The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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As both a community member and a former administrator at the Northeast Alabama Medical Center, I have deep concerns about the payment levels that The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid’s (CMS) program proposed for Medicare Advantage. This would have disastrous impacts on Alabama's at-risk citizens. Seniors and those living with disabilities depend on this respected and successful program for their healthcare needs, from basic doctor appointments to specialist care and preventive services. No other healthcare program offers these vulnerable membe...
Alabama's highest court has reshaped the legal boundaries of police encounters, ruling that officers may demand physical identification during a lawful investigative stop when a person's verbal response is incomplete or unsatisfactory. The decision, issued in Jennings v. Smith, clarifies how Alabama's "stop‑and‑identify" statute works and carries major implications for civil liberties, policing standards, and future court challenges. A pivotal ruling on police authority The Alabama Supreme Court's 4–3 decision answers a question sent from...
What’s a good profit margin for your business? There’s a quick answer to this question. A good profit margin is usually 10% or higher for most businesses, though this varies significantly by industry. A net profit margin of 5% is considered low, 10% is healthy, and 20% or above indicates strong profitability. Compare your margin to industry-specific benchmarks for a more accurate assessment. It’s common for small businesses to struggle with cash flow management, especially as operations begin...
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R‑Alabama) sharply questioned pharmaceutical and national‑security experts this week during a Senate Committee on Aging hearing, raising alarms about what he called China's "death grip" on America's drug supply chain. The exchange underscored growing bipartisan concern that the United States is dangerously dependent on foreign manufacturing for essential medicines. "It's becoming common knowledge that for whatever reason, China's often able to circumvent the FDA whe...
The hidden cost of AI anxiety: What businesses need to know about this workplace stressor AI adoption is accelerating across industries. Organizations are focused on productivity gains and automation. But employees are asking a different question: What does this mean for my job, my income, and my future? In early 2026, Spring Health surveyed over 1,500 full-time employees across five countries. In the past 12 months, these employees said the emergence of AI has affected them in a variety of...
Rural healthcare is in the red as Trump withholds Medicaid payments to Minnesota Governmental action (or inaction) that affects America at large often has an outsized impact on rural residents. At the end of February, the Trump administration announced it will withhold millions of dollars in Medicaid reimbursements to Minnesota, citing concerns about fraud. This comes on the heels of GOP cuts to Medicaid in the 2025 budget reconciliation bill and an effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act...
How much is a dollar worth? Why the weakening US currency matters for your wallet Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but for every dollar you earn, there are a number of different factors eating away at it. There are taxes, for one, not far away with April 15 on the horizon. Then there is inflation: Even though it has moderated from the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still eroding the value of our money to the tune of almost 3% a year. And now there is a new worry: The U.S. dollar,...
How much of your income should you spend on housing? Looking to cut costs? Why not start at the top? In the typical American household, nothing takes a bigger bite out of the budget than housing costs. While that’s a burden, it also means that housing expenses are where cost-cutting has the biggest potential to help make ends meet. Experts say you should spend no more than 25% to 30% of your income on housing—rent or mortgage payments plus utilities—for financial stability. If you do that,...
jittawit21 // Shutterstock Cheapest gas stations in Daphne Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget. Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Daphne using data...
jittawit21 // Shutterstock Cheapest gas stations in Tuscaloosa Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget. Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Tuscaloosa using...
Irene Miller // Shutterstock Cheapest gas stations in Gadsden Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget. Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Gadsden using...
Elena Babanova // Shutterstock Cheapest gas stations in Birmingham Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget. Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Birmingham...
jittawit21 // Shutterstock Cheapest gas stations in Dothan Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget. Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Dothan using data...
Elena Babanova // Shutterstock Cheapest gas stations in Mobile Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget. Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Mobile using...
jittawit21 // Shutterstock Cheapest gas stations in Auburn Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget. Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Auburn using data...
Irene Miller // Shutterstock Cheapest gas stations in Montgomery Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget. Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Montgomery...
Irene Miller // Shutterstock Cheapest gas stations in Decatur Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget. Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Decatur using...
zedspider // Shutterstock Cheapest gas stations in Huntsville Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget. Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Huntsville using...
jittawit21 // Shutterstock Cheapest gas stations in Florence Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget. Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Florence using...
zedspider // Shutterstock Cheapest gas stations in Anniston Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget. Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Anniston using data...
Here is a bill‑by‑bill breakdown of everything the Alabama House passed on March 10, 2026, drawn from the official legislative reporting for that date. This reflects floor action only-not committee work-and includes vote counts and what each bill does. 🏛️ Alabama House of Representatives Bills Passed on March 10, 2026 (20th Legislative Day) The House focused heavily on local legislation, especially county‑level governance, sheriffs' authority, and property‑tax measures. All bills listed below...
U.S. Marines are moving toward the Middle East in one of the most significant Marine deployments of the current Iran conflict, adding a fast‑moving, crisis‑response force to an already large American presence in the region. Roughly 2,500 Marines, along with amphibious warships including the USS Tripoli, are now en route as Washington and its allies continue sustained strikes on Iranian targets. Why the Marines Are Being Sent The deployment reflects a shift toward deterrence, crisis response, and...
PeopleImages // Shutterstock Stop doing everything: How small business leaders in Alabama can reclaim 75 workdays each year Leaders in small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) operate under constant pressure to deliver results with limited time, budgets, and staff. In a volatile market, they're expected to balance immediate execution with long-term strategy, often without the layers of support available to larger organizations. As a result, many leaders step in wherever the business needs...
How to become a general contractor (if you don’t have experience) Nobody starts working as a licensed general contractor right away. Learning how to become a general contractor with no experience may feel overwhelming — but with the right plan in place you can jumpstart your general contractor career. Most general contractors begin in entry-level roles, learn the trades and gradually build the skills required for licensing. If you’re starting from scratch, ERGO NEXT provides this primer on ho...
The hidden infrastructure behind every prescription drug in 2026 A customer steps up to the counter at a neighborhood pharmacy. An insurance card is scanned. A pharmacist asks if there are any questions. A small paper bag with the medication inside slides across the counter. What most of us don’t see is the vast system that made that moment possible. Before a prescription drug reaches a shelf in your town, it has passed through research laboratories, clinical trial sites, regulatory review t...
