The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 1820
The new corporate rat race: Who can look the busiest Employees are working hard to be seen, even when that visibility doesn’t translate into real progress. A new survey from remote staffing provider Connext Global Solutions finds that many professionals are caught in a cycle of productivity theater, where activity and availability often overshadow measurable results. The 2025 Connext Global Confidence Gap Survey exposes how deeply this culture runs and what leaders can do to restore focus on o...
Graduates in caps and gown at commencement. Nirat.pix // Shutterstock Colleges with the highest-earning graduates for 25 popular degrees Benjamin Franklin once said, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest," though most Americans would now disagree when it comes to higher education. Fewer than 1 in 4 (22%) of adults in the United States think college is worth its price, even if the person has to take out loans, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey. About 43 million...
Construction work in winter: 7 bad-weather tips to keep contractors earning and employed Shorter days and harsh winter weather can put construction projects on hold for days, weeks or long, cold months. But the slow season doesn’t have to mean lost income. Seasonal factors can affect construction productivity in winter, including: - Inclement weather delays: Snow, ice and freezing temperatures can disrupt timelines and damage materials. - Shorter daylight hours: Fewer working hours mean less p...
Ocean container shipping spot rates rise $700–$900 due to US-China trade fight This past week, the U.S.-China trade fight moved decisively onto the water, Freight Right Global Logistics reports. On Oct. 14, Washington and Beijing both activated reciprocal port-entry fees that target each other’s shipping ecosystems, adding direct costs for carriers (with detailed carve-outs and five-voyage annual caps) and potential pass-through costs for cargo owners. At the same time, product-specific U.S...
Should you cover your central air conditioner in the winter? As fall descends upon us, we know winter's on its way. This time of year, there's no shortage of tasks for homeowners to check off their to-do lists to prep their houses for the coming cold. The amount of winterizing that's necessary will depend on the climate you live in, as well as the particulars of your home. One long-standing debate - and a remarkably divisive one, at that - is whether you should cover your HVAC unit in the...
A centuries-old Appalachian hymn singing tradition is still soothing souls It’s one of the most distinctive sounds in country and bluegrass music. You can hear it in the singing of Patty Loveless, Keith Whitley and Ricky Skaggs. The way these Appalachian-born singers bend and glide and flip over their melodies—it can stir your soul and break your heart at the same time. You can trace this style of singing back to bluegrass legends like Ralph Stanley. But the roots of this sound go even dee...
How increased lifespans are reshaping retirement security across the US One of the many upsides to living in the 21st century is that average life expectancies are higher than ever before, and so people who make it to retirement age can expect to enjoy many more years of health and happiness than their parents and grandparents. This creates concerns at a state and national level, as the aging population puts pressure on various systems that were designed and implemented long before current...
Close up hands holding burger at outdoor restaurant table. AKS-Stock Agency // Shutterstock 50 most popular chain restaurants in America Since A&W Root Beer became the first American restaurant to franchise in 1926, the United States—and the rest of the world—has been dominated by chains. Iconic establishments like the now-defunct Howard Johnson's trained customers to look toward its distinctive orange roofs for consistency and comfort, while McDonald's revolutionized the industry with its foc...
University students across Washington protest with signs. Phil Pasquini // Shutterstock Most liberal colleges in America There is no concrete proof that liberals outnumber conservatives in academia. That said, despite the likelihood that critiques of political bias have more to do with ideological challenges than oppression, the perception persists that higher education is overwhelmingly liberal. Beyond being merely persistent, this perception has also led to political showdowns with...
logoboom // Shutterstock Hottest Octobers in Alabama since 1895 In 2022, the continental United States experienced its third hottest July since 1895, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, while 20 states saw one of their 10 hottest days in the same month. The year prior, July marked the hottest month on record worldwide. Climate change is driving rising temperatures and more record heat. The Earth’s temperature has climbed each decade since 1880 by about ....
A small town main street. lucasImages // Shutterstock 50 metros where your Social Security check goes the furthest Retirement evokes excitement as you leave behind the working world and enjoy your days to the fullest. Upon retirement, your monthly Social Security check bolsters other retirement savings to provide a regular income during your golden years. The amount of that monthly check depends on how much you've earned during your working years, regardless of where you've lived. You must work...
Urban vs. rural prescription costs: How geography shapes spending Where you live can shape your health and your prescription costs. Urban and rural communities differ not just in lifestyle and resources, but also in the medications people take and how much they pay for them out of pocket. New research from GoodRx, a platform for medication savings, shows that geography influences things like whether patients use newer, brand-name therapies and how much they pay to manage chronic conditions....
================================================== ERROR IMPORTING STORY: Invalid canonical URL: ================================================== Daniel Avram // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Alabama in the last week Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Alabama using data from AAA. Gas prices are as of October 17. Alabama by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.72 - Week change: -$0.04 (-1.3%) - Year change: -$0.16 (-5.4%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.63 (6/14/22)...
Mobile home residents face increased risks from severe weather Like most high desert towns, Madras, Oregon, is no stranger to extreme temperatures. Located about 2,250 feet above sea level in a dry valley surrounded by central Oregon’s Cascade Range, summers in Madras can reach triple-digits, and winters are below freezing. Homes outfitted for both hot and cold days are necessary in this rural community — but never guaranteed. That’s because within Madras city limits, there are eight mobile home...
Why some brains are wired for extremism Why do some people cling so tightly to rigid worldviews, even when all the evidence proves them wrong? That is the question at the center of “The Ideological Brain,” a new book by neuroscientist Dr. Leor Zmigrod, that examines not just what we believe, but why our brains are wired to believe it. Drawing on a decade of empirical research, “The Ideological Brain” breaks down what makes a mind more vulnerable or more resilient to extremist ideologies. Zmigrod...
amine chakour // Shutterstock Best NFL players born in Alabama Football has long been woven into the cultural fabric of America, and every state has produced its share of gridiron legends. From Hall of Fame quarterbacks to record-setting receivers and defensive stalwarts, some of the NFL's greatest talents trace their roots back to Alabama. Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Alabama. Players were ranked by weighted career...
How to use AI to capture your maintenance team’s knowledge and turn it into action Your maintenance team is only as effective as its most knowledgeable technician. But what happens when that technician leaves? When today’s maintenance managers look to the future, many of them see obstacles to keeping that knowledge in-house. Maintenance continues to face a looming talent crisis, and the numbers are worrying: - 30% of maintenance leaders cite a skilled labor shortage as a top challenge. - As muc...
Brand voices are blending together — here’s how to make yours heard As you browse your social media feeds or check out billboards on a leisurely drive, you might notice a recent phenomenon: Everything seems quite, well, similar. “If you go to the comment section of any viral post right now, all the brands are commenting and they all sound exactly the same,” says Rachel Karten, a social media consultant and author of the popular industry newsletter Link In Bio. If you run a business, it’s mo...
How to open a health savings account if you’re self-employed Self-employed individuals, such as small-business owners and independent contractors, are always looking for ways to reduce their tax bill and better manage healthcare costs. One often overlooked option among many new entrepreneurs is a health savings account (HSA). An HSA is a tax-advantaged account that lets you pay for qualified medical expenses, such as certain vision care and dental services, with tax-free dollars. Unlike a f...
Title loan pros and cons: Everything you need to know before you borrow When you have an urgent need for cash, the last thing you want to do is make your situation worse. So it’s a great idea to take the time to learn about your different options for borrowing money, like you’re doing right now. Having all the details could help you feel more confident in your financial decisions. A title loan could be an easy way to get the cash you need quickly, but it could also lead to a debt trap. And a t...
Smiling college students walking on campus. PeopleImages // Shutterstock Best value colleges in every state When it comes to higher education, definitions of what constitutes a valuable collegiate experience and reasons for enrolling are as varied as the people providing the answers. For some, it's tied to affordability and measured in terms of how many scholarships and grants are available to offset the overall cost. For others, value is measured by the quality of the education and is...
Graduates celebrating after commencement ceremony. Studio Romantic // Shutterstock Colleges with high acceptance rates whose graduates earn the most College admissions time is an annual crossroads moment for high school seniors. There are still many eager students entering the higher education system, despite turmoil in the job market as AI replaces entry-level jobs and an uncertain economy. Compared to last year, the Common Application estimates that more students will apply for colleges and...
More and better patient care: An AI platform CEO predicts the future of healthcare After Sam De Brouwer's AI company, doc.ai, was acquired by Atlanta-based Sharecare in February 2023, it went IPO at a valuation of $3.9 billion. She then founded healthcare startup XY.AI Labs, offering AI automation for revenue cycle management (RCM), data entry, document processing, and scheduling, empowering providers to focus on care, not clicks. De Brouwer also curates and produces TEDAI, the first-of-its-kind...
Counties with the most pre-war homes in Alabama Pre-war homes—those built before 1939—are architectural gems. They are sturdy, charming, and often what people are referring to when they look at the prevalent colorless, linear designs of today and lament "they just don't make them like they used to." In some ways, that's a good thing. Pre-war homes often contained materials we know to be hazardous today, like asbestos and lead. But their signature characteristics, including hardwood floors, nic...
================================================== ERROR IMPORTING STORY: Invalid canonical URL: ================================================== jittawit21 // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Alabama in the last week Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Alabama using data from AAA. Gas prices are as of October 10. Alabama by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.76 - Week change: -$0.03 (-1.0%) - Year change: -$0.10 (-3.6%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.63 (6/14/22) -...
