This is National Drinking Water Week, a week in which we highlight the essential role of drinking water in our society and economy. Given the current environment, the dependability of our public water supply is probably more appreciated than in years past. But how did we get here? Municipal water systems are a more recent […]

I think almost every American has dreamed of what it could mean to become a small business owner. For me, opening a small business was an act of freedom, and an exercise of control over my life. I had a good job as a lawyer and was on the path to a successful career when […]

Here they come … again — the Democrats rallying cry for a nationally imposed all mail-in ballot system. While their push to force every possible voter to receive a ballot in any election is not new, they have been reinvigorated for trying to implement this very dangerous scheme due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This viral […]

Would you try an unproven drug to treat COVID-19? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has understandably not approved any drug for this brand-new illness. A willingness to try suggests seriously rethinking FDA regulation of drug effectiveness. The FDA authority to regulate new drug safety dates to the 1930s, with effectiveness regulation added in 1962. […]

For the past several weeks, the people of Alabama participated in following a statewide public health order implemented by the governor and public health officials as an effort to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This unprecedented order required individuals and families to make drastic lifestyle changes in order to adapt to these guidelines. The stay-at-home […]

On March 27, President Trump signed the CARES Act into law, which includes more than $16 billion in stabilization funds for K-12 education. On April 23, the U.S. Department of Education provided guidance to states on applying for the funds, as well as final state allocation amounts. ­­ Alabama is eligible to receive more than […]

Alabama led the space race. We led in bringing jobs like Mercedes and Hyundai to our state. Now, it’s time for Alabama to lead the nation again by reopening our economy and getting Alabama and America back to work. During the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, Alabamians learned the importance of staying home and […]

During these times of unrest and uncertainty, Alabamians understand the importance of protecting jobs firsthand and maintaining the resources that fuel our economy. It is disheartening to see activist groups take advantage of a global pandemic to promote their shortsighted political agenda through threatening the economic livelihood of Alabama’s own businesses. Recently, we witnessed lawsuits […]

Last week, I discussed Alabama’s outstanding leaders in the political arena. This week, allow me to share with you some of the state’s leaders under 45 who are shaping and molding our state from outside the actual pit of the political arena. The most prominent political power in the under 45 category, who is not […]

When Georgia’s governor announced that the state would allow some non-essential businesses to reopen, everyone had an opinion. What I heard and read most often, however, was how his lifting of restrictions was, “reckless” and “irresponsible.” I see a glimmer of hope in Governor Ivey’s recently issued “Safer at Home Order” as it lessens some […]

Alabama reached and passed the peak of COVID-19 new cases during the week of April 12. As I have written previously, this doesn’t mean we haven’t seen new cases since then because we have. Nor does it mean we won’t see new cases in the future because we will. It does mean that the number […]

We have experienced unprecedented economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing policies. Twenty-two million Americans lost jobs in four weeks. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis projects potentially 30% unemployment and a 50% decline in GDP by June. This looks like a depression, but is it really? A recession or depression is […]

As we approach the end of the month, the current directives and public health orders established to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will begin to change in some form. We must continue to follow all the regulations that are put in place. These orders prioritize the health and safety of all Alabamians and are an […]

Many of you have lamented to me that it appears that all or most of our state political leaders are older folks. On first glance, that appears to be true. However, on a deeper observation, we have some extremely talented younger stars on the horizon. In fact, they are already in the ring and making […]

While I and my family have been blessed during the COVID-19 pandemic with basically no ill effects, the virus robbed me of the chance to say farewell to one of the people most influential in my career covering the outdoors in Alabama. Robert Lee Rivenbark of Fairhope did not succumb to the coronavirus. He lost […]

As the coronavirus pandemic impacts the world, our news feeds are full of tragedy and sacrifice. These stories of financial hardship, sickness and death dominate the news cycle. This is not, however, the full story. Across the state, the private sector is stepping up to meet the challenges of today. Churches are partnering to offer […]

I was in fifth grade on the first Earth Day. There was an abandoned earth mover in the woods near my elementary school, and Mrs. Fields’ social studies class painted it with bright colors to improve our visual environment. It was 1970, Richard Nixon was president, and later that year would establish the Environmental Protection […]

The notorious Drake Passage between Antarctica and South America was pummeling our research ship with 25- to 30-foot waves and gale-force winds gusting to 60 knots. Our team of 24 American scientists and science support staff had departed the U.S. Palmer Research Station on the western Antarctic Peninsula on March 16, 2020, aboard the RV […]

MONTGOMERY — As information about the new coronavirus comes at a furious pace, at times offering conflicting and confusing advice, the Alabama Academy of Ophthalmology, the Medical Association of Alabama and the American Academy of Ophthalmology want to share what we know right now about protecting your vision and your health during the COVID-19 pandemic. […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Our nation is under attack from an invisible enemy. We are at war with the coronavirus. It has brought our powerful economy to a halt and millions have lost their jobs. It has closed our schools and forced almost every American to live under state government mandated stay at home orders. Worse, […]

National and state officials agree that we have reached the peak of new cases and deaths here in Alabama from the coronavirus called COVID-19. What does that mean? It means that the number of new daily cases and daily deaths have reached their highest projected point and should plateau for a while before coming down. […]

Once upon a time, there were three young brothers in Alabama who wanted to see their hero, Michael Jordan, in person. At the time, this seemed like an impossible task. How in the world would we ever meet “MJ,” the guy dunking the moon backwards on the poster in our room? That’ll never happen. And […]

Several lawsuits seek monetary damages from the Chinese government for the COVID-19 pandemic. Politicians seem to like the idea, too. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said, “If it were up to me the whole world would send China a bill for the pandemic.” Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn thinks China should forgive the portion of our […]

As coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to sweep across the state of Alabama and the nation, there are several inspiring stories of Alabamians coming together to support those in need. Whether it be sewing personal protective equipment (PPE) for hospitals, delivering meals to the pandemic’s frontline workers, or making donations to those affected by COVID-19, the people […]