes with Josh distinguishing John Wahl's residency challenge from Tuberville’s and a “Right Wing Bonehead” segment criticizing Secretary of State Wes Allen’s voter-fraud messaging and restrictive absentee voting rules.RESOURCES & SOCIALS🌐 Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/alpoliticsthisweek.com🌐 X/Twitter: x.com/alathisweek🌐 Facebook: facebook.com/alathisweek🌐 TikTok: tiktok.com/@alpoliticsthisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your nameABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

This episode opens with a discussion of alleged retaliation inside Alabama’s prison system, following reporter Beth Shelburne’s updates about key whistleblowers from The Alabama Solution documentary. The hosts debate the moral, practical, and financial failures of Alabama’s corrections approach, including solitary confinement concerns and broader prison “racket” incentives.Former Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks joins to explain why he’s running again, emphasizing consumer protection and the rollback of key enforcement functions like gasoline testing and fraud investigations. Sparks also highlights past accomplishments, including upgraded animal diagnostic labs across the state and rural development work such as expanding telemedicine. The episode closes with the hosts’ “bonehead” segment criticizing legislative efforts to politicize the AHSAA and warning that school voucher policy dynamics are bleeding into high school athletics.RESOURCES & SOCIALS🌐 Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/alpoliticsthisweek.com🌐 X/Twitter: x.com/alathisweek🌐 Facebook: facebook.com/alathisweek🌐 TikTok: tiktok.com/@alpoliticsthisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your nameABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

Josh Moon and David Person dissect the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota, examining the dangerous expansion of federal law enforcement powers and constitutional violations. They're joined by Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, who shares health updates, reveals the surprisingly productive working relationship between Democratic leadership and Governor Kay Ivey, and outlines the party's affordability-focused agenda for the 2026 legislative session.The conversation turns to election strategy as Daniels emphasizes the need for Democratic discipline and unity heading into what could be a pivotal election year. The episode concludes with Trump earning the "Right-Wing Bonehead of the Week" award for his absurd claim that white people have been treated poorly since the Civil Rights Act.RESOURCES & SOCIALS🔵 Bluesky: @alpoliticsthisweek.com⚫ X/Twitter: @alathisweek🔵 Facebook: facebook.com/alathisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your nameABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

Hosts Josh Moon and David Person examine the Trump administration's controversial military intervention in Venezuela, questioning the true motives behind the operation and drawing parallels to failed foreign policy decisions in Iraq and Afghanistan. They discuss the lack of congressional oversight, the timing relative to the unsealed Epstein files, and the hypocrisy of Republicans who oppose foreign wars while supporting military action abroad.The episode features an interview with Philip Ensler, the only Democratic candidate officially running for Alabama lieutenant governor. Ensler discusses his decision to remain in Alabama after initially planning to return to New York, his background as a Teach for America educator, and his four key campaign priorities: healthcare expansion, public school funding, public safety, and economic opportunity.The hosts conclude with analysis of the 2026 election season, celebrating renewed Democratic energy and noting encouraging signs among Christian conservatives and moderate Republicans questioning their party's direction.

In this final episode of 2025, Josh and David sit down with former U.S. Senator Doug Jones to discuss his newly announced campaign for governor of Alabama. Jones opens up about the "electricity" of his campaign launch, his plans to break the supermajority in Montgomery, and why he believes Tommy Tuberville’s record as a "divider" makes him vulnerable in 2026.We also grill the candidate on the tough issues: Can he overcome the straight-ticket voting habits in a deep red state? What is the path to finally passing a lottery? And, perhaps most importantly, has he truly "cleared the air" with Joe Reed, Randy Kelley, and the Alabama Democratic Conference leadership?Later in the show, the hosts do a deep dive into the racial dynamics of the Alabama Democratic Party, the critical issue of voter turnout in the Black Belt. Finally, we crown our "Bonehead of the Year" — Donald Trump, for his classless comments regarding the passing of Rob Reiner.RESOURCES & SOCIALS🔵 Bluesky: @alpoliticsthisweek.com⚫ X/Twitter: @alathisweek🔵 Facebook: facebook.com/alathisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your nameABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

"It costs more money to run unconstitutional prisons."This week, Josh and David cover the entire political spectrum — from the hypocrisy of American healthcare arguments to the deep-seated corruption within the Alabama Department of Corrections.The show begins with a breakdown of Josh’s latest column on the "Socialism" label. Why do Americans denounce socialism while relying on Medicare, Medicaid, and farm subsidies?Later, investigative journalist Beth Shelburne joins the show to discuss the HBO documentary "The Alabama Solution." She exposes the systemic abuse in Alabama prisons, highlighting the case of Lt. Roderick Gadsden and the culture that promotes abusive officers.Finally, Jerome Dees from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) stops by to discuss the "Big Beautiful Bill" causing insurance premiums to skyrocket for the middle class and how the SPLC is shifting focus to "kitchen table" poverty issues like food security and waste management fees.RESOURCES & SOCIALS🔵 Bluesky: @alpoliticsthisweek.com⚫ X/Twitter: @alathisweek🔵 Facebook: facebook.com/alathisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your nameABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

Josh and David kick off the show by recapping their Thanksgiving holidays, which featured very different experiences. While Josh enjoyed a smooth break, David shares the harrowing tale of losing his home heating system right before the cold snap, forcing him to rely on space heaters for a week.The CHOOSE Act and Public EducationThe hosts dissect the Alabama CHOOSE Act, criticizing the use of public tax dollars to fund private and homeschool curriculums that teach non-scientific concepts, such as dinosaurs living alongside humans. Interview: Andrew Sneed for CongressDemocrat Andrew Sneed joins the show to discuss his campaign for Alabama’s 5th Congressional District, highlighting his background as a tradesman and small business owner. Sneed explains his goal to reconnect the party with the working class and criticizes incumbent Dale Strong for being inaccessible to constituents.Bonehead of the WeekThe hosts address the recent zoning controversy in Hoover involving a Muslim school, calling out the anti-Muslim rhetoric used by opponents during the hearings. Senator Katie Britt is named "Bonehead of the Week" for co-sponsoring legislation that would change abortion training for medical students from an opt-out to an opt-in requirement.RESOURCES & SOCIALS🔵 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alpoliticsthisweek.com⚫ X/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/alathisweek🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alathisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your nameABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

This week, Josh and David dive into the sudden GOP pivot on releasing the Epstein files and break down the "white victimhood" narrative driving modern political discourse.Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed joins the show to discuss the city's recent mass shooting and the data linking permitless carry to a 23 percent spike in gun violence.Finally, the hosts debate the hypothetical 2026 gubernatorial matchup between Doug Jones, Will Boyd, and Tommy Tuberville — and crown a new "Bonehead of the Week" for attempting to remove PBS programming from Alabama public television.RESOURCES & SOCIALS🔵 Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/alpoliticsthisweek.com⚫ X/Twitter: twitter.com/alathisweek🔵 Facebook: facebook.com/alathisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your nameABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

Josh Moon and David Person dig into a wild week in politics, starting with newly released Jeffrey Epstein emails that appear to further implicate Donald Trump and expose GOP efforts to stall the full release of the “Epstein files.” They break down how eight Senate Democrats caved in the shutdown fight, allowing devastating cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies that will spike premiums for millions and gut SNAP, and why party leadership misplayed its hand.Bill Britt of Alabama Political Reporter joins to talk about Republican unrest over Tommy Tuberville’s expected “coronation” as governor, ongoing questions about whether he even meets Alabama’s residency requirements, and who might realistically challenge him. Then Congresswoman Terri Sewell returns to deliver a fiery, must-hear segment on the shutdown deal, the ACA “cliff,” SNAP funding, DOJ’s retreat on Lowndes County’s water and sewage crisis, and the looming House vote to force release of the Epstein documents.The show wraps with a look at Sen. Katie Britt’s mixed record, Democratic messaging failures, and why Tuberville still earns “Bonehead of the Week.”RESOURCES & SOCIALS🔵 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alpoliticsthisweek.com⚫ X/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/alathisweek🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alathisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your nameABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

Josh Moon and David Person break down the stunning Democratic victories in Tuesday's elections across Virginia, New Jersey, and New York, examining what the massive blue shift means for upcoming races. They discuss how the government shutdown, SNAP benefit cuts, and skyrocketing healthcare costs are reshaping voter sentiment nationwide and in Alabama.The hosts interview Jeremy Devito, Democratic candidate for Alabama's 5th Congressional District, who discusses his working-class background, military service, and platform focused on healthcare access and economic justice. Devito explains why he believes incumbent Dale Strong is vulnerable and how his grassroots campaign is resonating with voters frustrated by GOP priorities.The episode also tackles Governor Kay Ivey's response to the SNAP crisis, the stark contrast between Republican rhetoric and reality on social programs, and a controversial statement from Rep. Clay Higgins about benefit recipients. Plus: why churches are failing the vulnerable, what the youngest mayor in New York City history means for progressive politics, and how Trump's opulence is backfiring with working-class voters.RESOURCES & SOCIALS🔵 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alpoliticsthisweek.com⚫ X/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/alathisweek🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alathisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE!⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your name and city/county.ABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

This week, Josh and David open with daylight saving time dread and kid sleep schedules, then shift to health care costs on the ACA exchanges amid a protracted government shutdown. They unpack immigrant health care myths, why universal access lowers costs, and how coverage gaps drive ER “socialism” we’re already paying for.Dr. Jim Vickery joins the show to discuss his new book about growing up in Jim Crow Alabama, “recovering racism,” and what really fuels white supremacy (envy, power, and politics). The crew closes with Alabama headlines: SNAP politics, farmers vs. tariffs, Tuberville hinting at skirting the Constitution for a third Trump term, and Secretary of State Wes Allen’s nativist push to ban naturalized citizens from state office.

This week, Josh and David explore lessons from Europe on labor, tipping, and public health, then pivot to Alabama's criminal justice system through ProPublica journalist Amy Yurkanin's investigation into the Jorge Ruiz case—a legal immigrant sentenced to 99 years (later reduced to 50) for a fatal car crash, raising hard questions about immigrant bias in courts, media framing, and judicial overreach.They also dig into Alabama's 2026 gubernatorial race: Charles Barkley flirting with an independent run, and Tommy Tuberville's residency problems.The show closes with the bail reform fiasco and Right Wing Knucklehead of the Week: Tommy Tuberville and Laura Loomer's Islamophobic theater in the Senate.RESOURCES & SOCIALS🔵 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alpoliticsthisweek.com⚫ X/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/alathisweek🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alathisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE!⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your name and city/county.ABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

In this episode of Alabama Politics This Week, hosts David Pearson and Josh Moon sit down with Mark Wheeler, a Democratic candidate for Alabama's U.S. Senate seat left open by Tommy Tuberville. Wheeler, a lifelong Heflin resident, chemist, and former factory worker, discusses his unconventional path to politics — working 60-84 hour weeks in wire mills while earning a degree in chemistry from Jacksonville State University. The conversation centers on his core campaign message: making the American Dream attainable through labor rights, congressional reform, healthcare access, and focusing voter attention on "kitchen table" economic issues rather than divisive cultural hot buttons.RESOURCES & SOCIALS🔵 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alpoliticsthisweek.com⚫ X/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/alathisweek🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alathisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE!⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.📧 Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your name and city/county.ABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

This week, Josh and David open with Montgomery’s tragic downtown mass shooting and push back on knee-jerk fixes. They argue multiple truths can coexist: guns, culture, policing levels, education inequities, and media erosion all matter. Josh recounts prior eras of violence to counter shallow blame of Mayor Steven Reed, and both hosts press for front-end investments — after-school programs, mentoring, mental health, and fair school funding — over “lock ’em up” theatrics.Mayor Steven Reed joins to detail the incident response, why permitless carry hinders policing, and what real partnership with the state should look like: repeal bad gun laws, fund two-officer patrols, and expand youth programs. He calls out political posturing that blocks resources and then blames cities, and stresses holistic prevention over performative crackdowns.In the second half, SPLC interim CEO Bryan Fair and German historian Professor Andreas Etges discuss “critical memory” work across Germany and the U.S. — from Stone Mountain and 16th Street Baptist Church to EJI’s Legacy Museum. They examine why honest history matters, how backlash follows progress, and the risks of whitewashing museums and curricula. The conversation draws clear through-lines from slavery to Jim Crow to mass incarceration, and compares contemporary authoritarian trends without false equivalence.They close with Right Wing Bonehead of the Week: Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch, for the racist ICE-versus-sombrero Halloween display — an emblem of cruelty-as-politics amid Alabama’s immigrant scapegoating.ABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with 10 properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including four in Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

This week, Josh and David open with Alabama sports/media/politics crossovers — from Bruce Pearl bowing out to Paul Finebaum’s flirtation with a Senate run — and debate whether “moderate” GOP backers are just trying to block Attorney General Steve Marshall. They also unpack college sports’ power shift: NIL, transfer portal realities, and why contracts (not nostalgia) could fix instability. Journalist Jennifer Mascia of The Trace joins to explain mass shooter patterns since Columbine and Sandy Hook: isolation, grievance against failed institutions (schools, workplaces, churches), and an ecosystem that celebrates copycats. She addresses race, radicalization, and the internet’s silo effect; and the incel pipeline. In Alabama politics, the hosts press Democrats to “circle the wagons” after the razor-thin Mobile mayoral loss and the Figures–Drummond rift. They argue party leaders failed to arbitrate, and that Dems must rally around a common foe and a clear message: top vs. bottom, not left vs. right. They close with Right Wing Bonehead of the Week: Rep. Reid Ingram, for pushing a constitutional amendment to mandate Pledge/prayer performatives instead of funding, resources, and real solutions. Guests in this episode Jennifer Mascia: Senior news writer and founding staffer at The Trace — thetrace.org Resources & Socials 🔵 Bluesky ⚫ X/Twitter 🔵 Facebook Support the show Like this video and subscribe! Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your name and city/county. About our sponsor Alabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with 10 properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including four in Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities. Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

This week, Josh and David examine how normalized hate speech endangers everyday people while elite-focused incidents dominate headlines. They call out Alabama’s “big gambling” hypocrisy, defend the Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ broader economic impact, and contrast it with corporate harm. They debunk Trump’s Tylenol/autism and “Amish don’t have autism” claims, explore outrage fatigue, and discuss the politicized spectacle at Charlie Kirk’s memorial—juxtaposing the widow’s forgiveness with Stephen Miller and Trump’s grievance politics.Alabama Democratic Party Vice Chair Tabitha Isner unpacks her “Hall Pass for Hate” op-ed, why “divisive concepts” bans are incoherent, and how speech that incites violence should be confronted. She diagnoses the party’s core issues: top-level paranoia, poor communication, and a choked candidate pipeline — despite hundreds expressing interest.Dr. Candice Duvieilh, a candidate for Alabama's 5th Congressional District, makes a policy-first case for Congress: coordinating federal-local fixes for North Alabama’s infrastructure, water systems, transit, and Arsenal access — work she says Rep. Dale Strong isn’t doing beyond photo ops and Space Command spin.Finally, this week's Right Wing Bonehead of the Week: Stephen Miller, for historically illiterate, exclusionary rhetoric at Kirk’s memorial. And the costly GSA firings-and-rehirings fiasco.GUESTS IN THIS EPISODE Tabitha Isner: Vice Chair, Alabama Democratic Party Dr. Candice Duvieilh: Candidate for Congress in Alabama's 5th DistrictRESOURCES & SOCIALS Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alpoliticsthisweek.com X/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/alathisweek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alathisweekSUPPORT THE SHOW Like this video and SUBSCRIBE! Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Email questions/voice notes to apwproducer@gmail.com with your name and city/county.ABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with 10 properties across the U.S. and Caribbean — including four in Alabama — offering entertainment, dining, hotels, and amenities.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

This week, Josh and David sound the alarm on the Trump administration's escalating attacks on free speech, from the corporate-pressured ousting of late-night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel to the president's threats to pull the broadcast licenses of critical news outlets. They connect this to a broader pattern of media consolidation and the erosion of journalistic ethics, which makes the press vulnerable to government control.Then, they address the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, condemning political violence from all sides and urging a return to debate over deadly force. They analyze the cynical political reactions and the mob mentality fueled by social media, calling for a recognition of shared humanity even in the face of deep disagreement.Later, they welcome Dr. Toni Savage, a government whistleblower who exposed millions of dollars in contracting fraud within the Army Corps of Engineers. Dr. Savage shares her 13-year ordeal of fighting retaliation, which resulted in a landmark legal ruling—the "Savage Standard"—that expanded protections for federal employees. She details the bid-rigging, the cover-ups, and the personal cost of doing the right thing, and she warns how the current administration is dismantling the systems designed to hold government accountable.Finally, after retiring the "Right Wing Nut" segment in favor of something a little less pejorative, they name FBI Director Kash Patel their first-ever "Right Wing Bonehead of the Week" for his disastrous congressional testimony. They break down his lies and deflections about the Jeffrey Epstein case and discuss how officials are actively covering up the scandal to protect powerful figures, including Donald Trump.GUEST IN THIS EPISODEDr. Toni Savage: A former contracting officer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and now a full-time minister, Dr. Savage became a government whistleblower when she exposed millions of dollars in contracting fraud. After facing illegal termination and a hostile work environment, her 13-year legal battle resulted in the landmark "Savage Standard" ruling, which expanded protections for whistleblowers under federal law. She now serves on the board of the National Whistleblower Center, advocating for government accountability and transparency.RESOURCES & SOCIALSBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alpoliticsthisweek.comX/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/alathisweekFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/alathisweekSUPPORT THE SHOWLike this video and SUBSCRIBE to our channel!Leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.Send us a question or a voice recording to apwproducer@gmail.com. We take a bit of time each week to answer questions from our audience about Alabama politics. Make sure you include your name and the city or county where you live.ABOUT OUR SPONSORAlabama Politics This Week is sponsored by Wind Creek Hospitality. Gaming is the heart of Wind Creek Hospitality, but they offer so much more. Wind Creek's 10 distinct properties in the U.S. and Caribbean — including four in Alabama — provide world-class entertainment, dining, hotel stays, amenities and activities. As the principal gaming and hospitality entity for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Wind Creek continues to grow and offer guests luxurious destinations and opportunities for escape.Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.