The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Look forward to this year's Scholarship Banquet at the Marriott Grand National in Opelika [https://southernprepacademy.org/scholarship-banquet/] Friday [4-24-26] to showcase The Southern's recent accomplishments and prepare for next year's cohort designed to support promising students preparing for their future. Please also mark your calendar for the following day; Saturday, April 25, 2026 for this year's RangerFest [https://southernprepacademy.org/rangerfest/] at Southern Preparatory Academy...
April 21, 2026 – MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the Montgomery‑based civil rights nonprofit long known for tracking extremist organizations, has been indicted on federal charges alleging that it secretly funneled donor money to individuals associated with violent hate groups - including the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and the National Socialist Party of America - between 2014 and 2023. The 11‑count indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Montgomery, accus...
8 ways to squeeze more miles from every tank, according to America's fleet pros The trucking industry has turned fuel efficiency into a science. Here's what everyday drivers can borrow from their playbook. Diesel hit $5.03 per gallon for U.S. commercial fleets in early 2026 — and fuel already eats up roughly 21–24% of what motor carriers spend just to operate. That financial pressure turned fuel management into one of the most carefully engineered problems in the trucking industry. Fleet ope...
1 warning signs your aging parent may need more help than they're willing to admit A parent's aging usually isn’t noticeable all at once. There’s no single moment when a beloved family member crosses the line from fully independent to struggling, in most cases. Typically, it’s a slow accumulation of small things that can easily be dismissed or explained away during a visit. Sudden clutter, missed appointments, or bruises they can’t explain all seem minor taken individually. Together, however, t...
Europe is closing a major e-commerce loophole: How the end of duty-free shipping drives up costs for brands With over 450 million consumers, the European Union is one of the most attractive international markets for DTC ecommerce brands. And much of that growth has been driven by policies that make it easier to ship low-value goods into the region. In 2025 alone, more than 5.8 billion low-value ecommerce parcels were shipped into the EU, which shows just how big this channel has become. But...
Why poor sleep is the top mental health challenge for employees The top mental health challenge your employees are experiencing today might come as a surprise to you. Spring Health surveyed over 500 HR professionals and more than 1,500 full-time employees for its 2026 Workplace Mental Health Annual Report, and a massive misalignment emerged. More than one-third (36%) of employees cited sleep issues related to mental health as a top challenge in the past year. In fact, sleep challenges tied to me...
April 22, 2026 – TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama, as expected, gave a contract extension to Alabama head football coach Kalen DeBoer. The new $87.5 million deal was approved on Wednesday by the University of Alabama Board of Trustees. The move removes any speculation about DeBoer's long term future with the program, extending his current contract by two seasons and increasing his pay to $12.5 million dollars a year. This extends him through January 31, 2033. "My...
Why some health professionals are recommending pet ownership for better health Research suggests that pet ownership is associated with higher life satisfaction, with some studies estimating its impact as comparable to that of a substantial increase in income. According to the paper The Value of Pets by Michael W. Gmeiner and Adelina Gschwandtner, this comparison reflects a modeled relationship between life satisfaction and income rather than a literal financial gain. Beyond the obvious...
Wes Allen, Alabama's Secretary of State, is reminding Alabama citizens that the deadline to register to vote before the May 19, 2026 Primary Election is Monday, May 4, 2026. "The right of eligible United States citizens to vote in fair and secure elections is one of the hallmarks of our constitutional republic," Allen said. "I encourage all eligible Alabamians to register to vote or verify their voter registration status on AlabamaVotes.gov ahead of the May 19 Primary Election." Electronic voter...
There was a time in Alabama when one word dominated every budget discussion: proration. Year after year, state government faced the prospect of across-the-board cuts as revenues failed to meet expectations. But "proration" was never just a budget term-it was a warning sign of failure, and its consequences were felt far beyond the halls of the State House. Schools did not simply "adjust." They cut teachers, increased class sizes, and delayed essential materials. Administrators were forced to plan...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Army has unveiled the Combat Field Test (CFT), a significant advancement in its physical readiness program aimed at aligning fitness standards with the rigorous demands of modern warfare. Implementation of the new test begins in April 2026 and will be mandatory annually for active-duty Soldiers serving in 24 designated combat military occupational specialties. According to Army Secretary Hon. Dan Driscoll, "The Combat Field Test is a critical step forward in ensuring...
The NFL Draft begins tonight. The first round is tonight. The second and third rounds will be Friday night and the rest of the draft will follow on Saturday. Heisman Trophy winning Indiana Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to go first overall to the Los Vegas Raiders. After that there is a lot of guesswork on who goes when and to who. The New York Jets need a quarterback, but the consensus second best quarterback in this year's draft is Senior Alabama Quarterback Ty Simpson. Most NFL...
EPA launches a ‘back-to-basics’ blueprint to help rural drinking water systems The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a technical assistance program for water infrastructure in early March 2026, designed to help rural communities update and repair aging water utilities and get into compliance with federal regulations. The program, called the Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA) initiative, rescinds a Biden-era memorandum that the Trump administration criticized for pri...
Is there a best allergy medicine for seniors? Safe medications and which ones to avoid There are some medications that older adults should avoid due to their risk of side effects. This includes some of the most well-known allergy medications. But that doesn’t mean you have to avoid all allergy medications if you’re over the age of 65. There are plenty of treatment options that are still safe and effective for older adults with seasonal allergies. In this article, GoodRx, a platform for med...
Why home insurance claim payouts can feel disappointing Why the Payout Isn't What You Might Expect Imagine you discover a serious leak from your ceiling that causes major floor and drywall damage. No problem, you think: I’ll just file a claim with my insurance company and the repairs will be covered. But then the insurance estimate arrives, and it’s thousands less than the contractor’s repair quote. Welcome to a common homeowner reality check. Especially during storm season, homeowners are o...
The main financial factors, other than rent and mortgage, to consider when moving Whether you’re packing up in hopes of moving to a major metropolitan area, sunny coast, the heartland or abroad, there’s a lot to consider when finding a new place to call home. Consider everything you pay for now — transportation, groceries, utilities and entertainment, for instance — and how the price tags on those goods and services could change when you relocate. Housing costs are typically top of mind, but the...
With kids swinging and swishing down the slide as a backdrop, Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), made the long-awaited reopening of Lake Lurleen State Park official last week. The extensive renovation of the park in Tuscaloosa County caused the facility to be completely closed for a little more than a year, and the reopening was welcomed by park enthusiasts, local officials and dignitaries at last week's ribbon-cutting...
April 25, 2026 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - What began as a carefully choreographed return to Washington's most storied media‑political gala turned into a scene of confusion and fear Saturday night, after loud popping sounds near the lobby of the Washington Hilton abruptly halted the White House Correspondents' Association dinner and sent hundreds of attendees scrambling for safety. President Donald J. Trump (R), seated at the front of the ballroom in conversation with CBS News correspondent Weijia J...
April 26, 2026 - LINCOLN, Ala. - One of NASCAR's most anticipated events returns today as the Jack Links 500 fires off at Talladega Superspeedway, the largest and fastest track on the NASCAR circuit. With 188 laps, blistering pack speeds over 200 mph, and a reputation for last‑lap chaos, today's race promises the kind of drama Talladega is famous for. Massive Crowds, Big Energy Track officials expect around 100,000 fans to pack the infield and grandstands, many of whom have been camping out a...
Most midlife adults feel better about their health than they did in their 30s, according to Hone Health data Aging is often considered synonymous with physical and mental decline, but a new nationwide survey of 1,000 adults aged 35–65 shows that increasingly, people in this age group feel more in control of their health now than they did a decade ago. The survey, conducted by Hone Health, a telehealth platform focused on longevity and preventative health, found nearly three-quarters of r...
Where cost of living has increased and decreased the most The cost of living premium in a specific location reflects the relative cost of housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and other common necessities, compared to the rest of the country. The overall valuation of a dollar also comes into play, with general inflation metrics keeping tabs on nationwide trends and applied across a wider basket of goods and services. Fitting these local and monetary measurements together creates a...
What features should you prioritize in a medical alert system? A medical alert system offers a fast, easy way to call for help in an emergency. Aging in place is safer with a medical alert system, but choosing the right features is key. Standard systems can call 911, but can't identify who or where you are. Advanced systems enhance safety with features such as GPS tracking, automatic fall detection and dedicated response centers. In Medical Care Alert's guide to choosing a medical alert system,...
More than 1 in 3 American workers are delaying or canceling major purchases due to job security concerns As global socioeconomic stress continues to rattle markets, American consumers are facing a difficult period. Inflation is rising, investors are uneasy, mortgage rates are elevated, and many people are uncertain about the future. But beyond spending concerns, fears around AI’s impact on jobs and the economy are further spooking workers. That uncertainty is shaping financial decisions. A...
How to design an outdoor entertainment space that adds value to your home When you’ve decided to build an outdoor living space, you make the decision to invest equity into your home. Outdoor living spaces can yield an ROI (return on investment) from 60% to 600%, depending on the features you equip it with, according to Extra Space Storage. Whether you decide to install a patio or outdoor kitchen or both, Wildfire Outdoor Living is here to guide you every step of the way to create the ideal o...
April 24, 2026 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a rare display of cross‑party camaraderie, U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R‑Ala.) and John Fetterman (D‑Pa.) appeared together on NBC News' Common Ground with host Kristen Welker, highlighting how their personal friendship has fueled bipartisan work on youth mental health and social media reform. The segment focused heavily on their joint legislation - including the Stop the Scroll Act and the Kids Off Social Media Act - and on the growing national concern over...
