The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Arina P Habich // Shutterstock Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Tuscaloosa metro area The real estate frenzy spurred by the coronavirus pandemic continues, though at a slower pace. Buyers are still competing for a limited supply of housing, driving up prices for affordable properties. The typical home value in the United States was $358,968 in January, 0.2% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But...
Shorter, Alabama - Riggs Walker, a conservative Republican with more than 26 years of experience in criminal law, has officially launched his campaign for Place 5 on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. Walker, 57, is a lifelong resident of Shorter, Alabama. He earned a B.A. in Speech Communication from Auburn University in 1991 and worked in the printing industry to support himself through law school, graduating from Jones School of Law in 1998. His legal career began with a clerkship under C...
February 23, 2026 - MEXICO - Widespread violence swept across Mexico after the country's military killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes - better known as "El Mencho" - the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The operation, carried out on February 22 in the western state of Jalisco, triggered a wave of retaliatory attacks that paralyzed major cities, shut down schools, and prompted urgent U.S. security warnings. A Major Cartel Figure Killed Mexican security forces...
February 23, 2026 – MONTGOMERY, Ala. – 2026 Democratic candidate for Governor of Alabama Dr. Will Boyd will address Alabama cannabis advocates at the Alabama State house. Boyd is a Florence pastor, a former city councilman, and regular Democratic candidate. Boyd came out strong last year against Alabama's psychoactive hemp regulation bill. "What happened in the Alabama House wasn't just bad policy-it was a direct hit to farmers, patients, veterans, and our economy," said Boyd. "It ignored sci...
Pennsylvania’s unique system of electing poll workers comes with downsides For this November’s election, no candidate was listed on the ballot for judge of elections in Scranton’s Ward 6, Precinct 1. So the poll worker on duty allegedly wrote her own name on the ballots. According to the Lackawanna County district attorney, Kathie Sico, who was serving as the precinct’s judge of elections that day, decided to write herself in for the position on the ballots before handing them to voters....
MONTGOMERY, Ala) – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall led a coalition of 24 States in filing a letter with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to stop federal funding of sex-change procedures on children. The letter, sent to Secretary Kennedy, issues direct comments on two proposed rules that would restrict federal funding from continuing to subsidize sex-change procedures for minors under Medicare and Medicaid and the C...
February 19, 2026 - ENTERPRISE, Al – Vice President J.D. Vance announced that he has endorsed Congressman Barry Moore in the U.S. Senate race. This was expected as President Donald J. Trump (R) had already endorsed Moore's candidacy and it would be extremely odd for the VP to choose a different candidate than the President. "President Trump needs proven allies in the Senate who will fight for his America First agenda without hesitation," Vice President Vance said. "Barry Moore has been that a...
February 21, 2026 - FORT BRAGG, N.C. - A kindergarten teacher at Fort Bragg has been removed from employment following parent complaints and a federal review, officials confirmed this week. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Thursday on the platform X that the teacher - a substitute and classroom aide at Mildred B. Poole Elementary School - had been dismissed earlier this month. The Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) followed with a formal letter stating that it had "severed the...
February 21, 2026 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Donald Trump announced Friday that he has directed the Secretary of War and multiple federal agencies to begin identifying and releasing government records related to extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The directive marks one of the most sweeping federal declassification efforts involving unexplained aerial activity. In a statement posted to the platform X, Trump said: "Based on the...
February 20, 2026 – DADEVILLE, Ala. - Robert McCollum, Republican candidate for Tallapoosa County Commission District 4, announced his platform – which includes a bold plan to eliminate the county's portion of the grocery sales tax. "Families in Tallapoosa County are feeling the squeeze every time they check out at the grocery store," said McCollum in a statement. "Food is a necessity, not a luxury. As your County Commissioner, I will work to eliminate the county's portion of the grocery tax...
February 21, 2026 - TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Former Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill announced Friday that he is running for Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, setting up a high‑profile contest for leadership of the state's dominant political organization. Merrill, who served two terms as Secretary of State from 2015 to 2023, said his decision comes after months of conversations with party activists, county chairs, and grassroots organizers who encouraged him to seek the position. His a...
February 20, 2026 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a major rebuke of presidential trade authority, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 on Friday that President Donald Trump exceeded his legal powers when he used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping global tariffs throughout 2025. The decision places more than $175 billion in tariff collections at risk of refund and sharply narrows the scope of unilateral tariff actions available to the White House. Chief Justice John R...
February 19, 2026 – VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. – Republican State Auditor candidate Derek Chen addressed the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans (GBYRs) at their regularly scheduled meeting about his campaign. This month the GBYRs were meeting at Slice Pizza on Timberlake Road in Vestavia. Chen is a longtime member of the GBYRs. This is his first run for elected office. "I have known most of y'all for many years," said Chen. "I know all of y'all, but I don't think you know my origin story. 100 yea...
February 20, 2026 - TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - A Tuscaloosa County jury has sentenced Luther Watkins Jr. to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2019 murder of Tuscaloosa Police Investigator Dornell Cousette, rejecting the death penalty sought by prosecutors and closing one of the most painful chapters in recent Alabama law‑enforcement history. The verdict came after emotional testimony and years of legal delays, culminating in a sentencing phase that weighed the brutality of the c...
Best affordable luxury SUVs of 2026 Finding an affordable luxury SUV that mixes practicality with high-end amenities and expressive design doesn’t have to be a budget-busting exercise. Using Edmunds’ rankings and a $50,000 budget — including mandatory destination charges — here are 10 of the best affordable luxury SUVs on the market today. The top pick, the BMW X1, edges out its rivals, but only by a smidge. You really can’t go wrong with any of these right-priced luxurious crossovers and SUVs,...
The impact of leadership on employee engagement and how surveys close the gap Improving engagement is a priority for many organizations. You introduce new initiatives, invest in better communication, and offer more perks, all in the hope of creating a more connected and motivated workplace. But even with those efforts, something can still feel off. Engagement doesn’t always respond the way you expect. So what if the most important factor isn’t what you’re doing, but how your leadership team...
The cofounder prenup: Money questions to settle before the first wire hits Starting a company with someone you trust can feel effortless at first. You’re aligned on the idea, feeling excited about what you’re building together, and running on momentum. Talking about money can feel awkward, overly formal, or unnecessary — especially if you’re friends, former colleagues, or long-time collaborators. But here’s the truth most cofounders learn the hard way: Startups don’t usually fall apart becau...
8% won’t apply without pay transparency: What job seekers expect in 2026 Pay transparency is quickly turning into a front-end requirement, not a late-stage negotiation. In a new 2026 hiring survey from Patriot Software, an accounting and payroll software provider for small businesses, job seekers describe salary visibility as a trust signal and a time-saver, especially in a market shaped by layoffs, role consolidation, and longer hiring cycles. The clearest line in the sand: 44% say t...
February 15, 2026 – VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. – Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rodney Walker was in Vestavia Hills on Saturday to address the Mid-Alabama Republican Club about his campaign. Walker is an East Alabama rancher and businessman. "I am from Lineville in Clay County," said Walker. "My wife – Stacie – and I live on a 3,000 acre cattle farm." "We have three sons," said Walker. "They are all grown now." "Both of my grandfathers served in World War II, my father was in the army, I served...
February 12, 2026 – PELL CITY, AL – U.S. Senate candidate Morgan Murphy addressed the St. Clair County Young Republicans about his campaign ahead of the May 19 Republican primary. Murphy is a former editor of Southern Living Magazine. He also is a U.S. Navy Reserve Captain who served in the first Trump administration as the press secretary for the Pentagon. Murphy expressed his displeasure with then Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and General Mark Millie who were both critical of President Tru...
Expansion of HSA and FSA rules under One Big Beautiful Bill: What you should know Starting in 2026, more people will qualify for HSAs, and more expenses will be covered. Some FSA limits will increase for the first time in nearly 40 years. Key takeaways: - The One Big Beautiful Bill Act expands health savings account (HSA) eligibility and what counts as a qualified medical expense. In 2026, more Affordable Care Act marketplace plans will be HSA-eligible, and direct primary care fees may qualify...
1 unforgettable adventures to have around the world in 2026 With more travelers turning to adventure experiences in 2026 than ever before, an epic tour is worth planning for. From hiking Peru’s Inca Trail to rolling through the fields of the Netherlands during tulip season and island-hopping bridges in Japan to cycling the French countryside alongside cycling pros during the actual Tour de France—EF Adventures recommends 10 experiences that separate a good year from an unforgettable one. Tou...
February 18, 2026 – MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The state of Alabama held the ribbon cutting ceremony for the state's new Veteran's Resource Center in downtown Montgomery. The Dexter Avenue facility opened just 12 months after the Legislature passed and Governor Kay Ivey (R) signed the legislation during last year's session along with sweeping changes that the Legislature made to the organization of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. The new Veterans Resource Center will be one central loc...
February 18, 2026 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. - State Rep. Paul Lee of Dothan has been elected the new Majority Leader of the Alabama House of Representatives, stepping into one of the Legislature's most influential leadership roles for the remainder of the quadrennium. His election follows the resignation of former Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen of Hartselle, who stepped down to pursue the chairmanship of the Alabama Republican Party. Lee, a Republican who has represented House District 86 since...
February 18, 2026 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 71 (SB71) on Tuesday. The legislation blocks the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and other state regulators from passing regulations that are stricter than the standards passed by federal regulators like the Environmental Protection Agency or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The bill is sponsored by state Senator Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva) and was carried in the House by State...
