The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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If you've ever stared at your electricity bill and felt a wave of confusion wash over you, you're not alone. In fact, according to a new survey conducted by Arbor, nearly 22% of Americans admit they have no idea how their electricity bill is calculated, while 47% say they only somewhat understand the bills. This widespread confusion is contributing to a growing sense of frustration and mistrust toward utility providers, with many people feeling powerless in the face of ever-increasing energy...
March 20, 2029 – BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Jefferson County Commission unanimously approved the sale of the Hallmark Farms property in Warrior to the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation or AECC. That organization was formed by the state legislature and will oversee the development of the new agricultural center planned for the area. The County purchased the property in 2019 in a joint effort with the City of Warrior. The Hallmark Farm property in northern Jefferson County is right on I-65 n...
Prescription drug spending in the United States has been on a steady rise for years, with Americans paying some of the highest prices in the world for their medications. Even those with insurance often face high out-of-pocket costs due to rising premiums, copays, and deductibles. With the increasing financial burden on consumers, prescription discount cards have emerged as an alternative to help mitigate costs. These cards, offered by third-party companies, work by negotiating discounts with...
March 12, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL) and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025, which requires federal agencies to include other transaction agreements (OTAs) in the list of federal awards that must be reported on USAspending.gov. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) led the Senate companion to this legislation. OTAs are legally binding agreements that are not standard contracts, cooperative agreements or grants that authorized government agencies...
March 19, 2025 – MOUNTAIN BROOK – Ann Eubank, the director of the conservative Alabama Legislative Watchdogs – spoke to the Gathering – a conservative Christian group in the Mountain Brook area at Olexa's Tea room in Mountain Brook Village. "Our supermajority Republican legislators, they passed the VA reorganization bill (SB67) to make the VA commissioner a cabinet position because Mee Maw (Governor Kay Ivey) got mad." Kent Davis was fired as Commissioner and Governor Ivey has already appoint...
March 21, 2025 – MONTGOMERY, AL – Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) the Officer Impersonation Prevention Act into law. This bill enhances the current law regarding the offense of impersonating a police officer. The Officer Impersonation Prevention Act was sponsored by state Senator Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville) and carried in the House by state Representative Ron Bolton (R-Northport). SB115 aso eliminates a loophole that could allow unqualified individuals to unlawfully serve as law enf...
March 20, 2025 – MONTGOMERY, AL – the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) addressed longstanding issues with inappropriate and indecent material being placed in children's sections of the library. Library Nancy Pack was fired, effective immediately. The board also passed sanctions against the Fairhope Public Library. Pack submitted her resignation to APLS board Chairman John Wahl effective September 1. Board member Amy Minton then made a motion that Pack be fired immediately. The Board ado...
MARCH 21, 2025 - LOWNDES COUNTY, AL. - A fox that scratched a hunter in the Burkville community of Lowndes County has tested positive for rabies. The scratch occurred when the fox repeatedly attacked and began biting the hunter's shoes. The fox was eventually subdued, captured and submitted to the Alabama Department of Public Health laboratory for rabies testing. The person has already begun receiving the post-exposure prophylaxis series. According to Dr. Dee W. Jones, State Public Health...
Demand for guns skyrocketed in the United States five years ago as the country grappled with COVID-19, social unrest, and a contentious presidential election. Now, that boom appears to be ending. Americans bought 15.3 million guns in 2024, down from a record 21.8 million in 2020, according to The Trace's gun sales tracker, which estimates purchases based on national background check data. Gun manufacturers have also scaled back. The Trace's analysis of federal data shows that between 2021 and 20...
March 20, 2025 – MONTGOMERY, AL - The Alabama Senate passed a pharmacy benefit manager reform bill. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are third party businesses who handle the prescription drug plans for businesses. Senate Bill 252 (SB252) is sponsored by state Senator Billy Beasley (D-Clayton). SB252 is PBM reform legislation requested by the pharmacies. A pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) is a third-party administrator that negotiates costs and payments between drug manufacturers, pharmacies, a...
March 20, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL. – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall today announced the indictment of a former Alabama Medicaid Agency employee for the theft of more than $100,000 in public funds. Natalie Colette Lewis, 59, of Montgomery, was indicted by the March term of the Montgomery County Grand Jury on multiple felony charges, including Aggravated Theft of Property, Use of Office for Personal Gain, and Violation of the Alabama Computer Crimes Act. Lewis surrendered to the M...
March 20, 2025 – PELL CITY, AL - Draic Coakley launched his campaign for Congress with an address to the St. Clair County Republican Party at their meeting in Pell City. Coakley is challenging incumbent Congressman Mike Rogers, who represents Alabama's Third Congressional District. Coakley is a diesel mechanic in Talladega County. Coakley dismissed Rogers as a "moderate" and declared that he was the far right candidate. Coakley said that Democrats are elect young far left candidates to Congress...
Have you ever opened your monthly electricity statement and thought, "This can't be right"? If so, you're in good company. Arbor surveyed 500 American homeowners and renters and found that 71% of Americans doubt the accuracy of their electricity charges, and nearly 70% admit they don't fully understand how their bill is calculated. It's no wonder power bills are soaring to the top of the list of monthly financial stressors, second only to rent or mortgage payments. The trust gap: So many feel...
March 20, 2025 – MONTGOMERY, AL. – The Alabama House of Representatives has passed legislation that would limit foreign influence in Alabama election. House Bill 363 (HB363) is sponsored by State Representative Lomax (R-Huntsville). According to the synopsis, "This bill would prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns, ballot measures, political parties, or political action committees. This bill would also impose penalties for violations." Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen (R)...
California lawmakers want to stop artificial intelligence from ripping you off. In recent weeks they introduced five bills to address the issue, making predictive pricing based on a customer's personal information one of the most popular tech policy concerns in the Legislature this session, reports The Markup. Ride-sharing apps, travel companies, and retail giants such as Staples, Target, and reportedly Amazon have engaged in the practice, which can set different prices for customers based on...
Gasoline prices are down several cents compared to this time last month, but the cost to fill up the tank has declined by nearly 40 cents per gallon since last year. The national average fuel price is about $3.12, with Mississippi seeing the cheapest state-level prices at $2.66 and California with the most expensive at $4.65. After a monthlong pause on tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, the Trump administration proceeded at the beginning of March to impose 25% tariffs on the two...
March 20, 2025 - CULLMAN, AL – Cindy Myrex, a lifelong Cullman County resident, devoted wife, mother, and businesswoman, is proud to announce her intentions to run in the special election for the Alabama House of Representatives, District 12. "A lifetime in Cullman County and on Smith Lake, I never cease to be thankful for the part of the world God allowed me to be in," said Myrex. "Living in this community, filled with generations of genuine, nurturing, and God-fearing families, I am always g...
March 19, 2025 - Author, grassroots Republican activist, and investigative journalist Terri LaPoint has announced that she is running for Congress in the Third Congressional District against longtime incumbent Mike Rogers (R-Saks). LaPoint confirmed to the Alabama Gazette that she is running in the Republican primary in 2026. LaPoint is a member of the St. Clair County Republican Party, is the current President of the Republican Women of Trussville, and is a leader in the Alabama Republican...
March 18, 2025 – MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation that would further lower the sales tax on groceries. House Bill 386 (HB386) is sponsored by state Representative Danny Garrett (R-Trussville). Alabama has a four percent sales tax. While the state sales tax per se is not particularly harsh compared to other states, Alabama is one of the few states in the country to tax food. The Legislature addressed this issue a couple of years ago when they lowered the...
March 19, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL03), the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, responded to press reports suggesting that the United States might soon change its entire combatant command structure, withdraw from NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) command structure, and cancel modernization plans for U.S. Forces Japan: "U.S. c...
March 19, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL. – The Alabama Big 10 Mayors today released the following statement after Governor Kay Ivey signed legislation into law that would make it a felony offense at the state level to be in possession of a trigger activator, often referred to as a Glock switch. Trigger activators turn semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons and have been cited as a major public safety hazard in communities across Alabama. "We are thrilled the state Legislature and Governor...
March 19, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) signed bipartisan legislation that would ban devices that make handguns fire out all of their rounds in a burst on the pull of the trigger. Handguns come from the factory where there has to be a separate trigger pull for each bullet. So-called "Glock switches" are already illegal under federal law. This legislation makes it a state crime to be in possession of, manufacture, or distribute illegal Glock switches allowing district...
March 18, 2025 – MONTGOMERY, AL. – The Alabama Senate narrowly passed a bill that would allow as many as 200 inmates of the Alabama Department of Corrections to petition the court for a new sentencing hearing. Senate Bill 156 (SB156) is sponsored by state Senator Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road). Barfoot explained that under existing law there are persons in the Alabama Department of Corrections who were sentenced under the 1980s-era Habitual Offender Sentencing Act. This bill would apply to "150 to...
The online dating market in the U.S. is projected to reach $3.17 billion in 2025 and has revolutionized how we meet potential partners—or has it? While swiping left and right have become synonymous with dating culture among younger generations, a 2025 Hims study found that the vast majority of people, young and old, are meeting in real life (IRL). 82% of Americans Met Their Partners In Person, Not Digitally 82% of men and women in the U.S., ages 18-65, who report either being married or in a r...
March 2, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL. - Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) joined a coalition of 26 attorneys general in defending the Trump administration's recent actions to combat Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The attorneys general are also calling for a stay of the district court's recent temporary restraining order that halts President Trump's actions to address this violent and dangerous foreign terrorist organization. "Tren de Aragua is a violent terrorist organization with ties to...
