This week on The Real Truth, Tommy Spina is joined by John McMillan, director of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, for an in-depth update on the state’s medical cannabis program.

This episode is the first in a series of podcasts looking into Alabama’s medical cannabis system, patient access, physician certification, regulatory safeguards, and what patients and providers can expect as the program develops.

For more information about the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, visit:

https://amcc.alabama.gov/

The Real Truth with Tommy Spina is back with its first episode of 2026. This week, Tommy sits down with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin for a look at the state of the city of Birmingham in 2026.

To close out the show’s “Rule of Law” series, Tommy speaks with Chief Circuit Judge William H. Pryor, Jr., discussing constitutionalism, judicial independence, and how courts are functioning in today’s polarized climate.

This week, Tommy speaks with U.W. Clemon, an Alabama attorney, civil rights pioneer, and former federal judge. Drawing on decades of experience and a history-spanning career, Clemon shares his perspective on why constitutional principles still matter, civic responsibility, and the lessons history offers in today’s political climate.

About U.W. Clemon:

Born in Fairfield, Alabama, he became one of the first black lawyers admitted to the Alabama bar and one of the first African Americans elected to the Alabama Senate since Reconstruction. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed him as Alabama’s first black federal judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, where he served for nearly 30 years, including as Chief Judge. Throughout his career, Clemon has been a leader in civil rights law and public service, and today continues to practice law in Birmingham.

This week, Tommy is joined by Jeff Brumlow, municipal attorney, former Shelby County Commissioner and current Central Alabama Water board member. They discuss the challenges the utility faces in light of recent leadership changes, audit findings, and its ongoing efforts to meet community expectations.

This week, Tommy is joined by Tony Petelos, who has served as an Alabama state legislator, mayor of Hoover, and county manager for Jefferson County. With his decades of public service, Tony shares his view on the recent changes at Central Alabama Water, including the utility's rebranding, restructuring, and controversial search for a new CEO.

Tony Petelos served as Hoover, Alabama mayor from 2004 until 2011. In 2011, he became the first county manager and CEO of Jefferson County, overseeing the largest municipal bankruptcy in United States history. In 2020, Jefferson County exited the resulting consent decree from the bankruptcy. He retired from the county manager position in 2021.

This week, Tommy speaks with former U.S. Representative Mo Brooks, who represented Alabama's 5th congressional district from 2011 to 2023. Through the lens of his experience in Washington, Brooks reflects on the complicated interplay between money, media, party politics, and the forces driving decision-making in D.C.

This week on The Real Truth with Tommy Spina, Tommy sits down with Barnett Wright, executive editor of The Birmingham Times, for a conversation about truth, community, and the evolving role of the press.

This week, Tommy talks to Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist John Archibald to discuss the state of the press, the rule of law, and what it means to seek truth in an era of noise and division. As the press faces the modern challenges of AI, social media, and misinformation, Tommy and John explore how journalism’s role as a watchdog has evolved and why a free, ethical press remains essential to democracy.

from johnarchibaldink.com:

John Archibald has been a journalist in the South for more than 35 years. He is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize and a voice of the deep South and what that place means to America.

This week, Tommy speaks with Joellyn Beckham, founder of Bright Blue Dot and one of the organizers behind the politically-charged billboards popping up around Birmingham. Beckham recalls how Bright Blue Dot began as a response to the 2004 presidential election and evolved from a bumper sticker into eye-catching billboards aimed at sparking conversation and countering disinformation.

Together, they discuss the challenges of communicating across political divides, the influence of media bubbles, and the importance of honest dialogue in protecting and preserving democracy.

For more information about Bright Blue Dot, visit britebluedot.com