This week on Alabama Politics This Week, Josh and David break down the police shooting of Jabari Peoples in Homewood, the DA’s decision to rule it justified, and the family’s demand for the full, unedited body cam footage. They discuss the dangers of edited police videos, the slow investigation timeline, and why transparency matters.

Then, former Miss America and two-time Alabama political candidate Mallory Hagan joins the show. In a candid and powerful conversation, Hagan shares her own experience as a survivor of child sexual abuse, explains why victims — especially adolescents — often don’t come forward, and offers practical advice for parents to protect their children. She also weighs in on Alabama politics, the GOP’s long game, and why Democratic donors must invest even in uphill races.

Finally, the hosts tackle Alabama’s new Focus Act banning student cell phones and smartwatches in classrooms, the public’s surprising lack of awareness about the law, and what it says about civic disengagement. They close with the Right Wing Nut of the Week — RFK Jr. — for pulling $500 million from mRNA vaccine research despite its life-saving potential.

Guest: Mallory Hagan — Former Miss America, political candidate, and co-host of the Pretty Furious podcast. Hagan opens up about her personal story as a survivor, offers concrete safety tips for parents, and discusses the political challenges facing Democrats in Alabama.

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This week, Josh and David dive into the horrific and inhumane conditions within the Alabama prison system. They discuss why there isn't more public outrage, comparing the situation to how society would react if animals were treated this way, and call on the state's Christian community to demand change and a focus on rehabilitation over retribution.

Then, they sit down with House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, who is in recovery from a major kidney transplant. In a powerful and personal interview, Daniels shares the story of his sudden health crisis, the incredible life-saving gift he received from his wife, Dr. Teneshia Daniels, and a medical fact about the transplant process that left the hosts speechless.

Finally, the show uncovers a web of questionable campaign finance activities surrounding State Auditor Andrew Sorrell, and the "Right Wing Nut of the Week" award goes to Rep. Ernie Yarbrough for his continued, misguided war on life-saving vaccines.

00:00 Intro: Back from the Beach
01:54 Sponsor: Wind Creek Entertainment
06:45 Alabama's Prison Crisis: "If We Treated Dogs This Way..."
09:34 A Call for Christians to Care for the Incarcerated
13:13 The Need for Rehabilitation Over Retribution
18:35 The High Cost of a Broken Prison System
27:45 GUEST: House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels
30:12 What Caused the Sudden Kidney Failure?
40:18 A Wife's Incredible Gift of Life
41:36 Assessing the Legislative Session from Afar
48:31 Gov. Ivey's Bipartisan Appointment
54:14 The Medical Shocker: Anthony Daniels Has Three Kidneys
1:00:09 The Andrew Sorrell Investigation
1:04:08 Following the Money: A Shell Game with Campaign Funds?
1:10:40 The Ethical Questions for a Secretary of State Candidate
1:15:37 Right Wing Nut: Ernie Yarbrough's War on Vaccines

➡️ Anthony Daniels: Alabama House Minority Leader. In a deeply personal conversation, Leader Daniels opens up about his recent, life-saving kidney transplant. He details the rapid decline of his health, the incredible generosity of his wife, Dr. Teneshia Daniels, who was his donor, and his remarkable recovery. He also reveals a surprising medical fact about the procedure — that his old, low-functioning kidneys were not removed, meaning he now has three. Daniels discusses how his Democratic colleagues stepped up during his absence, his bipartisan appointment by Gov. Kay Ivey to a new veterans' board, and his new mission to promote health awareness and organ donation.

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Alabama 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.

This week, Josh and David tackle the massive cover-up surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files and why the GOP seems desperate to keep them hidden, even shutting down Congress to avoid a vote. They dissect the blatant hypocrisy of the MAGA world, which ignores overwhelming evidence of Trump's ties to Epstein while launching absurd distraction campaigns against Barack Obama.

Then, they sit down with Montgomery Mayor Stephen Reed for an in-depth discussion on the city's significant drop in crime. Mayor Reed shares the real data behind the trends, his strategies for violence prevention, and his bold plans to explore a city-run school system to tackle the root causes of poverty and crime.

Finally, the show exposes a Georgia-based Ponzi scheme that ensnared Alabama's own State Auditor, and the show closes with a "Right Wing Nut of the Week" award for Congressman Del Strong's ignorant war on NPR and public broadcasting.

➡️ Stephen Reed: Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama. In a wide-ranging conversation, Mayor Reed provides a data-driven look at the city's success in reducing violent crime, with a 28% drop in the first half of the year. He discusses the complex factors behind public perception of safety, the socio-economic roots of crime, and the innovative strategies his administration is using, such as the Office of Violence Prevention and "violence interrupters." Mayor Reed also shares his vision for tackling long-term challenges by exploring a city-run school system and explains the reasoning behind the new youth curfew in the downtown entertainment district.

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• 📧 Send us a question or a voice recording to [email protected]. 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.

Alabama 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.

Former Sen. Doug Jones provides insights into the palpable energy at recent Democratic gatherings in Alabama and the possibilities for the party to gain traction. He shares his views on the current state of the Alabama Democratic Party leadership and emphasizes the critical need for Democrats to concentrate on specific local legislative races to break the supermajority in the state legislature.

Investigative reporter Beth Shelburne joins to discuss her "Blood Money" series, exposing ADOC's astronomical spending on legal fees and settlements for lawsuits, many detailing horrific excessive force by guards, all while state leadership remains largely unresponsive and unaccountable.

This week, Josh and David dive into the blatant hypocrisy surrounding Donald Trump's presidency, from breaking his promise to "end wars" by bombing Iran to the cult-like devotion of his followers who ignore every lie. They explore the dangerous intersection of religion and politics in the Middle East and how it reflects the erosion of religious freedom debates here at home.

Then, in a rare and extended interview, they sit down with the CEO and Tribal Chair of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Stephanie Bryan. She shares the incredible story of the tribe's journey from poverty to a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, her philosophy on leadership and giving back, and what's really holding up a gaming deal in Alabama.

Finally, the show closes with a tragic and infuriating "Right Wing Nut of the Week": a Florida lawmaker who championed a restrictive abortion ban, only to find her own life at risk because of it when she suffered a medical emergency.

👇 JUMP TO A TOPIC (YOUTUBE CHAPTERS) 👇
00:00 Intro: Trump's Broken Promises & MAGA Hypocrisy
09:46 The Iran Bombing & The Politics of Fear
14:54 Freedom of Religion vs. Religious War
23:05 GUEST: Stephanie Bryan, CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians
56:38 The Tribe's $4 Billion Impact & Giving Back
1:07:58 The Future of Gaming in Alabama
1:19:18 Post-Interview Breakdown & The Power of Exposure
1:24:33 Right Wing Nut: The GOP Lawmaker Who Needed an Abortion

GUEST IN THIS EPISODE

➡️ Stephanie Bryan: CEO and Tribal Chair of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama. In a wide-ranging conversation, Stephanie details the tribe's history, their business diversification beyond gaming into federal contracting and hospitality, and their guiding principles of community investment and partnership. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at the political fight over gaming in the state and shares her vision for a better Alabama.

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ABOUT OUR SPONSOR

Alabama 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.

This week, Josh and David tackle the rampant hypocrisy and political rot festering in Alabama and beyond. They kick things off with a fiery breakdown of the right-wing media's reaction to the political assassination of a Minnesota lawmaker, exposing the cynical machinery that fuels lies and deflects blame.

Then, they dive into the shamelessness of modern politics, exploring how Donald Trump's presidency has normalized cruelty and why so many voters have been duped by a con man who preys on their worst instincts.

To get a ground-level view of what it takes to fight back, they bring on a fantastic guest. Minister and community activist Ryan Cagle joins the show to discuss his race for the State House and his courageous fight for justice in Walker County, where a corrupt sheriff's department has been plagued by scandal, abuse, and the death of Tony Mitchell.

Finally, the show closes with a look at the emerging GOP primary for the U.S. Senate, asking if Bruce Pearl is a better choice than Steve Marshall, and crowns a new "Right-Wing Nut of the Week": a Supreme Court Justice who praises a convicted felon while lying about crime statistics.

• 00:00 Intro: The President Without Shame
• 13:30 The Right-Wing Lie Machine & The Minnesota Assassination
• 31:00 GUEST: Ryan Cagle on the Fight for Walker County's Soul
• 1:16:30 DEBATE: Is Bruce Pearl the GOP's Best Hope for Senate?
• 1:24:40 Right-Wing Nut: The Supreme Court Justice Who Can't Google

➡️ Ryan Cagle: Minister, community advocate, and Democratic candidate for Alabama House District 5. Ryan details his grassroots campaign and his frontline efforts to demand accountability for the death of Tony Mitchell and expose the corruption within the Walker County Sheriff's Office. He discusses the need for new approaches to mental health crises and what it means to fight for change in a deep-red district.

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👍 Like 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 [email protected]. 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.

Alabama 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.

This week, Josh and David are fired up about the disconnect between Alabama's real problems and its political theater. They kick things off with a blistering critique of the recent ICE raids in LA and the hypocrisy surrounding immigration.

Then, they dive into the devastating numbers from the new Kids Count data book, which ranks Alabama 43rd in the nation for child well-being. Why is the legislature focused on banning books when 82 percent of 8th graders can't do math and thousands of kids are going hungry?

To get answers, they bring on two fantastic guests. First, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Will Boyd shares his strategy for reviving Alabama and why he believes this election will be different. Then, Apreill Hartsfield of Voices for Alabama's Children walks them through the shocking data and discusses what it will take to create real change.

Finally, the show closes with a heated debate over ABC's firing of reporter Terry Moran, forcing the question: In an era of misinformation, what are the true ethics of journalism?

Key Topics & Timestamps:

00:41 - Rant: ICE Raids & Immigration Hypocrisy
29:45 - GUEST: Dr. Will Boyd on His Plan to Revive Alabama
50:05 - GUEST: Apreill Hartsfield on the Shocking Kids Count Data
1:22:15 - DEBATE: Media Ethics & The Terry Moran Firing

Guests in This Episode:

➡️ Dr. Will Boyd: Democratic candidate for governor of Alabama. Dr. Boyd discusses his platform, the challenges of running as a Democrat in a deep-red state, and his message-driven strategy to connect with voters on kitchen-table issues.

➡️ Apreill Hartsfield: Alabama Kids Count director at VOICES for Alabama's Children. Apreill breaks down the sobering statistics from the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, highlighting the urgent crises in education, health, and economic security facing Alabama's children.

Resources & Socials:

➡️ Kids Count Data Book: http://www.alavoices.org
🔵 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alpoliticsthisweek.com
⚫ X/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/alathisweek
🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alathisweek

Support the Show:

👍 Like, Rate, and Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.
⭐ Leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
📧 Send us a question or a voice recording to [email protected]. 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 Sponsor:

Alabama 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.

In this fiery episode of Alabama Politics This Week, Josh Moon and David Person pull no punches! They tackle the enduring controversy of Alabama's Jefferson Davis holiday, contrast it with the incredible legacy of Rosa Parks, and scrutinize President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" and its alarming AI provisions.

Later, they welcome Linda Fisher, President of Indivisible Alabama, who sheds light on the "No Kings Day" nationwide protest and the critical fight against authoritarian leanings. Plus, hear their concerns about the state of public education and why they're speaking out against Marjorie Taylor Greene's upcoming Alabama visit.

Tune in for a candid, no-holds-barred discussion on truth, power, and the future of Alabama politics.

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Alabama 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.

We take a bit of time each week to answer questions from our audience about Alabama politics — or Alabama in general. If you have a question about a politician, a policy, or a trend — really anything — you can shoot us an email at [email protected].

You can also send it to us on Facebook and Twitter. Or by emailing us a voice recording to our email with your question, and we may play it on air. Either way, make sure you include your name (first name is fine) and the city or county where you live.

Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/discography

Josh and David discuss Tommy Tuberville's announcement to run for governor of Alabama, immediately focusing on the significant legal questions surrounding his residency and the Alabama Democratic Party's intent to challenge it. They also touch on the political landscape, including Katie Britt's role and speculation about Doug Jones.

Investigative reporter Beth Shelburne joins to discuss her "Blood Money" series, exposing ADOC's astronomical spending on legal fees and settlements for lawsuits, many detailing horrific excessive force by guards, all while state leadership remains largely unresponsive and unaccountable.

David and Josh critique Donald Trump's Memorial Day message for its failure to honor fallen troops, instead using the occasion for a negative, rambling attack on political opponents and judges.

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Alabama 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.

We take a bit of time each week to answer questions from our audience about Alabama politics — or Alabama in general. If you have a question about a politician, a policy, or a trend — really anything — you can shoot us an email at [email protected].

You can also send it to us on Facebook and Twitter. Or by emailing us a voice recording to our email with your question, and we may play it on air. Either way, make sure you include your name (first name is fine) and the city or county where you live.

Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/discography