The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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I’ve wanted to revisit my master’s thesis and share the story of an Alabama confederate chaplain and Presbyterian pastor. The name “Petrie” is honored at Auburn University since the chaplain’s son brought football to the college in 1892. A state history periodical gave the go-ahead, so I planned a day at the college archives last fall. What I discovered is that parking is more of an issue than I remember. I turned off College Street onto Magnolia at Toomer’s Corner and spotted a space. When I tu...
VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo XIV has formally granted ecclesiastical communion to His Beatitude Patriarch Polis III Nona, the newly elected Patriarch of Baghdad of the Chaldeans, marking a moment of deep joy for one of the world's oldest Christian communities. The Holy Father conveyed his recognition and fraternal closeness in a warm letter, praising the Patriarch's election and assuring him of continued prayers as he assumes leadership of a Church shaped by apostolic tradition, resilience, and the w...
On May 3, 1979, British political history changed forever. Following a decisive Conservative victory in the general election, Margaret Thatcher was invited by Queen Elizabeth II to form a government-making her the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Her rise marked a turning point not only for Britain but for global politics, as she became one of the most influential and controversial leaders of the late 20th century. Thatcher's election ended years of economic...
What to know about pain and suffering after an auto accident The term “pain and suffering” sounds pretty straightforward, but as a legal term, it is strict and complex. You can only receive money for pain and suffering in specific circumstances, and it takes an attorney who understands the law to prove that your car accident case qualifies. Physical impairment, loss of limb, physical pain, disfigurement, loss of quality of life, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and emotional dis...
What is wisdom, and can it be taught? Emily Swanson was under pressure — not the end-of-the-world variety, but definitely stressful: prepping for her PhD qualifying exams. She fully expected the process to be grueling. But then, like a character from a heroic tale, she had an encounter that changed her path. Swanson took a job as a teaching assistant with Monika Ardelt, a leader in the scientific study of wisdom. Ardelt, a University of Florida sociologist, teaches an undergraduate course c...
Can we bring back the butterflies? The Butterfly Grove at Pismo Beach used to sound alive before you even saw it. On a winter morning over a decade ago, visitors to the grove stood beneath the towering eucalyptus and heard a faint rustle, like distant rain, as thousands of monarch butterflies shifted their wings along the branches overhead. Through a docent’s telescope, tight clusters the size of pine cones resolved into overlapping black and orange wings, each butterfly hanging in suspended a...
This elementary school banned screens in the middle of the year. Will it solve their reading crisis? Chromebooks are scattered all around the classrooms of Floyd M. Jewett Elementary School in Mesick, Michigan. Towers of them are teetering atop bookshelves. They’re piled up in corners of classrooms. They’ve even cropped up in one classroom’s dish rack. But there’s one place you won’t find them: in students’ hands. Last month, Mesick Consolidated Schools banned digital devices in its elementary...
Miles Dewey Davis III was born 100 years ago in Alton, Illinois. Alongside Louis Armstrong, he is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz. Yet unlike Armstrong and, contrary to popular narratives about great artists overcoming extreme poverty, Davis had a starkly different upbringing. His early life was marked by relative comfort and privilege. This shaped both his confidence and his artistic trajectory in ways that would later distinguish him from his peers....
I’ve been proud to represent Alabama in the United States Senate over the past five and a half years. Unfortunately, something I’ve noticed during my time in D.C. is that the swamp seems much more interested in preserving their own power than doing what’s right for the American people. In fact, too many politicians go on TV and say the right things, but behind the curtain, all they really care about is getting re-elected. Well, that’s not why the people of Alabama sent me to D.C. back in 2020...
14% of parents say nature is essential for kids. So why are families stuck inside? American parents aren't confused about what their kids need. They're just not doing it. A new national survey from Westgate Resorts found that 95% of U.S. parents believe nature and outdoor experiences are a nonnegotiable part of childhood development. But that's not the surprising number. What's surprising is how little it translates into action. Only about a third of those same families actually get outside...
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...
Rural high school students are more likely than city kids to get their diplomas, but they remain less likely to go to college Many high school seniors are currently in the midst of the college application process or are already waiting to hear back from their selected schools. For high school students in rural parts of the United States, the frantic pace of the college application process can look a bit different. For starters, some of these rural students might not have large numbers of elite...
Grusho Anna // 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...
1 small hypoallergenic dog breeds that barely shed You love dogs. Your immune system? Not so much. Maybe you’ve spent years admiring other people’s pups from a safe distance, or maybe you already know the exact aisle where your pharmacy keeps the antihistamines. Either way, you’ve probably wondered: Is there a dog out there that won’t leave you reaching for tissues every five minutes? Small hypoallergenic dogs produce less dander and shed minimally, which means fewer allergens circulating throu...
It’s common for congregations to administer opinion surveys occasionally. But I’ve seen mixed results. Baptist denominational officials report that congregations who take surveys when searching for a new pastor discover members want a 35-year old with a seminary degree. Thus he is educated, not too old, not too young, but just right. A retired minister told me about his displeasure with their new young pastor. “He won’t wear a suit, and he won’t use a pulpit,” he fumed, so there is that. I imagi...
We grew up as high school friends and he became a music leader for church congregations. He told me the most embarrassing day was when he mounted the steps to the platform to begin worship, tripped and fell headlong onto the floor. Fortunately, he wasn’t hurt, but there are better ways to begin worship. I thought of this lately when a conference speaker told a group of us about a famous pulpiteer from another generation who said as he mounted each stair he would pray, “Fill me. Fill me,” besee...
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – State Representative Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) joined hosts Brandon Moseley and Harry Still III on the Heart of Dixie Podcast to discuss the powerful forces from both political parties that are supporting her primary opponent - Alicia Escott Lumpkin. Givan was first elected in 2010 and has served House District 60 for four terms; but she is being outraised by Lumpkin. Givan – the incumbent - has raised $51,000; but Lumpkin has raised $186,136.38 to date. The third can...
Andy Dean Photography // Shutterstock How many homes are getting built in Tuscaloosa in 2026? Homebuilding plays a critical role in maintaining a steady housing supply and keeping prices at sustainable levels. As the U.S. population grows, more housing is needed to meet demand. Since the Great Recession, construction has lagged well behind what is needed, which is one of the main reasons home prices are so high today. Supply has slowly increased over the past few years but is still below what...
Billion Photos // Shutterstock How many homes are getting built in Montgomery in 2026? Homebuilding plays a critical role in maintaining a steady housing supply and keeping prices at sustainable levels. As the U.S. population grows, more housing is needed to meet demand. Since the Great Recession, construction has lagged well behind what is needed, which is one of the main reasons home prices are so high today. Supply has slowly increased over the past few years but is still below what is...
Andy Dean Photography // Shutterstock How many homes are getting built in Mobile in 2026? Homebuilding plays a critical role in maintaining a steady housing supply and keeping prices at sustainable levels. As the U.S. population grows, more housing is needed to meet demand. Since the Great Recession, construction has lagged well behind what is needed, which is one of the main reasons home prices are so high today. Supply has slowly increased over the past few years but is still below what is...
Aleksandrkozak // Shutterstock How many homes are getting built in Huntsville in 2026? Homebuilding plays a critical role in maintaining a steady housing supply and keeping prices at sustainable levels. As the U.S. population grows, more housing is needed to meet demand. Since the Great Recession, construction has lagged well behind what is needed, which is one of the main reasons home prices are so high today. Supply has slowly increased over the past few years but is still below what is...
Andy Dean Photography // Shutterstock How many homes are getting built in Gadsden in 2026? Homebuilding plays a critical role in maintaining a steady housing supply and keeping prices at sustainable levels. As the U.S. population grows, more housing is needed to meet demand. Since the Great Recession, construction has lagged well behind what is needed, which is one of the main reasons home prices are so high today. Supply has slowly increased over the past few years but is still below what is...
Andy Dean Photography // Shutterstock How many homes are getting built in Florence in 2026? Homebuilding plays a critical role in maintaining a steady housing supply and keeping prices at sustainable levels. As the U.S. population grows, more housing is needed to meet demand. Since the Great Recession, construction has lagged well behind what is needed, which is one of the main reasons home prices are so high today. Supply has slowly increased over the past few years but is still below what is...
Sundry Photography // Shutterstock How many homes are getting built in Dothan in 2026? Homebuilding plays a critical role in maintaining a steady housing supply and keeping prices at sustainable levels. As the U.S. population grows, more housing is needed to meet demand. Since the Great Recession, construction has lagged well behind what is needed, which is one of the main reasons home prices are so high today. Supply has slowly increased over the past few years but is still below what is...
Sundry Photography // Shutterstock How many homes are getting built in Daphne in 2026? Homebuilding plays a critical role in maintaining a steady housing supply and keeping prices at sustainable levels. As the U.S. population grows, more housing is needed to meet demand. Since the Great Recession, construction has lagged well behind what is needed, which is one of the main reasons home prices are so high today. Supply has slowly increased over the past few years but is still below what is...
