Hurricane Watch: Tropical Storm Bertha is crawling toward the northern Gulf Coast, with forecasters warning of heavy rain and possible flash flooding in parts of Alabama and the region as it moves west; the storm’s track and strength remain uncertain, but rainfall totals could reach 2–4 inches with isolated higher amounts. Elections & Voting: Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen reminded voters that Monday, July 27 is the registration deadline for the Aug. 11 special primary in CD-1, CD-2, CD-6 and CD-7, with photo ID required at the polls. State Politics: Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District is now on the NRCC target list after redistricting, as Republicans aim to unseat Rep. Shomari Figures. Local Government & Privacy: Red Bay police chief Janna Jackson is holding an Aug. 17 community meeting to address concerns about a flock security camera, saying it’s license-plate recognition only and not facial recognition. Economy & Jobs: Alabama employers reported a record 2.22 million jobs in June, even as unemployment ticked up and the labor force shrank. Housing Market: Alabama home sales rose for a fifth straight month in June, reaching the highest monthly level since Dec. 2022. Aerospace Growth: Doncasters plans a $50M second Alabama facility in Auburn, and Redwire is expanding in Huntsville—announced at the Farnborough airshow. Student Loans: An AP analysis finds Alabama among the worst states for student loan defaults, with the default rate reported around 26%.