The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Digging out: 6 things homeowners should do right after a blizzard A massive snowfall that blankets the world in white and cancels everything for a day (or a few) can be magical — especially for kids. But for homeowners, snowstorms can be stressful. That stress doesn’t end when the snowfall stops — and not just due to the thought of having to clear all that snow. Hopefully, you safely endured the massive snowstorms that whipped across the U.S. in recent weeks, freezing cities in their tracks as t...
Can a 50-year mortgage fix housing affordability? The data says mostly no Longer loan terms could open the door to home ownership for 1 in 85 renters in America’s 100 largest cities, but not all will benefit equally. A 50-year mortgage term could reduce monthly payments by an average of just around $84 while ballooning interest by roughly $561,000 on an average home in each of America’s 100 largest metros. That’s a controversial proposition. Nevertheless, at the end of that lengthy term, buyer...
WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 3, 2026 – Once again Senate Democrats have refused to pass a government funding package. The whole fall in Congress was wasted because Democrats refused to fund the government because they were demanding more spending for health care. Government employees went weeks without pay, government offices worked with half staff, hundreds of airplane flights were cancelled, and millions who depend on government SNAP, WIC, and Veterans benefits were fearful that their ben...
On February 2, 962, a momentous event unfolded in Rome that would define the political and religious landscape of medieval Europe for centuries. Pope John XII placed the imperial crown upon the head of Otto I, King of East Francia, formally reviving the Holy Roman Empire. This coronation marked the beginning of a new era-one in which the alliance between the papacy and the German monarchy would shape the balance of power across the continent. A Kingdom in Need of Stability Before Otto I's rise,...
The accession of Mehmed II to the Ottoman throne on February 3, 1451 stands as one of the most consequential turning points in medieval history. At just nineteen years old, Mehmed inherited not only the vast and diverse territories of the Ottoman state but also its most enduring strategic challenge: the presence of Constantinople, the ancient Byzantine capital, still standing-though weakened-at the heart of Ottoman lands. His rise to power marked the beginning of a transformative era, one that...
WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 3, 2026 – The U.S. House of Representatives will consider a procedural vote to consider a funding package that if passed will keep the government funded and end the partial government shutdown. Conservatives in the House are not happy that the Senate changed the funding package. If the House passes a bill with changes and sends it back to the Senate – as some members have advocated for – that will delay the process even further. President Donald J. Trump on Monday...
A proposal moving through the Alabama Legislature is drawing attention to one of the state's longest‑running governance debates: who ultimately controls Alabama's multi‑member boards. HB220, sponsored by Rep. Chris Pringle, would give the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate explicit authority to remove and replace any board member they originally appointed. Under current practice, many multi‑member boards operate with staggered terms and limited remov...
February 3, 2026 – MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Senate passed legislation that would require state environmental regulatory agencies to follow the federal standard and not set a rule that is higher or more stringent than the federal regulation. SB71 is sponsored by state Senator Donnie Chesteen (R-Dothan). This bill addresses administrative law and procedures for the state of Alabama. The legislation had already received a favorable report recommendation from the Senate County and Mun...
February 3, 2026 – The Alabama Legislature passed compromise legislation that would protect Mobile Bay from the careless dumping of dredged earth back into Mobile Bay. Currently the U.S. government (with substantial state support from the fuel tax) is making Alabama's shipping channel through Mobile Bay to the Port of Mobile wider and deeper to accommodate the newer bigger container ships. The improvements to the port will greatly increase the number and the size of the ships that we can a...
Students’ skills and interest in science tumble in first post-COVID-19 test U.S. eighth graders are less prepared to be the scientists of tomorrow than they were before the pandemic. In the first nationwide test of students’ science knowledge since 2019, the percentage of students scoring at the proficient level fell to 29%, down from 33%, and the average score dropped back to levels last seen in 2009, when a new version of the test was introduced, according to the National Assessment of Educati...
Protect your heart and your money this Valentine’s Day Looking for love this Valentine’s Day? While you may want to open your heart, you need to be careful when it comes to your finances. Unsuspecting consumers have lost millions of dollars through romance scams, in which criminals use fake online personas to gain trust and then manipulate victims for financial gain. For example, in December 2025, an Ohio grand jury indicted a member of a criminal network that defrauded elderly victims out of...
Love, history and harmony: Valentine’s Day then and now Valentine’s Day is widely associated with romantic expression, though its origins and modern significance reflect a blend of ancient ritual, literary tradition, and changing social customs. In this article, PrayerSong examines how the holiday evolved and why music continues to play a role in how people mark romantic milestones. From pagan ritual to poetic romance Valentine’s Day did not begin as a celebration of love, but its roots can be t...
How to get your tax refund faster and be smart about spending it If you feel like you’ve been living paycheck to paycheck, you’re certainly not alone. But take heart that there’s some good news looming on the horizon. Tax refunds are on the way, and they will likely be even larger than usual. The final average for the 2024 tax year was $3,151, a sum that’s big enough to move the needle for many households. For the 2025 tax year, it’s expected to be even higher than that, potentially by up to...
On Sunday, February 08th, 2026, the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots will face off at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California for the Super Bowl LX. For those who need a refresher on their high school Latin, that's the 60th Super Bowl in Roman numerals wherein the top two teams of the National Football League vie for the title of champion. While normally heralded as one of the most unifying events in American popular culture, in recent years, the Super Bowl halftime show has becom...
Honoring a leader whose devotion to God, family, and the unborn transformed Alabama's moral and political landscape Alabama lost a great man this month-a man whose leadership, convictions, and Christian faith helped shape the moral and political landscape of our state for decades. To know John was to witness a man of purpose and discipline, anchored in Scripture and committed to serving God, his family, and the people of Alabama. His voice carried influence not because it was loud, but because...
February 4, 2026 - JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Jacksonville Police Chief Marcus Wood announced late Wednesday that Patrick Slade Boothe, who had been missing since January 23, was found dead earlier in the day. Boothe was last seen leaving the Parker Place Southwest area of Jacksonville before disappearing under circumstances that quickly raised concern among family and investigators. According to Chief Wood, individuals believed to be involved in Boothe's death have been taken into custody, though...
Republicans across the country are learning the hard way that elections are not only lost to Democrats. Too often, they are undermined from within by distractions, procedural abuse, and self-inflicted chaos. Alabama avoided that trap this week. By following the rules and rejecting a baseless residency challenge, the Alabama Republican Party showed discipline at a moment when discipline is in short supply nationwide. The residency challenge against Senator Tommy Tuberville was never about the Ala...
Profitable businesses to start in 2026 These suggestions are based on recent business trends and do not guarantee a profitable outcome. Running your own business can be an appealing prospect. Working for yourself comes with a number of benefits, from setting your own schedule to seeing your income grow along with your business. But how do you decide on the best type of business for you? The good news is that, while having a passion project is great, you can pursue your entrepreneurial dreams...
The demand illusion: Why home prices are falling in these 9 growing US cities In a normal housing cycle, “more people moving in” should mean “prices go up.” But the post-2022 market has produced a counterintuitive pattern in several large U.S. metros: Prices are sliding even while the headcount grows. This isn’t magic—it’s a math problem. When supply rises faster than effective demand, or when buyers can’t (or won’t) pay yesterday’s prices because financing, insurance, taxes, or job growt...
Trump appoints Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair: What it means for markets The surprise hawkish pick signals Fed independence and a market-first approach to monetary policy Many believe the Fed is the single most important actor in global markets. By setting interest rates for the world’s largest economy, the Fed influences the valuation of virtually every asset class. Range discusses what the appointment of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair could mean for markets. Who is Kevin Warsh? Warsh is a f...
Onishchenko Natalya // Shutterstock Coldest Februarys in Alabama since 1895 Stacker compiled a ranking of the coldest Februarys 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. February 2015 - Average temperature: 41.3°F -...
Elen Nika // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Daphne in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of February 2. Daphne by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.56 --- Alabama average: $2.52 - Week change: -$0.00 (-0.1%) - Year change: -$0.20 (-7.4%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.68 (6/12/22) - Diesel current price: $3.32 - Week change: +$0.01 (+0.4%) - Year change:...
Christian Mueller // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Anniston in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Anniston-Oxford, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of February 2. Anniston by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.47 --- Alabama average: $2.52 - Week change: -$0.00 (-0.0%) - Year change: -$0.35 (-12.5%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.61 (6/11/22) - Diesel current price: $3.27 - Week change: -$0.02 (-0.7%) - Year...
Istvan Csak // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Decatur in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Decatur, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of February 2. Decatur by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.47 --- Alabama average: $2.52 - Week change: $0.00 (0.0%) - Year change: -$0.30 (-10.7%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.59 (6/15/22) - Diesel current price: $3.24 - Week change: +$0.02 (+0.6%) - Year change: -$0.14...
Daniel Avram // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Montgomery in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Montgomery, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of February 2. Montgomery by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.55 --- Alabama average: $2.52 - Week change: +$0.01 (+0.4%) - Year change: -$0.25 (-9.0%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.67 (6/14/22) - Diesel current price: $3.33 - Week change: +$0.00 (+0.1%) - Year change:...
