Alabama Politics This Week
by Alabama Politics This Week
Tired of the screaming rightwing maniacs on talk radio? You’ve found the right spot. APW recaps the top stories with the people who cover the news, offering unique insight and commentary you won’t find elsewhere, and providing interviews with newsmakers from both sides of the aisle.
Episodes
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Jasmyne Crimiel on Montgomery Schools + Tough Questions for Tuberville’s Campaign
With Election Day approaching, Josh Moon and David Person debate Tommy Tuberville’s “Coach’s Playbook,” including government accountability, child care and public schools. House District 74 candidate Jasmyne Crimiel joins them to discuss her background as a prosecutor, Montgomery’s schools and...
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Election countdown, "American Hate," and Stephen Perkins
Josh Moon and David Person discuss Alabama Republicans' late push on grocery taxes and Tommy Tuberville's handling of questions from the press. Phillip Ensler joins them to explain his path to winning the lieutenant governor's race and why data centers have become a campaign issue. Filmmaker…
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Votes, Tolls and Working Families: Alabama's Election Crossroads
Josh Moon and David Person debate whether Democratic enthusiasm can translate into an Alabama blue wave and how a Tommy Tuberville administration might compare with Kay Ivey's. State Representative Sam Jones joins them to discuss voter mobilization, National Guard proposals and the toll burden of...
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Dale Strong’s Debate Dodge, Alabama’s Police Problems and the Surveillance Fight
Josh Moon and David Person discuss Dale Strong’s reported airport exchange with a challenger and the political double standards surrounding police staffing in Montgomery, Huntsville and Birmingham. Huntsville activist Caden Helbling joins them to discuss his fight for Flock camera audit logs,...
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Tuberville Talks Furries. Ron Sparks Talks Farmers.
Former Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks joins Josh Moon and David Person to discuss his comeback campaign, rising farm costs, trade with Cuba and the programs he wants to restore. Josh and David also unpack Tommy Tuberville’s furry remarks, gas prices and data centers—and what those...
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Is the White House Distracting the Press?
Josh Moon and David Person discuss Trump TV, the Iran war and Tommy Tuberville’s rhetoric in Alabama’s governor’s race. Journalist DeWayne Wickham joins them to examine White House press access, reporting held back for books and U.S. policy toward Cuba. The episode also visits the Civil Rights...
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Who is Alabama working for? NIL, data centers and local politics
Josh Moon and David Person challenge the backlash against paying college athletes and discuss who benefits from keeping the old system intact. Alabama House candidate Christian Martin talks unions, faith and data centers, while Huntsville council candidate Liliana Peinder makes her case for safer...
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Tommy Tuberville's Grocery Tax Pledge Sounds Familiar
Josh Moon and David Person unpack Tommy Tuberville's grocery tax pledge and what they think it signals about his race against Doug Jones, plus Terri Sewell's proposed NIL tax withholding plan. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed joins them to discuss public safety, Jackson Hospital's uncertain future…
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Tuberville’s Data Center Plan, Rural Alabama’s Crisis & the Cost of Living
Josh Moon and David Person break down Tommy Tuberville’s newly released data center plan and what it says about the increasingly competitive political environment in Alabama. Representatives Thomas Jackson and Kelvin Lawrence join the show to discuss struggling farmers, rising prices, rural…
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Chris England: Alabama Prisons Can Be "Worse Than Death"
📧 Email questions/voice memos to [email protected] with your name and city/county. 📧 Josh Moon and David Person discuss Tommy Tuberville's refusal to debate Doug Jones and the unanswered questions surrounding his campaign. Rep. Laura Hall talks about rising costs, voting, data centers and...
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Tuberville, Doug Jones and the Fight Over Social Security
Josh Moon and David Person examine the growing fight between Tommy Tuberville and Doug Jones over Social Security, affordability and the direction of Alabama’s governor’s race. State Representative Marilyn Lands discusses maternal health, contraception and mental health initiatives, while Madison...
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Alabama Democrats Reset (w/ Caroline Self and Rachel Carroll Rivas)
Alabama Politics This Week examines the leadership shakeup inside the Alabama Democratic Party following Bobby Singleton’s election as chair and Caroline Self’s election as vice chair. Self joins Josh Moon and David Person to discuss rebuilding party infrastructure, improving messaging, reaching...
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Is Doug Jones Really Within Striking Distance of Tommy Tuberville?
A new poll shows Tommy Tuberville leading Doug Jones by just eight points, raising new questions about whether Alabama’s governor’s race could become genuinely competitive. Josh Moon and David Person break down Tuberville’s vulnerabilities on Social Security, data centers and his campaign…
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Can Bobby Singleton Unite Alabama Democrats? Plus, Phillip Ensler on Data Centers
Senator Bobby Singleton explains why he is running to lead the Alabama Democratic Party and responds directly to critics who claim he would serve as someone else’s puppet. Lieutenant governor candidate Phillip Ensler discusses opposition to data centers, Medicaid expansion, gambling legislation…
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Tuberville’s Residency Case, Democratic Infighting & Trump’s “Transistor” Moment
Tommy Tuberville’s residency challenge is racing against Alabama’s election calendar—and the outcome could reshape how candidate eligibility is decided. Josh Moon and David Person discuss the legal paths ahead, Alabama’s prison crisis, and Democratic Party infighting ahead of a crucial election....
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Can Tommy Tuberville Be Kicked Off the Ballot? Barry Ragsdale Explains
Josh Moon and David Person break down the latest developments in the lawsuit challenging Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility to run for governor, including motions to dismiss and questions about who gets to enforce Alabama’s constitutional requirements. Montgomery Mayor Stephen Reed joins the show to...
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Doug Jones on Tuberville, Data Centers and the Fight for Alabama
Josh Moon and David Person break down the new legal challenge questioning Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility to run for governor and what it could mean politically. Doug Jones joins the show to talk about his campaign, voter enthusiasm, data centers and his plan for Alabama. Michaela DeRosier of the...
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Tuberville Tax Trouble, Campaign Lawsuit Threats and Alabama’s GOP Chaos
Josh Moon and David Person break down a chaotic week in Alabama politics, from Tommy Tuberville’s tax return controversy to questions about his residency and campaign credibility. They also discuss Barry Moore’s threats against media outlets over reporting on his military service record. Later,...
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Alabama’s Map Mess, Tuberville’s Tax Returns & Rural Hospital Crisis
Josh Moon and David Person break down the Supreme Court’s decision allowing Alabama to use its contested congressional map and what it means for voters, election officials and voting rights. They also speak with Theresa Lau and Gina Azito Thompson of the Southern Poverty Law Center about rural...
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Alabama Republicans Lose Again on Redistricting + Andrew Sneed Interview
Josh Moon and David Person break down the latest court fight over Alabama’s congressional maps and what it could mean for voters, representation and the 2026 elections. Jerome Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center joins the show to explain what happened in court, why the judges appeared…
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Doug Jones Wins Big, GOP Runoffs, and the Fight for Voting Rights
Josh Moon and David Person break down Alabama’s 2026 primary results, including Doug Jones’ decisive Democratic win, key Republican races and major local upsets across the state. They’re joined by Jerome Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center to discuss the “All Roads Lead to the South” voting...
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Shomari Figures Responds to Alabama’s Voting Rights Crisis
Josh Moon and David Person break down the Supreme Court’s shadow docket action on Alabama’s congressional maps and what it could mean for Black voting power in the state. Congressman Shomari Figures joins the show to discuss the legal fight, voter turnout, and his work representing Alabama’s 2nd...
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Has Alabama’s Old Racism Blocked Its New Gerrymander?
Josh Moon and David Person break down Alabama’s latest redistricting fight and the political push to weaken Black voting power. SPLC’s Makhayla DesRosiers and Arthur Ago explain what the Supreme Court’s Louisiana voting rights decision means for Alabama and future litigation. Later, author Mike...
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Supreme Court Ruling Threatens Black Representation in Alabama
Josh Moon and David Person react to a major Supreme Court decision that could weaken key protections in the Voting Rights Act and reshape representation in Alabama and across the South. They discuss the potential impact on Black voters, congressional districts, and the legacy of the Roberts…
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No Dick-tators + “Move to California!” and Other Bad Alabama Arguments
Josh Moon and David Person dive into Alabama’s culture of political groupthink and why it may be keeping the state at the bottom of nearly every meaningful ranking. They’re joined by Phillip Ensler to talk hospitals, public schools and public safety, plus guests from the Southern Poverty Law…
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Alabama Legislature Does Nothing for Workers While Protecting the Rich (w/ Mayor Steven Reed and Rep. Mary Moore)
This week we break down the hypocrisy of coaches like Nick Saban who fought NIL deals while making millions off unpaid labor, interview Montgomery Mayor Stephen Reed about recent shootings and failed state gun legislation, and hear from Rep. Mary Moore on why the 2026 session accomplished nothing...
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The Alabama AG Race Is a Mess | Plus Rep. Patrick Sellers Joins
Josh Moon and David Person break down the Alabama attorney general race, including sharp criticism of Jay Mitchell’s campaign rhetoric and his defense of controversial police prosecutions. Later, Rep. Patrick Sellers joins the show to talk about the legislative session, education funding,...
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Can Alabama Turn Purple? Voting Rights, GOP Fatigue, and a Heated Debate
Josh Moon and David Person dig into new polling that suggests Alabama Republicans may be losing their grip on voters who care more about affordability than culture-war politics. They talk with Representative Adline Clark about voting rights, early voting, and barriers that still make it harder…
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Tuberville’s Residency Trouble, Montgomery Pushback, and Alabama’s Rights Battles
Josh Moon and David Person break down the first lawsuit challenging Tommy Tuberville’s residency and what it could mean for the governor’s race. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed joins the show to push back on misleading narratives about his city, talk public safety, and call out dangerous political...
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Can a Democrat Win Alabama’s Reddest District? Amanda Pusczek Thinks Alabama CD-4 Can Change
Josh and David react to The Alabama Solution documentary missing out on an Oscar, then dive into Attorney General Steve Marshall’s remarks attacking the film. They break down why violence, rape, and extortion inside Alabama prisons are still crimes, no matter who the victims are. The conversation...
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Kay Ivey’s Commutation, Walker County Jail, and Pete Hegseth
In this episode of Alabama Politics This Week, Josh Moon and David Person break down Gov. Kay Ivey’s decision to commute the death sentence of Charles Lee Burton and the furious response from Attorney General Steve Marshall, then dive into a major fight inside the Alabama Democratic Party over...
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School Choice, Gambling Myths, and New Voices in Alabama Politics
Josh Moon and David Person break down Alabama’s school choice debate and the financial impact on public schools, plus the truth about gambling policy in the state. The episode also features interviews with state house candidates Austin Smith and Jesse Barcala, along with Rep. Thomas Jackson...
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Nothing Says "Public Safety" Like a Surprise Power Grab (w/ Mayor Steven Reed)
This episode tackles the political fight over public safety in Montgomery, with Mayor Steven Reed pushing back on what he describes as performative fearmongering and a proposed state “takeover” of city policing. Reed argues the rhetoric doesn’t match the data, says Montgomery has already been...
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Garbage Bills, Chemtrails, and the Death of the Newsroom
Josh and David cover a wide-ranging week in Alabama politics—mourning Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy, blasting a “chemtrails” bill as unserious policymaking, and venting about environmental rollbacks they say trade Alabama’s waterways and wildlife for corporate profit. SPLC attorney Micah West joins...
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Who Controls the Story — and Your Utility Bill?
This week on Alabama Politics This Week, we hit the culture-war noise and the power politics underneath it — from the right’s meltdown over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show to a fast-tracked Alabama bill that would change the Alabama Public Service Commission from elected to appointed, even…
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Alabama’s Power Struggles: Residency, the Supreme Court and Affordability (w/ Neil Rafferty and AshLeigh Dunham)
The episode centers on the residency firestorm around Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s run for governor, with Josh and David arguing that state tax returns and related records are the simplest way to prove (or disprove) Alabama residency — and warning that voting and tax questions could create serious…
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Ron Sparks Returns + Death By a Thousand Cuts for Alabama Schools
This episode opens with a discussion of alleged retaliation inside Alabama’s prison system, following reporter Beth Shelburne’s updates about key whistleblowers from The Alabama Solution documentary. The hosts debate the moral, practical, and financial failures of Alabama’s corrections approach,...
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ICE Shooting + Anthony Daniels on Bipartisan Governing and the Fight for Affordability
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...
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Conviction Over Calculation: Philip Ensler on Running for Lt. Governor
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…
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Doug Jones for Governor: The Rematch vs. Tuberville, Fixing the Lottery, & ADC Drama
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...
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The Alabama Solution, Prisons, and Health Care Greed (w/ Beth Shelburne and Jerome Dees)
"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...
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Can This Plumber Fix Democrats' Messaging Problem? (w/ Andrew Sneed)
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.…
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PBS Showdown, Permitless Carry, and Boyd vs. Jones (w/ Mayor Steven Reed)
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…
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Epstein Emails, ACA Betrayal & the Tuberville Problem (w/ Rep. Terri Sewell & Bill Britt)
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...
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Post-Election Analysis (w/ Jeremy Devito)
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...
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From Jim Crow to “Recovering Racist” (w/ Dr. Jim Vickrey)
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…
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Will Charles Barkley Run for Alabama Governor? (+ ProPublica's Amy Yurkanin)
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...
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Can a Working-Class Democrat Win in Red Alabama? (w/ Mark Wheeler)
In this episode of Alabama Politics This Week, hosts David Pearson and Josh Moon sit down with Mark Wheeler, a Democratic candidate for Alabama's U.S. Senate seat left open by Tommy Tuberville. Wheeler, a lifelong Heflin resident, chemist, and former factory worker, discusses his unconventional...
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Montgomery Tragedy, Policy Choices, and Political Posturing (w/ Mayor Steven Reed and the SPLC)
This week, Josh and David open with Montgomery’s tragic downtown mass shooting and push back on knee-jerk fixes. They argue multiple truths can coexist: guns, culture, policing levels, education inequities, and media erosion all matter. Josh recounts prior eras of violence to counter shallow…
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Disaffected America: Mass Shootings, Media Fatigue, and Party Infighting (w/ Jennifer Mascia)
This week, Josh and David open with Alabama sports/media/politics crossovers — from Bruce Pearl bowing out to Paul Finebaum’s flirtation with a Senate run — and debate whether “moderate” GOP backers are just trying to block Attorney General Steve Marshall. They also unpack college sports’ power...
About this show
Tired of the screaming rightwing maniacs on talk radio? You’ve found the right spot. APW recaps the top stories with the people who cover the news, offering unique insight and commentary you won’t find elsewhere, and providing interviews with newsmakers from both sides of the aisle.
Hosted by
Alabama Politics This Week