The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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How 50-year mortgages could destroy small landlords The Trump administration’s aggressive push for 50-year mortgages may seem innovative, but it could pose a serious threat to the housing market and to small landlords who depend on its stability. For homebuyers, these 50-year mortgages could offer easier access to loans, lower monthly payments, and the illusion of improved affordability. However, these purported benefits for homebuyers mask what could be a significant boon to banks. So, who woul...
Gifting in estate planning: 7 mistakes that could cost you Estate planning isn’t a one-time event — it’s a moving target. With gift and estate tax laws in flux and even “permanent” reforms often lasting no more than a decade or an administration, families are rethinking their approach. One powerful strategy? Lifetime gifting. But without careful planning, missteps can not only undermine your intentions but also expose your estate to greater tax liability. Comerica shares seven mistakes...
December 19, 2025 - Birmingham, AL - The Alabama Republican Party will open candidate qualifying for the 2026 election cycle on Monday, January 5, 2026, marking the formal start of a campaign season that will determine control of Alabama's top state and federal offices. Qualifying will begin at 8:30 a.m. and remain open through Friday, January 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ALGOP Chairman John Wahl said the upcoming election cycle will be critical to Alabama's future, as Republicans look to maintain the...
December 18, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a major policy announcement Thursday morning, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a federal medical declaration that would sharply restrict transgender‑related medical interventions for minors across the United States. U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) applauded the announcement. Standing alongside FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, and other s...
Konstantin L // Shutterstock Cities with the most expensive homes in Alabama Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments there is. More than a place to live, homeownership is an asset with the potential to tremendously rise in value. But with home prices reaching record heights, affordability plays a huge role for buyers. The typical home value in the United States was $360,782 in November, 0.2% higher than the year before. High mortgage rates are also making monthly payments...
MADISON COUNTY, Ala., December 19, 2025 - The Alabama Farmers Federation has announced its endorsement of Republican Aaron Thomas for Alabama House District 10 in Madison County. "Aaron Thomas is a hard-working business owner and a conservative," said Charles Butler, president of the Madison County Farmers Federation. "He knows what it's like to work with people to make a difference and a payroll. He will take that knowledge and experience to Montgomery and represent us well." As a local...
December 19, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - A bipartisan pair of lawmakers has introduced new federal legislation aimed at expanding access to cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services, particularly in rural and underserved communities. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL‑07) and Rep. Adrian Smith (NE‑03) announced the Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Act, a bill that would allow advanced practice providers-including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse speciali...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R‑Ala.) joined Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R‑La.), Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank Bisignano, and Airbnb co‑founder Joe Gebbia at the U.S. Treasury Department this week to discuss the launch of "Trump Accounts," a key component of the Working Families Tax Cut Act. The initiative is designed to encourage long‑term savings for children and expand financial opportunities for future generations. Treasury...
The dangers of raising speed limits on interstates The recent increase in the speed limit on I-465 in Indiana, from 55 mph to 65 mph, raises the question of whether raising the speed limit on highways is a good idea. While the increase is meant to enhance the flow of traffic on the often busy interstate, there are several potential dangers that drivers may not consider. Although it is believed that raising speed limits and driving faster will reduce travel time, studies have shown that the actua...
Are we ready to trust in AI to power the future of customer communications? Ready or not, here it comes. Artificial intelligence is quickly changing the ways we interact with the world. That includes how businesses connect with people. But how do your customers feel about AI? What are your expectations for how AI will transform customer experiences? While using AI as part of a customer communications strategy isn’t exactly new, it is certainly expanding. Honestly, exploding might be a better w...
The LLC generation: How modern entrepreneurs are rewriting the rules of business formation One in four Americans ages 18 to 24 now runs a business, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. That marks a historic shift in who starts companies and when. For over two decades, entrepreneurial activity peaked among people in their 30s and 40s. Today, it’s the youngest adults leading the charge. And they’re moving faster than any generation before them. Instead of treating formation as a dis...
5 top-rated used small SUVs If you've spent the last few years in a compact car, and you're feeling the need for an upgrade, a small SUV might be perfect for you. They offer increased cargo and passenger space without a big trade-off in fuel economy, and the prices are reasonable when you consider their capability. They're great for folks looking to downsize from larger vehicles too. Below are Edmunds’ top picks, as well as the average price for a 2023 model on the used market compared to the ba...
Europe’s new golden age: Americans choose culture over beaches Goodbye, sandy beaches, hello cultural immersion. A new era of travel is redefining how Americans vacation, with the majority seeking not just escape but enrichment. According to JayWay Travel’s 2025 study, 87% of travelers are shifting from passive relaxation to active exploration, trading sun loungers for museums, markets, and meaningful memories. This renaissance in travel is about value, identity, and connection. Europe has bec...
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R‑AL) delivered an emotional tribute on the Senate floor this week honoring the life of Ella Cook, a 19‑year‑old Mountain Brook native who was killed in a mass shooting on the campus of Brown University. The attack claimed two lives and left several others wounded, sending shockwaves through both the Rhode Island campus and communities back home in Alabama. Tuberville used his remarks to highlight Ella's deep Christian faith, her devotion to famil...
Fed rate cuts: Are they good or bad for home buyers? You can count on it: When the Federal Reserve changes its interest rate, news headlines about mortgage rates will follow. This cycle unfolds up to eight times a year, so many home shoppers get the idea that the Fed regulates mortgage rates. Fed decisions affect mortgage rates, but the Fed doesn’t control mortgage rates directly. In fact, as Better discusses here, the Fed’s actions can have unpredictable effects on the rates new home buy...
The most dangerous time to drive in every state In 2023, roughly one-third of all U.S. traffic fatalities (33%) happened between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., with the single deadliest three-hour block from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (18% of all deaths). Those hours straddle the evening commute, when roads are crowded, daylight fades, and impairment risks rise. That pattern shows up year after year in federal crash data. Traffic deaths nationwide have risen sharply over the past several years, even as overall...
4 scam trends consumers must watch going into 2026 (and how to stay ahead of them) In America, fraud is no longer a static threat. It has instead become an evolving ecosystem, continually powered by artificial intelligence, automation, and an ever-expanding digital footprint. Consumers have spent much of the past decade reacting to the latest scam of the month, whether that be a phishing text, bogus charges, or something else. However, with 2026 on the horizon, scams are set to become more...
Why many first-time investors choose a hard money loan The real estate investment arena hasn’t exactly been rolling out the red carpet for new investors, but things are about to change. According to industry insiders, we’re stepping into a Goldilocks zone over the next six to 12 months. For the last few years, you couldn't breathe on a property without ten cash offers beating you. That frenzy has finally cooled (at least for the moment). Interest rates have settled in the mid-6% range and are...
Today is December 25. December 25 is synonymous with Christmas. It was not always that way. The holiday is based on the Biblical account in the Gospel of Luke. Based on the writing of the historian Josephus, Herod the Great died in 4 BC, since he plays a considerable role in the account told in the Gospel of Matthew that places the biblical account of Jesus's birth around 6 to 8 BC. Nothing in either gospel account says anything about December 25. This perplexed early Christians because the birt...
Holiday cheer turning hostile in restaurants Every year, millions of Americans head into stores and restaurants expecting warmth, efficiency, and holiday magic. But behind the counters, another reality is unfolding—one marked by rising stress, intensifying customer aggression, and a workforce pushed beyond its limits. CaterCow reports that 2025 holiday season is shaping up to be one of the most stressful in recent memory for retail and restaurant staff. Customer behavior is deteriorating, and th...
jittawit21 // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Dothan in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Dothan, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of December 1. Dothan by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.72 --- Alabama average: $2.66 - Week change: -$0.03 (-1.2%) - Year change: -$0.05 (-1.9%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.67 (6/10/22) - Diesel current price: $3.61 - Week change: -$0.01 (-0.4%) - Year change: +$0.13 (+3.6%) -...
Elen Nika // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Montgomery in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Montgomery, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of December 1. Montgomery by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.66 --- Alabama average: $2.66 - Week change: -$0.05 (-1.8%) - Year change: -$0.06 (-2.2%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.67 (6/14/22) - Diesel current price: $3.42 - Week change: -$0.06 (-1.6%) - Year change:...
Elen Nika // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Mobile in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Mobile, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of December 1. Mobile by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.59 --- Alabama average: $2.66 - Week change: -$0.07 (-2.7%) - Year change: -$0.08 (-2.9%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.62 (6/15/22) - Diesel current price: $3.46 - Week change: -$0.05 (-1.4%) - Year change: +$0.23 (+7.2%) -...
Christian Mueller // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Florence in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of December 1. Florence by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.67 --- Alabama average: $2.66 - Week change: -$0.04 (-1.4%) - Year change: -$0.03 (-1.1%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.62 (6/10/22) - Diesel current price: $3.36 - Week change: -$0.01 (-0.2%) -...
jittawit21 // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Anniston in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Anniston-Oxford, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of December 1. Anniston by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.62 --- Alabama average: $2.66 - Week change: -$0.04 (-1.5%) - Year change: -$0.12 (-4.4%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.61 (6/11/22) - Diesel current price: $3.27 - Week change: -$0.03 (-0.8%) - Year change:...
