The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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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....
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-...
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...
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...
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...
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...
May 21, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - As mosquito season ramps up, the Alabama Department of Public Health urges all residents to take preventive measures to protect themselves and their communities from mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus (WNV), Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), and La Crosse virus (La Crosse). Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance; they can carry viruses that cause serious illness in humans. Fortunately, there are simple steps...
May 22, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - Dr. Nicole Wadsworth officially launched her campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama this morning at a packed event at her campaign headquarters in Montgomery. Supporters, community leaders, and members of the press gathered to hear Dr. Wadsworth share her bold, Alabama-first vision rooted in economic growth, workforce development, safer communities, rural healthcare access, and conservative values. "Every Alabamian deserves the opportunity to have a good job...
May 22, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives passed President Donald J. Trump's (R) "Big Beautiful Bill" to keep the federal government funded and provide tax relief to 80 percent of Americans, while adopting many of the President's budget priorities. Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL04) voted in favor of the bill. Aderholt said that the landmark legislation delivers critical wins for American families, strengthens national security, and ensures responsible government...
While inflation metrics may show broad trends across the U.S., costs of individual necessities like housing, groceries, utilities, transportation and medical expenses may see wider price volatility from city to city. Many dynamics may help influence price differentials across the country, such as geographical location—which may impact the availability and import cost of raw materials—and demographics, which often influences demand for goods and services as well as the supply of labor. Reg...
May 22, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) in introducing the No Loan Forgiveness for Terrorists Act. This bill prohibits students from receiving credit for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) while working at organizations that engage in illegal activities. The legislation works to codify an Executive Order from President Trump that would end taxpayer-funded student loan forgiveness for students that participate in illegal, a...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) recently spoke before a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee during the markup of President Donald J. Trump's (R) proposed federal budget. Sewell complained that the legislation provides more than $4 trillion in tax cuts over the next decade while slashing $715 billion from Medicaid and $290 billion from SNAP benefits. "We are here because-according to President Trump, Elon Musk, and Republicans in Congress-the wealthiest...
Though many out-of-work Americans currently face a slower search for employment, the nation's job market remains relatively robust, with 177,000 new workers added in April 2025. For comparison, an average of 166,000 new jobs were gained every month in 2024. Overall, the number of jobs in the U.S. is expected to grow by 4% across all occupations by 2033. But, according to projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many jobs that pay over $100,000 a year on average are expected to grow at...
We all know that spending too much time on screens is unhealthy, but do different screens have different impacts on our mental health? The answer, according to a 2025 Hers study, is yes. In fact, one simple question, "Do you prefer streaming TV or scrolling social media?" reveals key differences in our self-perceptions, emotional stability, mental wellness, and more. So which one is better? Well, it's complicated. When it comes to screen time, binge watching Netflix and scrolling TikTok are not...
May 22, 2025 - ATMORE, AL - Senator Greg Albritton, a dedicated public servant and fiscal conservative, is seeking re-election to represent Alabama's 22nd Senate District. Since his election to the Alabama State Senate in 2014, Senator Albritton has been a steadfast advocate for the people of Baldwin, Escambia, and Washington counties, focusing on responsible governance, economic development, and community well-being. A Record of Service and Leadership Senator Albritton brings over two decades...
May 21, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Defense Department has confirmed that it has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar to serve as Air Force One. President Donald J. Trump (R) toured the aircraft back on February 15 at Palm Beach International Airport. Trump called the plane a "flying palace." Democrats have blasted Qatar for offering the gift to the United States and President Trump for accepting the gift. Democrats claim that the gift is unconstitutional. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Sch...
May 21, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today applauded the Senate Commerce Committee for unanimously advancing the bipartisan Water Research Optimization Act of 2025. Last month, Senators Britt and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) reintroduced this legislation to enhance hydrological forecasting within the National Weather Service. "I continue to be grateful to Commerce Committee Chair Cruz for his work to advance critical legislation out of committee. I'm also thankful for S...
Mental health conditions affect millions of people worldwide, but harmful stereotypes—like the idea that people with mental illness are dangerous or weak—still shape how these conditions are understood and treated despite growing awareness and education. Mental health stigma can have serious consequences. A 2016 report shows that stigmatization of mental illness not only fuels social exclusion but also prevents people from seeking help when they need it most. And mental health stigma doe...
May 21, 20125 - MONTGOMERY, AL – Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced the appointment of Judge Benjamin M. Bowden to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. The governor informed Judge Bowden of her selection today. "Judge Bowden's impressive record as a legal scholar is matched by his exemplary performance as an attorney, prosecutor and judge. He has steadfastly demonstrated a dedication to justice and fairness under the law. I have the utmost confidence that he will serve with the highest i...
