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Articles from the December 1, 2024 edition


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  • FBI director Wray to step down before Trump's return to power

    Brandon Moseley|Dec 1, 2024

    FBI Director Christopher Wray has announced that he will resign ahead of President Donald J. Trump's inauguration. President-elect Trump had made it clear that he was planning on firing Wray when he announced that Kash Patel was his choice to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Trump's dissatisfaction with the FBI was a major issue during the campaign. Under Wray's leadership, the FBI investigated traditional Catholics, parents who spoke out at local school board meetings, and other...

  • How to find the best small business health insurance

    Stacker, Jeremy Wolf|Dec 1, 2024

    For most small businesses, offering health insurance is a way to attract and retain top talent, enhance employee satisfaction, and boost productivity. In fact, Thatch recently found that 73% of small business owners believe offering competitive benefits is important to their business' overall success. Balancing affordability, coverage, and compliance is no small feat when looking for the best health insurance for your small business. With complex insurance terms, varying coverage levels, and...

  • Sewell Votes for 2025 National Defense Authorization Act

    Staff Writer|Dec 1, 2024

    December 11, 2024 – WASHINGTON, D.C.. – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-Selma) voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Rep. Sewell previously opposed the House bill over Republicans amendments she disagreed with. Sewell and her Democratic colleagues successfully removed many of these GOP provisions from the final House-passed version. The FY25 NDAA includes a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5 percent raise for all...

  • The National Cherry Blossom Festival Is Now Accepting Performer Applications

    Luisa Reyes

    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...

  • US electric vehicle infrastructure has tripled in 5 years. Here's how Alabama compares.

    Stacker|Dec 1, 2024

    Car buyers who are weary of electric vehicles often share the same concern: "What if I run out of juice and there's nowhere to charge my car?" That was a fair question in 2007. At the time, there were only 139 public EV charging stations. But in the years since, public and private entities have invested billions into building out charging infrastructure to make EVs a more practical option. As of 2023, there are over 64,000 public EV charging stations across the U.S.—more than twice the number i...

  • What to do if your information is found on the dark web

    Stacker, Louis DeNicola|Dec 1, 2024

    Data breaches are so commonplace that there's a good chance some of your personal information has already found its way onto the dark web. This might include your: - Name, address and phone number - Social Security number - Emails, usernames and passwords - Medical records and account numbers - Financial account numbers and details - Driver's license and passport information Criminals can use this information in a variety of ways, such as impersonating you, creating a fake identity, opening...

  • Are NFL quarterbacks worth their high salaries?

    Stacker, Jill Jaracz|Dec 1, 2024

    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 pos...

  • How to stay fit during the holidays: Science-backed tips

    Stacker, Vanessa Gibbs|Dec 1, 2024

    The words "holiday season" probably bring food, family, festivities, and more food to mind—but likely not fitness, right? There's no reason to lose all your hard-earned fitness just because the holidays have rolled around again. Even better, there's no need to restrict yourself or miss out on all the fun to stick to your fitness goals. Below, Hers shares science-backed tips for staying fit during the holidays. 1. Pack Your Plate With Protein Protein is an important nutrient at any time of y...

  • Canceled flights, rising costs, and other top concerns among holiday travelers this season

    Stacker, Sheeka Sanahori|Dec 1, 2024

    Nearly half of U.S. consumers are planning to brave the busiest travel period of the year by taking trips during the holidays. According to PwC, men are more likely to be out and about as well, with more than half planning to travel versus just 2 in 5 women. They plan to do it even as concerns for common travel mishaps remain. Among the biggest worries? Rising travel costs and travel delays. Some incidents—from weather-delayed flights or global IT outages like the one that affected close to 1...

  • Top holiday food and drink ranked via national poll, online ordering data

    Stacker, Alex Orellana|Dec 1, 2024

    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...

  • English Oppression in Lee County

    John Sophocleus|Dec 1, 2024

    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...

  • Rear Admiral William Kent Davis: Hero for Alabama Veterans

    Martha Poole Simmons|Dec 1, 2024

    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 Affairs...

  • Counties with the highest unemployment in Alabama

    Stacker|Dec 1, 2024

    In November, the national unemployment rate changed very little from October, rising from 4.1% to 4.2%. It's been slightly elevated in recent months compared to levels a year ago—likely a symptom of the Federal Reserve's higher interest rates, which can slow hiring and decrease job openings. It's up from 3.7% the year before, but for comparison, unemployment rates surged to 10% in October 2009 during the Great Recession, and a full recovery took years. At the height of the brief COVID-19 r...

  • Mental health stigma is shifting. So why are adults, especially men, less likely to seek treatment?

    Stacker, Ali Hickerson, Data Work By Elena Cox|Dec 1, 2024

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, it may seem everyone is exploring mental health therapy, but men are being left behind. In the United States, young adults aged 18 to 34 who sought such therapy increased from 12% to 18.4% between 2019 to 2022, according to National Center for Health Statistics data. For all adults in the second quarter of 2024, at least 1 in 10 people (13%) reported using mental health counseling in the past year, up from a little over 12% in 2022. But while treatment rates slowly...

  • How cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger became the scents of winter holidays, far from their tropical origins

    Stacker, Serina DeSalvio for The Conversation|Dec 1, 2024

    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 to...

  • 5 costs to consider before leasing a car

    Stacker, Ellen Wulfhorst|Dec 1, 2024

    Leasing a car, an SUV, or a pick-up truck can be the perfect choice for many people. Monthly payments are often less than those for purchasing a vehicle, drivers can get a brand-new car every couple of years, and concluding the lease can be as simple as turning in the keys. But a number of costs and fees, not to mention the terminology, can make the prospect daunting and confusing. Anyone considering leasing a vehicle needs to read the fine print, understand the lingo, and get the answers to...

  • Alabama Attorney General Marshall Stops Biden from Giving Obamacare to Illegal Aliens

    Alabama Attorney General's Office|Dec 1, 2024

    December 10, 20214 - (MONTGOMERY, AL.) - A federal court has halted a Biden Administration rule that would have provided taxpayer-subsidized health plans to immigrants who are in the country illegally. Attorney General Marshall (R) joined a coalition of 18 other state attorneys general in suing to stop the proposed rule from going into effect. Kansas led the coalition arguing the case in October, and the court sided with the attorneys general and granted a preliminary injunction. "Under no...

  • Alabama Farmers Federation Recognizes Hill for Impact on Agriculture

    Jeff Helms, Alabama Farmers Federation|Dec 1, 2024

    Only What Matters. Three simple words printed on T-shirts for outdoor ministry expos at Selwood Farm capture the purpose of Dell and Carolyn Hill's life - one refined through hardship, providence and service. "Sharing the gospel is the bottom line," said Dell, who received the Alabama Farmers Federation Service to Agriculture Award at its annual meeting today in Montgomery. "I pray fervently we are good stewards of what God has entrusted us. It's a business, so income has to exceed expenses,...

  • Alabama Farmers Federation Honors Pate for Achievements as Ag Commissioner

    Marlee Jackson, Alabama Farmers Federation|Dec 1, 2024

    Rick Pate's down-to-earth demeanor and preference for practical solutions has helped him lead the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) for the last six years. As commissioner, Pate has balanced regulatory responsibilities while investing in programs to help farmers. Many of those producers were on hand today when Pate received the Alabama Farmers Federation Service to Agriculture Award during the organization's annual meeting in Montgomery. Pate said he's humbled to accept the a...

  • Travel-hack your way to cheaper vacations

    Stacker, David Saric|Dec 1, 2024

    For many, travelling is a necessary indulgence and a cultural reset. A recent survey from the health insurance company, Manitoba Blue Cross, found that 79% of Canadians are planning on taking a trip outside of their province or territory this year, which is up ten points from last year, illustrating a widespread optimism about travelling even in the face of financial barriers such as the cost of living hike. As a result, the notion of travel hacking has grown in popularity for those looking to...

  • Tuberville accuses NIH with cover-Up of dangers of using puberty blockers on children

    Brandon Moseley|Dec 1, 2024

    December 6, 2024 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) in demanding answers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) after reports found that an NIH-funded researcher intentionally withheld scientific data from the American public showing puberty blockers do not improve the mental health of children with "gender dysphoria." "The events in England serve as a warning about the dangers of researchers withholding their fin...

  • With Skrmetti Before SCOTUS, Have We Reached Peak Trans?

    Dr. Bill Chitwood|Dec 1, 2024

    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 protection...

  • Finding The Perfect Church

    Michael J. Brooks|Dec 1, 2024

    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 she’d been a member a...

  • Why Senate Republicans Must Confirm President Trump's Nominations

    Perry O Hooper Jr|Dec 1, 2024

    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...

  • Auburn wins Hawaii tournament

    Brandon Moseley|Dec 1, 2024

    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 sco...

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