The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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AI-fueled fake IDs and identity theft: What you need to know Identity theft happens every 22 seconds in the U.S. and now, artificial intelligence is making it easier for scammers. What used to be rough Photoshop jobs has evolved into slick, AI-generated IDs that can trick high-end security systems. These fakes often rely on something people give away freely: their social media photos. As AI tools become easier to use, scammers grab photos from online profiles and turn them into realistic IDs....
Childhood vaccination rates drop across 1,600 US counties Childhood vaccination rates have markedly declined across the U.S. since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new Johns Hopkins University research showing 78% of more than 2,000 counties reported drops, and the average immunization rate had fallen to 91% — below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. While existing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data has historically shown broadly declining m...
July 8, 2025 - MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday signed a proclamation to set special election dates for Alabama House District 13. This seat was previously held by Rep. Matt Woods. Governor Ivey set the special primary election for Tuesday, September 30, 2025; the special primary runoff, if necessary, for Tuesday, October 28, 2025; and the special general election for Tuesday, January 13, 2026. "We are proud to now have Matt Woods in the Alabama Senate, and I know he will continue to s...
July 8, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today celebrated Senate passage of Lulu's Law, her bipartisan legislation named in honor of 16-year-old Lulu Gribbin, that would direct the Federal Communication Commission to issue an order providing that shark attacks are events for which wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) may be transmitted. "Just over a year since Lulu survived a nearly fatal shark attack, I couldn't be more honored to see the Senate unanimously pass this l...
How to know if someone’s been using your identity Identity theft can happen quickly and quietly. A stolen Social Security number, a misused credit card, a fake address tied to your name—it’s possible for someone to impersonate you without leaving any obvious clues. And more often than not, the damage is done long before it’s discovered. In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received over 1.1 million reports of identity theft, with credit bureau-related fraud being one of the most common...
Where homeownership is most and least prevalent in the U.S. While current rent prices and recent home transaction data can offer insights into the trajectory of a community’s housing market, these snapshots don’t necessarily capture the financial realities of residents who already exist in the market. A household’s experience can vary widely depending on when they entered the housing market, how their ongoing costs compare relative to the local rental market, and other factors like tax asses...
How to power the AI economy while supporting local communities American leadership in artificial intelligence promises massive economic opportunities and transformation across industries: AI systems are poised to drive breakthroughs in drug discovery, enable critical infrastructure, and revolutionize sectors from healthcare to finance. To drive these shifts, AI needs a massive amount of energy. By 2028, AI data centers are expected to account for 12 percent of nationwide electricity demand....
Do you need to pay quarterly estimated taxes? A complete guide TLDR: If you're earning over $200,000 and have income beyond your regular paycheck—from stock options, restricted stock units, rental properties, side businesses, or investment gains—you likely need to make quarterly estimated tax payments. The IRS expects taxes to be paid as you earn, not all at once in April. Miss this, and you'll likely face penalties even if you pay your full tax bill on tax day. Here's the reality most high...
To the rescue: Why you need an emergency fund now With the stock market at record highs and the unemployment rate at a modest 4.2%, an emergency savings fund might not seem like the most pressing need at the moment. But in fact, this is exactly when you should be thinking about starting one, consumer fintech banking platform Current suggests. The harsh reality is that many Americans do not have the cash to deal with the unexpected. A shocking 54% of Americans don’t have enough cash to cover t...
July 9, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - With Alabama's political landscape shifting, U.S. Representative Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) has emerged as a potential contender for the 2026 U.S. Senate race. The seat is opening up following Senator Tommy Tuberville's announcement that he will run for governor instead of seeking re-election. Moore, who currently represents Alabama's 1st Congressional District, has publicly stated that he and his family are praying about the decision and seeking guidance before m...
July 9, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a dramatic turn during a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, former President Joe Biden's longtime physician, invoked his Fifth Amendment rights and doctor-patient privilege, refusing to answer questions about Biden's health while in office. 🕵️♂️ What Prompted the Deposition? The GOP-led committee is investigating allegations that Biden's inner circle may have concealed signs of cognitive decline during his...
July 7, 2025, WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald J. Trump (R) issued a new executive order titled – ENDING MARKET DISTORTING SUBSIDIES FOR UNRELIABLE, FOREIGN CONTROLLED ENERGY SOURCES – that dramatically shifted the direction of United States energy policy. Issued by the President, this order targets what it describes as "expensive and unreliable energy sources like wind and solar" and seeks to eliminate taxpayer-funded subsidies that support these industries. The action builds on legis...
July 9, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C. - New Bill Aims to Modernize Worker Protections and Expand Access to Benefits In a significant move toward modernizing America's labor laws, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has joined forces with Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) to introduce the Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act. This bipartisan legislation is designed to address the evolving landscape of the American workforce by establishing a safe harbor under federal law for companies that wish t...
Which brands do Americans love enough to recommend? Here’s the top 10 Guinness is the most recommended brand in America, according to a new survey of more than 2,000 brands, with 91% of recent U.S. customers saying they would suggest the Irish beer to a friend or colleague. Heineken came in second, with 90% of drinkers saying they’d recommend it, followed by Rihanna’s fashion brand Savage X Fenty, which also scored 90%. Rounding out the top ten are CS:GO (90%), Durex (90%), Amstel (90%), St. J...
How to establish business credit fast in 2025 Business credit can be essential to building a successful business. From better financing options to higher credit limits, business credit can unlock huge growth opportunities for your business. And while it can sound intimidating, there are ways to establish your business credit quickly. The process doesn't require perfect personal credit or massive upfront capital, but rather a systematic approach that prioritizes the right steps. Unlike personal...
‘Build, baby, build’: A guide to Canada’s efforts to fast-track pipelines and mines You may have noticed Canadians are in a bit of a mood ever since a certain somebody threatened their sovereignty and economic well-being. The impact has spread to the highest levels of government policy, The Narwhal reports. The federal government, industry, and provinces are seizing the crisis to try and build more stuff more quickly — “build, baby, build” in the words of our prime minister — under the premise t...
How not to overspend on your summer vacation Summer is here, which means it’s time for lounging on the beach, exploring national parks, hopping on international flights and more. But when the warm weather hits, and you’re in vacation mode, it’s easy to overspend. While it’s important to enjoy your time off and hard-earned money, it’s also important not to hinder your progress toward your saving goals. Consumer fintech banking platform Current shares steps below that can help ensure you stay...
July 10,2025 - MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced she will appoint Bo Offord to serve as commissioner of the Alabama Medicaid Agency. Stephanie McGee Azar, after leading the Medicaid Agency for over 13 years, will become the chief executive officer of the State Employees' Insurance Board of Directors (SEIB). "As Alabama's longest consecutively serving Medicaid commissioner, Stephanie Azar has proven herself a skillful manager of the state's public health insurance program for l...
While Hallmark typically films its lovely "feel good" light-romantic movies in the scenic locations of Abbotsford, Langley, and Burnaby in Canada, for "Double Scoop", Hallmark came to Alabama for its filming in the spring of this year. With the farmlands of Shelby County and their rolling hills providing the lovely setting for some of the ice cream festivals featured in the film. And the charmingly quaint historic downtown of Columbiana also providing a lovely backdrop for "Double Scoop". Now, T...
July 10, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced Alabama is assisting Texas in their search and rescue mission following the devastating flooding. The 40-person team being deployed includes Alabama Task Force 1 out of Mobile, Tuscaloosa Fire and Saraland Fire. "Search and rescue remains the goal, and Alabama is going to do all we can to lend a helping hand to Texas," said Governor Ivey. "We are heartbroken in Alabama to have lost two of our own. I pray for Sarah M...
July 10, 2025 - WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that taxpayer-funded program benefits intended for the American people are not be available for persons who are illegally in this country. HHS has formally rescinded a 1998 interpretation of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), issued during the Presidency of William J. Clinton (D), which extended certain federal public benefits to illegal...
When tenants have a right to counsel in eviction cases, but there aren’t enough lawyers to help Icy snow crusted the sidewalks outside the Bronx housing courthouse on a Thursday in late January, a bitterly cold day in a string of bitterly cold days. Inside, spread out over three floors, dozens of people in puffy coats, some cradling babies or hunched over canes, waited to find out whether they would be kicked out of their homes or what it would take to stay housed. Every few minutes, a lawyer o...
July 11, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - Governor Kay Ivey on Friday announced 58 new first class Pre-K classrooms for the 2025-2026 school year. The continued expansion of the state's nationally recognized program in partnership with the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) will bring the total number of First Class Pre-K classrooms to 1,528 and expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities for children across the state. "The early years of a child's life are the most...
Former Navy SEALs are diving to save the ocean When Rodolfo “Rudy” Reyes went diving in the Cayman Islands in 2015, the experience changed his life. The highly decorated veteran had logged thousands of dives as a Special Ops Force Recon Marine in 18 years of service. But, as Reyes recalls, “As combat divers we operate at night, pushing 200 pounds of equipment, carrying massive weapons. It’s very stressful, and we focus on the mission — taking on the enemy.” In the Caribbean, Reyes dove for th...
July 10, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Shomari C. Figures (D-AL02) has joined a bipartisan effort with the Republican chairmen of the Committees on Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce; and the Judiciary to introduce the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act to establish a national framework that stabilizes the use of student-athletes' name, image, and likeness (NIL). "The current college sports environment has drastically changed...
