The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Sorted by date Results 176 - 200 of 4428
Futureproof your career: 6 AI-resilient skilled trades and industrial roles The AI revolution is here. To future-proof your career prospects, it may be time to look beyond the cubicle. The outlook is increasingly uncertain for many office professionals: Intel has been busy cutting roughly 24,000 jobs this year — about a quarter of its core workforce. Meanwhile, Amazon recently laid off 14,000 corporate roles as it layers in AI-driven efficiencies. And they’re far from alone: Brookings Ins...
November 26, 2025 - MONTGOMERY - Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, in concert with Missouri and attorneys general from 20 other states, has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to stay a federal district court ruling that temporarily blocked the use of Texas's congressional map. The lower court's decision ordered Texas to implement a different map, one that would likely benefit the plaintiffs' preferred political party by reassigning multiple congressional seats. The coalition of states cont...
One glitch away: Why digital trust defines retail success this holiday season As U.S. consumers feel their wallets tighten and retailers brace for more cautious spending this holiday season, every single online sale matters. According to new data from Rocket Software’s Consumer Insight Survey, retailers can’t afford even a moment of friction: a slow-loading page, a failed payment, or a confusing checkout is enough to send a shopper elsewhere. Today’s consumers have very little patience and p...
December 5, 225 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Yesterday, the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) was formally recognized at the Alabama State Capitol as Governor Kay Ivey issued a proclamation honoring the agency as part of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) distinguished 2024 APTA awards. BJCTA was selected for this national recognition in 2024 year for its leadership in innovation, community partnerships, service improvements, and organizational performance. The...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has joined Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) in introducing the "Back the Blue Act," a sweeping legislative proposal aimed at bolstering protections for law enforcement officers and increasing penalties for those who target them. Senator Tuberville, who also cosponsored the bill in the 118th Congress, emphasized the need for stronger support for police amid rising concerns over officer safety and the impact of lenient criminal justice policies....
4 tips to turn your small business into a beloved brand Establishing a strong brand is key for any business. Branding represents your company internally and externally, sets you apart from the competition, tells people who you are and what matters to you, and encourages them to form an emotional connection. But branding has little value in a vacuum. To make a lasting impression on potential customers, you need to share your brand identity across multiple touchpoints. Shopify talked with...
Which states are hit hardest by AI scams? A state-by-state breakdown of consumer losses. The digital landscape in 2025 has ushered in a powerful new era for fraud, one in which bad actors can use artificial intelligence, deep-learning tools, and sophisticated social engineering tactics to scale scams across state lines. While many still picture scams as phone calls meant to trick those who don’t know any better, the reality today is that anybody can fall for a scam generated by AI. U...
Safety course discounts: Your quickest way to save on motorcycle insurance The thrill of the open road is an unbeatable universal truth for every motorcycle rider. However, the associated cost of motorcycle insurance can be a real buzzkill. While protection is essential, riders do not want their motorcycle insurance eating into their new gear fund. The good news regarding motorcycle insurance savings? The quickest and most effective way to ride safely and lower the cost of motorcycle insurance i...
How does refinancing a mortgage work? A mortgage refinance swaps out your old mortgage with a new one, including a fresh set of terms and interest rate. It may or may not come with financial benefits, depending on your goals and how a new loan quote stacks up against your existing home loan. In this guide to refinancing a mortgage, SoFi shows how a mortgage refinance works and how you qualify for refinancing. It will walk you through what a refinance application is like and explain how much you...
December 2, 2025 – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) said that she was encouraged by remarks yesterdays from Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul S. Atkins at the New York Stock Exchange. "Encouraging remarks from @SECPaulSAtkins at @NYSE this morning on efforts to support entrepreneurs, reinvigorate U.S. capital markets, and advance long-term economic growth. Pleased to see continued focus on keeping America's markets the strongest in the world," said Senator Britt on X. S...
Mortgage rates, inventory, and inflation: The market shifts to watch before 2026 After nearly two years of uncertainty, three forces are converging to reshape the landscape for homebuyers heading into 2026. Mortgage rates show signs of leveling off after months of volatility, builder sentiment has improved from cycle lows, and inflation data continues influencing Federal Reserve policy that ripples through housing finance, NewHomeSource reports. The challenge is knowing which signals matter...
Pressed for time? 7 smart tips for last-minute holiday parties, according to event planners While the holidays are a magical, albeit hectic, time to connect and celebrate with your community, pushing to meet your end-of-year goals can feel overwhelming—especially if your company get-together is still languishing on your to-do list. To help, event planning professionals Suzanne Zadeh, head of partnerships for TEDAI, and Ami Alexander-Ponce, events manager at San Francisco coworking space C...
What it takes to reach the top 10% in every state New state-by-state data reveals what it takes to reach the top 10% — and how living costs and inequality reshape what “rich” really means. An infographic on America's top earners showing data on the biggest paychecks by state, the top 10% vs. middle-class earnings gap." BuchhaltungsButler, DataPulse Research In the United States, a household needs anywhere between $198,000 and $387,000 in annual income to be considered among the top 10% earne...
PeopleImages // Shutterstock The truth about minimum coverage requirements in Alabama In this article, CheapInsurance.com dives into required minimum liability limits in Alabama and across the country. Those shopping for valid coverage, particularly in the context of financing or leasing a vehicle, should also note why simply meeting the minimum may be risky. What "Minimum Liability Coverage" Means and Why It Exists Every U.S. state, with one exception, requires drivers to carry a minimum level...
MONTGOMERY - A federal court based in Birmingham has ordered Alabama to hold future state Senate elections using a new map drawn by a court-appointed special master, following a ruling that the previous districts violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting Black voting power in Montgomery. In a landmark decision issued November 18, 2025, U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco ruled that Alabama must adopt a new state Senate map for the 2026 and 2030 elections. The ruling stems from a 2021 lawsuit...
Alabama Farmers Federation Endorses Rep. Phillip Rigsby for HD 25 MADISON COUNTY - December 9, 2025 - The Alabama Farmers Federation has announced its endorsement of Rep. Phillip Rigsby for Alabama House District 25, which covers portions of Madison and Limestone counties. "We are proud to endorse Rep. Rigsby because he has a proven track record representing our district well," said Charles Butler, president of the Madison County Farmers Federation. "He is accessible and attentive to our needs...
The Alabama Farmers Federation made history Dec. 8 when farmer-delegates elected the organization's first female officer to its state board while honoring a longtime vice president. As Southwest Area vice president, Hope Cassebaum of Baldwin County will also serve on the Alfa Insurance state board. She replaces Jake Harper of Wilcox County, who served 32 cumulative years on the board and could not seek reelection due to term limits. "Thank you for allowing me this opportunity," Cassebaum said...
Few men are as stalwart, steady and straightforward as Jake Harper. The Wilcox County cattleman and timber landowner has offered his logical mind, plain speech and acumen for accountability to fellow farmers for decades, most recently as Southwest Area vice president of the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance. "I want it right," Harper remarked in reference to his intense review of board minutes, financials, publications and Federation proposals, a faint grin slicing across his stoic...
Price too low to be true? The cost of using unlicensed bathroom renovation contractors The home improvement market is a resilient one, with spending projected to top $553 billion in 2026. Some homeowners choose the DIY route, even for major projects. However, complex jobs like bathroom renovations are typically handled by professionals. Industry standards typically require licensed professionals for electrical and plumbing work. The problem is that hiring bathroom renovation contractors can be...
The year-end builder rush: Why December deadlines can work in your favor Homebuyers looking for leverage in a still-tight housing market may find it in December, as builders step up efforts to meet fiscal-year targets, clear out quick move-in (QMI) inventory, and ramp up incentives to cap off the year. Housing activity tends to slow at the end of the year, according to the National Association of Realtors’ seasonal analysis. Buyer traffic typically falls from December through February, r...
December 9, 2025 - HUNTSVILLE – Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday announced pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company plans to invest more than $6 billion in a new advanced manufacturing operation in Huntsville, where it will produce next-generation medicines. The global pharmaceutical giant also will bring 450 jobs to the region, including engineers, scientists, operations personnel and lab technicians. The Huntsville site will be a synthetic medicine active pharmaceutical ingredient facility, t...
Leonid Ikan // Shutterstock Coldest Decembers in Alabama since 1895 Stacker compiled a ranking of the coldest Decembers in Alabama since 1895 using data from the National Centers for Environmental Information. Rankings are based on the lowest average temperature in each month. For each of the coldest months listed below, we've included the average state temperature, state-wide highs and lows for the month, and the total precipitation. #10. December 1950 - Average temperature: 41.2°F - Monthly...
December 9, 2025 - WASHINGTON – Today, as Chairman of the Senate HELP Subcommittee on Education and the American Family, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) led a hearing focusing on workforce development in the modern era. Two witnesses from Alabama participated in the hearing and offered solutions to meet the growing employment gap for high-demand industries. Earlier this year, President Trump signed an Executive Order that prioritizes apprenticeships and invests in skilled trade jobs. D...
December 10, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) yesterday joined the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, "Protecting Our Children Online Against the Evolving Offender," which focused on the growing threat of sextortion and other forms of child exploitation online. Witnesses included Tamia Woods, Co-Founder of the Do It for James Foundation, Jessica Lieber Smolar, a former Assistant United States Attorney, and Lauren Coffren, Executive Direcor of the Exploited Children...
November 9, 2025 – MONTGOMERY - This is the Christmas season and most Alabamians are focused on family, parties, football, college basketball, and the miracle of Jesus's birth in a manger. For politicos this is when campaigns are won and lost. Money is virtually everything in politics. Money buys ads in publications like the Alabama Gazette, TV commercials, radio spots, direct mail, and pays campaign staff. Even though qualifying with the major parties does not begin until next month, c...
