As the mother of seven children, I know how hard it is to protect my kids in the digital world. Even the most informed parents are desperate for solutions to empower them to take back control from Big Tech.  That is why I support House Bill 161, the App Store Accountability Act, by Representative Chris […]

Alabama families are feeling the pain of rising costs in every market. One expense continues to climb month after month with little relief: streaming content. Streaming services have splintered and households must manage multiple subscriptions to enjoy their favorite movies and TV shows. For too many Alabama families, entertainment has become another bill piling up […]

In 1776 – 250 years ago – General George Washington made a decision that was both pragmatic and radical for its time when he integrated the Continental Army, allowing free Black men and later some formerly enslaved men to serve alongside white soldiers. But rather than being driven by enlightened ideas or progressive principles, Washington’s […]

Our parents thought they were anarchists and subversives sent across the pond to corrupt our morals—something of a payback for the Boston Tea Party. The Beatles had long hair. They were trend-setters. We teens began to follow suit. The pictures look funny now. I remember one night watching the news with our family. Anti-Vietnam protestors […]

As this last legislative session of the quadrennium moves forward, these four years would have to be rated as an overwhelming success. The only constitutional requirement that the Alabama Legislature has to adhere to in their three-and-a-half-month annual session is to pass the state’s budgets. They have seen an exponential increase in state income to […]

Have you ever seen a drone flying above you at a sporting event or a concert? How about a drone flying near your house in your neighborhood? Drones are a new and evolving technology that policymakers should not ignore. They are used in mapping/surveying, shooting commercials, delivering packages, and for entertainment. Whether we realize it […]

When Alabama established the Alabama Supercomputer Authority in 1989 during Governor Guy Hunt’s administration, it was a bold move. Few states invested in public computing infrastructure at that scale. That early decision paid off, supporting research, education, and economic development for decades. Today, Alabama has a similar opportunity with artificial intelligence.  In February 2024, Governor […]

Alabama’s economy depends on systems that work reliably and competitively. From manufacturing plants and agricultural producers to exporters and small businesses like Ransom Recycling, the state’s ability to move goods efficiently is central to growth, job creation, and long-term stability. The proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern rail merger has put that reality into sharper focus. For […]

There are 126 days until Alabama’s statewide primary election on May 19, and what once felt like a lifetime away is suddenly just around the corner. The Alabama Poll just wrapped up our second look at the 2026 Republican primary, and if you’re wondering where the real action is, it’s the U.S. Senate race. The […]

When the United States took control of Venezuela, it sent a shockwave across the world. Ordinary Iranians, already living under a repressive dictatorship, saw that even longstanding regimes could be challenged and toppled. This sparked courage and defiance among the people, inspiring them to rise up and demand their own freedom. The message was clear: […]

The Roman god Janus was the god of two faces. A mature face looked back with reflection. A youthful face looked forward with anticipation. How fitting the first month of the year is named for him in the sense that we do both things. I looked back at 2025 in my inaugural sermon this year […]

In 2000, Robert Putnam observed something peculiar. More Americans than ever were bowling. But fewer people were bowling in group leagues. It was a simple observation. Our desire to go bowling alone is a metaphor for the postmodern decline of human connection. The kind of connection that allows communities to thrive. Like any good social […]

As the last legislative session of the quadrennium begins, the budgets are the priority, as always. The education funding dollars will not be flowing as prolifically as they have the past three years. There will be some wrestling within the education community for dollars. This jockeying will be confounded even further because of an exponential […]

When I endorse someone, it isn’t casual. I may be young, but I’ve been around politics long enough to know there are a lot of polished speeches, a lot of big promises, and not enough genuine character. In my 8 years in the political arena, I’ve already met thousands of politicians, hosted many of them […]

As is my custom for the past 21 years, my year end column illuminates Alabama political luminaries that passed away last year. We lost some good ones. Former State Senator and Lt. Governor George McMillan passed away in Birmingham at 81. George was a vivacious, delightful gentleman, who never met a stranger. I never knew […]

A colleague accosted me in the Monday morning pastors meeting after Bob and Kay joined our church the day before. He told me he’d invested many hours in marital counseling leading to their recommitment, and he was disturbed to hear they’d presented themselves for membership in our church. He believed I’d “courted” and persuaded them […]

Jared Hudson isn’t running for U.S. Senate to sit quietly in Washington or shake hands at cocktail parties. He’s running because something is rotten in the way our government handles taxpayer money, and folks in Alabama are the ones getting stuck with the bill. When a concerned citizen and a 23-year-old independent journalist can uncover […]

The past year has certainly been a memorable one—and, more importantly, a rewarding one. Beginning the year by leading the Laken Riley Act through the Senate and to President Trump’s desk—and seeing it become the first bill he signed into law in his second term—was just the start of what we have accomplished for Alabamians […]

Recently, I had several of Governor Kay Ivey’s closest friends and confidantes invite me to visit with them. Over lunch, they posed the question to me, “Do you think Governor Ivey has become a legacy governor?” My response was that she has been an outstanding governor, but I need to give some thought to the […]

Across the country, more and more parents, educators, and everyday Americans are starting to ask an uncomfortable but necessary question: why can minors download powerful, adult-facing apps without parental approval? This isn’t about being anti-technology, banning smartphones, or dictating how parents should raise their kids. This question matters because it confronts a hard truth: our […]

At Christmas, Americans across this great nation slow down just a little. We gather with our families, we bow our heads in prayer, and we remember what truly matters.  Scripture tells us, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” That promise will never […]

She called and asked if I’d like to look through her father’s library since she needed to empty the house. I found some old classics, and a book by Millard Fuller that I thought was unavailable. Fuller established Habitat for Humanity after his time at Koinonia Farms in Americus, Georgia. Koinonia was founded by Clarence […]

President Trump is back in office, which means that Democrats are working overtime to manufacture lies to try to make Republicans look bad. Their latest hoax has to do with the expiration of the Affordable Care Act subsidies — or the UNAFFORDABLE Care Act, as I like to call it. Republicans should have seen this coming from […]

On the edge of a small Alabama town, a hospital administrator studies next year’s numbers. She doesn’t know how many of her patients will still have insurance come January. The lights are on. The margin isn’t. Down the road, a farmer weighs fixing the tractor against renewing his family’s health plan. Across town, a shop […]