Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in North Alabama
Shadow games in Senate District 2
Whispers of a “shadow candidate” for retiring Sen. Tom Butler’s District 2 seat are starting to sound more like a running joke than a real threat. So far, the only contender to actually file and campaign is Republican John Roberts, whose blockbuster kickoff event cemented his frontrunner status. Persistent chatter about House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels jumping in on the Democratic side has fueled speculation for months, but Daniels has yet to confirm. Until someone steps forward, Roberts continues to own the field while the so-called shadow candidate stays, well, in the dark.
Day of reckoning for the AHSAA?
With Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth now leading the charge, pressure is mounting on the AHSAA to answer for years of controversial decisions and a structure critics say operates with little oversight. Ainsworth is inviting the public to email him their experiences, critiques, and reform ideas after the association defied state law by denying eligibility to students in Alabama’s CHOOSE Act school choice program — a move he calls “breaking the law.” His call for input, backed by a lawsuit from Gov. Kay Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, signals that sweeping changes to how high school sports are governed in Alabama may finally be on the horizon.
Redstone ripple effects
With the recent Space Command announcement, Huntsville insiders are buzzing about who will leverage the issue in upcoming races. Several candidates are already promoting messages like “protecting North Alabama’s mission,” a sure sign that Redstone Arsenal will be as much a political talking point as an economic driver in 2026.
Sizzle, smoke, and a side of charity
The stakes are high as Sizzle & Smoke returns to Ingalls Harbor for its fifth year. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the free community cook-off will fill the waterfront with live music, food trucks and family fun as the Steak Cook-off Association’s Double Steak Competition heats up where chefs as young as 10 will battle for top honors. Proceeds benefit the Tennessee Valley Outreach Rescue Mission, Decatur’s only overnight homeless shelter.
