The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 5146
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Army has unveiled the Combat Field Test (CFT), a significant advancement in its physical readiness program aimed at aligning fitness standards with the rigorous demands of modern warfare. Implementation of the new test begins in April 2026 and will be mandatory annually for active-duty Soldiers serving in 24 designated combat military occupational specialties. According to Army Secretary Hon. Dan Driscoll, "The Combat Field Test is a critical step forward in ensuring...
EPA launches a ‘back-to-basics’ blueprint to help rural drinking water systems The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a technical assistance program for water infrastructure in early March 2026, designed to help rural communities update and repair aging water utilities and get into compliance with federal regulations. The program, called the Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA) initiative, rescinds a Biden-era memorandum that the Trump administration criticized for pri...
Why home insurance claim payouts can feel disappointing Why the Payout Isn't What You Might Expect Imagine you discover a serious leak from your ceiling that causes major floor and drywall damage. No problem, you think: I’ll just file a claim with my insurance company and the repairs will be covered. But then the insurance estimate arrives, and it’s thousands less than the contractor’s repair quote. Welcome to a common homeowner reality check. Especially during storm season, homeowners are o...
The main financial factors, other than rent and mortgage, to consider when moving Whether you’re packing up in hopes of moving to a major metropolitan area, sunny coast, the heartland or abroad, there’s a lot to consider when finding a new place to call home. Consider everything you pay for now — transportation, groceries, utilities and entertainment, for instance — and how the price tags on those goods and services could change when you relocate. Housing costs are typically top of mind, but the...
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 April 20. Huntsville by the numbers - Gas current price: $3.84 --- Alabama average: $3.76 - Week change: -$0.08 (-2.1%) - Year change: +$1.08 (+39.1%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.60 (6/14/22) - Diesel current price: $5.38 - Week change: -$0.08 (-1.5%) - Year change: +$2.01 (+59.8%) -...
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 April 20. Tuscaloosa by the numbers - Gas current price: $3.73 --- Alabama average: $3.76 - Week change: -$0.09 (-2.3%) - Year change: +$0.96 (+34.7%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.63 (6/14/22) - Diesel current price: $5.28 - Week change: -$0.09 (-1.7%) - Year change: +$1.98 (+59.9%) -...
pan demin // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Dothan in the last week Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Dothan, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of April 20. Dothan by the numbers - Gas current price: $3.76 --- Alabama average: $3.76 - Week change: -$0.10 (-2.7%) - Year change: +$1.00 (+36.3%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.67 (6/10/22) - Diesel current price: $5.43 - Week change: -$0.08 (-1.4%) - Year change: +$1.95 (+55.8%) - Historical...
pan demin // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Birmingham in the last week Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Birmingham, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of April 20. Birmingham by the numbers - Gas current price: $3.70 --- Alabama average: $3.76 - Week change: -$0.09 (-2.4%) - Year change: +$0.93 (+33.5%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.61 (6/13/22) - Diesel current price: $5.26 - Week change: -$0.11 (-2.0%) - Year change: +$1.88 (+55.8%) -...
pan demin // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Anniston in the last week Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Anniston-Oxford, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of April 20. Anniston by the numbers - Gas current price: $3.77 --- Alabama average: $3.76 - Week change: -$0.08 (-2.0%) - Year change: +$0.96 (+34.0%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.61 (6/11/22) - Diesel current price: $5.20 - Week change: -$0.20 (-3.7%) - Year change: +$1.92 (+58.8%)...
pan demin // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Decatur in the last week Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Decatur, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of April 20. Decatur by the numbers - Gas current price: $3.81 --- Alabama average: $3.76 - Week change: -$0.10 (-2.6%) - Year change: +$1.09 (+40.4%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.59 (6/15/22) - Diesel current price: $5.37 - Week change: -$0.09 (-1.7%) - Year change: +$2.05 (+61.9%) -...
NEW ORLEANS, Lou.- April 21, 2026 - A divided U.S. federal appeals court ruled that the state of Texas can require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The ruling reverses a lower court judge who had blocked the law from being implemented in the Lone Star State. The 9 – 7 ruling does not directly impact Alabama, because it is in the 5th Circuit and Alabama is in the 11th Circuit; but the ruling does set a precedent which the state will use (if necessary) to defend i...
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. via his Make America Healthy Again movement is urging Congress to vote "No" on HR 2289. The reason for his opposition to the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 is because as it is currently written, it would allow telecommunications corporations "to place cell towers, small cells, and antennas wherever they please, with no ability for local government to deny them." As the MAHA movement explains it, HR 2289 uses "deregulation rhetoric to eliminate environmental...
How to help family with money problems without hurting yourself It’s hard to watch someone you care about struggle financially, and deciding to help is admirable. But do your loved one and you a favor: Be clear about the level of help you can afford. This article from Beyond Finance can help you set smart financial boundaries and covers how to get the most out of tough conversations — without burning out. Why Your Financial Boundaries Matter When you’re in a situation that asks you to mix money...
Before you buy your dream home, check these hidden property records Closing on a property is stressful and costly enough without having to deal with comprehensive title, lien, and property record searches. Most places in the U.S. are still seller’s markets. Consequently, buyers may be wary of rocking the boat by asking too many questions. When your money is on the line, though, you cannot be too careful—especially with real estate transactions. Beyond the standard title search and home inspectio...
What happens if you don't pay property taxes? Penalties, liens, and more Owning a home comes with obligations beyond your mortgage — including insurance, maintenance, utilities, and property taxes. Among these, property taxes are among the most critical. Falling behind on them can trigger a chain of legal and financial consequences that, in the worst case, can cost you your property. Hometap shares the consequences of unpaid taxes and how you can resolve (or prevent) the problem. What Are P...
With polls consistently showing the seventh-generation Alabamian through his mother's side of the family, Jared Hudson, in a much closer than expected race against Barry Moore and Steve Marshall in his campaign for Tommy Tuberville's soon to be vacated U.S. Senate seat, Hudson is campaigning hard throughout the State of Alabama on his "Alabama First" tour. For the Alabama Republican Party Primary, which will largely determine who wins the senate seat in the general election in November, is less...
April 21, 2026 – MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the Montgomery‑based civil rights nonprofit long known for tracking extremist organizations, has been indicted on federal charges alleging that it secretly funneled donor money to individuals associated with violent hate groups - including the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and the National Socialist Party of America - between 2014 and 2023. The 11‑count indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Montgomery, accus...
8 ways to squeeze more miles from every tank, according to America's fleet pros The trucking industry has turned fuel efficiency into a science. Here's what everyday drivers can borrow from their playbook. Diesel hit $5.03 per gallon for U.S. commercial fleets in early 2026 — and fuel already eats up roughly 21–24% of what motor carriers spend just to operate. That financial pressure turned fuel management into one of the most carefully engineered problems in the trucking industry. Fleet ope...
Europe is closing a major e-commerce loophole: How the end of duty-free shipping drives up costs for brands With over 450 million consumers, the European Union is one of the most attractive international markets for DTC ecommerce brands. And much of that growth has been driven by policies that make it easier to ship low-value goods into the region. In 2025 alone, more than 5.8 billion low-value ecommerce parcels were shipped into the EU, which shows just how big this channel has become. But...
Wes Allen, Alabama's Secretary of State, is reminding Alabama citizens that the deadline to register to vote before the May 19, 2026 Primary Election is Monday, May 4, 2026. "The right of eligible United States citizens to vote in fair and secure elections is one of the hallmarks of our constitutional republic," Allen said. "I encourage all eligible Alabamians to register to vote or verify their voter registration status on AlabamaVotes.gov ahead of the May 19 Primary Election." Electronic voter...
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) recently joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and several of their Senate colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to designate March 21, 2026, as “National Women in Agriculture Day” to honor the critical contributions of women in agriculture. “Across Alabama and our nation, women in agriculture are the backbone of our communities, working tirelessly to feed and clothe America’s families,” said Senator Britt. “On National Women in Agri...
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) in introducing a resolution honoring the sacrifice and service of six American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft over western Iraq while supporting Operation Epic Fury. This resolution unanimously passed the Senate last night. The resolution honors three members of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron part of the 6TH Air Refueling Wing (MacDill AFB) based at S...
Governor Kay Ivey has returned back to the Governor's Mansion following her successful procedure at Baptist Medical Center South. The fluid that previously pressed against her lung has been 100% percent removed and cleared, and she will have no short or long-term challenges related to this issue. As mentioned in the original update, the governor remained at Baptist South following her short procedure. Throughout her two-night stay, she remained engaged in the ongoing legislative process, as...
US traffic fatalities: Where speeding and impaired driving pose the biggest risks When American roads are safest, a mix of enforcement, behavior change, and public awareness often gets the credit, but risky driving behaviors remain central drivers of deadly crashes. To better understand the human behaviors linked to traffic deaths nationwide, Recovery Law Center, a personal injury law firm, analyzed the latest available federal data on speeding‑ and impaired‑driving‑related fatalities to pinpo...
How immigration scams affect thousands of foreign nationals Immigration scams could be becoming more prevalent since 2022, according to recent federal data. In 2024 alone, the Federal Trade Commission received 265,272 complaints about government impersonators, and that’s only documented cases. The agency estimates those incidents cost consumers $789 million. Across platforms, social media users have reported increasingly effective tactics from scammers. On LinkedIn, an international student p...
