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.

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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.

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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.

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Alabama 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 Education

The 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 Congress

Democrat 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 Week

The 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

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Alabama 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

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Alabama 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

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SUPPORT THE SHOW

👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE

⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

📧 Email questions/voice notes to [email protected] with your name

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 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
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SUPPORT THE SHOW

👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE!⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.📧 Email questions/voice notes to [email protected] 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 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
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SUPPORT THE SHOW

👍 Like this video and SUBSCRIBE!⭐ Rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.📧 Email questions/voice notes to [email protected] 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 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.