The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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America’s 250th is driving a boat-rental boom. These 10 cities are booking out fast for July 4 fireworks Few summer traditions draw people to the water like Fourth of July fireworks. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, known formally as the “semiquincentennial,” demand for July 4, 2026, boat rentals has surged in recent weeks. New data from Getmyboat shows 2026 boat bookings are up 18% compared to this time last year, accumulating around harbors and lakes where celeb...
As enrollment falls, old schools find new life as apartments In a once-thriving neighborhood in the southeast part of Atlanta, Lakewood Elementary served families who came to work at the General Motors assembly plant, a sprawling 100-acre landmark that became a path toward economic mobility for entry-level workers. At its height in the late 1970s, the plant employed as many as 5,700 people. But by the early ‘90s, when Gloria Hawkins-Wynn moved into the community, signs of decline were e...
Vladimir Prokop // Shutterstock Most commonly seen birds in Alabama Stacker compiled a list of the most common birds seen near feeders in Alabama using data from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Project FeederWatch. Birds are ranked by the percent of sites visited from Apr. 18 to Apr. 30. Ties are broken by the average group size when seen, any further ties were not broken. Data was collected at 55 count sites in Alabama. States with less than 10 count sites were not included in rankings for...
Why people still worry about EV range For years, range anxiety has cropped up as a major factor holding people back from switching to an EV (electric vehicle). In dealer showrooms, family group chats, comment sections and road trip planning chats alike, questions are asked: Will it get me there? What do I do if things do not go to plan? Those concerns have not vanished, but it’s also no longer a simple conversation about how far an EV can drive on a single charge, or whether there will be a c...
Khan Academy’s founder says AI tutoring revolution hasn't come for education, yet Three years ago, as Khan Academy founder Sal Khan rolled out an AI-powered tutoring chatbot, he predicted a revolution in learning. So far, the revolution hasn’t happened, he acknowledged. “For a lot of students, it was a non-event,” Khan told Chalkbeat about his eponymous chatbot, Khanmigo. “They just didn’t use it much.” Khan gives this analogy: Imagine he walked into a class, sat in the back of the room, and...
How ADHD can affect your mental health The challenges that come with ADHD go way beyond trouble paying attention or staying organized. ADHD symptoms, like impulsivity, being late or forgetful, or having trouble managing emotions can cause serious life challenges. People with ADHD report consistently lower levels of self-esteem. And they’re more likely to have a negative self-concept than their neurotypical peers. It’s not hard to see why. The fallout from ADHD can make it feel like you’re alway...
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock Movies and TV shows casting in Birmingham The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures attention starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV...
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock Movies and TV shows casting in Mobile The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures attention starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows...
sommai damrongpanich // Shutterstock From bouquets to filet mignon: What Instacart orders reveal about the best Mother's Day gifts in Alabama Mother's Day topped every other holiday for gift orders in 2025. Flowers, gourmet dinners, sweet treats — here's what customers sent and cooked for the special moms in their lives. Key Takeaways - Mother's Day was the #1 day for gift orders in 2025, with customers placing gift orders 18 times more often than average. - Over half of Mother's Day gift o...
yul38885 // Shutterstock Coldest Mays in Alabama since 1895 Stacker compiled a ranking of the coldest Mays 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. May 1960 - Average temperature: 67.8°F - Monthly high temperature:...
The ultimate lineup for National BBQ Month May kicks off grilling season, and it’s no coincidence that it is also National BBQ Month. There's something about this time of year that brings a sense of togetherness. The days are longer, friends gather, and everyone is ready to start grilling. BBQ is a personal tradition for many with their go-to grilling recipes, but below, Wildfire Outdoor Living highlights BBQ recipes that will elevate your grill game. A plate of Galbi or grilled Korean beef s...
How much does 24/7 home care cost? The national median cost of nonmedical home care in 2026 is $34 per hour. For 24/7 care, this equals about $816 per day, $5,712 per week, and $24,733 per month. Round-the-clock home care aides help seniors with daily tasks and provide continuous supervision. Where your loved one lives and what kind of help they need determines the overall cost of 24/7 home care. Key Takeaways - The national median cost of 24-hour home care in 2026 is $34 per hour, but costs...
Meet the AI fighting crime before it happens "The nature of threats facing public spaces and critical infrastructure has changed," said Harry Mead, CEO and cofounder of London-based AI security startup Augur, referring to the rise of so-called "grey zone" attacks in Europe. These threats, often coordinated by hostile actors to try to destabilize democratic nations, have targeted electricity grids, satellite communications, and transport infrastructure, and Mead is using AI to fight back....
Teachers say there’s a rise in misbehavior even among the littlest kids School had been in session at Lead Elementary for less than an hour, but already Andrea Quinn had paused teaching her first graders nearly 20 times, she told The Hechinger Report. First, there was the child who had zipped his entire face inside the hood of his green sweatshirt. “Is that a good choice?” Quinn asked. “Yeah?” responded a muffled voice. Then, there was the girl in pink leggings who stood up from her seat, wan...
The affordability crisis is creating a generation of renters Until recently, the roadmap for buying a home seemed clear: Get a good job, save for a few years, and buy a starter home. But America’s ongoing housing affordability crisis has turned what was once a common milestone into something far less attainable for most would-be buyers. Record-high home prices, elevated mortgage rates, and increased debt are just a few of the many factors that have made homebuying a daunting prospect. With l...
FOTOGRIN // Shutterstock Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Florence metro area The real estate frenzy spurred by the coronavirus pandemic continues, though at a slower pace. Buyers are still competing for a limited supply of housing, driving up prices for affordable properties. The typical home value in the United States was $365,545 in March, 0.8% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But some...
scarp577 // Shutterstock Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Huntsville metro area The real estate frenzy spurred by the coronavirus pandemic continues, though at a slower pace. Buyers are still competing for a limited supply of housing, driving up prices for affordable properties. The typical home value in the United States was $365,545 in March, 0.8% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But some...
Volodymyr Kyrylyuk // Shutterstock Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Mobile metro area The real estate frenzy spurred by the coronavirus pandemic continues, though at a slower pace. Buyers are still competing for a limited supply of housing, driving up prices for affordable properties. The typical home value in the United States was $365,545 in March, 0.8% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But...
Where fuel costs are climbing fastest, and why shelf prices are next When pump prices dominate the news, the story almost always flows to the coasts. California clears $5.90 a gallon, Hawai‘i tops $6, and Washington pushes past $5.40. Those numbers are eye-catching, and they deserve the attention they get. But the pump is only the first hit. It's the immediate one — visible at every fill-up, felt in every weekly budget — and it's the one that dominates the news cycle. The longer, larger impact i...
As spending shifts to e-commerce, AI is reshaping the landscape Once a fringe business model, e-commerce has become a staple of purchasing in the U.S. and around the world. Estimates place e-commerce's share of the world's retail at over 23% in 2025, with this figure expected to reach one-quarter by 2030. Even business-to-business (B2B) purchases are increasingly done online. At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a bigger role in the online shopping experience. From...
9 midsize 3-row SUVs tested side-by-side For many families, a two-row SUV is a tight squeeze. Yet a full-size behemoth like the Chevrolet Suburban or Jeep Wagoneer can feel like docking a ship in a suburban driveway. Enter the midsize three-row SUV, the sweet spot, the Goldilocks of family transport without the cumbersome bulk. The best of today's bunch, like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride hybrids, blend luxury-like comfort with fuel economy of up to 35 mpg. Others, like the Nissan...
7 commonly overlooked steps when starting a small business There’s a moment every new business owner knows well, the mix of excitement and uncertainty that hits once you decide to go for it. You have the idea, the energy and maybe even your first few customers. Then come the practical questions: Should I register as an LLC or S Corp? How do I pay myself? What happens when I hire someone? Starting a business often feels like wearing many hats at once: sales, HR, customer service, manager, o...
3 cheapest places to golf this spring As temperatures start to warm around the U.S., golfers pull out their clubs and start taking practice swings. It’s time for a spring golf trip, and the options continue to get better. While golf has a long history in the U.S. and U.K., it’s becoming more and more popular around the world. New courses in Thailand and elsewhere are opening up options for affordable, exciting golf trips. A U.S. golf trip is still appealing as well, especially in places lik...
Electric RVs in 2026: What's real and what's not The electric RV market is worth roughly $500 million right now. By 2030, analysts project it'll hit $2 billion. But here's the thing nobody in the press releases mentions: As of early 2026, you still can't walk into a dealership and buy one. The biggest names in the industry (Winnebago, Thor, Mercedes) have spent years showing off prototypes, running pilot programs, and teasing "coming soon" timelines. Meanwhile, a startup in Colorado is quietly...
Your tax return is filed. Now here's what's quietly draining your cash For small business owners, the weeks after tax season make cash flow problems harder to ignore — and the latest data points to a few clear causes. Tax season ends with a moment of relief: The return is filed and the paperwork is done. But expenses don’t stop. For small business owners, the period right after tax season is one of the most financially exposed windows of the year. According to a 2025 QuickBooks survey, 43% of...
