When it comes to extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), Vitina Feo knows her stuff. “We hand pick everything, which is very costly, but what it does is it keeps your tree happy and they keep producing good olives,” Feo said. As CEO of Papa Vince, a small, family-owned business based out of the Alabama coastal […]

Inequality is one of America’s most contentious issues. According to a popular narrative, higher taxes on the rich are needed to control growing inequality. New research from the Johnson Center offers a different perspective. My colleagues G.P. Manish and Steve Miller have edited a new book titled “Capitalism and Inequality: The Role of State and […]

During an appearance on Friday’s broadcast of Alabama Public Television’s “Capitol Journal,” State Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) laid out his plan to proceed on a comprehensive gaming bill once the Alabama Legislature returns from spring break on March 30. Marsh acknowledged one of the hang-ups that led to the failure of his last effort was […]

The century-old sport of table soccer is played by millions worldwide, yet no player has exceeded the standard of excellence set the past four decades by Birmingham native Cindy Head. She’s won 50 world championships (more than 70 major titles) and “many, many” local, state, regional and national tournaments stemming from the day Head first […]

Research at Auburn University that might one day expand the output of batteries and fuel cells is being furthered using a new X-ray device that is the only one of its kind in Alabama. College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM) professors Ryan Comes, the Thomas and Jean Walter Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics, and Byron Farnum, an assistant professor […]

Saturday, during the March virtual meeting of the Madison County Republican Men’s Club, Ivey chief of staff Jo Bonner addressed Gov. Kay Ivey’s objective with the gaming issue as the Alabama legislature grapples with the ins and outs of the so-called comprehensive approach put forth by State Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston). Ivey had signaled her […]

MONTGOMERY, AL  – World Water Day is March 22. In the context of today’s news, speaking about clean water and public health is more topical than usual, and today’s example is encouraging. At the turn of the previous century, the time of my grandfather’s birth only 124 years ago, most people got their water from […]

The Alabama Crimson Tide are playing their best basketball in March, and they are looking better than ever. The second-seeded Tide continued their winning ways against a tough 15-seed in Iona, winning 68-55 on Saturday. Iona, coached by Rick Pitino, who has upset Alabama before in the Tournament before, came out strong against the Tide. […]

The University of South Alabama will begin a new era of coastal education and research with a newly created School of Marine and Environmental Sciences. Plans call for new undergraduate and graduate programs to complement the existing degrees that have been offered by the department of marine sciences. “We can make a much larger impact by […]

Alabama Power’s strategic initiative to help expand broadband access in Alabama was named by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) as the nation’s best advocacy campaign by a large utility. The Advocacy Excellence Award annually recognizes an EEI member company’s engagement and activism in public policy advocacy at federal, state and local levels. Alabama Power won the 2020 […]

Reportedly, the Alabama State Senate will take another look at the elusive gaming issue when members return from a week off later this month, which, if successful, could add a lottery and increase the availability of casino-style gaming around the state. Legislation offered by State Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) fell two votes shy of clearing […]

The Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity is encouraging those who need assistance with their energy costs to apply for help. JCCEO, the community action agency for all of Jefferson County, received $1 million in federal funding specifically to help low-income residents affected by COVID-19. The new funding is available through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which has […]

On Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed HB445, a bill that increases criminal liability and penalties for those who incite or participate in various elements of rioting. The bill was sponsored by State Rep. Allen Treadaway (R-Morris), who recently retired from a 31-year-long law enforcement career and was formerly an assistant police chief for […]

Engineering and communication researchers at the University of Alabama are building the next generation of law enforcement robotic technology, working toward affordable robots that can interact directly with civilians in hazardous situations. Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the project partners with several state law enforcement agencies, including the Tuscaloosa Police Department (TPD), that are providing […]

At the recent Alabama Conservation Advisory Board meeting in Montgomery, one of the people who took advantage of the opportunity to address the Board was David Hawley of Livingston, Alabama. At that March 6 meeting, the Board approved a motion to open the 2022 turkey season on March 25 with a four-bird season bag limit. […]

Alabama Power needed less than just 24 hours to complete restoration operations following this week’s onslaught of severe weather, even after widespread tornadic activity. The brunt of the life-threatening severe weather moved through the Yellowhammer State on Wednesday; the system included multiple tornadoes, pummeling wind and rain. Preliminary data from the National Weather Service indicates […]

MONTGOMERY — Dr. Scott Harris announced Friday at a press conference that Alabama’s vaccination efforts are proceeding smoothly, with 877,815  individuals having received at least one dose of a vaccine product, roughly 18% of the population. Harris, Alabama’s State Health Officer and the head of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), said up to […]

The organizing committee for The World Games 2022 Birmingham on Friday announced the next three competition venues for The Games: Sloss Furnaces, Birmingham-Southern College and Avondale Park. Signage has already been installed at all three venues, per a press release. The World Games 2022 is a multi-sport event that will take place in the Magic […]

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) announced on Thursday that he is sponsoring legislation to increase the number of National Guard members eligible for the GI Bill. Members of the National Guard, per Moore’s office, are not made eligible for the GI Bill when they are given assignments like serving on America’s southern border or protecting […]

The Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) board of directors this week announced the hiring of Paige Green Hutto as the organization’s next president and CEO. CCAA consists of chambers of commerce, their executives and staff, and members of business and community organizations that directly serve chamber of commerce work across the Yellowhammer State. The […]

Google products last year generated a total of $1.17 billion in economic activity in Alabama, according to the company’s annual economic impact report released on Thursday. The report advised that 17,700 businesses, nonprofits, publishers, creators and developers in the Yellowhammer State used Google products to increase their online presence and connect with the local people […]

The United States Department of Commerce announced this week that it is providing a $600,000 grant that will help create a fund to provide loans to small and medium-sized businesses in Lee and Russell Counties. The grant comes from the Dept. of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The organization in Opelika receiving the grant and […]

U.S. Senators Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) are cosponsoring the Death Tax Repeal Act, which was introduced by U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD) last week. The legislation would repeal the federal estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. Research from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has shown that 44% of small business owners […]

The Supreme Court of Alabama on Friday issued a ruling that affirms the Montgomery Circuit Court’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit by three Jackson County residents against Governor Kay Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris over the state’s mask order. The mask mandate has been in place since July 16, 2020, and is […]