U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville formally entered the 2026 campaign for governor of Alabama this week. The campaign website says Tuberville is running on “fighting back against woke ideology,” growing Alabama jobs, improving education and securing the border, among other platforms. The Alabama Reflector reports the first-term senator and former Auburn University football coach was endorsed by President Donald Trump in his 2020 campaign for U.S. senator.
Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Randy Kelley said the party will challenge Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility to run for governor based on the residency requirement in the state constitution. Kelley issued a statement after Tuberville announced he would run for governor next year. AL.com notes that Tuberville moved to Florida after he retired from coaching in 2016. Section 117 of the Alabama Constitution says the governor must be a resident of the state “at least seven years before the date of their next election.”
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said Thursday he will seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Tommy Tuberville. The Alabama Reflector reports Marshall was appointed Alabama attorney general by former Gov. Robert Bentley in 2017, after former Attorney General Luther Strange was appointed to the U.S. Senate. He won re-election in 2018 and 2022 and is not eligible for re-election again.
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Monrovia, announced this week he will not seek to replace Tommy Tuberville in the U.S. Senate. AL.com reports Strong will be seeking a third term as the 5th Congressional District representative. He said in a statement that representing north Alabama in Washington has been the most rewarding experience in his career of public service.
People in Alabama who use EBT cards will now be able to lock and unlock the cards. The Alabama Department of Human Resources made the announcement earlier this month. It’s part of an attempt to cut down on SNAP benefit fraud. Thousands of accounts in Alabama have been targeted by scammers. Food Assistance Director Brandon Hardin tells WBRC TV in Birmingham that in 2024, more than $15 million in benefits was stolen from Alabamians. EBT cardholders can use the ConnectEBT app or website to lock and unlock their cards. They can also sign up for fraud alerts through the app and the website, so they’re notified when someone else uses their account.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said there were fewer lives lost during the 2025 Memorial Day Holiday Weekend than in 2024. In a news release, ALEA announced a decrease in traffic and marine-related deaths for this past holiday weekend. From Friday, May 23 to Monday, May 26, Troopers investigated three traffic-related deaths, a 50% reduction from 6 traffic-related deaths in 2024. WHNT TV reports the fatal traffic crashes occurred in Pike, Morgan and Bibb counties. ALEA said there were zero boating deaths on Alabama’s waterways, an improvement from one recorded during the 2024 holiday weekend.
Fourteen new million-dollar homes are coming to Downtown Huntsville. Construction crews are laying down the foundation for the Lewter District townhomes on Washington Street. The townhomes are starting at $1.3 million. Julie Lockwood, Broker Associate for Lewter District Town Homes, tells WAFF TV these homes are priced high because they are in the heart of downtown and will have some high-end features. The homes will be attached to the historic Lewter Hardware Company, which will be turned into a restaurant called Brick and Tin.