The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Media_Photos // 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...
Oakland figure skater Alysa Liu’s gold medal story has a surprising lesson for cities It could have easily become a high-rise luxury condo complex. Or maybe a struggling office tower now being converted into luxury condos. Maybe a parking garage, or a data center. But instead, 30 years ago this spring, Alameda County Parcel Number 8-641-8-5 became home to the Oakland Ice Center — where recently crowned Olympic gold-medalist figure skater Alysa Liu still trains. Next City traced how that rin...
March 3, 2026 – MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Senate passed a bill designed to protect rural ambulance services and make sure that rural Alabamians can continue to receive medical service. Senate Bill 269 (SB269) is sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) who represents a very rural district. "This bill is about a matter of life and death," said Sen. Singleton. "In the rural areas it becomes a matter of life especially when you have hospitals closing on a daily bas...
March 4, 2026 - TEHRAN, Iran - Iran is entering a volatile and unprecedented leadership transition as multiple reports indicate that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has exerted heavy pressure on the 88‑member Assembly of Experts to select Mojtaba Khamenei, age 56, as the country's next Supreme Leader. The move comes amid intense political uncertainty and widespread debate over Mojtaba's limited clerical credentials and the growing dominance of Iran's security establishment. A S...
March 3, 2026 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is excited to announce the winners of the 2026 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest. The annual contest highlights some of the best photographers in the state as well as the beauty of Alabama's natural landscapes and wildlife. "Alabama is a uniquely beautiful state that offers a wide variety of outdoor photo options," said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. "From our abundant natural landscapes...
The U.S. beef cattle herd has shrunk dramatically over the past 15 years, falling from 31.7 million beef cows in 2010 to roughly 27.9 million in 2025 - a decline of about 12%. This contraction is part of a broader national trend: total cattle and calves in the U.S. have fallen to 86–87 million head, the lowest levels since the early 1950s. Why the Herd Has Declined 🌡️ Prolonged Drought and Weather Stress Drought has been the single most powerful driver of herd liquidation. Many major cattle...
Are America’s top colleges letting in more students from low-income backgrounds? It’s hardly news that America’s elite universities are largely populated by students from America’s wealthiest families. Yet in recent years, this has drawn increasing alarm. Research has documented just how large the admissions advantage is for well-off students. Bloomberg Philanthropies has pumped tens of millions of dollars into efforts to get talented lower-income students into better colleges. The College...
For decades, Southern states have chronically ranked at the bottom of the Nation when it comes to academic achievement. State leaders across the South have made education their top priority yet test scores remained abysmal and students have suffered because of the education they were receiving. But now three states, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana are doing what some thought was impossible, making gains that are now leading the country in scholastic success that is the envy of other states....
Starter home hotspots: These metros are best for first-time buyers The American “starter home” is slipping out of reach, except in the South and Midwest, where the dream remains mostly intact. These modest boxes on hillsides once supported young families waiting for the next baby to launch them into bigger and better things. They represented not only adulthood and stability, but the promise of a lifetime of building equity. Today, the share of first-time buyers is at a record low, with 21% of ho...
Some readers may recall previous columns chronicling the slow erosion of accountability specifically at AU and more generally across Alabama's politburo. The ‘rinse and repeat’ playbook cycle is a familiar pattern in many arenas across our State even more so in Lee County. Comrades Britt, Hubbard, Ivey, Richardson, Shelby, Tuberville, et al make claims where the record/documents affirm a different narrative. Institutions tasked with oversight, fail to look and/or act, further enabling pol...
The first episode of "The Count of Monte Cristo" mini-series premiering on PBS on March 22nd, opens with The Count of Monte Cristo walking into a dusty old cathedral that is seemingly abandoned but for the lone priest in the confession box. The Count then walks into the confession box and states that, "I was robbed of 15 years of my life. The only woman I ever loved was taken from me. And now, I want revenge." Thus unfolds the first episode of Alexandre Dumas' classic morality tale of revenge...
March 3, 2026 – MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama House of Representatives votes to pass a constitutional amendment that would allow county school systems to be folded into a multi-county system. House Bill 380 (HB380) is sponsored by State Representative Terri Collins (R-Decatur). HB380 is a statewide constitutional amendment. "Currently under existing law every county is required to have a school system," Collins explained. "In some of our counties there are less than a thousand students. Wha...
In the State of the Union speech Tuesday night, President Trump recognized that there is a problem with rising power bills, and he announced one big step to protect consumers from rising electric bills caused by data centers going up in Alabama and across the nation. He did not address plans to vet the centers and protect local communities from other problems caused by the locations of the centers. Also, he has not yet addressed problems caused by solar farms, carbon capture and other high-tech...
MONTGOMERY - Economic developer and policy analyst Dr. Nicole Jones Wadsworth joined Brandon Moseley and Christopher M. Peeks for a wide‑ranging conversation on The BCS Show, offering a detailed look at the economic forces shaping Alabama's future. Known for her deep research on industrial recruitment, workforce development, and fiscal policy, Dr. Jones Wadsworth used the interview to highlight both the opportunities and the vulnerabilities facing the state as it continues to grow. The d...
Focus On America, a group that strives to promote individual liberty, family values, and the U.S. Constitution by actively participating in the political process and frequently hosts events in the Huntsville area, is urging people to fight back against "the march toward an all-digital financial system" by pledging to pay with cash. As while digital payments are quick and expedient for the younger generation, the most powerful strategy to "push back against the emerging digital control grid" is t...
MONTGOMERY - In a wide‑ranging conversation on The BCS State of Alabama Podcast, State Representative Ed Oliver (R‑Dadeville) sat down with hosts Brandon Moseley and Christopher Peeks to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing Alabama heading into the 2026 legislative session. The interview touched on rural healthcare, veterans' services, public safety, and major leadership changes within the Alabama House Republican Caucus. Oliver, who represents House District 81, used the int...
Homelessness is rising fast among a surprising group: Infants and toddlers For months, Karian had tried to make it on her own in New York. After the birth of her second daughter, she was diagnosed with postpartum depression, major depressive disorder and anxiety. A single mother who had moved from Boston to New York about 13 years ago, she often spent days at a time on the couch, unable to do more than handle the basics for her daughters. “I wasn’t taking care of myself,” she said softly on a...
You can have the right objective. You can have the right doctrine. But without leaders willing to execute it, words remain words. Operation Epic Fury was not a white paper. It was not a symposium. It was not a "strategic dialogue." It was action. For thirty-six hours, American capability moved in coordinated precision-air assets, intelligence platforms, cyber integration, command-and-control synchronization. Decisions were made in hours, not weeks. Targets were identified, verified, and...
March 3, 2026 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama veterans will soon have a new opportunity to continue their service in the state's classrooms. Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday signed Senate Bill 149 into law, creating a temporary teaching certificate designed specifically for former service members and marking one of her key legislative priorities for the 2026 session. The new law establishes the Military Veteran Temporary Teaching Certificate, a credential that allows eligible veterans to teach in Alaba...
What is March Madness? Economic impact and 2026 outlook Every spring, March Madness transforms college basketball into a national economic and cultural phenomenon. What begins as a sporting tournament quickly spills into workplaces, media schedules, travel plans, and consumer spending habits across the United States. From packed arenas and prime-time broadcasts to office bracket pools and lost work hours, the tournament’s influence extends far beyond the court. As the 2026 edition approaches, M...
The hidden math of Portugal Golden Visa fund fees: Why ‘1.5%’ rarely means 1.5% If you're shopping for Portugal Golden Visa-eligible investment funds, you'll hear plenty about minimums, strategy, and timelines. You'll hear far less about the thing that silently compounds in the background: fees. Most investors can quote a management fee. Fewer can answer basic questions like: - Is there a subscription fee on entry? - Is there an exit fee on redemption? - What operating costs are charged to the...
March 3, 2026 – MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Senate Committee on County and Municipal Government voted to give a favorable report to legislation to protect worship services from disruption by protestors. House Bill 363 (HB363) is sponsored by State Representative Greg Barnes (R-Jasper). Rep. Barnes explained that the bill would serve as a deterrent to serve notice to persons who might do this In the state. The bill was motivated after a shocking protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Min...
0History teaches a simple, enduring lesson: peace is preserved when strength is unmistakable. From George Washington warning that preparedness is the surest guardian of peace, to Ronald Reagan rebuilding American military dominance so convincingly that the Soviet Union recalculated its future, decisive leaders have understood that hesitation invites danger while clarity restores order. Reagan did not shorten the Cold War with ambiguity. He shortened it by restoring American strength so...
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - State Representative Mack Butler joined Brandon Moseley and Christopher Peeks on The BCS Show to discuss the 2026 legislative session, offering his perspective on the issues he believes will shape Alabama's political landscape this year. The conversation, posted under the title "Rep. Mac Butler on the 2026 Alabama legislative session," highlighted Butler's focus on conservative governance, local control, and what he views as the most pressing challenges facing his district...
The Alabama Department of Public Health's (ADPH) mission is to promote, protect, and improve Alabama's health and provide the people of Alabama with the highest quality service possible. To reach this goal, ADPH would like to hear from its residents! The 2026 Community Health Opinion Survey is part of the State Health Assessment that ADPH utilizes to identify health issues and challenges at the community level. Based on this information, the department can better serve Alabama residents by...
