The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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On Wednesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) announced that Alabama's First Class Pre-K program is once again recognized for the highest quality in the country. This is according to the national report, The 2023 State of Preschool. Alabama is one of only five states in the country to meet all 10 of the 10 research-based quality standard benchmarks for 2023. Alabama and is the only state in the nation to have achieved this distinction...
On Monday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) applauded the Senate's swift passage of the Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is cosponsored by Senator Britt and was led in the Senate by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). The legislation was passed last week by unanimous consent and now heads to the House for consideration. "I'm proud to cosponsor the Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act and applaud the Senate for unanimously passing...
According to a recent study, Alabama is sixth in America for the states with the lowest composite debt. Credit score experts at Creditsecrets.com analyzed public records from reliable sources to examine state and national debts, applying specific weights on a simple 0-100 scale to rank U.S. states with the highest and lowest debt levels combining consumer debt per capita with state debt as a percentage of GDP. Alabama came in sixth, with consumer debt per capita at just $77,981 and a government...
More than 28 million adult Americans continue to be cigarette smokers, including more than 618,000 Alabamians. This habit not only hurts their personal health, but it also exposes others to toxic smoke and drives up health care costs. Fortunately, new legislation in the Alabama legislature could help put these smokers and the state on a better path. Throughout my professional and personal life, I have seen firsthand how cigarettes damage the body and shorten lives. I've treated patients as a...
The Alabama House Judiciary Committee recently voted to give a favorable report for legislation to crack down on bad parents who allow their teens to host alcohol parties in their homes. The bill would also give law enforcement the right to enter any home where he has a reasonable suspicion that a law is being violated. The parent would still be liable for the lawlessness at the residence even if they are not present at the event. House Bill 419 (HB419) is sponsored by State Representative Reed...
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (APR 23, 2024) – Josephine Severance, a digital animation major at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), will study Mandarin Chinese in Taiwan this summer as a participant in the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. UAH is a part of The University of Alabama System. Six other UAH students were previously chosen for the CLS program, an initiative of the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. T...
When I became Commerce Secretary, Governor Kay Ivey gave me some marching orders - lead a team effort to create a new economic development strategic plan that will drive growth in Alabama well into the 2030s. I'm pleased to report that we're making progress. Days ago, Governor Ivey announced that global consulting firm McKinsey & Company has been selected to perform a key research role in the development of this plan. In addition, Troy University and Alabama A&M University will also be important...
On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate passed legislation to send $95 billion in military aid for U.S. allies as well as humanitarian assistance for Gaza. U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) voted against the $61 billion aid for Ukraine in its over two-year war with Russia. Sen. Tuberville spoke on the Senate floor to express his concern over the Biden administration's use of American taxpayer money to bankroll Ukraine, which he called an unwinnable war. "I cannot believe we are here again," said...
In the heart of Alabama, a crisis looms—a silent predator stealing the promise and potential of our youth. Fentanyl, a lethal synthetic opioid, is wreaking havoc across the nation, and Alabama is no exception. The time to act is now, and the Alabama Senate and sponsor Jay Hovey (R) Auburn have the ball in their court. They must pass House Bill 280, also known as the Price Hornsby Act, to protect our children from the deadly grasp of this drug. Representative Joe Lovvorn, inspired by the s...
On Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation that would prevent state tax incentives from flowing to companies that deny their employees access to private ballot votes over whether to unionize their workplace. Senate Bill 231 (SB231) is sponsored by State Senator Arthur Orr (R-Decatur). It was carried in the House of Representatives by House Majority Leader Brett Stadthagen (R-Hartselle). The legislation is supported by the Speaker of the House. Speaker Nathaniel...
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (APR. 24, 2024) – For the second year in a row, engineering students from The University of Alabama in Huntsville, a part of the University of Alabama System, have captured first place in the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC) competition. With the latest victory, UAH has won first place five times in the 30-year history of the event, taking top honors in 1996, 2012, 2018, 2023 and now 2024. Managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, the challenge took place Apri...
Last week Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) hosted a legislative reception at the Governor's Mansion to celebrate 100 years of sound forest management by the Alabama Forestry Commission. The Governor and Legislature commemorated the generations of men and women who have made it their mission to protect and sustain all 23.1 million acres of the state's forests over the last century. "We express our gratitude to Governor Ivey, our sponsors, and everyone that made last night an evening to remember,"...
Four years ago, the nation was rocked by fear of the COVID-19 virus. Businesses were ordered closed and tens of millions of Americans were ordered to stay at home. Realizing that most of those closed businesses would need money to stay afloat, the U.S. Congress passed the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to provide low interest loans, grants, and subsidies to a host of businesses and nonprofits. The program was rife with fraud as criminals applied for...
On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) released a statement on her vote to pass the controversial H.R. 815, the National Security Supplemental Bill. "This legislation, while imperfect, will make critical strides to reestablish credible American deterrence and move us closer to restoring the peace through strength that President Biden inherited," Sen. Britt said in a statement. "I am proud that important bills I have cosponsored will be enacted into law through this package, including...
The Alabama Legislative Session has just five days left and there is still no resolution on the gambling issue. Sources have told the Alabama Gazette that there will be no gambling bill brought to the floor on Thursday, April 24. Rep. Craig Lipscomb (R-Gadsden) told the Alabama Gazette on Thursday that there is "no telling when that is going to come down" from the conference committee for a vote. Rep. Artis "A.J." McCampbell (D-Livingston) was asked by the Alabama Gazette if it would be brought...
The NFL draft begins on Thursday night with the first round. The second and third rounds will be on Friday. On Saturday the remaining rounds of the draft will be held. The NFL draft has become a major sporting event itself as fans of NFL fans hope that their team's next great player will be found. College fans also watch to see how the NFL views their favorite college players. There are numerous examples of players who were great college players who were not nearly as successful at the pro level...
On Thursday, the Alabama House concurred with Senate changes to legislation to help homeowners combat squatters. House Bill 182 (HB182) was sponsored by State Representative Craig Lipscomb (R - Gadsden). While this has not really been a major problem in Alabama, nationally homeowners are finding that squatters illegally taking residence in homes and property has become a growing phenomenon. "Large cities and metropolitan areas across the county have recently experienced an epidemic of squatters...
Air Force Brigadier General Terrence A. Adams will give the commencement address to Auburn University Montgomery (AUM) on Saturday, May 3. Adams will speak to nearly 620 graduates during a pair of ceremonies at the AUM Athletics Complex. This is the largest graduating class in the history of AUM. General Adams serves in the Pentagon as the Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor (DPCA) to the Secretary of Defense and Senior Military Advisor for Cyber Policy. Gen. Adams earned a bachelor's degree in...
The nation has been rocked this week by pro-Palestinian protests on the campuses of Columbia, USC, Texas, Emory, Northwestern, and other campuses after the Congress passed and President Joseph R. Biden (R) signed a package of military aid for the nation of Israel. On Wednesday U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), and 24 of their Senate Republican colleagues yesterday sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona urging...
On Wednesday, April 17, the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee voted to reject legislation that would have made police body cam and dash cam video public. SB14 would have made both bodycam and dash cam video a matter of public record. It would require any law enforcement agency, sheriff or police department to release the footage within 30 days of a request to view it. According to the synopsis, "Under existing law, a recording made by a body-worn camera or dashboard camera used by law...
On Friday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) has signed on as a cosponsor of the bipartisan Recovering America's Wildlife Act (S.1149), or RAWA. This legislation would make funds available for the management of fish and wildlife species of greatest conservation need as determined by state fish and wildlife agencies. "Alabama is blessed with an abundance of wildlife and natural resources, and I will continue to support the preservation of our land and waterways for sportsmen and Alabama...
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration is announcing $4 million for port improvements in Alabama under a new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) program created to improve air quality for truck drivers, port workers and families that live in communities surrounding ports. The Port of Mobile will use the funding reduce fuel consumption and cut emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants from idling trucks. Nationally, the new Reduction of Truck Emissions at...
Sydney an 18 pound, male Terrier mix, who is not quite nine-years-old. He is black with distinguished gray features. Sydney was found as a stray but the owner never came to look for him. Sydney is good with children and good with other dogs though can be a bit bossy at times and the Humane Society think he is housetrained. He was heartworm positive but completed his treatment earlier this month so is now ready to go. Like all dogs, he has to be kept on heartworm prevention without fail or he...
As saltwater fishing for 2024 heads into the peak seasons, a look back at 2023 reveals another record-breaking year for those who fish Alabama's coastal waters and the Gulf of Mexico. The catch that went viral with news agencies around the world picking up the story was the giant blue marlin caught by "Best Trait," a 55-foot Viking sportfishing vessel owned by Scott Crump of Jasper. The marlin officially weighed 1,145.6 pounds, which is not only an Alabama but also a Gulf of Mexico record. The...
On Tuesday, the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) will meet to consider changes to the state code to prevent inappropriate books and agendas from being used to proselytize to children through the libraries. Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl, who serves on the APLS board, proposed the rules changes at a previous meeting. https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/filing/658c8e0c5bd0eca294127299/filing The changes are being considered in a public comment period. Wahl has made the...
