Op-Ed: Proper hermit crab enclosures and care
Summer is in full swing, and Alabama and Florida beaches remain popular vacation spots. If you traveled to the beach this summer, or at any point, you may...
Op-Ed: Online resale warning for parents
When you become a parent it is easy to purchase more items than necessary. The bassinet now gathers dust in the corner, practically used for storage. The changing...
Op-Ed: Rural communities deserve the same healthcare access and opportunities as everyone else
In Washington, healthcare debates often focus on insurance plans, reimbursement rates, and federal spending. In rural America, the conversation is often much simpler: Will...
Op-Ed: Mom tips for summer survival
Summer heat is no joke and nothing to handle unprepared. Though it’s not so easily avoidable, especially when you have children.
Here are some tips to keep...
Op-Ed: When I die
When I die I hope I go to a familiar place. I pray it’s as simple as falling asleep, waking up to laughter in the next room and I’m not...
Op-Ed: Do your part to prevent child hunger
September is recognized as National Hunger Awareness Month, though awareness of child hunger extends beyond a single month. For some children and families this can span over the...
Op-Ed: A summer day out for the family
Summertime heat in Alabama can be brutal, but the need for outdoor fun doesn’t stop! If you’re looking for a way to have a nice early morning or...
Op-Ed: The importance of art
During my sophomore, junior and senior years in high school I painted props in advanced theater. I tried to place the color yellow into every piece...
Op-Ed: What’s your favorite 80s rom-com?
Romantic comedies in the 2020s don’t feel like the ones from the 1980s. I made it my mission to stop procrastinating and watch some highly recommended films. These two are my...
Op-Ed: Be weather ready!
Many have experienced storm anxiety since the tornado outbreak of 2011. The panic can set in quickly – when the out-of-nowhere summer rain shower blocks your...
Op-Ed: Local community assistance and volunteer opportunities
Have you ever wondered what volunteer opportunities are available for you to assist the Cullman community? Doing your part has never been so easy! Here is...
Op-Ed: Turn the page
Reading is whatever you would like for it to be. It can mean a long awaited vacation at your fingertips. Perhaps it is a magical garden, a cold...
Op-Ed: Mother’s Day: ‘I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you’
Mother’s Day has always served as a day when we honor and celebrate the cherished mothers and mother-like mentors in our lives.
It’s a day...
Op-Ed: Alabama’s outdoors key to our state’s economic growth – Innovate Alabama is a key partner in that growth
From the mountains of the Tennessee Valley to the shores of the Gulf Coast, and everything in-between, our state is second to none in...
Op-Ed: Judge the book by its cover
In recent years, the Corporate Memphis style has been widely used for advertising. This form of art is known for its “low-effort” presentation. It is highly popular...
Op-Ed: Letter to new moms
One of the most complex things you can do for yourself when becoming a parent is allow yourself to grieve who you were. This...
Op-Ed: Read, no matter what!
In honor of “Read Across America,” I would like to share my two cents on what it means to be a “reader.”
I didn’t always love to read....
Op-Ed: Coast Guard acquisition of Birmingham-Southern College signals opportunity
The closure of Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) left a significant void in West Birmingham. For decades, the 192-acre campus served as an educational and cultural hub. Its vacancy represented a loss of activity and uncertainty for the surrounding community and local economy.
The recent purchase of the campus by the United States...
Op-Ed: To those who are anxious to speak
I used to be so scared to talk to people that I would have to avoid eye contact. If I were in a situation...
Op-Ed: Sonder
Sonder, defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “the awareness that other people all have their own complex set of feelings and experiences.”
As a child...
Op-Ed: The parenting books didn’t tell me this
What bothered me most of all going into parenthood was that I knew there were things I would have to learn on the spot....
Op-Ed: Valentine’s Day and love languages
Valentine’s Day is a day to convey love and admiration. Though at any store you are almost forced to see the stuffed animals, heart-shaped...
Op-Ed: In the spirit of Thatcher, for the people of Alabama
At a Lieutenant Governor political forum in Hoover last month, one of the moderators posed a simple question: name your favorite historical figure. Without...
Op-Ed: It’s time to stand up for Alabama workers
I have spent my life serving the people of Alabama, from joining the US Marine Corps at 18 years old, to serving the last...
Op-Ed: Continuing your resolutions
Every year, people create New Year’s resolutions. As the beginning of the year approaches these are goals commonly set to support their “New year,...
Op-Ed: A good person
I think some make themselves appear as a “good person,” but what really defines us as that? Are you a good person because the...
Op-Ed: Low-stimulation show recommendations
It has become very common for electronics and media to be incorporated into children’s everyday routines. Highly stimulating shows, for example, are used as...
Op-Ed: Cozy hobbies and the art of being performative
There was a time when hobbies were simply for your enjoyment. You had one or two, at the least, that perhaps you were good...
Op-Ed: The heart behind Curt’s Closet
Death comes to everyone and we all realize that devastating fact. However, there are some deaths that are extremely brutal, and difficult to ever...
Op-Ed: Tips for a calm pregnancy
I went into my pregnancy journey knowing the absolute basics. I’d read all the highly praised books and even listened to a few parental...
Op-Ed: Differentiating AI art from real content
Over recent months I have noticed an increase in AI content on social media. It was horrific to see several people interacting with the...
Op-Ed: The upward spiral that is parenthood
Pregnancy is the closest equivalent to a baptism/rebirth I have ever experienced. You spend your life in this daze and suddenly you just –...
Op-Ed: APA Journalism Foundation responds to UA suspending publications
The Alabama Press Association Journalism Foundation is stunned by the recent decision by the University of Alabama to suspend the publication of two student...
Op-Ed: The 1-hour glucose test
Let’s talk about the one-hour glucose test.
For those of you who don’t know what this is, allow me to explain. This is a mandatory...
Op-Ed: Behind the curtain: Breaking the stigma of mental illness
September is Suicide Prevention Month. I would like to share some of my thoughts. At 51 years old I am doing some reflection on...
Op-Ed: Woe to the little eyes haunted by social media
Social media is a plague.
Two days ago, I opened social media and one of the first videos in my feed was a horrific video...
Op-Ed: Honoring our heritage
When Cullman was celebrating its 150th birthday, we were asked to participate in the celebration. In thinking about the best way to honor our...
OP-ED: Learning to live with full hands
Work. More work. Rinse and repeat.
Job No. 1. Job No. 2. Sometimes job No. 3. Loop.
Clean the yard. Clean the house. Spend time with...
Op-Ed | A state out of step: Alabama’s sudden hemp ban hurts progress
Alabama has taken a shocking step backward. In late June 2025, Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill into law that effectively bans the sale...
Op-Ed: A new definition of college success at Wallace State Community College
On the heels of graduation season here in Alabama, and reflecting on more than 20 years after assuming the presidency of Wallace State Community...
Op-Ed: Duty doesn’t end at discharge – supporting our struggling heroes
As Memorial Day approaches, Americans nationwide prepare to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Ceremonies...
Op-Ed: ‘Be the difference that the cost of a life paid for you to be’
There are countless things in life that I’m grateful for — too many to list without keeping you here for days. But woven into...
Op-Ed: Alabama Legislature seeks to protect our rural roots with 2025 regular session accomplishments
During the 2025 regular session of the Alabama Legislature, lawmakers have worked hard to address the needs and issues in every portion of our...
Op-Ed: Powering America’s future starts in Alabama
America’s economic future hinges on energy — its reliability, affordability and availability. Nowhere is that future being written more decisively than in Alabama.
While much...
Op-Ed: Upholding integrity in local governance
The need for accountability and broader perspectives
In recent times, Cullman County residents have witnessed a concerning trend among some elected officials: a shift in...
Op-ed: Truth matters – Alabama’s voter rolls
President Abraham Lincoln said, "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but...
Op-Ed: Old times not forgotten
Keeping to his word, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has initiated the re-renaming of military bases. Renaming, not to their original names, but their rightful...
Op-Ed: A celebration of NCAA Division III
Happy NCAA Division III Week from Alabama’s only NCAA Division III institution – Huntingdon College in Montgomery. This week, Huntingdon joins the over 400...
Op-Ed: Pause, don’t stop
If you have a minute to read an excerpt from long-winded Lauren’s heart:
I run. I run often. I enjoy it. It relieves stress for...
Op-Ed: The first half of the 2025 regular session has been impressive, but the best is yet to come
Today (March 19, 2025) is the 15th legislative day of the 2025 regular session, which marks the halfway point allowed by the Alabama Constitution,...
Op-Ed: Addison makes football coaching change; Who will be next to take the reins?
ADDISON, Ala. – In today's world of instant gratification and what have you done for me lately, it begs the question, what does a...
Op-Ed: Heirlooms Fine & Performing Arts is a piece of Cullman that was missing all along
Whew.
I must have said that in my head a dozen times on Thursday, Jan. 30, as I watched the students of Heirlooms Fine &...
Op-Ed: Should transparency be the price of our donations?
When residents of Cullman County open their wallets to donate or when city and county entities contribute significant funds to local organizations, there’s an...
Op-Ed: Your child is not going pro
Youth football has changed in the past handful of years. Gone are the days of “Good game!” and “We will work harder next time.”...
Op-Ed: The time has come for the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission to fulfill its promise
Published without edits
The time has come for the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) to fulfill its promise and deliver medical cannabis to the patients...
Op-Ed: To the single mother on Mother’s Day
I write this as a man who was raised by a single mother during the most transformative years of my life. It's hard to...
Op-Ed: ‘You’ll miss this’… will we, though?
Around each turn in a local grocery store or shopping center, you can almost certainly hear some variation of the phrase, “Enjoy this while it lasts,”...
Op-Ed: Bones and Barrels is a vibe – you should run this race
Bones and Barrels is one of the most underrated trail races you will find. Zombie Trail Races, a local running company, hosts seven of these...
Op-Ed: Cullman Tribune Debate Series picks back up with county superintendent race and who’ll snag the open judge’s seat
Since wonderful Covid locked us down for a while before excessive safety measures were put in place, The Tribune debates have been an event...
Op-Ed: Unions want to target one of Alabama’s crown jewel industries, automotive manufacturing, but I’m standing up for Alabamians and protecting our jobs
Sept. 30, 1993, marked a watershed moment in Alabama history. That is the day Mercedes-Benz went against the grain and chose our state to...
Op-Ed: Alabama should proceed with caution on ‘school choice’
With another legislative session in Alabama right around the corner, along with a presidential election, “school choice” is quickly becoming a hot topic across...
Op-Ed: Alabama’s Turnaround Schools Initiative will give some of our most struggling public school students a chance to achieve their dreams
As 2023 comes to a close, it naturally offers an opportunity to look back at all we have done over the last year. In...
Op-Ed: Fear of the known
Work. It's something most of us have to do at least five days each week. However, for some the work week turns into a...
Op-Ed: A parent’s practical guide to the pumpkin patch
Picture it: a verdant green field, speckled with hay, dotted with pumpkins of every shade. The air has a certain crispness to it. Faint...
Op-Ed: Active participation over passive complaints
In an era where social media platforms amplify voices, it is imperative to exercise discernment between constructive dialog and counterproductive complaining. As evidenced by...
Op-Ed: Alabama’s historic grocery tax cut goes into effect, but more work remains to finish the job
Alabamians are feeling a bit of relief at the grocery store checkout lines as a result of the tax cut on food that a...
Op-Ed: The quiet legacy of a quilter
As a sewist and quilter with over 15 years of experience, I have been called several times to adopt another quilter's "stash". A stash...
Op-Ed: To eliminate ‘help wanted’ signs, we must shift our focus to labor force participation. The Ivey Administration is doing that
To gather the fullest employment picture in Alabama – and across the nation for that matter – we must shift our focus to labor...
Op-Ed: Rock the South through the eyes of a first-timer
As a Cullman local who lived in the county and worked at a local watering hole, Rock the South had always been synonymous for...
Op-Ed: Alabama’s historic grocery tax cut shows we must always attempt to accomplish what others say can’t be done
Alabamians may have felt their wallets bulge a bit last month when the Legislature approved our bill that slices the sales tax on groceries...
Op-Ed: Father’s Day
Father's Day is the day that we come together to honor and appreciate the extraordinary fathers in our lives. From the moment we take...
Op-Ed: It’s time to teach our students that the difference between happiness and regret is the ability to manage money
Despite rising salaries, a robust economy and a highly competitive job market that is forcing some employers to entice new workers with signing bonuses,...
Op-Ed: The perfect opportunity to repeal the grocery tax is before us, but we must take action now
For all of my adult life, politicians in Montgomery have talked about the need to remove the state sales tax from groceries, but they...
Op-Ed: It’s time to put fentanyl dealers behind bars
I’m certain that many of you have heard about the drug fentanyl in the news these last few years, the powerful opioid similar to...
Op-Ed: Remembering 3:16
Do you remember where you were, and what you were doing three years ago, on March 16, 2020? I do. I remember that day...
Op-Ed: Top 10 romantic movies to watch on Valentine’s Day
Love is in the air, and what better way to celebrate than with a romantic movie? From heartwarming love stories to steamy romances, here...
Op-Ed: Alabama’s community colleges are aligned with the needs of business and industry to better serve our students and our state
In the five years since I became Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, nothing has been a higher priority than making sure we...
Op-Ed ‘President Biden should make up his mind’
Last week, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed into law S.B. 202, a piece of reform legislation that will enhance the security and integrity of...
ADMH calls for entries for 2021 Capitol Showcase
Alabama Department of Mental Health
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Since 2005, the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) has hosted the Capitol Showcase, a consumer art...
Cullman Farm-City promotes National Agriculture Day
CULLMAN, Ala. - National Agriculture Day, commonly referred to as National “Ag” Day, is coming up on March 24, and Cullman County’s Farm-City folks...
Cullman Regional receives emergency CON approval for expansion project
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Health Care Authority of Cullman County/ Cullman Regional Board of Directors this week announced that they have received Emergency Alabama...
Op-Ed: Despite criticisms, Alabama’s environment is best it’s been since standards were first measured
As the director of the state agency charged with safeguarding Alabama’s environment, I have great respect for and deep appreciation of our state’s wonderful...
Op-Ed: Slowing coronavirus spread is key in 2021
As the new year begins and we reflect on 2020, we are faced with the sad reality that almost 4,800 Alabamians have died from...
Op-Ed: 400 years later, the Pilgrim story is more relevant than ever
This Thanksgiving will be different from any other we have had in our lifetimes. This past year has been a struggle, as every single...
Op-Ed: An inspirational pick
A century ago, the Suffragettes finally succeeded in winning the right to vote for women. They would be thrilled to see the nomination of...
On this Independence Day, recalling the Founders’ views of a free press
America’s Founders regarded a free press as so vital to the new nation that they took care to include that right in the First...
Op-Ed: This is our time, Alabama
My fellow Alabamians:
In a few days, America will celebrate her 244th birthday.
Traditionally, many towns and cities around the country light up the night with...
Ivey: Census participation is not simply about you
Census 2020 kicked off in March, shortly before the word “coronavirus” entered our everyday vocabulary and upended life as we then knew it. And...
Op-Ed: Let’s build America’s health care equipment in Alabama
This is a difficult day for all of us. New unemployment numbers released this morning, some of the worst in our nation’s history, paint...
Op-Ed: Community colleges: Essential to post-pandemic economic recovery in Alabama and nationwide
Community colleges in Alabama and across the nation have responded quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic, making contributions to enhance capabilities of emergency responders and...
Op-Ed: Remembering my father and the Greatest Generation
It has been 75 years since the end of World War II. Today, May 8, we celebrate V.E. or Victory in Europe Day, the...
Op-Ed: ‘I’m proud to be a part of the Tyson Blountsville Team’
While we are all experiencing a NEW way of life during this pandemic, I have experienced and seen a lot of good during this...
Op-Ed: Remember Vietnam veterans this Memorial Day
As we honor our war dead this Memorial Day, please remember the extraordinary price Vietnam veterans have paid.
If you have never visited the Vietnam...
Op-Ed: Medicaid expansion would fix the hole in the roof of Alabama’s health care system
It may not have sounded like it on the surface, but Gov. Kay Ivey recently made one of her most encouraging comments yet about...
Letter to the Editor: Caregiving in the era of COVID-19
Even in ordinary times, the more than 760,000 unpaid family caregivers in Alabama face a daunting set of daily tasks. Oftentimes with little or no...
Op-ed: A war with an invisible enemy
The coronavirus pandemic has been called a war with an invisible enemy.
The Greatest Generation taught us to win a war; we have to be...
Op-Ed: Another rural hospital is closing- What will it take for Alabama to finally expand Medicaid?
Today (Friday, March 6, 2020), when the Pickens County Medical Center closes its doors, it will become yet another sad statistic among the now...
AL Labor Sec. Fitzgerald Washington: 2019 economic wrap-up
With the closing of the past decade, and at the beginning of a new one, economic conditions in Alabama couldn’t be much better. We...
Op-Ed: The most important agency in our state!
First, notice my topic is not the most important state agency. My topic is the most important agency in the state.
What agency is the...
Op-Ed: Continue to improve rural Alabama
My legislative district is rural, therefore my voice in the Legislature is for rural issues.
We’ve had significant success for “rural Alabama” in the Legislature...
