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 as the PSC directly shapes what you pay in utilities.

Then we’re joined by Tabitha Isner, Alabama Democratic Party vice chair and a candidate for Alabama Senate District 26, to talk turnout, disengaged voters, and what it takes to build a full statewide Democratic ticket. SPLC Chief Strategy Officer Seth Levi also joins to explain why reported edits at civil rights-related national park sites (including language tied to Medgar Evers’ murder) fit a broader push to whitewash racism and slavery from public history — and what people can do to push back.

We wrap with Bonehead of the Week: Pam Bondi’s DOJ, repeated grand jury refusals, and the absurdity of calling it “treason” to remind service members not to follow illegal orders — plus a quick look at why that moment could boost Sen. Mark Kelly’s 2028 prospects.

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Music courtesy of Mr. Smith via the Free Music Archive.

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 legal exposure if the fight goes to court.

Guest AshLeigh Dunham, a candidate for Alabama Supreme Court, says she’s running to bring balance to a court she views as increasingly ideological, discussing constitutional rights, the IVF decision, protest-mask proposals, and book/library censorship battles.

Rep. Neil Rafferty joins to outline Democrats’ affordability focus — healthcare, premiums, and high utility bills — and to assess whether GOP infighting creates openings. The show closes with Josh distinguishing John Wahl's residency challenge from Tuberville’s and a “Right Wing Bonehead” segment criticizing Secretary of State Wes Allen’s voter-fraud messaging and restrictive absentee voting rules.

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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 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, including solitary confinement concerns and broader prison “racket” incentives.

Former Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks joins to explain why he’s running again, emphasizing consumer protection and the rollback of key enforcement functions like gasoline testing and fraud investigations. Sparks also highlights past accomplishments, including upgraded animal diagnostic labs across the state and rural development work such as expanding telemedicine.

The episode closes with the hosts’ “bonehead” segment criticizing legislative efforts to politicize the AHSAA and warning that school voucher policy dynamics are bleeding into high school athletics.

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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 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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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.

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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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.

"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.

RESOURCES & SOCIALS

• 🔵 Bluesky: @alpoliticsthisweek.com
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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 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

⚫ 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 apwproducer@gmail.com 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.