The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Pharmacies and pharmacists play a critical role in our healthcare system. They dispense prescription and over-the-counter medications, provide immunizations, and counsel patients on medication side effects, interactions, and regimens. These essential services ensure patient safety and help patients take their medications as prescribed, ultimately improving the overall health of our communities. In an ideal world, everyone would have convenient access to necessary health services like pharmacies....
Seasonal employment: 7 tips for small businesses hiring for the summer For many small business owners, the busy summer season brings both increased profits and staffing headaches. Instead of hiring permanent employees, seasonal employment can be a flexible solution to keep your operations running smoothly during your busiest months. However, hiring seasonal employees can be tricky. To help, NEXT researched the pros and cons of seasonal employment, tips for hiring and retaining summer workers,...
7 health insurance options to consider before leaving a job and coverage expires Employment-based health insurance is the most common type of coverage in the U.S., so quitting a job is likely to affect your insurance status. It’s a good idea to explore your insurance options before you quit your job and your coverage expires. If you don’t plan properly, you could have a gap in coverage. You could also face high out-of-pocket costs for doctor visits, prescriptions, and emergency care—or delay...
President Donald Trump's new executive order on regulating elections is striking for the way it asserts broad powers for the executive branch that go far beyond what's prescribed in the Constitution or sanctioned by courts. Experts expect the order to face legal challenges for that reason. But what's also striking about the order is how it seeks to dictate some arcane details of the way voting systems work in some of America: Specifically, it bans the machine-readable barcodes or QR codes that...
Retirement savings can serve as a key indicator of financial stability, reflecting not only a household's ability to set aside money but also shaping retirement timelines and broader workforce and economic dynamics. Across the United States, the average retirement savings per household is estimated to be $114,435—but this figure varies significantly by state, ranging from less than half to double that amount. These disparities can significantly impact when and how comfortably Americans retire. E...
While inflation metrics may show broad trends across the U.S., costs of individual necessities like housing, groceries, utilities, transportation and medical expenses may see wider price volatility from city to city. Many dynamics may help influence price differentials across the country, such as geographical location—which may impact the availability and import cost of raw materials—and demographics, which often influences demand for goods and services as well as the supply of labor. Reg...
Though many out-of-work Americans currently face a slower search for employment, the nation's job market remains relatively robust, with 177,000 new workers added in April 2025. For comparison, an average of 166,000 new jobs were gained every month in 2024. Overall, the number of jobs in the U.S. is expected to grow by 4% across all occupations by 2033. But, according to projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many jobs that pay over $100,000 a year on average are expected to grow at...
We all know that spending too much time on screens is unhealthy, but do different screens have different impacts on our mental health? The answer, according to a 2025 Hers study, is yes. In fact, one simple question, "Do you prefer streaming TV or scrolling social media?" reveals key differences in our self-perceptions, emotional stability, mental wellness, and more. So which one is better? Well, it's complicated. When it comes to screen time, binge watching Netflix and scrolling TikTok are not...
Mental health conditions affect millions of people worldwide, but harmful stereotypes—like the idea that people with mental illness are dangerous or weak—still shape how these conditions are understood and treated despite growing awareness and education. Mental health stigma can have serious consequences. A 2016 report shows that stigmatization of mental illness not only fuels social exclusion but also prevents people from seeking help when they need it most. And mental health stigma doe...
Retirement savings can serve as a key indicator of financial stability, reflecting not only a household's ability to set aside money but also shaping retirement timelines and broader workforce and economic dynamics. Across the United States, the average retirement savings per household is estimated to be $114,435—but this figure varies significantly by state, ranging from less than half to double that amount. These disparities can significantly impact when and how comfortably Americans retire. E...
For weeks, headlines centered on the mysterious deaths of 95-year-old Gene Hackman, who had advanced Alzheimer's disease, and his wife and primary caregiver, Betsy Arakawa. They were found days after Arakawa's sudden death from the rare hantavirus; Hackman was left alone without essential care like food and medication. He died of heart disease a few days later. The tragedy cast a harsh spotlight on America's invisible workforce of family caregivers, a vital but often unsupported part of the...
Small businesses are mighty. They're considered the backbone of the American economy and the heartbeat of many communities. While they're particularly vulnerable to market headwinds—think the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, rising inflation, and the impact of tariffs on parts and labor—small businesses are also more nimble than their behemoth counterparts. And unlike corporate giants like Target and Walmart, which sell the same products from coast to coast, small businesses can cur...
sirtravelalot // Shutterstock Best private high schools in the Mobile metro area Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in the Mobile metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students. Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock #22. Safe Haven Christian Academy...
LightField Studios // Shutterstock Best private high schools in the Montgomery metro area Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in the Montgomery metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students. Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock #21. FRUITFUL GROUND...
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock Best private high schools in the Huntsville metro area Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in the Huntsville metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students. Tyler Olson // Shutterstock #19. Union Chapel Christian...
Ground Picture // Shutterstock Best private high schools in the Birmingham metro area Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in the Birmingham metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students. LStockStudio // Shutterstock #25. Riverside Christian Academy -...
Healthcare professionals write millions of prescriptions every year to help Americans manage symptoms and treat a range of conditions. But affordability, access issues, and drug shortages prevent people from actually filling these prescriptions. GoodRx Research ran a 12-month survey to better understand the dynamics that shape prescription medication fills and consumer behavior. The following insights come from this survey of nearly 12,000 Americans. The findings highlight the significant...
What is debt-to-income ratio and how does it affect you? You don’t need a finance degree to have money smarts. Understanding a few simple terms can help you lead your best financial life. One of those terms is DTI, or debt-to-income ratio. It’s an important concept because lenders use DTI to determine whether you can afford the loan you want. Achieve says understanding your DTI can give you an important edge when you’re looking for a home equity loan or another kind of loan. Definition of DTI (...
Summer's arrival underscores the importance of skin protection With the rise in temperatures and UV index as we approach summer’s arrival, protecting our skin from the sun's harmful rays becomes paramount. A staggering 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are linked to ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, a risk amplified during the sunny spring and summer months when we spend more time outdoors. Beyond the critical concern of skin cancer and potential eye damage, sun protection also safeguards a...
Is there a leadership crisis brewing? Why leadership development programs are a must-have in 2025 The business world is at a leadership crossroads. Baby Boomers are retiring en masse, and a new generation of employees is upending traditional workplace expectations. What’s more, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and an increasing focus on employee mental health are disrupting long-held norms in the workplace. It’s a recipe for unrest in the hands of unprepared leaders—which is wh...
Woman smiling while holding her pet dog. PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock Americans prefer dogs to cats as pets by a wide margin, according to the data Canines are top dog when it comes to pet ownership: 45.5 million households have dogs compared to 32.1 million that have cats in 2024, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. In a distant third are freshwater fish at 3.9 million, while birds, reptiles, and small animals trailing at 2.1 million, 2.3 million, and 1.3 mill...
Inflation-friendly food swaps to keep your grocery budget in check Grocery prices have soared in recent years, from supply chain disruptions during the pandemic to avian flu outbreaks impacting egg prices today. From 2020 to 2024, food prices jumped nearly 24%. That means if you used to spend $400 a month on groceries at the start of 2020, the same shopping cart would now cost nearly $500. While some issues like supply chain disruption may not be having as big of an impact as they were a few...
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock Highest-paying jobs in Decatur Despite recession fears and falling consumer confidence, the job market in the United States has remained relatively stable in 2025 thus far. According to May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, around 177,000 new jobs were added in April, a slight decrease from the 185,000 new jobs added in the month before, but an extension of the country's 52-month streak of job growth. Unemployment rates also held relatively steady...
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock Highest-paying jobs in Florence Despite recession fears and falling consumer confidence, the job market in the United States has remained relatively stable in 2025 thus far. According to May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, around 177,000 new jobs were added in April, a slight decrease from the 185,000 new jobs added in the month before, but an extension of the country's 52-month streak of job growth. Unemployment rates also held relatively steady b...
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock Highest-paying jobs in Huntsville Despite recession fears and falling consumer confidence, the job market in the United States has remained relatively stable in 2025 thus far. According to May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, around 177,000 new jobs were added in April, a slight decrease from the 185,000 new jobs added in the month before, but an extension of the country's 52-month streak of job growth. Unemployment rates also held relatively...
