The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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11% of men misunderstand low testosterone—3 myths debunked Despite cultural conversations evolving surrounding masculinity, misconceptions remain about men’s sexual health issues. Topics like erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), or low testosterone are often stigmatized. This can lead to the circulation of misinformation on important health issues that will impact many men in their lifetime. According to a survey by Hims, 63% of men report having experienced ED, 53% report hav...
There are moments when the nation looks to Washington and demands real leadership, not political theater. This week delivered one of those rare moments. And it is time to express a heartfelt thank you to two of Alabama's own, Senator Coach Tommy Tuberville and Senator Katie Britt, and to thank them on behalf of both Alabama and the entire United States of America for the roles they played in finally reopening the federal government under the decisive leadership of President Donald J. Trump. Coac...
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council) has released the draft of its fourth Funded Priorities List (FPL). The 2026 FPL includes over $403 Million in additional funding for restoration activities spanning the Gulf Coast states impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The public review and comment period will open on November 20, 2025, and close on January 2, 2026. The draft 2026 FPL is available for review on the RESTORE Council's website, www.restorethegulf.gov....
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has released its 2024 infant mortality report, showing a modest improvement in statewide outcomes while underscoring persistent racial disparities and challenges in prenatal care. The infant mortality rate dropped to 7.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, down from 7.8 in 2023, marking a step forward in the state's ongoing efforts to improve maternal and infant health. Out of 57,909 live births in Alabama in 2024, 414 infants died...
I have hunted big game most of my adult life. I have written about my experiences over 20 years. Those experiences are not spectacular. Most of them have come in random places at random times, and without the resources to make them anything special. That is, I have only paid for one hunt but have relied on special friends for the opportunities I have been given. I have no trophies that would cause anyone to think I am some special or gifted hunter. I am a blue-collar, mediocre private land...
Aging at home: How families and care teams are meeting the rising demand for in-home support Across the country, older adults and their families share a common goal: the ability to live safely, independently, and confidently at home. The demand for home- and community-based services (HCBS) continues to grow, driven by an aging population and the desire for greater comfort, connection, and autonomy. States, managed care organizations (MCOs), and local agencies are responding with innovative...
Goblins AI math tutoring app clones your teacher’s looks and voice Math students can soon call upon an avatar of their classroom teacher — a round-faced cartoon created by artificial intelligence to capture their likeness, voice, vocabulary and cadence — to respond directly to their questions in real time. A new application designed to scale up extra help, Goblins was launched in the winter of 2024. Since then, a disembodied voice has been assessing students’ work in fifth- through 12th-gr...
Gardening in Alabama in November: A Seasonal Guide to Success As autumn deepens and the air turns crisp, Alabama gardeners find themselves in a transitional phase. November is not a time to retreat indoors-it's a month rich with opportunity. With its humid subtropical climate, Alabama offers a unique gardening rhythm that allows for continued planting, strategic maintenance, and preparation for the colder months ahead. Whether you're tending vegetables, ornamentals, or fruit trees, November is...
It was some ten years ago that we upgraded our sanctuary lighting to an LED system. I was bold enough to suggest we add a screen and projection system at the same time. I didn’t have much experience with a system like this, but I thought it would be beneficial. I remember a lady who reacted with some trepidation. “You won’t put hymns up there, will you?” she asked. I told her we had no plans to, and this was true. However, it was a music leader who later encouraged us to do this. He reasoned tha...
America’s special education crisis: How teacher shortages threaten our most vulnerable students When news dies down regarding teacher shortages, they almost always start up again after only a short reprieve. This constant state of “one step forward, two steps back” has an even more worrying underlying issue: a shortage of special education teachers. These critical professionals assist students with learning, physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities, helping to foster their succe...
With Jane Austen's 250th birthday coming up on December 16th, an abundance of retellings of her classic novels are being added to the Janeite literary canon. These vary from "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" by Seth Grahame-Smith to the murder-mystery, "Pride and Premeditation" by Tirzah Price. While retellings of "Pride and Prejudice" mostly serve to show how brilliant Jane Austen was, since they all fall short of the original, the 2025 retelling, "The Heart of Bennet Hollow" is a particularly...
Stock market analysis: Navigating momentum and managing expectations After six months of remarkable market momentum through trade tensions and policy uncertainty, the fundamentals are signaling it may be time for a cautious reassessment. The S&P 500 defied historical norms this fall, shrugging off September seasonality to post a 3.5% return—its strongest September in 15 years. This rally continued through October, driving year-to-date (YTD) returns above 17% and an impressive 35%+ gain since t...
November 13, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - After a 43-day government shutdown, Congress has passed the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, restoring federal operations and securing full-year funding for key agencies. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) praised the legislation, calling it a victory for military families, national security, and fiscal stability. Ending the Shutdown and...
November 13, 2025 - Birmingham, AL - Longtime SEC broadcaster and sports radio icon Paul Finebaum is reportedly "very close" to leaving ESPN to pursue a run for the U.S. Senate in Alabama. The move would mark a dramatic shift from sports media to national politics, echoing the path of former Auburn football coach and current Senator Tommy Tuberville, who is expected to vacate his seat to run for governor in 2026. From SEC Nation to Capitol Hill? Finebaum, 70, has been a fixture in Southern...
Unsecured personal loan: When it’s a smart way to borrow Did you just look at your bank account and say, “Where am I going to find the money to pay for that?” The new refrigerator, the medical procedure that is going to cost an arm and a leg, the soccer camp, the auto repairs … the list goes on and on. Before you pull out your credit card or go down to the local pawn shop, take a look at how an unsecured personal loan could help you meet your financial goals. Key Takeaways: - An unsecured person...
What is the percentage of electric cars in the US? The electric vehicle market share in the U.S. (expressed as a percentage) varies based on the metric you're looking at and your definition of an EV. If we're talking about new vehicle sales, the percentage of electric cars in the U.S. was 7.9% in February 2025, according to Edmunds sales data. This is an improvement of 6.3 percentage points from 2020. This EV market share figure does not include plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), which was...
November 19, 2025 - CHAMBERS and LEE COUNTIES – Republican voters in portions of Lee and Chambers Counties went to the polls to select their nominee in the House District 38 Special Primary Runoff Election. The election was prompted by the recent vacancy of the seat after former State Representative Debbie Wood who moved to Florida. Runoff Candidates and Results The runoff featured two Republican candidates vying for the nomination: • Garrett Dixon: 1,346 votes (45.55%) • Kristin Nelson: 1,609 v...
In November 1775, General Richard Montgomery led Patriot forces in a bold campaign to capture Montreal, marking a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War's northern theater. As part of the Continental Army's broader invasion of Canada, Montgomery's assault on Montreal was designed to weaken British control and rally French-speaking Canadians to the revolutionary cause. The operation, though ultimately limited in strategic success, showcased early American military initiative and...
In a rare case of self-inflicted torture, I watched some of Maine Senator Angus King’s questioning of Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense (now War). Various topics were covered, including the renaming of bases. King falsely accused Robert E. Lee of committing treason by resigning from the U.S. Army and siding with his State in 1861. Since King was born in Virginia, one might ask if he really believes that nonsense or if he is just another historical dimwit. Much has been written about L...
What do you do after you plan a trip to north Alabama to get in the fall crappie bite and you're greeted with bluebird skies the day after a cold front? You make lemonade, and the Tennessee River lakes have just the right recipes. Capt. Brian Barton, Andy Poss and I still wanted to try to catch enough crappie for a small fish fry and headed into the Bear Creek area despite the weather conditions. We found crappie on the forward-facing sonar, but almost all of them had the lockjaw, a common...
Don’t let winter cost you: Essential insurance changes for the off-season The onset of winter presents a unique convergence of aesthetic beauty and significant financial risk. While the season offers picturesque scenery, it simultaneously introduces hazards like frozen pipes, increased liability for premises injuries, and damage to seasonally stored assets. These incidents frequently lead to costly insurance claims that can severely impact a household budget. A common pitfall is treating an i...
This Veterans Day, I had the privilege of hearing Jared Hudson speak before a packed house at the Republican Club of Central Alabama. I can honestly say it was one of the most powerful and heartfelt speeches I have heard in years. Jared didn't talk about politics; he talked about purpose. He talked about faith, family, and freedom, and he reminded us what real leadership looks like in a time when our nation desperately needs it. Jared Hudson's story is the Alabama story. A decorated Navy SEAL,...
More than smarts: How grit and discipline drive real success For years, schools have judged students by test scores and grades. Reading levels, math skills, and standardized results still shape report cards and college apps. Most employers follow suit, calling for strong literacy, math, or technical chops; they often look at GPA or test scores, especially in fields like tech and data. But raw smarts don’t tell the whole story. Lately, researchers have started looking at traits that don’t show up...
Small Business Saturday marketing ideas for 2025: 15 tips to stand out and sell more locally Small Business Saturday (November 29, 2025) has become more than a single shopping day — it’s a chance for retailers and restaurateurs to connect with customers who value supporting their community. These days, consumers mix digital browsing with in-person experiences, from scrolling on social media to stopping by familiar neighborhood favorites. That gives small business owners more ways to stand out, s...
November 12, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed a bipartisan Continuing Resolution (CR) to end the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States. Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL06) voted in favor of reopening the government. Following Palmer's vote he released the following statement: "For over 40 days, the Democrats have held the government hostage in exchange for a radical wish list and campaign support from Marxist billionaires," Re[. Palmer s...
