The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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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 $357,377 in February, 2.1% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But some areas are still seeing price jumps compared to the year before. Stacker compiled a list of cities...
WASHINGTON – As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) will lead a hearing tomorrow, Wednesday, March 26, with the superintendents of the U.S. military academies. This is the first time in over 30 years that the service academy superintendents have testified before Congress. In his role as Personnel Chairman, Senator Tuberville is laser-focused on ensuring that military academies are aligned with President Trump and Secretary Hegseth...
Renters are settling in for the long haul. As soaring home prices and tight inventory keep many on the sidelines, renters in need of more space and privacy are making house rentals their long-term homes. That's why a new trend is picking up speed: Increasingly, renters are choosing to stay for 10 years or more in a house for rent. And, when it comes to house renters' ideal space, three-bedroom homes are the clear favorite. - Moving after less than 1 year is becoming less appealing: Compared to...
Finding a home isn't getting any easier as the decade moves on, especially for first-time homebuyers. Median home prices over the past five years have increased by nearly 50%, 30-year mortgage rates have nearly doubled, and the number of homes available for purchase have fallen by a third. Not a happy confluence of trends if you're on the outside looking in. Meanwhile, those fortunate enough to own a home are, in most cases, happily watching their home equity increase. And except for the few...
March 24, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL – Governor Kay Ivey on Monday announced the release of the "2024 New & Expanding Industry Announcements Report," highlighting another banner year for Alabama's economy. The report reveals that economic development efforts in 2024 secured $7 billion in new capital investments across 224 projects, generating more than 8,500 career opportunities for Alabamians. Governor Ivey emphasized that these results reinforce Alabama's position as a premier destination for b...
March 24, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL. - Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall sent a 23 state coalition letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in support of the Trump Administration's efforts to re-ignite America's national energy grid with coal. The Biden administration implemented aggressive and shortsighted anti-fossil fuel policies that pushed energy supply down to the lowest level of coal production since 1960. A revitalized coal industry is needed to meet the nation's growing energy...
Many ominous ills are likely curable, especially if you have insurance. Without it, patients can find themselves facing life-threatening consequences, as physician Ricardo Nuila, an associate professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, told Public Health Watch. Nuila had a stage 1 cancer patient who lost his insurance just as he was to receive treatment. "Without insurance, [my patient] was given the run-around for months by his doctors," Nuila said. By the time his patient...
The Social Security data breach compromised 'billions' of accounts. Here's one easy, free way to protect yourself. In early 2024, background checking service National Public Data was hit by a massive cyberattack that potentially compromised the sensitive, personal information of millions, or possibly even billions, of people around the world, including U.S. residents. A year later, new security threats have gained traction. While artificial intelligence has transformed the ability to prevent,...
If you've ever stared at your electricity bill and felt a wave of confusion wash over you, you're not alone. In fact, according to a new survey conducted by Arbor, nearly 22% of Americans admit they have no idea how their electricity bill is calculated, while 47% say they only somewhat understand the bills. This widespread confusion is contributing to a growing sense of frustration and mistrust toward utility providers, with many people feeling powerless in the face of ever-increasing energy...
March 20, 2029 – BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Jefferson County Commission unanimously approved the sale of the Hallmark Farms property in Warrior to the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation or AECC. That organization was formed by the state legislature and will oversee the development of the new agricultural center planned for the area. The County purchased the property in 2019 in a joint effort with the City of Warrior. The Hallmark Farm property in northern Jefferson County is right on I-65 n...
Prescription drug spending in the United States has been on a steady rise for years, with Americans paying some of the highest prices in the world for their medications. Even those with insurance often face high out-of-pocket costs due to rising premiums, copays, and deductibles. With the increasing financial burden on consumers, prescription discount cards have emerged as an alternative to help mitigate costs. These cards, offered by third-party companies, work by negotiating discounts with...
March 12, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL) and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025, which requires federal agencies to include other transaction agreements (OTAs) in the list of federal awards that must be reported on USAspending.gov. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) led the Senate companion to this legislation. OTAs are legally binding agreements that are not standard contracts, cooperative agreements or grants that authorized government agencies...
March 19, 2025 – MOUNTAIN BROOK – Ann Eubank, the director of the conservative Alabama Legislative Watchdogs – spoke to the Gathering – a conservative Christian group in the Mountain Brook area at Olexa's Tea room in Mountain Brook Village. "Our supermajority Republican legislators, they passed the VA reorganization bill (SB67) to make the VA commissioner a cabinet position because Mee Maw (Governor Kay Ivey) got mad." Kent Davis was fired as Commissioner and Governor Ivey has already appoint...
March 21, 2025 – MONTGOMERY, AL – Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) the Officer Impersonation Prevention Act into law. This bill enhances the current law regarding the offense of impersonating a police officer. The Officer Impersonation Prevention Act was sponsored by state Senator Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville) and carried in the House by state Representative Ron Bolton (R-Northport). SB115 aso eliminates a loophole that could allow unqualified individuals to unlawfully serve as law enf...
March 20, 2025 – MONTGOMERY, AL – the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) addressed longstanding issues with inappropriate and indecent material being placed in children's sections of the library. Library Nancy Pack was fired, effective immediately. The board also passed sanctions against the Fairhope Public Library. Pack submitted her resignation to APLS board Chairman John Wahl effective September 1. Board member Amy Minton then made a motion that Pack be fired immediately. The Board ado...
MARCH 21, 2025 - LOWNDES COUNTY, AL. - A fox that scratched a hunter in the Burkville community of Lowndes County has tested positive for rabies. The scratch occurred when the fox repeatedly attacked and began biting the hunter's shoes. The fox was eventually subdued, captured and submitted to the Alabama Department of Public Health laboratory for rabies testing. The person has already begun receiving the post-exposure prophylaxis series. According to Dr. Dee W. Jones, State Public Health...
Demand for guns skyrocketed in the United States five years ago as the country grappled with COVID-19, social unrest, and a contentious presidential election. Now, that boom appears to be ending. Americans bought 15.3 million guns in 2024, down from a record 21.8 million in 2020, according to The Trace's gun sales tracker, which estimates purchases based on national background check data. Gun manufacturers have also scaled back. The Trace's analysis of federal data shows that between 2021 and 20...
March 20, 2025 – MONTGOMERY, AL - The Alabama Senate passed a pharmacy benefit manager reform bill. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are third party businesses who handle the prescription drug plans for businesses. Senate Bill 252 (SB252) is sponsored by state Senator Billy Beasley (D-Clayton). SB252 is PBM reform legislation requested by the pharmacies. A pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) is a third-party administrator that negotiates costs and payments between drug manufacturers, pharmacies, a...
March 20, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL. – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall today announced the indictment of a former Alabama Medicaid Agency employee for the theft of more than $100,000 in public funds. Natalie Colette Lewis, 59, of Montgomery, was indicted by the March term of the Montgomery County Grand Jury on multiple felony charges, including Aggravated Theft of Property, Use of Office for Personal Gain, and Violation of the Alabama Computer Crimes Act. Lewis surrendered to the M...
March 20, 2025 – PELL CITY, AL - Draic Coakley launched his campaign for Congress with an address to the St. Clair County Republican Party at their meeting in Pell City. Coakley is challenging incumbent Congressman Mike Rogers, who represents Alabama's Third Congressional District. Coakley is a diesel mechanic in Talladega County. Coakley dismissed Rogers as a "moderate" and declared that he was the far right candidate. Coakley said that Democrats are elect young far left candidates to Congress...
Have you ever opened your monthly electricity statement and thought, "This can't be right"? If so, you're in good company. Arbor surveyed 500 American homeowners and renters and found that 71% of Americans doubt the accuracy of their electricity charges, and nearly 70% admit they don't fully understand how their bill is calculated. It's no wonder power bills are soaring to the top of the list of monthly financial stressors, second only to rent or mortgage payments. The trust gap: So many feel...
March 20, 2025 – MONTGOMERY, AL. – The Alabama House of Representatives has passed legislation that would limit foreign influence in Alabama election. House Bill 363 (HB363) is sponsored by State Representative Lomax (R-Huntsville). According to the synopsis, "This bill would prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns, ballot measures, political parties, or political action committees. This bill would also impose penalties for violations." Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen (R)...
California lawmakers want to stop artificial intelligence from ripping you off. In recent weeks they introduced five bills to address the issue, making predictive pricing based on a customer's personal information one of the most popular tech policy concerns in the Legislature this session, reports The Markup. Ride-sharing apps, travel companies, and retail giants such as Staples, Target, and reportedly Amazon have engaged in the practice, which can set different prices for customers based on...
Gasoline prices are down several cents compared to this time last month, but the cost to fill up the tank has declined by nearly 40 cents per gallon since last year. The national average fuel price is about $3.12, with Mississippi seeing the cheapest state-level prices at $2.66 and California with the most expensive at $4.65. After a monthlong pause on tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, the Trump administration proceeded at the beginning of March to impose 25% tariffs on the two...
March 20, 2025 - CULLMAN, AL – Cindy Myrex, a lifelong Cullman County resident, devoted wife, mother, and businesswoman, is proud to announce her intentions to run in the special election for the Alabama House of Representatives, District 12. "A lifetime in Cullman County and on Smith Lake, I never cease to be thankful for the part of the world God allowed me to be in," said Myrex. "Living in this community, filled with generations of genuine, nurturing, and God-fearing families, I am always g...
