AGP Executive Report

Labor Day Fuel Watch: AAA says Labor Day weekend is on track for record-high gas prices, driven by crude oil staying near $90 a barrel amid volatility in the Strait of Hormuz—pushing the national average to about $4.14 a gallon and Arizona to roughly $4.52. Alabama Road Travel: ALDOT is rolling out Labor Day traffic moves, including planned intersection/road closures and lane-closure pauses to ease holiday congestion, plus reminders from state law enforcement to drive safely. Local Community & Events: Cullman City Council approved transportation plans and fall events, while Homewood shared its September 2026 business happenings. Outdoor & Family Fun: A wild pig workshop is scheduled in Weogufka, and there’s a “From Seed To Sheet” feature for food-and-farm fans. Sports & Travel Tie-In: A big slate of college football openers and local athlete spotlights is set for Sept. 5, including matchups involving Alabama-area schools and players.

Labor Day Safety: ALEA is urging Alabamians to slow down, buckle up, put phones away, and avoid impaired driving/boating as holiday traffic and campus crowds ramp up. Officials cite last year’s Labor Day totals: 371 crashes, 147 injuries, and six deaths, plus 33 DUI arrests. Road Travel Planning: ALDOT is suspending temporary lane closures on interstate routes from noon Friday, Sept. 4 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7 to reduce congestion and improve safety. Local Events: Bama Bash returns to Civitan Park in Guntersville on Sept. 12 for barbecue, family fun, and vendor shopping. Gulf Coast Health Watch: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is flagged as a tick hotspot, a reminder for visitors to use protection in warmer months. Tourism + Community: The Junior League of Birmingham is accepting applications for the JLB Beeson Community Fund (letters of intent due Oct. 2) for Jefferson and Shelby County nonprofits. Consumer/Tech: Thomson Reuters/West Publishing says a court software breach may have exposed sensitive data for Alabama appellate courts.

Blood Drive: Marco Island Police Department hosted its first in-front-of-the-station blood drive with OneBlood’s Big Red Bus, collecting 18 units and aiming to build on the momentum. Road-Trip Safety: ALDOT is warning drivers about Labor Day traffic and has halted some lane closures for the holiday weekend. Gulf Coast Events: Orange Beach is gearing up for Freedom Fest Sept. 19-20 at The Wharf, plus Gulf Shores sunset concerts at Public Beach on Sept. 3, 10 and 17. Outdoor & Hiking: A 91-year-old “Grey Beard” hiker reclaimed the oldest thru-hike record on the Appalachian Trail, a feel-good story for Alabama trail lovers. Local Travel Culture: Rhythm & Roots returns for its 28th year, bringing multi-day music and community vibes to Charlestown, with Alabama’s St. Paul and the Broken Bones headlining Friday. Health & Access: Russellville Hospital received a $1.29M rural health grant to expand care access, including tele-health-style improvements.

Labor Day Travel Watch: ALDOT is pausing temporary interstate lane closures from Friday, Sept. 4 at noon through Monday, Sept. 7 at 11:59 p.m., urging drivers to plan ahead, avoid distractions, obey speed limits, and buckle up. Emergency Prep: Alabama EMA activated a statewide ALalert notification system for floods and other disasters—text ALalert (77295) for alerts and ALinfo (77295) for preparedness tips—during National Preparedness Month. Local Events & Tourism: Athens Main Street unveiled a new “Five Points” street mural and branding push to make the downtown area a clearer destination, anchored by improvements around the Farmers Market. Outdoor & Family Fun: Alabama State Parks added 4.4 miles to the Fort Morgan Trail at Gulf State Park, extending the popular Gulf Coast route for fall visitors. Sports Travel: Alabama volleyball kicks off the Big Ten/SEC Challenge with road matches at Starkville (vs. Northwestern) and Iowa (Friday), giving fans another reason to plan weekend trips. Business/Work Travel: Alabama DOR clarified withholding rules for nonresident remote and traveling workers—employers should withhold Alabama tax only for wages tied to services physically performed in Alabama.

Labor Day Travel Watch: AAA says Labor Day flights average about $750 round-trip and Alabama gas is around $3.70 a gallon, with hotels also climbing—so plan early and budget tight. Road Safety: ALEA is stepping up patrols and urges sober driving, buckling up, slowing down, and wearing life jackets on the water. Coastal Outdoors: Alabama State Parks opened a 4.4-mile extension of the Fort Morgan Trail at Gulf State Park, adding a paved, 10-foot-wide route with 12 bridges for safer walking and biking. Orange Beach Weekend Plans: Orange Beach Freedom Fest runs Sept. 19-20 at The Wharf, with live music, vendors, and the Bama Coast Cruisin’ Car Show plus a Jeep & motorcycle rally. Local Food Buzz: Decatur ranks No. 3 for barbecue cities and Birmingham lands in the top 10—two Alabama spots in a national list. Birmingham Grocery Return: Carver Jones Market is set to reopen in Woodland Park after nearly three years, a win for residents dealing with food-desert access. Main Street Spotlight: Jasper Main Street earned statewide recognition at the Main Street Alabama Awards of Excellence for its welcome center partnerships, sculpture trail, and downtown holiday marketing.

Gulf Coast Outdoors: The Fort Morgan Trail at Gulf State Park just added a $5.6 million extension, bringing the route to about 10.5 miles for walkers, runners and cyclists, with 12 bridges and a new bathhouse at the terminus. Birmingham-Metro Family Fun: Moody City Park is getting a more inclusive playground, with construction starting late fall/early winter 2026 and running into spring 2027. Selma Labor Day Travel: The Selma Freedom Ride Rally returns for a four-day motorcycle-and-music weekend, aiming to raise $100,000 for underfunded local schools and to spotlight Selma’s history for out-of-town visitors. Alabama Visitor Safety: ALEA is stepping up patrols across Alabama highways and waterways for the extended Labor Day weekend, urging drivers and boaters to slow down and plan for a safe trip home. Dining & Tourism: Cafe Dupont in downtown Birmingham and Little Betty Steak Bar in Mountain Brook earned DiRōNA Award of Excellence recognition, adding to Alabama’s growing “food destination” buzz. Budget Trip Planning: A new JRPass study ranks Alabama among the states where $500 can stretch farther for a budget-friendly getaway.

Labor Day Travel: AAA says milder temps and longer days are driving Americans toward outdoor trips, with Atlanta ranking No. 10 among top domestic destinations for the holiday weekend. Local History Preservation: A Selma family is fighting to preserve and restore “Campsite No. 1,” the historic property tied to the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march. Community Events (Opelika/Auburn): Opelika’s “Lunch at the Chamber” returns weekly with food trucks and vendors, while Auburn’s calendar highlights “Mahjong Mondays” and “Tuesdays in the Garden.” Road Safety/Neighborhood Concerns: Mountain Brook is funding a $9,000 road study after residents raised worries about crime and traffic near a road shared with Irondale. Gas Prices Watch (Fuel for Travelers): GasBuddy reports show Alabama fuel prices remain volatile, with several counties posting lowest-in-week deals for regular, midgrade, and diesel. Sports & Tourism Tie-In: High school football matchups and local games continue to draw visitors, including key Week 3 contests around north Alabama.

Labor Day Travel Watch: AAA says milder temps and longer days are pushing travelers toward outdoor trips, with Atlanta ranking No. 10 among top domestic Labor Day destinations; AAA also flags extra demand for U.S. National Parks and popular Rocky Mountain sites. Gulf Shores Events: The City of Gulf Shores is rolling out fall fun with free Sunset Series concerts on the Town Green at Gulf Place, including a Frank Brown Songwriters Showcase preview (Sept. 17). Alabama Outdoors Tech: Alabama’s hunting and fishing license buying system is moving from outdooralabama.com to myoutdooralabama.com, with improved security and easier disability eligibility forms. Main Street Wins: Downtown Gadsden, Inc. earned three Main Street Alabama Awards of Excellence for downtown revitalization projects, plus a Main Street Hero selection. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports Jefferson County premium gas hitting a low of $3.91 in the week ending Aug. 22, while diesel prices remain elevated across the state. Local Business Support: Odenville is bringing free, confidential one-on-one business advising to City Hall through a new partnership with the Alabama SBDC at Jacksonville State.

Civil Rights & Travel Impact: Thousands marched at the March on Washington in D.C. to defend voting rights as civil rights protections weaken, with organizers citing a Supreme Court ruling that limits how race can be considered in drawing congressional districts—an issue likely to shape travel plans for advocacy groups heading into the midterms. Alabama Culture & Tourism: Birmingham’s “Legends at Legion Field” HBCU Battle of the Bands was canceled days before the event due to low ticket sales, a blow to a long-running Magic City tradition that typically draws visitors to Legion Field. Sports Tourism (Regional): Middle Tennessee’s scoreless draw with Lipscomb helped the Blue Raiders reach their best start in program history, a reminder that college soccer weekends can still pull fans into the region. International Travel Watch: Thailand fire crews reported the Klong Thom Centre blaze in Bangkok is contained but with lingering hot spots, while authorities arrested an American in Phuket tied to alleged child sex abuse warrants—another reminder for travelers to monitor local safety updates.

Gulf Coast Trail Upgrade: Alabama State Parks opened a 4.4-mile extension of the Fort Morgan Trail at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, adding a paved, 10-foot-wide route for walkers, runners and cyclists plus 12 bridges to protect coastal wetlands. Tourism Spotlight: Visit Tuscaloosa says USA TODAY readers ranked the city No. 2 best college sports town in the nation—another boost for game-day travel. Beach Day Reminder: National Beach Day (Aug. 30) spotlights Gulf Coast access, clean water and safe swimming, with Orange Beach and Gulf Shores listing 28 public beach access points from Fort Morgan to Perdido Key. Local Travel Business: Sky Window Design & More held a grand opening in Orange Beach, aiming to help residents and vacation rental owners refresh spaces for fall. Road & Travel Notes: ALDOT plans September bids for the Southside Bridge replacement over the Coosa River; and ALEA reported a commercial-vehicle crash causing lane closures on I-10 westbound near Grand Bay. Fuel Watch: Diesel prices dipped in parts of Alabama, with Chambers County’s lowest reported at $4.99/gallon (week ending Aug. 22).

Alabama Emergency Preparedness: Alabama activated a new $1.2 million statewide notification system to speed disaster alerts to cell and landline phones plus local radio and TV, using FEMA’s IPAWS and a closed-loop monitoring network. Medical Cannabis Access: Callie’s Apothecary opened Alabama’s second medical cannabis dispensary in Talladega, aiming to cut travel burdens for patients in the northern part of the state. Rural Health Funding: Hale County Hospital received $2.41 million for upgrades tied to emergency and maternal care, diagnostics, and more reliable operations under Alabama’s Rural Health Transformation Program. Tourism & Local Economy: Birmingham’s Bayonet earned a spot on Bon Appétit’s 2026 Best New Restaurants list, spotlighting its Gulf Coast seafood and making the city a bigger food destination. Outdoor & Travel Planning: Alabama’s “liquid playground” lakes list highlights Lake Guntersville and Lake Martin as must-visit fall trip options for anglers and boaters. Community & Sports: Faulkner University is mourning freshman QB Qadir Lyle after a drowning at Corn Creek Park in Wetumpka, while Little League action continues with Hamilton West Side finishing just short of the U.S. finals. Legal Access: A report says nearly two-thirds of Alabama counties are “legal deserts,” with too few attorneys to meet residents’ needs.

College Football Kickoff: Week 0 is here with eight games starting Saturday, including UNC vs. TCU in Dublin and Alabama A&M vs. Howard in Atlanta—plus a full TV/streaming guide for fans. Alabama Emergency Alerts: Alabama activated a $1.2 million statewide notification system to speed disaster warnings to cell/landline phones and local radio/TV, using FEMA’s alert network and backup satellite distribution. Medical Cannabis Access: Callie’s Apothecary opened Alabama’s second medical cannabis dispensary in Talladega, aiming to cut travel burdens for patients in the northern part of the state. Travel & Tourism Spotlight: Birmingham’s Bayonet earned a spot on Bon Appétit’s 2026 Best New Restaurants list, calling out its Gulf Coast seafood. Lakes for a Fall Trip: A new roundup highlights Alabama’s top lakes for fishing, boating, and scenic getaways. Local Lodging Tax Update: Jasper moved to amend its lodging tax ordinance, reshaping how hotel tax revenue is allocated for development and tourism-related partners. Hometown Sports Buzz: AHSAA Week 1 scoreboard updates rolled in across 6A–4A.

Gulf Coast Outdoors: Alabama State Parks cut the ribbon on a 4.4-mile extension of the Fort Morgan Trail at Gulf State Park, bringing the route to about 10.5 miles along Fort Morgan Road with a paved, 10-foot-wide path and 12 bridges to protect coastal wetlands. Family Travel: A new guide highlights “parks for you” ideas, including Alabama-friendly fall trip planning and family-friendly outdoor stops. Public Safety Tech: Gov. Kay Ivey’s administration activated a statewide notification system to send faster, targeted flood and disaster alerts to people in danger using geofencing—aimed at reducing overwhelmed 911 calls. Local Sports & Tourism Energy: Birmingham’s first-ever Birmingham Football Classic brings HBCU traditions to Legion Field, with Alabama State vs. Southern University drawing tailgaters and out-of-town fans. Community & Culture: Ella Langley returned to Auburn for “The Dandelion Tour” at Neville Arena, a homecoming draw for music lovers traveling across Alabama. Food & Health Watch: Jefferson County inspections found nine restaurants below satisfactory standards, including temperature-control and sanitation issues at a Hoover buffet chain.

Tourism & Travel (Alabama): If you’re planning a fall break getaway, Alabama’s Gulf Coast is being pitched as the sweet spot for warm water and fewer crowds—plus a new guide with 17 tips for Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan. Local Infrastructure: ALDOT is rolling out road work updates in Phenix City (removing “no right on red” signs) and has multiple I-65 and SR-46 closures/repaving projects affecting drivers across the state. Events & Community: Jasper will host the 16th Annual “Jasper Remembers 9/11” ceremony Sept. 9 at the Veterans Memorial and 9/11 Memorial, bringing together first responders, veterans, and special guests. Sports Travel Buzz: Auburn finalized its 2026-27 basketball schedule, including neutral-site matchups and a trip to Clemson, while Alabama’s Little League spotlight continues with Phenix City’s Kinley Rasmus making history at the Little League World Series. Cost of Getting There: AAA reports gas prices remain high, with August likely to set a new record at the pump.

Road & Rail Updates: ALDOT is rolling out a safer traffic pattern at the US-280/US-80 intersection in Phenix City, with work starting after Labor Day, plus ongoing I-65 impacts—CR-87 bridge southbound lane stays closed for emergency repairs, the I-65 North rest area in Greenville has been demolished for a new facility, and SR-46 resurfacing in Cleburne County is progressing toward an early-2027 finish. Night Travel Alerts: Expect I-65 lane closures in Shelby County (Alabaster to the Shelby/Jefferson line) for asphalt patching Aug. 30–Sept. 24, 9 p.m.–5 a.m., with lanes reopening each morning. Tourism & Culture: Dolly Parton’s legacy continues to draw visitors, with tributes popping up across the region after her death—plus Alabama lawmakers are floating a “Dolly Parton Memorial Bridge” idea for the new I-10 span. Local Jobs: The Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa is recruiting for its mechatronics pathway, highlighting pay jumps after training and strong benefits. Sports Travel Buzz: Fans may plan around major college football media moments—ESPN’s six-part Nick Saban documentary premieres Oct. 8.

Historic Preservation: Selma’s Edistone Hotel is in a race-against-time situation after part of the exterior collapsed, highlighting how urgently the landmark needs stabilization to protect its Civil Rights-era legacy. Public Health: The Alabama Department of Public Health reports 127 cyclosporiasis cases statewide, including travel-related infections and multiple outbreak links tied to specific restaurant chains—officials urge careful food and water handling. Roads & Travel: ALDOT plans safety-focused changes at the US-280/US-80 intersection in Phenix City, with work starting the week of Sept. 7 after Labor Day; drivers should watch for shifting traffic patterns. Arts & Culture: The Museum of Pell City hosts the Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama (free, Sept. 11–26), featuring student artwork created by Alabama students who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind. Tourism & Events: Visit Tuscaloosa says the city is back at No. 2 on USA Today’s best college sports towns list, a boost for game-day travel. Community Spotlight: A Cove teen completes 50 free lawn-care jobs through a nonprofit’s “50-Yard Challenge,” earning a first-of-its-kind jacket and “Girl Power” pin.