On March 18, 2020, Vice President Mike Pence announced, “In the fight against the coronavirus, the Trump administration is not just taking a whole of government approach, but a whole-of-America approach.” Historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) are important contributors to our “all hands” approach to navigating our nation through these unprecedented times. Matching the […]

By passing a House Resolution to allow voting by proxy, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats sent a clear message that they crave power, and for them, there’s no better time for a power grab than when the American people are vulnerable and suffering. Instead of making provisions to return to Washington, the Democrat majority […]

Alabama has long been a leader in the automotive manufacturing sector in the United States and, now, we have the opportunity to sustain that momentum for years to come through significant investments in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Dating back to 1993 when Mercedes-Benz announced the opening of their only U.S.-based assembly plant in Tuscaloosa […]

We all have had our lives disrupted during this period of health and economic crisis. Students, faculty and staff at Alabama’s colleges and universities are no exception. The Chronicle of Higher Education recently reported that three-fourths of higher education faculty had not taught an online course prior to the coronavirus pandemic and two-thirds of college […]

Three years ago this week, one of the biggest hoaxes in American history began as Robert Mueller was appointed to lead the Democrats’ Russia witch hunt, and the man most responsible for birthing that national nightmare was U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who is now running to reclaim his former Senate seat. Throughout this campaign, […]

When the legislature convened its 2020 regular session in February, Alabama enjoyed record low unemployment and record-high revenues in our state budgets. Pay raises for educators and state employees were foregone conclusions, unprecedented improvements in mental health services offered to Alabamians were being passed, and new and expanded education programs were on the table. But […]

Last Friday, the House of Representatives took a truly unprecedented step. The Democrat majority voted to change our rules and allow members to vote online in committee action on bills, and to vote by proxy on passage of bills and resolutions. That’s right, members of Congress can now vote from the comfort of our homes […]

Alabama has started to reopen, but does that mean the risk of contracting COVID-19 has been eliminated? Epidemiologists from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health answer questions about what reopening the state means, the impact it may have on people in urban and rural areas, what will happen to prevent the spread, and what […]

As is the case with many of my fellow Alabamians, I am a strong supporter of President Trump in the substance of what he has accomplished but I am from time to time disappointed by his style. The president’s repeated attacks on my old friend, Jeff Sessions, for recusing himself when he was attorney general […]

Our federal and state governments implemented unprecedented measures beginning in March to stem the spread of COVID-19. Informed consent provides a foundation of medical ethics. Did our elected officials and public health experts get our informed consent for policies that have put 30 million Americans out of work? Medical experiments have often been performed on […]

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread across the nation, impacting individuals and families from coast to coast. As the American people have been under various stay-at-home and public health orders for the last few months, several states are beginning to move into the next phases of modified guidelines. Governor Kay Ivey last week announced […]

In a world of viruses that can shut down global economies, shutter schoolhouse doors, and even physically keep us separated from one another, broadband access to our rural communities must rise to the forefront of our priorities. In the past two months, we have seen how difficult everyday education, communication, and commerce can be without […]

As health professionals across Alabama this week commemorate National Skilled Nursing Care Week, it is important that we don’t forget the women and men fighting on the front lines of Alabama nursing homes to protect the lives of vulnerable seniors. This special week, which was established in 1967 by the American Health Care Association (AHCA), […]

Last week, Governor Ivey issued orders allowing Alabama’s restaurants, hair salons, barbers and other personal service businesses to reopen Monday under social distancing guidelines. This is an important step towards safely reopening our state’s economy and ending extreme measures put in place to flatten the curve and limit the spread of the virus. While Alabama […]

Some of the most important unknowns with COVID-19 are as follows: Do we know for sure if a person is immune to COVID-19 after infection? What percentage of the U.S. population will be immune after this first wave of infections is over? Will immunity last over time, or will it fade? If and when a […]

I was the first to endorse President Trump, even when many thought I was nuts to do so. I helped Trump win and traveled the country with him, embedded in his campaign. I am one of the architects of his agenda, and I was pushing his agenda even before he ran for office. I have […]

Solutions are a key component of land-grant institutions’ identity, and that’s why Auburn quickly shifted focus when the COVID-19 pandemic began its rapid spread across the United States. We never changed or turned away from our mission of instruction, research and outreach, but as Winston Churchill said, “It’s not enough that we do our best; […]

As parts of Alabama’s safer-at-home measures relax on Monday, May 11, health experts — including public health officials and world-renowned UAB infectious disease doctors and researchers — urge extreme caution. According to the data, COVID-19 is still very much present and spreading across Alabama, as our state continues to experience an increase in cases. Make […]

President Trump recently announced “Operation Warp Speed,” a plan for a novel coronavirus vaccine by the end of 2020. I welcome the announcement because the greatest impediment to a vaccine now is the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval process. Speedy development of a vaccine is not without precedent. The president’s comparison to the Manhattan […]

These uncertain times have brought many challenges and changes in the lives of individuals and families around the world. I believe that with every obstacle comes an opportunity to grow. Although the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, it has brought with it the unique chance to pause and truly be present, which is rare in today’s […]

The impact of COVID-19 and social distancing has moved much of our lives online – our education, our work, our social lives, and even some of our health care. Broadband-connected technology was already a big and growing part of our lives and our economy. COVID-19 crisis has only made it more so. This is why […]

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has announced that our state is moving into an initial phase of economic recovery, known as “Safer at Home.” It relaxes restrictions on many businesses while keeping others, like restaurants, heavily limited for now. The hope is that all businesses will be allowed to resume a modified type of operation shortly. […]

It has been 75 years since the end of World War II. Today, May 8, we celebrate V.E. or Victory in Europe Day, the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. Later this summer, we will also celebrate the 75th anniversary of V.J. or Victory in Japan Day, the formal surrender of Imperial Japan on the deck […]

Closing down the American economy has a real and enormous effect on the lives of countless Americans. Layoffs and job losses are devastating for individuals, families, and communities. In good times, it generally takes three to six months for someone to find a job after a layoff. Of course, these are not good times. Moreover, […]