Republicans Maintain Firm Control After Alabama Midterms
Republicans left no doubt about their hold on Alabama politics Tuesday. Republican incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey turned back a challenge from Democrat Walt Maddox. The Republicans kept all statewide offices and won all contested congressional races in Alabama. We take a look at the election results for Republicans with Jacksonville State University political science professor Lori Owens.
Interview Highlights
Ivey’s low-key campaign strategy and choice not to debate:
“Certain people would have liked to have heard both of their views, but she was ahead in the polls. She had no incentive to debate Walt Maddox. If she had agreed to do that, that would have elevated his status, basically. So they made a strategic decision for her not to debate him and it worked out last night.”
Whether Alabama Republicans would win regardless of the specific candidate:
“I think we’re gonna see that for a while. I think where you’ll see the battles will be in those Republican primary races. But the Republicans will have to be very careful not to overplay their hand. But the Republicans who would be vulnerable would be the incumbent Republicans. Right now they would be more vulnerable to other Republicans who might want to kick them out of office.”
Concerns for Republicans despite their dominance:
“We went from one-party Democrat and very briefly we had a strong two-party system in this state. And now, obviously, we’re very one-party Republican. But success breeds complacency. One-party-ism ultimately breeds some corruption when you don’t have another loyal opposition party that can be the watchful eye on you. The biggest danger right now to Republicans will be they will eventually start fighting among themselves the way the Democrats did when they were the dominant party. The Republicans already do have various factions. So when you don’t have a strong opposing party, you’ve got to have an enemy somewhere and the enemy will be inside the tent, if you will.”
Postal traffic to US drops more than 80% after trade exemption rule ends, UN agency says
The de minimis rule that allowed small packages worth less than $800 to be exempt from tariffs ended on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
Colombia’s lone Amazon port faces drying river and rising tensions with Peru
Colombia's only Amazon port town could soon be cut off from the river that keeps it alive. As drought and a shifting river spark a tense border dispute with Peru, locals are scrambling to adapt—and politicians are raising flags, literally.
Sunday Puzzle: Common denominator
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with Weekend Edition puzzlemaster Will Shortz along with listener Cynthia Rose of Littleton, Colorado.
South Korea says it has reached a deal with the US for the release of workers in a Georgia plant
More than 300 South Korean workers were detained in an immigration raid on Thursday. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said South Korea plans to send a charter plane to bring the workers home.
Hitch a ride to the moon in a rusty old car and ‘The Couch in the Yard’
As the sun sets in a small town, a family loads up their rusty old car with the spare couch in their yard. When it breaks down in the mountains, what else is there to do but fly it to the moon?
The silent killer increases your risk of stroke and dementia. Here’s how to control it
New recommendations for early treatment for hypertension to prevent strokes, heart attacks and dementia come as an experimental medication is shown to lower blood pressure in hard to treat patients.