Opinion & Policy

    Dear Editor, April is Confederate History Month, proclaimed by Alabama’s School Board, and Monday, April 28, is Confederate Memorial Day, an official state holiday. President Trump’s recent 25% tariff (tax) on cheaper imported steel brings to mind Lincoln’s 200% tariff on cheaper imported steel, forcing  pioneer families to pay three times higher prices…

  Sometimes changes can be good, but sometimes changes can become something very different from what they were intended to be. When our country was founded and up until 1913, we had a very different method of funding our government. There was no income tax! Until the Industrial Revolution there was not much in the…

  The lakes; including Lay Lake, Lake Martin, Lake Mitchell, and Lake Jordan; are crucial to Coosa County, serving as major recreational resources, supporting local economies and providing vital water management benefits. These lakes are key to the county’s economy, attracting tourism and supporting industries like fishing and boating. The lakes offer numerous opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and other…

    Special to the News Last week, HB 509 (related to deer breeders) was introduced by Rep. Jeff Sorrells of Hartford. This bill should be disturbing to all ethical sportsmen, hunters and citizens in Alabama. Alabamians have a constitutional right to hunt and fish in this state. HB 509 would jeopardize that right. The…

  Do you stand up for your family when they are being taken advantage of? Do you step in and try to show them what is happening, or do you just sit back and watch them let other people continue to use them? Basically these would be the two choices you would have. Trying to…

    Op-ed by Rep. Andy Whitt    In 2018, the U.S. Congress passed the most recent iteration of the Farm Bill, which, broadly speaking, is meant to protect the livelihoods of America’s farmers and keep food on the table for families across the nation. Like almost all legislation coming out of Washington, D.C. these…

Special to the News   Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has issued a warning to consumers about protecting personal information by deleting personal accounts following the announcement that genetic testing company, 23andMe, will be filing for bankruptcy. The direct-to-consumer genetic testing company collects and analyzes an individual’s genetic code. “Given the uncertainty surrounding 23andMe’s bankruptcy,…

  Living in rural areas is an excellent way to establish some peace in your life, slow the pace of your daily ritual and clear your head. Although I am not a physician, I realize there are legitimate health benefits to rural living. Sure, you’re away from the hustle and bustle of the large city, but could you actually…

  Last week in my column I talked some about MANNA of Rockford Baptist Church and the services it provides for Coosa County residents who are struggling to meet the food needs of their families. It is a stand-alone group within Rockford Baptist Church formed by some of their members and approved to use their…