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DCH Health System closes three hospitals except “critical” patients after ransomware attack

Three hospitals operated by DCH Health System in Alabama were closed Tuesday to all but the most critical patients after cyber criminals attacked the hospital system’s computers, holding them ransom for an unspecified amount of money,  In a statement Tuesday, DCH Health System said DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Northport Medical Center in Northport … Continued
October 1, 2019

Former state senator, attorney, pleaded guilty to stealing from clients

An attorney and former Alabama state senator pleaded guilty to two counts of theft for stealing money from clients, state Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office announced Tuesday.  Zeb Little was convicted in Franklin County Circuit Court on September 20 of two counts of felony theft of property and admitted to removing clients’ money from his … Continued
September 25, 2019

Gas tax takes effect Sept. 1.

Sherwood Sparks sure would like to see some of Alabama’s new gas tax increase, set to hit the pumps on Sept. 1,  go toward improving safety on the roads leading to his hometown of Piedmont.  “Paying the tax doesn’t bother me,” Sparks said. “As long as I can see some results from my taxes for … Continued
August 15, 2019

Alabama picked for World Vision distribution center

Evangelist Scott Dawson doesn’t want to see teachers spend their own money to make sure their students don’t go without, so he’s doing something about it.  During the month of August more than 4,000 low-income public school children across central Alabama will be getting school supplies donated through a partnership between local churches and the … Continued
August 7, 2019

“I Just Feel So Unnecessary”

Once again I show my age because the headline quote was a favorite of the country musician-comic known as Stringbean.  Years ago he was a regular on the Grand Ole Opry and later on the TV show, Hee Haw. His words definitely seem to fit the world of public schools we deal with each and … Continued
June 13, 2019

2019 Legislative Session deserves a solid C-

After the closing of the 2019 Legislative Session, both House Speaker Mac McCutcheon and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh gave the session high marks. When judging the success-failure of a legislative session, it is elementary to understand a few key factors. Never confuse activity with accomplishments. Never judge legislation by its intentions. Never believe … Continued
June 10, 2019

What do Alabama Republican lawmakers and Trump haters have in common?

Alabama Republican lawmakers want the public to believe they are among President Donald Trump’s most avid supporters; however, many take money from those who back Trump haters. A look at campaign donations given by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians finds they financially back Trump’s most ardent enemies. From Hillary Clinton to Speaker of the … Continued
April 24, 2019

A good solution to the two-tier retirement system

Unintended consequences are a common problem when it comes to making laws and government policy. A good example of this is the changes lawmakers made in 2012 to the retirement systems for education and state employees. The economic recession that began in 2008 had severely hurt the Retirement Systems of Alabama’s investments. The slowness of … Continued
April 11, 2019

Jones backs sweeping ballot box access reform legislation

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, is co-sponsoring sweeping reform legislation that is intended to strengthen democracy in the United States by removing barriers to voting, reigning in the influence of money in politics and ensuring public officials work for the public interest. The legislation is being called the For the People Act. If passed, the … Continued
March 28, 2019