The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Maxim Grohotov // Shutterstock Hottest Julys in Alabama since 1895 In 2022, the continental United States experienced its third hottest July since 1895, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, while 20 states saw one of their 10 hottest days in the same month. The year prior, July marked the hottest month on record worldwide. Climate change is driving rising temperatures and more record heat. The Earth’s temperature has climbed each decade since 1880 by a...
The states with the highest rates of uninsured drivers and what it costs everyone else Nearly every state requires drivers to carry auto liability insurance, yet millions of motorists are still on the road without it. In 2023, 15.4% of U.S. drivers were uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council, meaning more than 1 in 7 motorists lacked coverage that could pay for injuries or damage they caused in a crash. The rate has increased since 2017 and remains elevated after a pandemic-era...
Research on watching sports suggests World Cup fans may get a well-being boost With 2026 FIFA World Cup matches taking place across the U.S., millions of fans are crowding into living rooms, sports bars and stadiums to cheer and groan in unison. It's the same energy that takes over during the Super Bowl, March Madness, the NBA Finals and the World Series, when a city or a whole country briefly turns into one giant party. It raises the question: Can rooting for a team actually be good for you? A...
How much do AI tokens cost businesses? AI token costs for businesses ranged from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands per month in April 2026, depending on company size, model selection, and how many workflows run on AI. Based on proprietary data from Ramp, the median monthly spend was $2,246. The average monthly spend was $140,842. That gap reflects how AI spend actually distributes: Most companies are in early or moderate adoption, but a single team or automated workflow running...
How can you afford the wedding of your dreams Whether your big day is in a few months or a few years, financially planning for a wedding is a big achievement for many couples in budding relationships. It may take some work, time, and tough conversations, but on the other end of it all, waiting for you both is likely one of the most special days of your lives. A wedding is an occasion for you and your future spouse to begin making joint financial decisions, a skill that will set you up for a...
The hidden costs causing monthly housing payments to rise When people think about buying a home, the focus is on price, down payments, and the interest rate. But a growing share of today’s housing payment isn’t going toward building equity at all. In many U.S. metros, property taxes and homeowners insurance can consume more than one-third of the average monthly mortgage payment — and in some cases, nearly half. These non-mortgage costs can quietly add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to mo...
Can students really skip college and earn a good living? Here’s what the data shows. For much of the last few decades, some young people have heard a simple mantra: bachelor’s or bust. That is, they were told that the best and perhaps only path to economic prosperity is through a four-year college education. Now a wide swath of politicians, educators, and philanthropists are rethinking this. Some even suggest that there are numerous lucrative jobs that don’t require a degree. A New York Times vi...
Where business aviation is climbing: The metros drawing more corporate jet traffic and high-income movers When it comes to measuring American wealth, tax return data and home-sales records are the usual go-to indicators. But by the time this information lands, it’s already a year or more after the migration trends have shifted. The growth of business aviation in specific areas offers a more unconventional and timely view. Private and corporate flying is discretionary, tracks closely to c...
Medicare now covers GLP-1s for weight loss: Here’s how to use the new Bridge program Historically, Medicare could not cover medications solely for weight loss. For Medicare enrollees interested in GLP-1 and related medications, this meant facing hundreds of dollars in out-of-pocket costs every month. But that changed on July 1, 2026, with a new pilot program that offers Medicare prescription plan enrollees access to weight-loss medications for a $50 monthly copay. Here, GoodRx, a platform for m...
A series of death cases raises questions about safety and oversight at detox centers Trust is the first thing families hand over when they walk a loved one through the doors of a detox or residential treatment center, and the decision is almost never made calmly. It tends to come within hours of an overdose or a phone call no family ever wants to take, with parents and spouses operating on the belief that medical oversight is already built into what is being provided. And the country is leaning...
School budgets are under pressure nationwide. Here’s what’s driving the cuts. School districts are under pressure this year. Some of the largest in the country are handing out pink slips. Canceling technology contracts. And even slashing specific medications from employee health plans. As many school boards debate their budgets for the upcoming school year, a Chalkbeat analysis found a common thread: More than half of the country’s 50 largest school districts are poised to or already have made...
Tailgate theft prevention: How to keep your tailgate from being stolen Truck tailgate theft is on the rise in the U.S., especially in urban settings and high-traffic areas. What was once a rare nuisance has become a frequent and frustrating crime—often occurring in broad daylight, in your own driveway, and taking less than a minute to pull off. Why, you may ask, is this crime becoming increasingly common? The answer is simple—modern truck tailgates are valuable, easy to remove, and dif...
How to support a loved one with PTSD When a family member or friend has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it can be hard to know what to do to help. You probably wish nothing more than to see them healthy and at peace. But your loved one’s diagnosis might be taking a toll on your well-being too. Providing the support your loved one needs throughout their journey starts with a deeper understanding of this condition. Rula explored how PTSD affects those living with the condition and how their...
SNAP is how millions of Americans afford food. Cuts to the program have thrown it into chaos. A missing zero put Sarah’s grocery money in jeopardy. Every month, Sarah receives $219 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for her and her 9-year-old. Sarah works two jobs in food service, one at a senior center and one at a banquet hall, and has relied on SNAP for support ever since her husband died unexpectedly about six years ago. But last year during her annual benefits renewal, o...
Alpha-gal syndrome red meat allergy from ticks Alpha-gal syndrome represents one of the most unusual allergic conditions in modern medicine. A tick bite that fundamentally changes how your immune system responds to red meat, creating delayed allergic reactions that can range from mild hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis. This tick-borne condition has emerged as a growing health concern across the southeastern United States, where outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and hikers face increased risk of...
15% of people in the US eat in their cars. Here are the 10 states where mealtimes happen behind the wheel the most The majority of Americans eat meals in their car multiple times a week — despite the risk of stained seats and greasy steering wheels. A poll of 2,000 American adults conducted by bakery brand St Pierre from June 5-15 found that 87% of respondents eat in their car, with Georgians eating the highest percentage of drive-through dinners, gridlock-lunches and bumper-to-bumper b...
How to tell if a wellness trend is actually backed by science The wellness industry now generates more than $6.8 trillion globally, according to the Global Wellness Institute, and much of its influence moves through social feeds before it ever reaches a doctor's office. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in October 2025 found that half of U.S. adults under 50 get health and wellness information from influencers or podcasters, while fewer than 1 in 5 of those creators are conventional...
The security challenges behind America’s biggest party Independence Day is one of America’s biggest celebrations, with thousands of temporary events happening across the country, all at the same time. For security staff, this can create problems, including overcrowding, heavy traffic, unfamiliar layouts, and lots of people trying to leave at the same time. The Fourth of July is huge, as AAA projected that 72.2 million people would travel at least 50 miles from home during the 2025 Ind...
1 most expensive states to buy rental property in 2026 As housing prices soar, homebuying has become harder across the country. Naturally, some places are hit harder than others. The gap between the least and most expensive states to buy rental property has widened substantially, and it’s impacting how and whether people can afford real estate. There are a few different reasons for the discrepancy, ranging from limited housing supply to restrictive zoning laws. Sudden jumps in job and p...
Is it back-to-school butterflies or something deeper? Back-to-school season can be a stressful time for students. As you think about navigating your class schedule, friend dynamics, academic pressures, and other responsibilities, it’s normal to feel a little nervous. If this happens to you, you’re not alone, and there are ways to feel better. Feeling anxious at the start of a new school year doesn’t mean you have a mental health condition. But if your anxiety doesn’t go away and negativ...
European student housing is 30% more competitive than last year. US students who act now still have the advantage. Nearly 7.3 million students are studying outside their home countries right now, and about half of them are in Europe, according to UNESCO's first Higher Education Global Trends Report, published in 2026. The same report projects that number to reach nine million by 2030. For U.S. students planning to join them this autumn, the housing market is more competitive than ever, but...
pan demin // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Tuscaloosa in the last week Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Tuscaloosa, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of June 29. Tuscaloosa by the numbers - Gas current price: $3.43 --- Alabama average: $3.46 - Week change: -$0.04 (-1.3%) - Year change: +$0.65 (+23.3%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.63 (6/14/22) - Diesel current price: $4.49 - Week change: -$0.14 (-3.1%) - Year change: +$1.11 (+32.7%) -...
pan demin // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Montgomery in the last week Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Montgomery, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of June 29. Montgomery by the numbers - Gas current price: $3.54 --- Alabama average: $3.46 - Week change: -$0.06 (-1.6%) - Year change: +$0.73 (+26.1%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.67 (6/14/22) - Diesel current price: $4.37 - Week change: -$0.16 (-3.5%) - Year change: +$0.94 (+27.3%) -...
pan demin // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Mobile in the last week Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Mobile, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of June 29. Mobile by the numbers - Gas current price: $3.38 --- Alabama average: $3.46 - Week change: -$0.04 (-1.3%) - Year change: +$0.57 (+20.5%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.62 (6/15/22) - Diesel current price: $4.30 - Week change: -$0.15 (-3.4%) - Year change: +$0.88 (+25.7%) - Historical...
pan demin // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Huntsville in the last week Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Huntsville, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of June 29. Huntsville by the numbers - Gas current price: $3.44 --- Alabama average: $3.46 - Week change: -$0.10 (-2.8%) - Year change: +$0.64 (+23.0%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.60 (6/14/22) - Diesel current price: $4.65 - Week change: -$0.09 (-1.8%) - Year change: +$1.28 (+37.9%) -...
