December 2024 Edition
December 2024 Edition
December 8, 2024 – the University of Alabama will not be playing in the playoffs. Alabama fans' dreams of winning a national championship in 2024 are now officially over. The committee chose SMU over the Tide for the last available playoff spot. At one point this season, Alabama, coming off a stunning victory over Georgia, was the number one team in the country; but the wheels began falling off the next week with a loss to Vanderbilt. Bama almost lost to South Carolina the following week and...
November 27, 2024 – HAWAII - the Auburn University men's basketball team defeated Memphis in the championship game of the Maui Invitational tournament. Auburn, the number four team in the country, improves to 7 and 0 on the season – including three wins against top 15 teams. Auburn defeated Memphis 90 to 76. Auburn got out to an early lead over Memphis winning the first half of the game 47 to 31. Memphis got its offense on track in the second half; but never could stop Auburn. Both teams...
December 13, 2024 – MORGANTOWN, WV – Jacksonville State head football Coach Rich Rodriguez was been named the 36th head football coach at West Virginia University. "We are thrilled to welcome Coach Rich Rodriguez and his family back home," Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. "Coach Rodriguez understands what it takes to win at West Virginia, and I believe he will pour his heart, soul and every ounce of his energy into our program. I am convinced Coach Rodriguez wants...
December 16, 2024 – AUBURN, AL – Auburn athletics chaplain and former standout linebacker Chette Williams passed away suddenly Saturday after he fell into the water on Lake Martin while attempting to bridge the gap between the dock and his boat. Williams went under the water and his companion was unsuccessful in pulling him out of the water. ALEA recovered his body that evening and pronounced Williams dead. Auburn coaches, players, staff, and fans were all shocked by Rev. Williams' passing...
It's a lucrative time to be an NFL quarterback. Teams are spending big money on multiyear contract extensions to lock in their signal-callers to long-term deals in hopes of having a franchise face to lead the way for many years. That means players who haven't been in the league for long—including some who have yet to live up to expectations—can command top dollar. Stacker compiled a list of NFL quarterbacks with a $200 million contract using data from Spotrac. Teams increasingly look to the...
December 25, 2024 – BIRMINGHAM, AL – Auburn's men basketball team improves to 11 and 1 with an impressive win over number 16 Purdue 87 to 69 in Birmingham. The number two team in the nation, Auburn next plays Monmouth (10-2) on December 30, before entering SEC play. Senior Center/Forward Johni Broome showed why he is regarded as one of the best players in the country. Broome, a powerful 6-10 presence in the post, can also shoot from beyond the arc and is Auburn's team assist leader. Broome...
December 15, 2024 – AUBURN, AL – the Auburn Tigers are not in a bowl game; but they are busy trying to improve their roster for next season. Oklahoma Sophomore Quarterback Jackson Arnold has left the Sooners and is transferring to Auburn after just two seasons at Oklahoma. Arnold has played in nine games for Oklahoma this season. Arnold had 1,421 yards in passing with 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions (Auburn had some QBs with 3 INTs in a game this year. He also showed that he can...
Every year, the NBA treats fans to some thrilling games during Christmas. The festive season on the court is special, with themed events at arenas across the U.S. For those planning to see the action live, the NBA Christmas Games 2024 schedule is here, and there are some can't-miss matchups. Way.com shares the details, including where to find the best parking near each NBA arena. Does the NBA Play On Christmas Day? Yes. The NBA schedules games for major holidays including Christmas Day. There...
December 19, 2024 - TUSCALOOSA, AL - In recent days, Alabama has lost starting cornerback DeVonta Smith, wide receivers Kobe Prentice, Caleb Odom, and Isaiah Bond, and running back Justice Haynes to other programs through the transfer portal. Players enter the transfer portal for a number of reasons: to be closer to home, they did not like staff changes by the program, because they weren't getting enough playing time, a coach hurt their feelings, or simply to get more money. That last one has...
December 20, 2024 – MONTGOMERY, AL – the 2024 Southeastern Conference season is behind up and the University of Georgia Bulldogs are the conference champions!!! Most of the teams of the conference still have football to play. Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee are in the inaugural 12 team college playoff. Why we are playing playoff games 4 and 5 days before Christmas messing up our Christmas parties, baking, and shopping instead of on New Year's day weekend is another one of those decisions by...
December 31, 2024 – the Michigan Wolverines bested the Alabama Crimson Tide 19 to 13 in the Reliaquest Bowl in Tampa Bay, Florida. Alabama had 3 turnovers in its first 10 offensive plays contributing to Michigan jumping out to a 16 to 0 lead in the first quarter. Michigan was missing six defensive starters, including three defensive linemen, but they completely dominated the Tide in the first quarter and a half. Alabama's defense did a great job of limiting Michigan to field goals on most of...
December 20, 2024 – ORLANDO, FL – Jacksonville State University came up three points short against Ohio University in the Cure Bowl. The game pitted the Mid-American Conference champion Ohio team versus the Conference USA Champion Jacksonville State team. JSU Quarterback Tyler Huff threw for 364 yards in the loss with 21 completions on 34 attempts with one touchdown and one interception. Ohio quarterback Parker Navarro ran the ball for three touchdowns and 111 yards to go along with his...
December 26, 2024 – BIRMINGHAM, AL the 18th Birmingham Bow will be played at Protective Stadium Friday afternoon and will feature the Vanderbilt Commodores (6-6) of the Southeastern Conference and the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (7-5) of the American Athletic Conference. Mark Meadows is the executive director of the Birmingham Bowl. “We are excited to welcome Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt to Birmingham later this month! Fans of both teams will enjoy spending the holidays in the Magic City with...
December 27, 2024 – the Vanderbilt Commodores defeated the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets 35 to 27 in the 2024 Birmingham Bowl. The game was close in the first half with Vanderbilt holding a 14 to 10 lead over the Commodores. Vanderbilt broke the game open in the second half with 21 points scored to just 3 points for the Yellow Jackets. Vanderbilt leaped out to a 35 to 13 lead with 7:17 left to play in the fourth quarter when the game went into a lengthy rain delay. Georgia Tech scored 14 points...
January 7, 2025 - Bruce Pearl has done it: win number 214. It was not easy, but with a hard fought 86 -82 road victory over Texas he has cemented his legacy as the winningest coach in Auburn basketball history. It's not just a milestone; it's a towering achievement that deserves applause, reflection, and unrestrained celebration. As someone who deeply appreciates the grit and determination it takes to rise to the top, I find Pearl's journey nothing short of inspiring. When Bruce Pearl arrived...
Golfing among U.S. presidents is culturally embedded in the job—even if you come into the White House as a casual player. It's seen as a stress reliever for one of the toughest jobs in the world. One of the first presidents to take up a club was William Howard Taft, who served from 1909 to 1913. Taft loved golf, so much so that it garnered him detractors during his 1908 presidential campaign for playing a "rich man's game." But Taft isn't the only president with an ardent love for the game....
Senator Tommy Tuberville's decision to either seek re-election or run for Governor presents Alabama with a win-win scenario. Whether he remains in the Senate or transitions to state leadership, the ultimate beneficiaries are the good people of the great state of Alabama. In a time when principled leadership is more critical than ever, Tuberville's dedication, vision, and hands-on approach have proven to be indispensable for the people of Alabama and the Nation. Currently President-elect Donald...
Rep. Shomari Figures, (D-Alabama) used his election night victory speech to recognize his win's emergence from the long shadow of Alabama's racist history and his family's enduring legacy of anti-racism. His father, the late Michael Figures, was elected one of just three Black Alabama state senators in 1978. Thomas Figures, his uncle, was the first Black person to serve as assistant district attorney and assistant U.S. attorney in Alabama's Mobile County. But the two Figures brothers are most...
December 9, 2024–Last week’s SCOTUS oral arguments in United States v Skrmetti (the case involving Tennessee’s ban on gender-altering therapies for minors) have people wondering if we’ve reached Peak Trans, and the answer is…no. Not yet, at least. While the Court seems to be leaning towards upholding the Tennessee law, the Justices aren’t expected to rule until next June. The federal government claims that denying transgender minors gender-affirming care violates the equal...
December 10, 2024 - OPELIKA, AL - The East Alabama Examiner was first to break the Election Day story on yet another 1st Amendment civil right violation in Lee County [https://www.eaexaminer.com/post/auburn-based-independent-news-channel-exposes-the-election-day-tyranny-of-judge-english] on November 5, 2024. This recent embarrassing event indicates Lee County Probate Judge Bill English failed to provide rudimentary instruction to Lee County Poll Workers, specifically Chief Poll Inspector Sharon...
In politics, as in football, success hinges on assembling the right team and executing a winning strategy. For President Donald Trump, who was elected with a mandate to deliver bold, transformative change, his nominations for key positions are not mere formalities-they are essential players in his game plan. It is incumbent upon every Republican in the Senate to confirm these nominations, ensuring that the president can hit the ground running to implement the agenda Americans overwhelmingly...
This year marks the 70th anniversary of "White Christmas", the movie musical based on Irving Berlin's classic popular Christmas melody of the same name. And in the spirit of the Christmas season, many movie theaters are offering showings of the 1954 film on the big screen on December 15th, 16th, and 17th. Being a post-World War II musical, the plot centers around two soldiers portrayed by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye who became a song and dance duo after the war's end. After an old army buddy...
December 7, 2024–Regardless of what happens next in the Daniel Penny case, the damage has already been done. The message has gone out to all men, especially White men, and it’s been received: Do nothing. Don’t step up or step in. Do NOT intervene. Do NOT get involved. Regardless of the situation, you will be held at fault. Your life will be destroyed. You will be charged, prosecuted and sued. It’s just not worth it. Better to stand back, better still to ignore the situation completely...
Estimates state that there are 546 million listeners to podcasts worldwide. With there being over six million podcasts in the world. And that in the US, 47% of the population twelve and up listen to a podcast at least once a month. In an effort to reach some of the listeners in this popular digital audio file market, the Moody Bible Institute has developed a faith filled audio drama aimed at kids ages 8 to 13 in their podcast, "The Honeycomb Chronicles". With the purpose of "The Honeycomb...
December 18, 2024 - CENTREVILLE, AL - Donning a stylish red velveteen suit jacket, Mayor Mike Oakley of Centreville rushed from his city council meeting on Tuesday, December 17th, 2024 to join The Studio in their annual Christmas piano recital at the Four Points Baptist Church. As Mayor Oakley explained to those in attendance, when he was a young lad, there was a phenomenal piano teacher in the area named Miss Ruby who lived on Antioch Road. She would even go to people's houses to teach piano....
Rear Admiral Kent Davis USN Retired, is a hero to approximately 400,000 veterans and their families within AL. He served successfully as Commissioner of the AL Department of Veterans Affairs for almost six years from February 2019 until October when AL Governor fired him after Davis filed an ethics complaint regarding a dispute over handling of federal grants offered through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. This appears to be unjustified because the AL State Board of Veterans...
205 years ago, our great state was admitted as the 22nd state in the United States. On this 205th birthday, also called "Alabama Day," I wanted to take time to brag on a few highlights of Alabama's 205 years. On December 14, 1819, Alabama was officially named a state during a constitutional convention held to organize the state government under the first Governor of Alabama, William Wyatt Bibb. President James Monroe then signed Alabama into official statehood. After making some rounds across...
As we celebrate Christmas, let us pause to reflect on the profound significance of this sacred season. It is a time of joy, a time of renewal, and a time of hope. This holiday reminds us that no matter the challenges we face, the light of God's love shines brighter than any darkness. Christmas is the story of a promise fulfilled; the birth Jesus Christ, a savior who came to bring peace to a weary world. Over 2,000 years ago, in a humble stable in Bethlehem, a child was born to remind us that...
Chette Williams was a man of unwavering faith, steadfast love, and immeasurableimpact. His passing during this sacred season, when we celebrate the birth of Christ, is a profound reminder of the hope and promise of eternity that Chette devoted his life to sharing. Chette's story began long before his time as Auburn's beloved Team Chaplain. He played football for Auburn under the legendary Coach Pat Dye, where he learned firsthand the values of hard work, perseverance, and brotherhood that...
December 16, 2024–ABC News has settled President-elect Trump’s defamation suit against them. Now, who’s next? The Judge in the original case? Liberal social influencers? Other media outlets? Zillions of Democrats who were desperate to parrot the talking point that Trump was a “convicted rapist?” FYI: he’s neither, according to New York law and a New York jury. Here’s what happened: on ABC’s This Week on March 10, 2024, host George Stephanopoulos Was interviewing Congresswoman...
Our legendary governor of the 1940’s and 1950’s was the giant, cartoonish, character James E. “Big Jim” Folsom. Ole Big Jim ran against the big businesses of Birmingham – big banks, utilities, and U.S. Steel – and labeled them the “Big Mules.” He campaigned on the back of a flatbed truck in every hamlet in the state. He would dance and sing with his band, the Strawberry Pickers, and rail against the Big Mules of Birmingham and the Big Planters of the Black Belt. George Wallace...
December, 1914. For over four months, Europe had been embroiled in war. What was initially conceived to be a quick conflict had become a stalemate unlike anything the world had yet seen. With the advent of newer, deadlier weapons of war, the word slaughter had been redefined to accommodate the new world of mass killing. In the first Battle of Ypres, a.k.a. Bloody Flanders, the month-long battle that had just ended on 22 November, saw over 290,000 total casualties on both sides to include,...
We are witnessing one of the most egregious abuses of presidential power in modern history. Joe Biden’s “full and unconditional” pardon of his son Hunter Biden is just the latest proof that the swamp is alive and well and must be drained. Biden has been lying about this for years, and now he's using his office to make sure his son stays untouchable, even after getting caught red-handed and pleading guilty. It is not just about the pardon itself: it's about the lies that Biden has used as...
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Matthew 2:1-2 For 2,000 years, the wise men of the east have intrigued us. Who were they? From whence did they come? Whom were they seeking? And why? Could their quest have had anything to do, even in part, with the principles of law and...
Seventy-five years ago, William Faulkner was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature, an accomplishment that was significant enough, but what he said in his acceptance speech is perhaps even more significant and timeless. The dawning nuclear age of the 1940s called into question the viability of civilization and continued existence of mankind. Science was in its heyday, and the American military was on the cutting edge to achieve global hegemony. Given the might and power of the United States,...
December 20, 2024–Thursday afternoon Speaker Mike Johnson’s Plan B Continuing Resolution, leaving us facing the very real possibility of a government shutdown. *yawn* Seriously, Johnson’s Plan B spending bill going down in flames didn’t even make my top 5 most interesting things that happened Thursday. The Senate passed the (always horrible) NDAA, which stripped out federal funding for transgender care for dependents of military personnel. It looks like “Lady G” Lindsey Graham is...
During the last session of the legislature, Governor Kay Ivey, Speaker of the House, Nathaniel Ledbetter, State Senate President Pro Tem, Greg Reed, along with the business leaders of the state made the "Working for Alabama" program their priority. The Governor and legislature passed a sweeping package of bills that will streamline workforce development in our state and make us one of the most competitive states in America for attracting industry and creating jobs and careers for our young men...
December 23, 2024 - The Wall Street Journal's timing was nigh-perfect. Imagine you’re The Editor at a Respected News Organization (the Caps are Important!). You have an explosive report that confirms the President has been incompetent for months, if not years. It implicates many influential people in power in an active coverup of this sad state of affairs. It all but confirms what those crazy tinfoil hat conspiracy theorists have been saying—that the 2020 election was stolen to install a...
As we step into 2025, we are witnessing the dawn of a transformative period that will not only shape the next four years but set the stage for generations to come. I echo the sentiment recently expressed by a recent MAGA convert tech billionaire Marc Andreessen who stated: Across the country, from boardrooms to kitchen tables, Americans are finally exhaling in relief. The stranglehold of fear—whether from oppressive government overreach, ideological conformity, or cancel culture—has begun...
December 27, 2024–Somebody at The Hill is desperate for clicks. Why else would they be fomenting insurrection the day after Christmas? Boxing Day—December 26th—is a slow news day. People are still recovering from Christmas, or making the rounds of friends, or finishing their Christmas shopping at the After-Christmas sales (admit it—you’ve done it) or returning the gifts that don’t fit or are too weird to keep in the closet for next year’s white elephant gifts. News organizations...
For some reason teachers have become a sacred cow. If you question anything "the wonderful and caring teachers" think, do, or say, or you question all the time off and other government perks they get you hate children. Teachers can do no wrong! Eerily similar to four years ago where if you questioned the official narrative, didn't wear a mask, social distanced, or got a shot not only did you hate grandmothers but you wanted grandmothers to die! Someone once said "to learn who rules over you,...
Another ‘snow job’ by pro-government Lee County media touting how wonderful ACCA, BCA, et al type spending to promote more (non-market driven) growth and tourism is typical holiday news reporting. Some recalled the ‘OPS they did it again’ column [https://www.alabamagazette.com/story/2018/11/01/opinion/giggin-for-dollars-in-opelika-as-forecasted-ops-they-did-it-again/1499.html] on Alabama’s first Gig City. The “How do corrupt politburo members make $14milion in internet revenue?...
Eating out at restaurants is fun and convenient, but on New Year’s Day, don’t forget to eat your black-eyed peas. As tradition holds, if you eat cornbread on New Year’s Day, the cornbread will bring golden opportunities in the new year. If you eat collard greens on New Year’s Day with your black eyed peas, money will abound. If you eat the black-eyed peas with stewed tomatoes, the tomatoes will grant one good health in the New Year. And the black-eyed peas themselves, signify good luck...
My tradition is to make my year end column a tribute to major political figures that passed away during the year. My column last week did that, however, there were an inordinately large number of political leaders who passed away in 2024. Therefore, this week, I have a second tribute to two of the giants in Alabama legislative history. I had the honor of serving in the House of Representatives with these two icons, and they were two of my favorite legislative friends. State Senator Jimmy Holley...
As we move into 2025, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey will have the last two years of her long tenure as the state’s top executive. The Governor has taken on tough issues during her tenure in office, but has maintained her popularity. Actually she has ranked annually as one of the most popular governors in the Nation. Ivey worked her way up from reading clerk in the Alabama Legislature, to state treasurer, then Lieutenant Governor and now Governor. She has made history in her ascent to the...
Fans of Jane Austen's incredibly insightful novels will readily reread every one of her six famous novels for perpetuity. However, another author who finds favor with many fans of Jane Austen is Elizabeth Gaskell. With Gaskell also being the daughter of a minister like Jane Austen was the daughter of a clergyman. And one of Elizabeth Gaskell's most seminal works is "North and South". While the title of "North and South" may evoke images of Patrick Swayze in the 1980s miniseries set before,...
As 2024 comes to a close, I wanted to provide you with an update on my work for North Alabamians this year. When the people of North Alabama sent me to Congress, I knew I wanted to focus on reforming how Washington does business for people. I am proud that my office has assisted nearly 1,200 constituents this year with various issues like delayed tax returns, VA claim denials, and ensuring folks receive the social security benefits they’ve earned. I have also put forward a legislative agenda...
January 3, 2025 - For those who have tired of wading through the endless rows of mindless subpar "B" type movies that flood the streaming opportunities on Netflix, "I Can Only Imagine" is now streaming on Great American Pure Flix. Directed by the Erwin brothers, who are originally from Birmingham, Alabama, "I Can Only Imagine" is a biopic about the relationship between the lead singer of the American contemporary Christian music band, MercyMe, and his abusive father. Although rated PG, "I Can...
January 1, 2025–A pickup flying an ISIS flag plows into a New Year’s crowd on Bourbon Street. A Cybertruck driver locks himself in and detonates a cache of flammables in front of Trump Tower in Las Vegas. In a Queens nightclub, at least eleven people are shot and wounded. 2025 is literally starting with a bang. Of the three major incidents that happened Wednesday, as of this writing (in the wee hours Thursday morning) we know the least about the Queens nightclub shooting. The story...
January rarely affords what anyone would describe as good weather in Washington, but this January 6 was adequate and normal, though it was probably good to have a Republican cloth coat. The U.S. House of Representatives had convened at noon to consider routine matters, not the least of which was to accept the oath of office from Alabama Congressman George Grant, who, due to illness, was not able to be in town to take the actual oath with the other re-elected House members. The Speaker...
December 9, 2025–Tuesday, Mark Zuckerberg posted a video on Facebook and Instagram promising to reduce censorship and “return to our roots” of free expression on the platforms. He stated that Facebook would be ditching their Fact Checkers, instituting a system of Community Notes (like rival X now has), lift restrictions on some topics, focus more on policing illegal and high-severity violations, and changing the way political content is handled so that people who want to see more of it on...
January 7, 2025 - While the world grapples with ISIS-inspired terrorist attacks and rising threats to global security, Joe Biden decided this was the perfect moment to hand out medals to liberal billionaires, political insiders, and fashion moguls. It’s as if the White House decided that optics don’t matter anymore—because why address terrorism or national security when you can throw a self-congratulatory awards ceremony instead? It’s Nero fiddling while Rome burns, except this time the...
January 11, 2025–“Spring forward, Fall back.” It’s the mantra of Daylight Savings Time (DST)—an idea that was presented in the most wonderful, glowing terms but in practice turned out to be inefficient, counterproductive, annoying and deadly. Once enacted, it quickly proved to give few to none of the promised benefits but a plethora of drawbacks and problems. Nonetheless, it has resisted all attempts to do away with it for decades. In other words, it’s the quintessential government...
January 10, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - The next mandatory chronic wasting disease (CWD) sampling weekend for all of Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin counties has been postponed due to inclement weather and has been rescheduled for next weekend, January 18-19, 2025. Also, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division has added an incentive to encourage hunters in the CWD Management Zone (CMZ) to submit samples. Hunters who...
December 7, 2024 - The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has reopened the McIntosh Bluff Public Boat Ramp on the Tombigbee River in Washington County. Improvements to the facility include paving of the main parking lot, overflow parking lot and entrance road. Funding for this project was provided through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, which is supported through excise taxes on the sale of outboard motor...
A white-tailed deer recently harvested by a hunter in Colbert County in northwest Alabama has been confirmed positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The detection of CWD in Colbert County has resulted in an expansion of the state's CWD Management Zone (CMZ) to include all of Colbert, Lauderdale and Franklin counties in the CMZ. A portion of Franklin County has been included in the High-Risk Zone (HRZ) within the CMZ. The HRZ portion of Franklin County extends north of State Highway 24 from...
December 17, 2024 - Montgomery - Pursuant to Section 9-12-28, Code of Alabama 1975 as stated by Rule 220-3-.02, the Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces that all public water bottoms will close to the harvest of oysters at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Summary of Alabama's Oyster Harvest Alabama's public oyster reefs opened for harvest on October 7, 2024, and will close for the season at the end of the harvest...
December 19, 2024 - MONTGOMERY, AL - If you weren't able to attend one of three public meetings recently, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) Marine Resources Division (MRD) wants your input. The meetings were held in Spanish Fort, Tillman's Corner and Orange Beach to engage the public on a variety of subjects concerning Alabama's saltwater fisheries management, including the state's iconic fish species, the American red snapper. "We are always listening to...
December 19, 2024 -MONTGOMERY, AL - The Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) will close the state's 2024 private angler red snapper fishing season at midnight on Tuesday, December 31. Alabama's 2024 federal allocation of red snapper was 659,654 pounds. "The weather played a major role throughout the 2024 red snapper season," said Scott Bannon, MRD Director. "Several tropical storms and hurricanes created rough water conditions...
December 27, 2024 – GULF SHORES, AL - Recreational harvest of gray triggerfish will close in Gulf state waters on Jan. 1. Harvest will open on March 1, 2025. Gray triggerfish are olive-gray in color with plate-like scales. They have a small mouth with chisel-like teeth used for crushing, the dorsal and anal fins are marbled, and the upper and lower lobes of their tails are elongated in large adults. Young gray triggerfish have large dark spots on the back (sometimes this will persist in...
A star. I think of all the things God could have used to guide the first worshipers to Jesus, He chose a star. Not some man-made innovation. Not a person or prophet. Not even a voice. But a star. Loud in its light, but quiet in its announcement. Unlike the shepherds who were not looking for the angel, the wise men were always looking to the stars. They believed within the sky, divine messages could be seen and interpreted. Evidently, they were right. This particular star led these men to its...
The cameras don’t lie. Their all-seeing eye is there when I can’t be. I know every varmint that comes across my field. There were raccoons, bobcats, turkeys, skunks, coyotes, and even a bear. What’s been absent are the deer. I mean, there have been a couple of spikes and a couple of doe, but nothing like every other year. In fact, I can’t remember another time like this in the twenty years I’ve been hunting this property. I know disease comes and goes among every herd. And I’ve been...
January 2, 2025 - GUNTERSVILLE, AL - The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has reopened the Brown's Creek Public Boat Ramp in Guntersville, Alabama, after the completion of facility upgrades. The boat ramp is just off Highway 69 on Lake Guntersville. During the closure a new three-lane launching slab and a new 150-foot floating access pier were installed. The facility also features 64 trailer spaces, three...
January 6, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - Most of Alabama's 23 State-owned Public Fishing Lakes return to regular operational hours on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Located throughout the state, these lakes are noted for their quality fishing for bream, largemouth bass, channel catfish and crappie (in most lakes). Because these smaller lakes warm more quickly than larger bodies of water, early spring fishing can be excellent. "Many state lakes have been renovated in recent years and some lakes are...
Each morning I walked about three-fourths of a mile to get to my stand. I had cut limbs and bushes out of the way and yet there was one area where I had to navigate around several tree-laps and weeds. I could have gone another way but this seemed to be the best direction if I was to leave the smallest footprint. The problem was not maneuvering the fallen trees, it was dodging those little cockleburs that attached themselves to my clothes. Every morning, while watching deer, I found myself...
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (DEC. 12, 2024) – The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) will provide its students and faculty with world-class applications for product design, simulation and collaboration through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dassault Systèmes, a global science and technology company that provides 3D virtual worlds to enable sustainable innovation. UAH is a part of The University of Alabama System. This agreement will empower students to gain hands-on experience with the...
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (DEC. 17, 2024) – The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) College of Business (COB) will host the second annual Business of Space Conference to focus on creating solutions through partnerships while addressing both opportunities and barriers. Registration is now open for this event that will unite space industry professionals from across the nation on February 23-25, 2025, on the campus of UAH, a part of The University of Alabama System. Registration closes on February...
A new federal financial aid application rollout was supposed to streamline a complex college application process for students and families. Instead, it created chaos. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA forms, which historically launched on Oct. 1, weren't released until Dec. 30, 2023, and had numerous technical difficulties. This delay meant some students were unable to start or complete their applications, schools lacked the information needed to put together timely...
The winter holidays are a time of year when people are encouraged to give back to their community. This time also presents an opportunity to reflect on how to support educators in ways that go beyond pay. A recent survey by Study.com of nearly 900 teachers sheds light on what might actually keep teachers in the classroom. The survey results highlight the importance of manageable workloads, in-class support, and work-life balance. Methodology: Data for this article comes from a Study.com survey,...
Young children spending more than 75 minutes on a tablet were more likely to show increased outbursts of anger and frustration, a new study has found. A lead researcher on the study said when preschoolers spend time on tablets at 3 ½ years of age, they show increased outbursts of anger by age 4 ½, which then leads to increased time on computer tablets at age 5 ½, The 74 reports. Researchers described the trend as a "vicious cycle," where excessive tablet use delays children's ability to deal...
There's a lot to consider when deciding where to apply to college. Tuition costs, financial aid offerings, and student loans are high on the list, but so are questions about campus culture and free speech policies. The Hechinger Report created a whole suite of tools with brand-new data that can answer your questions and help you research what life might be like at thousands of colleges and universities across the country. Here is what these tools do and how they can help you. - Tuition Tracker...
It was a July afternoon in 2011 when a car bomb exploded just a few blocks from Robert Ullmann's office. Because it was the summer, only two employees from Kanvas, his nonprofit that manages 64 child care programs around Norway, were at their desks on the third floor of a narrow, nondescript building in central Oslo. Although the floor-to-ceiling glass windows shattered when the bomb exploded at 3:25 p.m., both members of his team were unhurt. When I arrived at Ullmann's office a few months ago...
Math education leaders have long said children should not be labeled "bad at math," even if they struggle mightily with the subject. Such a classification is racist, sexist, classist, inaccurate, and—worst of all, they say—lasting. Many Americans who absorbed such messages in their youth continue to define themselves this way decades later, The 74 reports. And they pass along those insecurities to their children, as if math competency is an innate trait and not a learned skill. This sort of...
As America's population ages and some state populations are expected to decline, demographic shifts may profoundly reshape the country's colleges and universities. Academics have long worried about the enrollment cliff, a multiyear decline in traditional college-aged students following an anticipated peak in 2025. Although the total number of undergraduate students at America's universities rose steadily from approximately 7.3 million in 1970 to around 18 million in 2010, enrollment has...
Reading the news today, you might wonder if earning a college degree is still worth the investment. With stories of declining enrollment, rising student debt, and the growing success of high-profile entrepreneurs who skipped college altogether, it's no surprise many are questioning the value of a degree. Yet, despite these concerns, college remains a smart choice for most people. In this article, Study.com separates fact from fiction—debunking myths, exploring affordable pathways, and...
As the holiday season kicks into high gear, people are filled with excitement to see family and friends, and kitchens begin to buzz with the familiar aroma of festive dishes. According to a recent Instacart survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults by The Harris Poll, 88% are gearing up to cook festive meals for occasions like Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year's Eve. This report explores the food and drink trends surrounding Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's using Instacart purchase data from the 2023...
Regardless of how you celebrate end-of-year holidays, food is probably central to your winter festivities. And a trio of spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger—feature in many dishes and drinks and are an unmistakable part of the scent profile many associate with the holiday season. How did these spices, grown in the tropics, became so closely associated with the Northern Hemisphere's winter holidays?Just as cranberries' fall harvest makes them a natural choice for Thanksgiving, it's natural...
As 2024 draws to a close and the new year approaches, Instacart shares its anticipated food and grocery trends for 2025. To develop this forecast, Instacart analyzed its purchase data from 2024 to uncover standout insights about how people filled their carts (and kitchens) with items that trended across pop culture and social media over the past year. The data revealed these key insights: - Health and wellness are continuing to influence people's grocery purchasing decisions. - Cooking and...
When you first open a restaurant, daily tasks can take up so much attention that it can be easy to forget to step back after a while and think about whether it might actually be a good time to expand. Restaurant owners scale their footprint for good reason: Growing can help them reach more customers, maximize their revenue potential, and diversify their risk in the market. That's been the case for the team at Ggiata, which operates four delis in Los Angeles that are among Eater's list of the...
When you're on a weight loss journey, it's natural to seek tips and tricks to help reach your goals. From fad diets to weight loss "hacks," it can be tempting to try the latest trend, like the so-called "coffee loophole for weight loss." But does this method truly hold the key to shedding pounds? Ro dives into the science and explores the truth behind the seven-second weight loss coffee loophole. Key Takeaways - The "coffee loophole" for weight loss is a trend that suggests drinking coffee...
From E. coli traced to slivered onions on McDonald's Quarter Pounders to mass recalls of frozen waffles due to listeria risk, foodborne illness seems ever-present in the headlines. According to the Food & Drug Administration, foodborne illness affects 1 in 6 Americans every year—that's 48 million cases annually. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that Americans' risk of getting sick from foodborne germs is back to pre-pandemic levels, making foodborne illness a...
Welcome to the holidays—and with it, the holiday rush. A third of Americans plan to travel to catch the Yuletide cheer this year, according to a September 2024 Civic Science survey. To manage the surge, airports are speeding up their adoption of passenger-focused technologies. The global smart airports market, valued at $18.2 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $40.4 billion by 2030, according to Research and Markets. U.S. airports are investing heavily in automated solutions to address...
Traditions are a big part of what makes the holidays special, from decorating the tree to rewatching your favorite Christmas movies. But have you ever considered leveling up the holiday season by enjoying the foods featured in those iconic films? If this sounds like a fun way to spice up the season, you may be wondering which Christmas movie foods are the healthiest—especially if you're on a weight loss journey. Around 35–64% of people try to lose weight during the holiday season, and that...
We're hard-wired to connect over food. In ancient Greece, revelers gathered at "symposiums" to eat, drink, and philosophize or recite poetry. The Romans also often feasted together, and the rules and rituals they developed in antiquity set the precedent for the modern-day dinner party. From grandiose Victorian affairs with multiple courses and lush decorations that flaunt one's social status to the "hostess with the mostest" trend in 1950s America, dinner parties often come with strict rules...
It's remarkable how many people hate green bean casserole. Or maybe not, because so many people don't know how to make a good one. Too many of them are mushy, soggy and bland. They taste like they've been made with ditch water and wallpaper paste, and are always the holiday leftovers that sit in the back of the fridge until May or June, when they finally get thrown out. Here's a few simple tricks to use to make a green bean casserole that's not only tasty, but won't last long enough to begin...
With Miami's location at the southern tip of the U.S. and its huge Cuban population, it's no surprise that its food scene is as diverse as it is delicious. Narrowing down what to eat is tricky, with Cuban, Mexican, Caribbean, American, and many more flavors across the city's menus. Lara Serlin, writing for GetYourGuide, picks out the 10 must-eat foods to seek out when visiting the city, from stone claw crab and Cuban sandwiches to Florida's famous key lime pie. Explore neighborhoods like Little...
After a long holiday season indulging in sweet treats and perhaps a few too many spirits, January can be a great time to reset and return to healthy habits. Dry January, a health campaign that originated in the U.K. in 2013, encourages participants to abstain from alcohol for the entire month of January. Drinking too much alcohol has been found to cause heart and liver damage, disrupt mood, sleep, and behavior, and more. While a month of sobriety may seem daunting, it can come with significant...
It was a church slogan used in many places years ago: “The end of your search for a friendly church.” But let’s think about a new slogan: “The end of your search for a perfect church.” I remember a lady who presented herself for membership at the church I pastored at the time. I’d met her about two years before at a neighboring church when I led a Bible study. She came to us and quickly presented herself for membership, but from a different church than where we’d met. Thus...
We grew up as high school friends and he became a music leader for church congregations. He told me the most embarrassing day was when he mounted the steps to the platform to begin worship, tripped and fell headlong onto the floor. Fortunately, he wasn’t hurt, but there are better ways to begin worship. I thought of this lately when another pastor told a group of us about a famous pulpiteer from another generation who said as he mounted each stair that he would pray, “Fill me. Fill me,...
Let’s face it! After this election there is a lot of tension, division and mistrust in our culture, in our communities and in our country right now. On the political front, we are so divided! More divided than I have ever witnessed in my lifetime. We negatively label each other as Democrats, Republicans, Socialists or Libertarians. We are stereotyped as liberals or conservatives or moderates. It seems we have a hard time having civil conversations about things that matter deeply to us. This...
The prison warden circulated a note to inmates asking for suggestions on the kind of party they'd recommend for his 25th anniversary. The prisoners all had the same idea: open house! Christmas is the season when many people have “open house” parties. But “open house” is misnamed, isn’t it? When you plan an open house, do you invite everyone? I rather doubt it. We must be exclusive, for there isn’t enough food, or space or time to invite everyone. Some folks by necessity get left...
A church friend travels the country transporting automobiles for car dealers and told me, “There’s no good way to get to Denver.” I think he’s right. We trusted the GPS and found ourselves amongst lonely Kansas wheat fields and windmills for many miles. Actually we intended to get to Denver in two days. Our son transferred there and asked us to drive his car. The first day was grueling as we drove from Birmingham to Tulsa. But then we learned the moving company wouldn’t arrive for...
It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Actually, no. It was a long time ago, but it wasn’t so far away. It was at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. Ethics professor Dr. Henlee Barnette taught one day about God and government. In his lecture he read from a newspaper editorial written by a preacher who was part of the “Old Christian Right,” broadcasting at the time on 500 radio stations and 250 TV stations. This preacher condemned Communism, integration and...
There is a wide variety of lifestyle options for wheelchair users, and that remains true into retirement age. One of the more supportive and comfortable living situations for a wheelchair-bound senior is an assisted living community. But this has not always been the case. Until the early 1990s, federal laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities were not always enforced. However, in 1990, the federal government passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, which overhauled the...
If you or someone you love and care for experiences a substance use disorder, you are not alone. People may have navigated addiction for decades or experienced these challenges later in life. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 17% of adults over the age of 65 live with substance use disorders. Seniors with substance use challenges can benefit from assisted living facilities, or ALFs. Viable options include facilities that support senior addiction treatments...
As America's population ages, rates of Alzheimer's disease diagnoses are rising. One consequence of the degenerative brain disorder is wandering, which can be dangerous—and sometimes deadly—for those struggling with short- and long-term memory loss. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by a loss of cognitive function over time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals with the disease may show signs of memory loss, poor...
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is held annually in Washington D. C. to celebrate the Japanese cherry trees that were given to Washington D.C. by Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City on March 27th, 1912. The trees were a symbolic gift to enhance the friendship between the United States and Japan. And the festival is held annually to try and coincide with the peak blossom times of the cherry trees. The National Cherry Blossom Festival features a parade, fireworks, concerts, and special exhibits...
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a...
December 16, 2024 - SYLACAUGA, AL - Christmas magic is arriving early this year at Indian Valley Elementary School! On Tuesday, December 17, Bryan Taunton, Sylacauga's own "Santa Claus", will make a special emergency landing via LifeSaver helicopter to pick up letters to Santa. Santa's sleigh is temporarily grounded due to some technical issues, but with the help of LifeSaver, Santa will still ensure the children's Christmas wishes make it to the North Pole. The festive fly-in is set to take...
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (DEC 18, 2024) – The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) will honor the leadership legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a new Leadership Breakfast event that showcases community leaders who are working to improve everyone's outlook. The inaugural theme is "Leaders Shaping the Business Community of The Future." The UAH Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in the Student Services Building,...
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a...
The Twelve Days of Christmas are from Christmas until Epiphany on January 06th. Therefore, we are still in the midst of the Christmas Season. However, for those wanting to celebrate the arrival of the New Year in-between Christmas and Epiphany, The Alabama Symphony Orchestra is holding their annual New Year's Eve concert entitled "A Viennese Celebration!" on December 31st, 2024 at 6PM in the Jemison Concert Hall of the Alys Stephens Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Modeled after the New Year's...
December 26, 2024 - MONTGOMERY, AL - The annual graveside wreath-laying and memorial service marking the 72nd anniversary of the death of country music legend Hank Williams will take place at Montgomery's Oakwood Cemetery Annex, located at 1304 Upper Wetumpka Road, on Wednesday, January 1, at 10 a.m. Sponsored and organized by the Hank Williams Museum, the service will feature music performed by the Sheppard Family Band, whose members are cousins of Williams' first wife, Audrey Sheppard...
January 1, 2025–Alabama Eagle Forum has extended the early bird registration discount rate for their Jan. 31 Policy Conference through January 3rd. Previously, the early bird rate was set to expire December 31st. Those who register through January 3rd can do so for $50. From Jan 4th onward, the regular rate of $70 will apply. The one day conference will be held on Friday, January 31st from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM at Birmingham First Baptist Church, 2209 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL. Registration...
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a...
Thanks to a rather lukewarm live music season in 2024, the music fest and concert scene is ready to come back to life in 2025. What does the year hold in store, and will 2025 be the comeback year for live music? Way.com looks at what went wrong in 2024 and why it could go right in 2025. 2024 is apparently the year the music (festival) died. Why? Think cancellations, and not just here in the U.S., but worldwide. South California's Desert Daze, Virginia's Blue Ridge Rock Festival, and the latest...
January 7, 2025 - HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Experience new music for a new year with the Constellation Concert Series presented by The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) Department of Music. UAH is a part of The University of Alabama System. "We are excited to announce the spring 2025 series," says Ron Guthrie, UAH performing arts operations coordinator. "All three events feature our own music faculty as solo artists and collaborators." The series opens on Tuesday, Jan. 14, with a...
