The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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May 27, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) attended a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled "Defending Against Drones: Setting Safeguards for Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Authorities." The hearing witnesses included: Captain Troy Wilson, a UAS program coordinator for the Texas Department of Public Safety; Sergeant Robert Dooley, a UAS program coordinator for the Florida Highway Patrol; and Secretary Ricky Dixon with the Florida Department of C...
A car agent helps a woman look for a car to purchase. wedmoments.stock // Shutterstock The latest trends in auto loan rates and financing for 2025 The average car loan interest rate is 6.35% for new cars and 11.62% for used cars, according to Experian's State of the Automotive Finance Market report from the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024. If you're thinking about buying a car in the near future, understanding the auto financing market can help you better evaluate your options. Here are the latest...
How to tell the difference between defamation, slander, and libel Defamation, slander, and libel are terms that are frequently confused with each other, LegalZoom says. They all fall into the same category of law and have to do with communications that falsely debase someone’s character. What is defamation? Defamation is a false statement presented as a fact that causes injury or damage to the character of the person it is about. An example is “Tom Smith stole money from his employer.” If this...
Pharmacies and pharmacists play a critical role in our healthcare system. They dispense prescription and over-the-counter medications, provide immunizations, and counsel patients on medication side effects, interactions, and regimens. These essential services ensure patient safety and help patients take their medications as prescribed, ultimately improving the overall health of our communities. In an ideal world, everyone would have convenient access to necessary health services like pharmacies....
On May 26, 1940, the Battle of Dunkirk commenced, marking a significant moment in World War II where Allied forces began a desperate and daring evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk, France. This event, known as Operation Dynamo, became a symbol of bravery, resilience, and the extraordinary efforts to save the trapped soldiers. The Prelude to Dunkirk The situation for the Allied forces became increasingly dire in May 1940. The German army, employing Blitzkrieg tactics, had swiftly advanced...
On May 24, 2000, Israel completed a significant and historic military withdrawal from southern Lebanon, ending a 22-year occupation that had profoundly impacted the politics and lives of people in the region. This momentous event was the culmination of years of conflict, strategic maneuvers, and diplomatic efforts. The Background of the Occupation In 1978, following a series of attacks by Palestinian militants, Israel launched Operation Litani, a military campaign to push back against the...
May 15, 2025 – BIRMINGHAM, AL – The new members of the Birmingham Water Works Board met for the first time. After decades of incompetence and corruption, the Alabama Legislature abolished the old board and created a new regional water utility outside the control of both the old board and the City of Birmingham. Senate Bill 330 (SB330) was sponsored by State Senator Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook) and carried in the Alabama House of Representatives by State Representative Jim Carns (R-...
May 17, 2025 – MONTGOMERY, AL – Yesterday we looked back at the ten most consequential bills that did pass. Dozens of bills did not pass. A lot of conversations are being had right now about what went wrong on those last two legislative days that resulted in bills dying by the dozen for "lack of time." Democrats and the Senate rules are getting blamed for "killing" the bills; but there are only 8 Democrats in the 35 member body so if Republican Senators did their jobs there SHOULD be nothing tha...
Severe weather last weekend hindered travel across the state, which limited the number of Alabama Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) members who were able to meet at Troy University for the second CAB meeting of the year. Being one member short of a quorum to conduct any official business, the CAB members were apprised of what had occurred affecting the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) since the March meeting. Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship updated...
Seasonal employment: 7 tips for small businesses hiring for the summer For many small business owners, the busy summer season brings both increased profits and staffing headaches. Instead of hiring permanent employees, seasonal employment can be a flexible solution to keep your operations running smoothly during your busiest months. However, hiring seasonal employees can be tricky. To help, NEXT researched the pros and cons of seasonal employment, tips for hiring and retaining summer workers,...
7 health insurance options to consider before leaving a job and coverage expires Employment-based health insurance is the most common type of coverage in the U.S., so quitting a job is likely to affect your insurance status. It’s a good idea to explore your insurance options before you quit your job and your coverage expires. If you don’t plan properly, you could have a gap in coverage. You could also face high out-of-pocket costs for doctor visits, prescriptions, and emergency care—or delay...
May 19, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) is urging Congress to end all of the bickering and pass Trump's budget which will keep the government funded until the end of September. Sen. Tuberville joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss the urgent need for Congress to finally pass President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill." The budget proposal cleared the House Budget Committee last night. An earlier version of the bill failed when a handful of Republican b...
On May 17, 1987, a tragic event unfolded in the Persian Gulf. An Iraqi Dassault Mirage F1 fighter jet launched two Exocet missiles at the U.S. Navy warship USS Stark. This unexpected attack resulted in the loss of 37 sailors and injuries to 21 more. Background During the late 1980s, the Persian Gulf was a region of intense conflict, primarily due to the Iran-Iraq War. Both nations targeted oil tankers and military vessels to disrupt each other's economic and military capabilities. The U.S....
May 16, 2025 – the 2025 Alabama regular legislative session is over and pundits and citizens alike are left to contemplate what just changed here in the state of Alabama. Some pundits have recently said that the legislators did not accomplish much of anything this session. That take could not be more wrong, as this session yielded several pieces of legislation that will be felt if you are a parent, student, or operate a business in this state. Whether you agree with everything the Legislature d...
May 15, 2025 - HUNTSVILLE, AL – The Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM) on Thursday elected Sherry Sullivan, mayor of Fairhope, as its new president and Rusty Jessup, mayor of Riverside, as its new vice president during the business session of the League's 90th convention at the Von Braun Center. Over 800 municipal officials from around the state attended this three-day convention to discuss legislative issues, hear from state leaders, share resources and conduct official business. "We are e...
On May 25, 1977. the first Star Wars film was released. The movie starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guiness, and Harrison Ford was a commercial success and spawned what became a cultural movement. Prior to the release of Star Wars, which has since been retitled 'Star Wars : Episode IV: A New Hope' science fiction was a niche market for Hollywood. There were more crime movies and westerns than sci-fi movies. That all changed with the box office of Star Wars. The movie is ostensibly about...
Every year on the last Monday of May, Americans across our nation pause to observe Memorial Day—a solemn occasion that transcends barbecues, long weekends, and the unofficial start of summer. While these traditions bring families together, the true heart of Memorial Day beats in remembrance and reverence. It is a day carved out to honor the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Memorial Day is about loss as well as l...
May 23, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) denounced growing antisemitism around the world after two Israeli embassy employees were gunned down in Washington D.C. on Wednesday night. Tuberville released a statement the morning after the senseless attack on the young couple. “I want to begin today by extending my condolences to the families of the two Israeli embassy staffers who were tragically murdered by a terrorist in our nation’s capital just last night,...
May 19, 2015 – MONTGOMERY, AL – All manner of hemp derived psychoactive cannabinoids are currently being marketed across the country. Starting on July 1 that is going to change for people in the state of Alabama after the Legislature passed and the Governor signed landmark legislation that will fundamentally alter where psychoactive hemp products are sold in the state of Alabama, how they are regulated, and even bans many of these products (legal in most states) from being sold in Alabama at...
There is only one place on the continental United States where enemy action killed American citizens. 80 years ago in Bly, Oregon, 5 people died when a Japanese bomb exploded. The bomb had been sent over by a balloon to cause indiscriminate damage and loss of life. America's mainland has generally been spared the destruction of war that has ravaged so many countries in the last century. Until September 11, offensive attacks on the United States mainland were limited to sabotage efforts executed...
May 23, 2025 - HUNTSVILLE, AL. – On April 21, at 4:15 A.M. EDT, samples from the UAH Biology Sysoeva Lab were launched into orbit as part of NASA's SpaceX CRS-32 resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission will carry out the Genetic Exchange in Microgravity for Biofilm Bioremediation, or GEM-B2 experiment. A collaborative project between The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Texas State University and Bioserve at t...
May 23, 2025 - MONTGOMERY. AL – Attorney General Steve Marshall sent a multi-state letter urging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act and create a framework for lawful concealed carry across state lines. In a letter sent to House leadership about H.R. 38, Attorney General Marshall and 23 other state attorneys general emphasized that broad rights for concealed carry among law-abiding citizens promote public safety and respect gun owners' f...
President Donald Trump's new executive order on regulating elections is striking for the way it asserts broad powers for the executive branch that go far beyond what's prescribed in the Constitution or sanctioned by courts. Experts expect the order to face legal challenges for that reason. But what's also striking about the order is how it seeks to dictate some arcane details of the way voting systems work in some of America: Specifically, it bans the machine-readable barcodes or QR codes that...
May 20, 2025 - Hoover, AL - Bluff Park Elementary students and staff celebrated a familiar face earlier today during a special assembly honoring first-grade teacher Katie Collins, who was recently named Alabama's 2025-26 Teacher of the Year. Thunderous roars of applause and chants of "Mrs. Coll-ins!" echoed through the gymnasium as Alfa Insurance and Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell presented Collins with keys to a 2025 Chevrolet Traverse during the program, which she will use...
Former Congressman Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) recently spoke on the Brandon and Christopher Show Podcast about President Donald J. Trump's (R) second term as President of the United States. Brooks said that he found similarities between President Trump's second term as President and Richard M. Nixon's second term including both Presidents' decline in polling numbers. "The Trump administration is already panicked," said Brooks. "They are all over the map and they are doing that in large part...
