The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Sorted by date Results 179 - 203 of 4263
7 tax moves to consider before the end of the year As we approach the end of the year, it’s important to make sure your tax situation is in order. Many people don’t think about their taxes until spring, since tax returns aren’t due until April 15. But there are plenty of year-end tax moves you must make by December 31 for them to count toward this year. To make sure you’re truly optimizing your taxes, Wealth Enhancement explains how to assess your tax situation before the end of the year an...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Rangsarit Chaiyakun // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Dothan in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Dothan, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of November 17. Dothan by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.72 --- Alabama average: $2.73 - Week change: +$0.06 (+2.3%) - Year change: -$0.09 (-3.2%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.67 (6/10/22) - Diesel current price: $3.60 - Week change: +$0.06 (+1.7%) - Year change: +$0.08...
Elen Nika // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Montgomery in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Montgomery, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of November 17. Montgomery by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.75 --- Alabama average: $2.73 - Week change: +$0.05 (+1.8%) - Year change: +$0.00 (+0.2%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.67 (6/14/22) - Diesel current price: $3.47 - Week change: +$0.04 (+1.2%) - Year change:...
Christian Mueller // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Florence in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of November 17. Florence by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.69 --- Alabama average: $2.73 - Week change: +$0.08 (+3.1%) - Year change: -$0.04 (-1.4%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.62 (6/10/22) - Diesel current price: $3.32 - Week change: +$0.04 (+1.2%) -...
Daniel Avram // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Mobile in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Mobile, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of November 17. Mobile by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.71 --- Alabama average: $2.73 - Week change: +$0.07 (+2.5%) - Year change: +$0.02 (+0.6%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.62 (6/15/22) - Diesel current price: $3.50 - Week change: +$0.02 (+0.7%) - Year change: +$0.24...
Christian Mueller // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Auburn in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Auburn, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of November 17. Auburn by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.75 --- Alabama average: $2.73 - Week change: +$0.06 (+2.1%) - Year change: +$0.05 (+1.7%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.64 (6/12/22) - Diesel current price: $3.42 - Week change: +$0.03 (+0.8%) - Year change: +$0.17...
Elen Nika // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Gadsden in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Gadsden, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of November 17. Gadsden by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.67 --- Alabama average: $2.73 - Week change: +$0.06 (+2.4%) - Year change: +$0.05 (+2.1%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.55 (6/15/22) - Diesel current price: $3.34 - Week change: +$0.05 (+1.5%) - Year change: +$0.05...
Rangsarit Chaiyakun // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Daphne in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of November 17. Daphne by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.78 --- Alabama average: $2.73 - Week change: +$0.10 (+3.6%) - Year change: +$0.06 (+2.1%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.68 (6/12/22) - Diesel current price: $3.51 - Week change: +$0.04 (+1.2%) - Year...
Daniel Avram // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Birmingham in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Birmingham, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of November 17. Birmingham by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.73 --- Alabama average: $2.73 - Week change: +$0.04 (+1.6%) - Year change: -$0.01 (-0.4%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.61 (6/13/22) - Diesel current price: $3.50 - Week change: +$0.02 (+0.5%) - Year change:...
Daniel Avram // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Anniston in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Anniston-Oxford, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of November 17. Anniston by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.69 --- Alabama average: $2.73 - Week change: +$0.08 (+2.9%) - Year change: -$0.06 (-2.0%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.61 (6/11/22) - Diesel current price: $3.32 - Week change: +$0.04 (+1.2%) - Year change: +...
Elen Nika // Shutterstock How gas prices have changed in Tuscaloosa in the last week CheapInsurance.com compiled statistics on gas prices in Tuscaloosa, AL metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of November 17. Tuscaloosa by the numbers - Gas current price: $2.72 --- Alabama average: $2.73 - Week change: +$0.04 (+1.5%) - Year change: -$0.01 (-0.4%) - Historical expensive gas price: $4.63 (6/14/22) - Diesel current price: $3.46 - Week change: +$0.03 (+0.9%) - Year change:...
November 18, 2025 - HUNTSVILLE - The Alabama Farmers Federation's FARM PAC announced its endorsement of Chairman Rex Reynolds for Alabama House District 21. Reynolds serves as the Chairman of the House Ways and Means General Fund in the Alabama House of Representatives. "Chairman Reynolds is a fiscal conservative who protects our taxpayer dollars. He has a proven record and leadership of standing up for the hard-working families in our county and throughout the state," said Rex Vaughn, member of...
October 30, 2025 – MONTGOMERY - Senate President Pro Tempore Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) addressed the Montgomery County Republican Party at their annual Lincoln – Reagan Dinner banquet. "I am truly honored to be here," said Gudger. Gudger said that Senate Republicans have raised, "$1.8 million for the Alabama Senate," ahead of the 2026 election. The GOP currently holds a 27 to 8 supermajority over Democrats in the Alabama Senate; but a recent court ruling from Judge Manasco in Birmingham cou...
Employers brace for the largest health insurance increase in 15 years Offering healthcare benefits is essential in staying competitive. In 2025, 88% of employers consider them as very or extremely important. However, a significant health insurance cost increase is expected in 2026 and beyond, posing a challenge for employers and brokers alike. Employers may need to adjust their budgets without sacrificing the needs of their employees, and brokers need to propose a better cost-containment...
