The people's voice of reason

Articles from the August 20, 2025 edition


Sorted by date  Results 78 - 102 of 131

Page Up

  • "Open and Avowed Rebellion": King George III's August 1775 Proclamation and the Turning Point in Anglo-American Relations

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    "Open and Avowed Rebellion": King George III's August 1775 Proclamation and the Turning Point in Anglo-American Relations On August 23, 1775, King George III issued a formal proclamation declaring that the American colonies were in a state of "open and avowed rebellion." This moment marked a decisive shift in British imperial policy and irrevocably altered the trajectory of the American Revolution. What had begun as a series of colonial protests and petitions for redress now stood officially...

  • May Choirs Of Angels Sing Thee To Thy Rest

    Michael J. Brooks|Aug 20, 2025

    I last talked with him in June after my wife asked, “Who do you want to do your funeral?” “Jim Auchmuty,” I quickly replied. I called Jim, who agreed, after asking me why the hurry. He oversaw my mother-in-law’s funeral two years ago and was always a caring presence. Jim died Aug. 5 at age 90 after a short illness. After serving for 27 years at Shades Crest Baptist Church in Birmingham, in retirement he served First Baptist Church Roebuck Plaza for 25 years. He went to Roebuck as interim a...

  • Chasing Carp in Alabama: A Southern Angler's Guide to an Underrated Sport

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    Alabama, known for its rich biodiversity and scenic waterways, offers anglers a wide variety of fishing opportunities-from largemouth bass in Lake Guntersville to catfish in the Alabama River. But tucked quietly among these popular pursuits is a species often overlooked: the common carp. Long dismissed as a "trash fish" by some, carp are now gaining recognition among sport anglers for their size, strength, and the challenge they present. In Alabama, carp fishing is not just possible-it's a...

  • Being Ghosted

    Michael J. Brooks|Aug 20, 2025

    It's a fairly new verb--"ghosted." Merriam-Webster added it in 2017. And I guess I did it. I used a certain business for many years and then hit a rough patch. They were closed on a number of occasions, and I never seemed to know the schedule. In the meanwhile, I found another business with regular hours of operation and more conveniently located and began to use them. This is what "ghosted" means. It normally applies to one who stops posting on social media or to removing someone as a media...

  • Battling the Green Invaders: South Alabama Confronts Its Invasive Plant Crisis

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    From the tangled vines of kudzu to the creeping spread of Chinese privet, invasive plant species are transforming the landscape of South Alabama-often with devastating ecological and economic consequences. These non-native plants, introduced intentionally or accidentally, now threaten native biodiversity, disrupt water systems, and complicate land management across the central Gulf Coast. One of the most aggressive offenders is cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), a federally listed noxious weed...

  • Antisemitism is Dead in Alabama

    Justice Will Sellers|Aug 20, 2025

    No one presided over its funeral, but vestiges of antisemitism died suddenly here, and no one missed its pernicious influence. Segregation based on race was an overt policy for years, but segregation on the basis of faith was a subtle form of discrimination, permeating through our political institutions for years. Its subtlety masked its effect, and its virtually unwritten code prevented our Jewish friends and neighbors from fully assimilating into our social and political communities. When the...

  • The Fall of Eternal Rome: Alaric and the Visigothic Sack of 410

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    On August 24, 410 CE, the unthinkable happened. The city of Rome-once the heart of the mighty Roman Empire, a symbol of civilization and power-was breached and pillaged by the Visigoths under the command of their formidable king, Alaric I. For three days, the Eternal City was consumed by chaos, marking a watershed moment in the decline of the Western Roman Empire and shaking the foundations of the ancient world. The Rise of Alaric and the Visigoths The Visigoths were a branch of the larger...

  • Alabama opens at Florida State

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    Saturday features the highly anticipated Week 1 clash between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Florida State Seminoles. The game is, set for Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 PM CDT, and the game will be nationally televised on ABC. Game Context This matchup is more than just a season opener—it’s a litmus test for two storied programs heading into 2025 with very different trajectories: • Alabama enters ranked No. 8, looking to re...

  • Homewood, Alabama Mayoral Race 2025: A Historic Contest for Change and Continuity

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    As Homewood prepares for its municipal election on August 26, 2025, the race for mayor has captured widespread attention-not just for its stakes, but for its symbolism. For the first time in the city's history, voters will elect a female mayor, choosing between two distinct candidates: Councilwoman Jennifer Andress and community advocate Robin Litaker. The Candidates Jennifer Andress A seasoned public servant, Andress has served on the Homewood City Council since 2016. Her campaign emphasizes:...

  • The Battle of Vukovar: Croatia's Stalingrad Begins – August 25, 1991

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    On August 25, 1991, the Croatian city of Vukovar became the epicenter of one of the most brutal urban battles in post–World War II Europe. What followed was an 87-day siege by the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA), backed by Serbian paramilitary forces, that would leave the city in ruins and mark a turning point in the Croatian War of Independence. A City on the Brink Before the war, Vukovar was a prosperous, multiethnic town nestled along the Danube River in eastern Croatia. Croats, Serbs, H...

  • Crispy Fried Flounder: A Southern Classic with Coastal Charm

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    Whether you're casting lines off the Gulf Coast or browsing the seafood counter in Moody, Alabama, flounder is a prized catch for its mild flavor and delicate texture. And when it comes to cooking it Southern-style, nothing beats a golden, crispy fried fillet served with lemon wedges and homemade tartar sauce. Why Flounder? Flounder is a flatfish found in both Atlantic and Gulf waters. Its lean, flaky meat makes it ideal for frying, especially when paired with a seasoned crust that locks in mois...

  • SUV size guide: How much does your family really need?

    Stacker, Will Kaufman for CarMax|Aug 20, 2025

    SUV size guide: How much does your family really need? SUVs come in sizes and styles ranging from the very small to the enormous. If you're in the market for an SUV, it's important to consider which size best fits your lifestyle and your budget. Buy something too small and you may have trouble fitting all your cargo. On the other hand, if you buy something larger than you actually need, it'll cost you more in fuel and can be more cumbersome to drive and park. To help, CarMax broke the SUV world...

  • Where Millennials are buying homes

    Stacker, Jaclyn DeJohn, CFP for SmartAsset|Aug 20, 2025

    Where Millennials are buying homes Millennials – all squarely within their primary working years—are buying homes more or less quickly depending on the metro area. In some places, 1 in every 25 residents between the ages of 25 and 44 purchased a home with a conventional mortgage just in 2024 alone. In other major metros, less than 1 in 100 Millennial-aged residents last year. This disparity can cause divergent implications for local infrastructure, politics, and business demand among dif...

  • Case Dixon to Host Town Hall in Alabaster on August 28

    Staff Writer|Aug 20, 2025

    Alabaster residents will have the opportunity to meet Republican congressional candidate Case Dixon this Thursday evening at a community town hall focused on the future of Alabama's 6th District. The event will be held at the Albert L. Scott Library, located at 100 9th Street NW, and is scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM. Attendees are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early for informal conversation and one-on-one engagement. Dixon, who is seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Congress in...

  • How gas prices have changed in Alabama in the last week

    Stacker|Aug 20, 2025

    ================================================== ERROR IMPORTING STORY: Invalid canonical URL: ================================================== Christian Mueller // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Alabama in the last week Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Alabama. Gas prices are as of August 25. Alabama by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.75 - Week change: -$0.02 (-0.6%) - Year change: -$0.25 (-8.2%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.63 (6/14/22) - Diesel...

  • Secretary of State Wes Allen: "Absentee Ballot Harvesting Is Not Being Tolerated in Alabama."

    Alabama Secretary of State's office|Aug 20, 2025

    August 25, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - Wes Allen, Alabama's Secretary of State, is providing an election integrity update to Alabama voters following the recent arrests of four individuals charged with absentee ballot harvesting. "The Secretary of State's Office remains vigilant in its pursuit of election integrity and the protection of your vote. We will continue to assist law enforcement in every way possible as they investigate and prosecute violations of Alabama election law," Allen said....

  • UAB Blazers Kick Off 2025 Season with High-Stakes Matchup Against Alabama State

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    August 25, 2025 - BIRMINGHAM, AL. - UAB Blazers Kick Off 2025 Season with High-Stakes Matchup Against Alabama State BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers will open their 2025 football season on Thursday, August 28, with a home matchup against Alabama State University. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM at Protective Stadium, where fans will gather not just for a game, but for what head coach Trent Dilfer has called "the first game of the rest of UAB's life." After two consec...

  • The M110 203 mm Howitzer: From Cold War Titan to Modern Echoes in Ukraine

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    In the annals of American artillery, few systems evoke the raw power and battlefield presence of the M110 self-propelled howitzer. Armed with a 203 mm (8-inch) gun, the M110 was the largest caliber mobile artillery piece in the U.S. arsenal during the Cold War. Though retired from service decades ago, its legacy lives on-not just in museums and veteran recollections, but on the battlefields of Ukraine, where similar Soviet-era systems continue to shape the contours of modern warfare. Origins...

  • A beginner's guide to options trading

    Stacker, Inyoung Hwang for SoFi|Aug 20, 2025

    A beginner's guide to options trading An option is a financial instrument whose value is tied to an underlying asset; this is known as a derivative. Instead of buying an asset, such as company stock, outright, an options contract allows the investor to potentially profit from price changes in the underlying asset without actually owning it. Because options contracts may be much cheaper to come by than the underlying asset, trading options can offer investors leverage that may result in...

  • Your 2025 tax planning checklist: Essential moves for high earners

    Stacker, Giovanni Tiso, CFP for Range|Aug 20, 2025

    Your 2025 tax planning checklist: Essential moves for high earners Tax strategy doesn’t just happen in April. While it may feel like you just filed your 2024 taxes a minute ago, the time to set yourself up for success in your 2025 taxes is now. High-income households face major tax changes in 2025, with opportunities to save thousands through strategic planning. By implementing advanced tax strategies like setting up a backdoor Roth IRA, understanding AMT implications, and maximizing the e...

  • Anniston's 2025 Mayoral Race: A Crossroads of Leadership and Vision

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    As Anniston prepares to elect its next mayor on August 26, 2025, the city finds itself at a pivotal moment-one shaped by transition, competing visions, and a renewed call for civic engagement. With incumbent Mayor Jack Draper stepping down after more than eight years in office, the race has drawn a diverse field of candidates, each offering a distinct approach to leadership, community development, and the future of one of Alabama's most historically significant cities. A Changing of the Guard...

  • Pike Road Mayor's Race: Growth, Vision, and a Defining Choice for Alabama's Fastest-Rising Town

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    As Pike Road prepares for its municipal election on August 26, 2025, the mayoral race has emerged as a pivotal moment for one of Alabama's fastest-growing communities. Incumbent Mayor Gordon Stone, who has led the town since its incorporation in 2004, faces a challenge from local builder and entrepreneur Mark Spurlin. The contest is more than a routine election-it's a referendum on how Pike Road will manage its explosive growth, preserve its identity, and chart its future. A Town Transformed...

  • Attorney General Marshall and Coalition Seek Win in Ninth Circuit to End California's Illegal Electric Car and Truck Mandate

    Alabama Attorney General's Office|Aug 20, 2025

    August 25, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL. – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall joined a coalition of 26 states in support of ending California's illegal war on gas-powered cars and trucks. The States' brief filed in the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals explains the authority of Congress and President Trump to revoke waivers granted to California by the Biden Administration's EPA. The waivers authorized by Biden allowed California's radical net-zero emissions to dictate what vehicles A...

  • Measles comes to Alabama

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    August 25, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL. - The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has confirmed the state's first case of measles in more than two decades, renewing calls for vigilance and vaccination amid rising global travel and declining immunization rates in some communities. According to ADPH, the infected child-under five years old and unvaccinated-contracted measles while traveling outside the United States. The child resides in North Alabama and did not attend daycare or school,...

  • Moody's 2025 Mayoral Race: Continuity vs. Change in a Growing City

    A.I. generated content|Aug 20, 2025

    As Moody, Alabama prepares for its 2025 municipal elections, the mayoral race is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for a city balancing rapid growth with small-town values. Incumbent Mayor David Howard faces challenger Nick Rutledge in what many residents see as a referendum on Moody's future direction. A City at a Crossroads Moody has long been one of St. Clair County's fastest-growing communities, with its population swelling over the past two decades thanks to suburban expansion, improved...

Page Down