April 10, 2026 - Week In Review

The 2026 Alabama legislative session concluded with a mix of major accomplishments and unresolved tensions. Key legislation included the passage of the TRAIN Act and CTE Teacher Certification Act to modernize career and technical education, a new law protecting dogs from inhumane outdoor conditions (Bowes Law), and the official renaming of Alabama's southern body of water as the Gulf of America. The controversial bill to close primaries failed to pass due to time constraints, despite strong Republican support. The session also marked the end of an era, as the current statehouse—home to the legislature for 41 years—will be demolished to make way for a new, modern facility. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton reflected on the session’s productivity, with Ledbetter highlighting workforce development and infrastructure reforms, while Singleton praised bipartisan cooperation despite procedural challenges. The episode also covered national developments, including a tentative ceasefire in Iran following President Trump’s aggressive rhetoric, which drew sharp criticism from Democrats demanding congressional oversight. The final segment honored retiring lawmakers and celebrated Governor Kay Ivey’s nine years in office, including the naming of a Capitol complex building in her honor.