Libertarians are back on the ballot in Alabama for the first time in two decades. They are showing up in over 50 races across the state. Dr. Jimmy Blake of Jefferson County is a familiar name on the ballot since he served on the Birmingham City Council for years and ran for the U.S. Senate […]

I’ll take the names out of it so it’s not so personal. Last week the state executed a man who killed his ex-girlfriend in 1994 – 28 years ago. He was put to death by lethal injection, which is supposedly the most humane procedure to put someone to death. The officials involved said, “Justice has […]

July is Disability Pride Month. It’s been 32 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities. Reflecting on this, I recall how my entire life has been shaped by a person with a disability. My cousin, Olin George Holley, Jr. — known in our small town […]

I’m naïve, but I’d like to think people on both sides of the abortion issue would like for there to never need to be another one – ever! We could agree that prevention is better than abortion. I would hope so. Yet there’s a doctor in California who wants to establish a $20 million floating […]

“The world is run by those who show up.” This quote has been used to motivate everyone from athletes to business leaders, but it’s never been truer than when it comes to elections — especially elections with a low voter turnout. When only 13% of Alabamians turned out to vote in the June 21 runoff […]

The one word we in Alabama want and need to hear when a child needs serious medical attention is “Children’s.” At Children’s Hospital of Alabama, we know a child will receive the absolute best health care and most up-to-date medical treatment available. U.S. News & World Report has again recognized that fact and named Children’s […]

When 77% of voting Alabamians passed a statewide amendment to improve our 21 state parks, they did us a favor. Of the $85-million bond approved, $80 million will go toward modernizing the parks and investing in infrastructure to improve them. The funding will make the parks more profitable and improve their position as premiere tourism […]

It takes money, moxie and muscle to defeat an incumbent. If you run against one, you’d better beat them. It happens fewer times than not, but here are eight exceptions to that rule. Susan DuBose defeated Rep. Dickie Drake in House District 45 which encompasses portions of Jefferson and Shelby Counties. DuBose is a former […]

Well, the primary election is over, and Alabamians made some good decisions as they usually do — all on their own. Voters decided that Gov. Kay Ivey is not a part of communist China and has not done any of the other things she was so ridiculously accused of doing – some downright laughable. She […]

I’ve met many famous people throughout my career – presidents, movie stars, authors, Miss Americas, singers, athletes, politicians and more. Some have been impressive, others not so much. Some have had great personalities and seemed genuine, while others were as fake as the thick makeup they wore. Some celebrities are genuine to the core – […]

Voting is a sacred freedom and one we should all hold dear. Election Day is the one day you get to freely state your opinion, and no one gets to deny it. With the simple stroke of a pen, you can have your say without anyone questioning it. Many men and women have died for […]

Just about everyone who wants a job in most parts of Alabama should have one by now with unemployment at 2.9%. That low rate is tied for the all-time low in our state’s history. The latest numbers show an improvement over the 3.0% rate in February and 3.7% in March of this year. For the […]

We’ve just completed the month designated by U.S. lawmakers as Financial Literacy Month. It would appear many of them aren’t financially literate, and it shows. But we are fortunate here in Alabama to have government leaders who are. Alabama just passed historic budgets, and our state has the lowest unemployment rates ever. Financially speaking, things […]

Alabama’s Caleb Hicks was invited to the White House earlier this month to participate in the president’s annual Easter Egg Roll. Hicks was not just invited to participate but was given a leadership role (no pun intended) in helping manage the egg hunt section of this event. He and his fiancé, Katie Phillips, both worked […]

Alabama has lots of money. The general fund budget and education trust fund budget saw investments of almost $11 billion in spending for 2023. Since we have it, why not spend it is the mentality. And that’s what has been planned – including pay raises for state employees and educators. There were a number of […]

The legislative session just concluded and coincided with the release of VOICES for Alabama’s Children’s annual data book. The VOICES report indicated we have many more issues ahead that need attention. The research results provided by VOICES are not good. (But keep reading, help is on the way.) Too many children can’t read or perform […]

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Children’s charities will cover the doors of local businesses with symbolic blue ribbons, schools will have poster contests, and charities will take advantage of a heightened awareness and additional fundraising dollars. But what will you do? On average, child abuse is reported every 10 seconds in this country, totaling […]

Among the agencies recognized in the governor’s cabinet is the Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS). It is the one agency with guaranteed longevity because there is one thing for certain – we are all going to be senior citizens at some point in our lives. We pray we are anyway. Fortunately for us and […]

March is National Women’s Month, so it is fitting that the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame (AWHOF) held its annual induction ceremony this month. Housed at the University of West Alabama, each year the hall “selects up to two women for induction who have made significant contributions on a state, national, or international level . […]

Last week, the Alabama House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution condemning Russia for invading Ukraine. The resolution declared support for Ukraine, its government, its democracy and its people. Russia’s military crossed Ukraine’s border on Feb. 24 and invaded its country misplacing thousands of people. It’s estimated that 4 million Ukrainians will eventually leave their […]

Last week, the House of Representatives voted 65-37 on House Bill 272, which will allow Alabama citizens to carry concealed handguns without a permit. Rep. Shane Stringer from Mobile County has three decades of law enforcement experience. His bill omitted the requirement that gun owners acquire a permit to carry a concealed handgun on their […]

So, one-third of the 2022 regular session of the legislature is now complete. What remains to be discussed are controversial things such as gambling, school choice, permitless carry and a transgender bathroom bill. All four are as controversial as can be. But legislation was introduced last week, which is much more educational and light-hearted, and […]

Last week, the Alabama Senate passed three bills sponsored by Sen. Clay Scofield, the Senate majority leader. The legislation allows the expansion of broadband access across our state. This is much needed news for many in Alabama – especially in our rural areas and for our small businesses and school-aged children. For too many years […]

Incumbents always have an advantage. They have a track record in office (which should be an advantage), and they have stronger name identification (whether good or bad) it’s still name recognition. Once an elected official gets in office, it’s hard to get them out. In some cases, this is good, and in other cases, it […]