The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Before you buy your dream home, check these hidden property records Closing on a property is stressful and costly enough without having to deal with comprehensive title, lien, and property record searches. Most places in the U.S. are still seller’s markets. Consequently, buyers may be wary of rocking the boat by asking too many questions. When your money is on the line, though, you cannot be too careful—especially with real estate transactions. Beyond the standard title search and home inspectio...
What happens if you don't pay property taxes? Penalties, liens, and more Owning a home comes with obligations beyond your mortgage — including insurance, maintenance, utilities, and property taxes. Among these, property taxes are among the most critical. Falling behind on them can trigger a chain of legal and financial consequences that, in the worst case, can cost you your property. Hometap shares the consequences of unpaid taxes and how you can resolve (or prevent) the problem. What Are P...
With polls consistently showing the seventh-generation Alabamian through his mother's side of the family, Jared Hudson, in a much closer than expected race against Barry Moore and Steve Marshall in his campaign for Tommy Tuberville's soon to be vacated U.S. Senate seat, Hudson is campaigning hard throughout the State of Alabama on his "Alabama First" tour. For the Alabama Republican Party Primary, which will largely determine who wins the senate seat in the general election in November, is less...
April 21, 2026 – MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the Montgomery‑based civil rights nonprofit long known for tracking extremist organizations, has been indicted on federal charges alleging that it secretly funneled donor money to individuals associated with violent hate groups - including the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and the National Socialist Party of America - between 2014 and 2023. The 11‑count indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Montgomery, accus...
8 ways to squeeze more miles from every tank, according to America's fleet pros The trucking industry has turned fuel efficiency into a science. Here's what everyday drivers can borrow from their playbook. Diesel hit $5.03 per gallon for U.S. commercial fleets in early 2026 — and fuel already eats up roughly 21–24% of what motor carriers spend just to operate. That financial pressure turned fuel management into one of the most carefully engineered problems in the trucking industry. Fleet ope...
Europe is closing a major e-commerce loophole: How the end of duty-free shipping drives up costs for brands With over 450 million consumers, the European Union is one of the most attractive international markets for DTC ecommerce brands. And much of that growth has been driven by policies that make it easier to ship low-value goods into the region. In 2025 alone, more than 5.8 billion low-value ecommerce parcels were shipped into the EU, which shows just how big this channel has become. But...
Wes Allen, Alabama's Secretary of State, is reminding Alabama citizens that the deadline to register to vote before the May 19, 2026 Primary Election is Monday, May 4, 2026. "The right of eligible United States citizens to vote in fair and secure elections is one of the hallmarks of our constitutional republic," Allen said. "I encourage all eligible Alabamians to register to vote or verify their voter registration status on AlabamaVotes.gov ahead of the May 19 Primary Election." Electronic voter...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Army has unveiled the Combat Field Test (CFT), a significant advancement in its physical readiness program aimed at aligning fitness standards with the rigorous demands of modern warfare. Implementation of the new test begins in April 2026 and will be mandatory annually for active-duty Soldiers serving in 24 designated combat military occupational specialties. According to Army Secretary Hon. Dan Driscoll, "The Combat Field Test is a critical step forward in ensuring...
EPA launches a ‘back-to-basics’ blueprint to help rural drinking water systems The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a technical assistance program for water infrastructure in early March 2026, designed to help rural communities update and repair aging water utilities and get into compliance with federal regulations. The program, called the Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA) initiative, rescinds a Biden-era memorandum that the Trump administration criticized for pri...
Why home insurance claim payouts can feel disappointing Why the Payout Isn't What You Might Expect Imagine you discover a serious leak from your ceiling that causes major floor and drywall damage. No problem, you think: I’ll just file a claim with my insurance company and the repairs will be covered. But then the insurance estimate arrives, and it’s thousands less than the contractor’s repair quote. Welcome to a common homeowner reality check. Especially during storm season, homeowners are o...
The main financial factors, other than rent and mortgage, to consider when moving Whether you’re packing up in hopes of moving to a major metropolitan area, sunny coast, the heartland or abroad, there’s a lot to consider when finding a new place to call home. Consider everything you pay for now — transportation, groceries, utilities and entertainment, for instance — and how the price tags on those goods and services could change when you relocate. Housing costs are typically top of mind, but the...
April 25, 2026 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - What began as a carefully choreographed return to Washington's most storied media‑political gala turned into a scene of confusion and fear Saturday night, after loud popping sounds near the lobby of the Washington Hilton abruptly halted the White House Correspondents' Association dinner and sent hundreds of attendees scrambling for safety. President Donald J. Trump (R), seated at the front of the ballroom in conversation with CBS News correspondent Weijia J...
Where cost of living has increased and decreased the most The cost of living premium in a specific location reflects the relative cost of housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and other common necessities, compared to the rest of the country. The overall valuation of a dollar also comes into play, with general inflation metrics keeping tabs on nationwide trends and applied across a wider basket of goods and services. Fitting these local and monetary measurements together creates a...
More than 1 in 3 American workers are delaying or canceling major purchases due to job security concerns As global socioeconomic stress continues to rattle markets, American consumers are facing a difficult period. Inflation is rising, investors are uneasy, mortgage rates are elevated, and many people are uncertain about the future. But beyond spending concerns, fears around AI’s impact on jobs and the economy are further spooking workers. That uncertainty is shaping financial decisions. A...
How to design an outdoor entertainment space that adds value to your home When you’ve decided to build an outdoor living space, you make the decision to invest equity into your home. Outdoor living spaces can yield an ROI (return on investment) from 60% to 600%, depending on the features you equip it with, according to Extra Space Storage. Whether you decide to install a patio or outdoor kitchen or both, Wildfire Outdoor Living is here to guide you every step of the way to create the ideal o...
April 24, 2026 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a rare display of cross‑party camaraderie, U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R‑Ala.) and John Fetterman (D‑Pa.) appeared together on NBC News' Common Ground with host Kristen Welker, highlighting how their personal friendship has fueled bipartisan work on youth mental health and social media reform. The segment focused heavily on their joint legislation - including the Stop the Scroll Act and the Kids Off Social Media Act - and on the growing national concern over...
scarp577 // Shutterstock Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Anniston 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 $365,545 in March, 0.8% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But some...
Konstantin L // Shutterstock Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Auburn 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 $365,545 in March, 0.8% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But some...
scarp577 // Shutterstock Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Birmingham 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 $365,545 in March, 0.8% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But some...
Volodymyr Kyrylyuk // Shutterstock Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Decatur 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 $365,545 in March, 0.8% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But...
ungvar // Shutterstock Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Dothan 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 $365,545 in March, 0.8% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But some areas are...
4 PM production // Shutterstock Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Daphne 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 $365,545 in March, 0.8% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But some...
Konstantin L // Shutterstock Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Gadsden 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 $365,545 in March, 0.8% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But some...
Volodymyr Kyrylyuk // Shutterstock Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Montgomery 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 $365,545 in March, 0.8% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places....
scarp577 // 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 $365,545 in March, 0.8% higher than the year before. Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But some are...
