I was about 12 years old when my dad decided to sit me down and bring to light what would define my sense of humor for the next several years — “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”
Every era has a beginning and an end.
October 7, 2023, didn’t happen in a vacuum. The effects of the deadliest terrorist attack in Israel's history reverberated across the globe, and this evil found its way into the dark corners of our homeland. The Jewish people have been persecuted for centuries, but many Jewish Americans are …
A student posted something on his Instagram page that seemed to indicate that there are more deaths from police interactions with the public than when George Floyd was killed. Is this the case? I researched the statistics, and this is what I found.
The recently completed 2025 Regular Session has concluded successfully. Anytime you record solid balanced budgets, you have succeeded.
Have you ever met one of those people who automatically hugs you? “I’m a hugger,” they say. Even if you’ve never met before, they’re embracing you in a bear hug immediately.
Everyone knows when it’s a presidential election cycle. There’s commercials and billboard ads and endless endorsements. There’s advertisements spouting issues and curtailing opponents, and everywhere you look on the news, there’s some new update about a presidential candidate.
A month ago, the United States and Ukraine signed a Rare Earth Minerals Deal. It’s a pact that if it passes over objections from Putin supporters in Congress, could bring an end to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. Here’s how that would work.
When Republicans finally took control of the Alabama Legislature in 2010, they put a conservative stamp on Alabama’s legislative process and lawmaking. They have made sure that Alabamians, and for that matter the rest of the country, know that Alabama is a ruby red Republican state, both soc…
Question: My mother just recently passed away, my father having passed before her. They had a living trust set up in 2018. That made it easy for her house to go to my brother and myself. But she also had some stocks which are not mentioned in the trust. My brother and I are trying to get the…
Most Alabamians know weather can be the difference between life and death. Some people are either storm chasers who don’t mind being outside in a turbulent weather event, while others stay in their safe place for hours on end — either way, it is important to use your judgment when it comes t…
Last Friday night in Wetumpka, the Tallassee High School Class of 2025 walked across the football field and into their futures.
For many years, I would have classified myself as a perfectionist.
You would have to be living under a rock to not be aware that two of our state’s metropolitan areas have a serious problem with violent crime. Montgomery and Birmingham have become crime-ridden war zones that resemble third world countries like Mexico, run by drug cartels.
One year ago this week, I was saying goodbye to a 28-year career as a public school music teacher.
When I was younger, going to Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas on Armed Forces Day was an important occasion. Veterans Day and Memorial Day were revered in a city where the military presence was strong. Recent politicians have called for replacing these solemn occasions with holidays celebrating A…
Today the country observes Memorial Day — a federal holiday recognizing those who died while serving in the military.
Question: If someone has signed a health care proxy and durable power of attorney while they have capacity, is there any benefit to also petitioning for guardianship or conservatorship later on if that individual is deemed to be incapacitated? In other words, does an invoked health care prox…
Milestones are meant to be celebrated.
Nearly every sports fan in America, and many worldwide know the story of “Rudy” about an undersized kid whose dream it is to play Notre Dame football. He endures just about every obstacle to make it on the field for one dramatic moment at the end of a Fighting Irish game against Georgia Tech…
If there’s one thing we know about Tallapoosa County, it responds well in a crisis situation.
I have been taking in live music and theater performances by Elmore County high schoolers this spring.
When I was growing up, most products at the store had a tag that said “Made in the U.S.A.” These days, it’s more common to see things are “Made in China.” That’s because over the past few decades, ineffective leadership has allowed the United States to get ripped off when it comes to trade. …
It was a great year for sports in Tallapoosa County, with some teams making history while others are right on the verge. Either way, we can all collectively agree that this year in sports was magical.
Folks, 2026 is shaping up as one of the best political years in memory in Alabama.
This week, nurses and teachers are celebrated all around the country. Even though these professions are admired all week long, shouldn’t they be admired all the time?
I’ve recently been reinvigorated about the state of young journalism.
These days mark a couple of significant anniversaries in United States — make that world — history.
School will be out soon — which means there will be many days of having fun in the sun. But don’t forget to wear your sunscreen or hats.
I firmly believe the adage “you can be so open-minded your brain falls out.” The more open-minded you are, the more you risk becoming gullible and wishy-washy. You believe whoever is whispering in your ear at any given time. And someone, somewhere on any side of an argument can make a strong…
Former Lt. Governor and State Leader George McMillan passed away Easter weekend in Birmingham. George was 81.
Question: I am the co-trustee of my mother's revocable trust. Is it best to sell stocks held in my mother's revocable trust before or after her death?
As a teen, I remember hearing a story, perhaps in some Dale Carnegie book, about a pair of youngsters who thought they could earn some extra spending money. They tallied up all of their chores and little tasks they had done around the house and outdoors, figured out how much time they spent …
When discussing health and wellness, there’s one thing that always comes up — physical wellness. From eating a balanced diet, to exercising daily, there is always a conversation about maintaining physical health. But overall health includes everything in addition to physical health — one fac…
Always keep dreaming.
The partisan complexion of Alabama’s Congressional delegation has changed from six Republicans and one lone Democrat to five Republicans and two Democrats.
For years now there has been a lot of conversation about bias journalism. To be fair, everyone has biases that they are often blind to. It’s true even journalists can unknowingly have their bias slip in, and some news outlets may even cater to certain political leanings. But that is not The …
I love many movies and book genres, but one that I think is excelling in the book world but floundering in the movie world are romantic comedies.
Question: Property inherited by a minor normally does not go directly to the minor but is managed by an adult. In my state, the age of majority is 18. My beneficiary lives in Nebraska where the age of majority is 19.
In May, 1961, Alabama Public Television celebrated its 6th birthday as the nation’s first educational television network. Across the country, public television signals were beginning to blink on in those still-early days of TV, but the pace wasn’t fast enough for Newton Minow.
Spring is here, and you can certainly feel it.
At Central Alabama Community College (CACC), we take pride in delivering an academic experience defined by excellence, innovation and student-centered learning. As we celebrate Community College Month, it’s an ideal moment to recognize how our academic programs and initiatives actively trans…
Is social media making us dumber despite the vast amount of information it provides?
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