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Faulkner University Awarded More Than $3 Million to Transform Rural Health Care Access and Workforce Development in Alabama
Faulkner has been awarded more than $3 million through Alabama's Rural Health Transformation Program (ARHTP) to expand health care access.
Cowboys 330-Pound Punisher Looks Poised for Breakout 2026 Season
The 2025 NFL Draft class for the Dallas Cowboys is still developing, but it’s starting to look like a solid group.Dallas’ top pick, and the one everyone is focused on, is starting offensive guard Tyler Booker. Not many people had expectations for the Alabama Crimson Tide product, but Booker is turning into a solid player.Booker […] The post Cowboys 330-Pound Punisher Looks Poised for Breakout 2026 Season appeared first on HEAVY.
Florida, hard-hit by Obamacare drop-off, feels the squeeze of rising healthcare costs
ST. CLOUD, Fla. (AP) — Florida chef Elijah Button was chopping onions in June when his knife slipped and sliced his middle finger to the bone.
Florida, hard-hit by Obamacare drop-off, feels the squeeze of rising healthcare costs
Florida chef Elijah Button faces a tough situation after losing his Affordable Care Act health insurance due to a premium hike
Enough with the podcasts. We elected politicians, not influencers.
Nancy Mace posed in a bikini. Gavin Newsom launched a podcast. AOC and Bernie Sanders are TikTok stars. Can they start doing the jobs we pay them for?
Dead cats, abandoned animals found inside grooming business; owner wanted by police
An Alabama woman is wanted by police on felony animal cruelty charges after authorities discovered several dead cats and abandoned live animals inside her grooming business.
Dead cats, abandoned animals found inside grooming business; owner wanted by police
An Alabama woman is wanted by police on felony animal cruelty charges after authorities discovered several dead cats and abandoned live animals inside her grooming business.
Dead cats, abandoned animals found inside grooming business; owner wanted by police
An Alabama woman is wanted by police on felony animal cruelty charges after authorities discovered several dead cats and abandoned live animals inside her grooming business.
Colbert County HS students ‘experiencing distressing symptoms’ not linked to public health outbreak
The Alabama Department of Public Health said there is no public health outbreak or exposure following students “experiencing distressing symptoms,” the Colbert County Schools Superinten…
Governor Ivey Announces First Grants in $144 Million Rural Healthcare Program
Gov. Kay Ivey announced Monday the awarding of 138 grants totaling more than $144 million to healthcare providers and institutions across Alabama as part of the
NEA Women in Business: Tamara Roberson
Residence: Jonesboro Education: Bachelor’s degree in fashion retail management and marketing, University of Alabama Professional background: I worked for Dillard’s as a children’s products buyer, AT&T in Jonesboro for 22...
Governor Ivey Announces First Grants in Major New Rural Healthcare Program Totaling More than $144 Million -
MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Monday announced the awarding of 138 grants worth a total of more than $144 million to healthcare providers and institutions throughout the state as part of the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program (ARHTP). The … Continued
Alabama high school flag football scores
See the latest Alabama flag football scores as the season kicks off across the state.
Monday ‘Dawg Bites: The Neighbors Are Acting Weird Again
It’s college football’s week 0, and while we’ve still got some time before the Bulldogs kick off, the news from elsewhere is flowing free and fast. Let’s take a quick spin around and see what’s up. Alabama has named sophomore Keelon Russell its starting quarterback over senior Austin Mack. It isn’t a surprising outcome, as […]
Powers sells HVAC divisions to Albireo Energy
North Little Rock-based Powers announced the sale of its territorial divisions in Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Alabama to New Jersey-based Albireo Energy, an independent building controls and energy services provider...
Powers sells HVAC divisions to Albireo Energy
North Little Rock-based Powers announced the sale of its territorial divisions in Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Alabama to New Jersey-based Albireo Energy, an independent building controls and energy services provider...
Where ESPN ranks Alabama in preseason college football power rankings
Alabama is considered a Top 25 team entering the 2026 season. Where does ESPN rank the Tide in the preseason?
Democrats incredulous over Hakeem Jeffries and Jared Kushner meeting
Critics include Senator Chris van Hollen, ex-aide to Obama Tommy Vietor and ex-Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger
Rosie O’Donnell slams Donald Trump with scathing song on last Jimmy Kimmel show: ‘You’ll never be Obama’
Rosie O’Donnell’s final night hosting ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ ended with a scathing song, in which the comedian slammed Donald Trump: ‘You’ll never be Obama,’ O’Donnell sang.
Obama strategist turns on rising Dem star over viral Trump attack: 'Gratuitous and unnecessary'
Obama White House strategist David Axelrod called Jon Ossoff's mention of Natalie Harp "gratuitous and unnecessary," despite the clip's 6 million views.
College Football Fans Obsessed With Alabama, Tennessee's Uniform Matchup
When the Alabama-Tennessee football rivalry continues on October 17 this year, both teams will get to wear special uniforms for it.
Alabama duo named to 2026 USA TODAY Sports preseason All-America team
The Alabama defensive backs have been named to USA TODAY Sports' 2026 preseason All-America college football team.
Report: Children in the Black Belt see worse health, education outcomes
The infant mortality rate in the Black Belt is worse, childcare is less utilized and more families are led by a single parent.
RFK Jr says community health centers should be the model for American healthcare
During a visit to Castle Family Health Services in Atwater, California, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised community health centers as a “template” for the nation’s health system, saying, “Forget about Obamacare.”
Politics and the Limits of Language
Ben Rhodes's new book makes an earnest case for the political power of words. But the degradation of our public life can’t be reversed by rhetoric alone.
Westrope earns first agri-business BBA from UWA
Lane Westrope’s search for a career that would build on his agricultural background led him to the University of West Alabama, where he became the first student to earn a degree in business administration with a concentration in agribusiness during the Aug. 14 summer commencement exercises.
Health Insurer Centene’s Chief Financial Officer To Step Down
Centene, one of the nation’s largest providers of Obamacare, said chief financial officer Drew Asher plans to step down as chief financial officer in December.
Patriots’ Alabama Product Steps Up After Sudden RB Shakeup
Hours before the New England Patriots opened their preseason against the Indianapolis Colts, their running back depth chart changed in a hurry.Terrell Jennings landed on injured reserve, ending his season, while New England brought back JaMycal Hasty. The moves came one day after the Patriots signed Hassan Haskins, leaving a crowded but unsettled battle behind […] The post Patriots’ Alabama Product Steps Up After Sudden RB Shakeup appeared first on HEAVY.
Alabama senators in limbo over college sports bill
Alabama U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville have yet to pledge full support of the Senate's Protect College Sports Act.
Aesto Health Data Security Incident Affects Multiple Healthcare Provider Clients
A data breach at Aesto Health, a Birmingham, Alabama-based healthcare technology company, has affected several of its healthcare provider clients. Aesto A security incident at the Alabama healthcare technology company Aesto Health has affected at least 27 of its healthcare provider clients and exposed the protected health information of hundreds of thousands of patients.
Former SPLC official charged in Justice Department's broader criminal case against group
A former Southern Poverty Law Center official has been charged in the Department of Justice’s broader criminal case against the Alabama-based civil rights group, a frequent target of conservative critics who claim the nonprofit is politically biased.
What to watch in primaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota and beyond
The left vs. center theme is on display in Democratic primaries in multiple states voting Tuesday, with other significant races in places like Alabama and South Carolina.
Alabama Republicans to pick nominee to challenge Democratic Rep. Figures in redrawn district
Six Republicans are competing in a special primary election Tuesday to challenge Democratic Rep. Shomari Figures in November. the district's Black voting age population dropped from 48% to 40%, making it more favorable for Republicans.
Live Results: Alabama midterm U.S. House primaries after redistricting
Voters in four of Alabama’s seven congressional districts will select U.S. House nominees Tuesday under a new map that eliminates one of the state’s two majority-Black districts currently represented by Democrats.
The U.S. Healthcare System is Already Mostly Socialized
Now that Abdul El-Sayed is the Democratic nominee for Michigan’s open Senate seat, the outcome of this crucial race will depend mainly on two things: Whether Republicans succeed in demonizing El-Sayed because he’s brown and a Muslim, and whether they succeed in demonizing him as a left-wing radical. I will defer for the now the question of whether bigotry will be effective this year, although I will address it another day. What I want to address instead is El-Sayed’s signature issue — healthcare. Yes, El-Sayed advocates Medicare for All, a position the usual suspects denounce as “socialism.” I will get to the politics of his stance soon. Today, however, I want to talk about the substance. We should be clear that El-Sayed doesn’t even call himself a socialist. On the contrary, he explicitly disavows the label, saying “I’m a capitalist who just knows about capitalism”. In fact, as I explained in a previous post, the policies that El-Sayed advocates qualify him as a social democrat, not a socialist. Still, El-Sayed advocates a system under which the government would pay almost all medical expenses. Isn’t that socialism? Well, if that is the criterion then much of U.S. healthcare is already socialist. In fact, the government’s role is so large that U.S. healthcare is better described as partially privatized socialism than as anything resembling a free market. Let’s start with the raw numbers on health insurance, which pays the bulk of Americans’ medical expenses. Americans receive health insurance either from private companies or from public programs, overwhelmingly Medicare and Medicaid. Here’s what the breakdown of coverage and spending between private and public looked like in 2024: While a majority of Americans with health insurance get it from private companies, well over 100 million of us are covered by government programs instead. And these government programs pay more total dollars for medical bills than the private insurers do. Why do government programs that cover a minority of the population account for a majority of health insurers’ outlays? Mainly because Medicare covers seniors, and we’re expensive. Also, while Medicaid covers many younger Americans, disabled and elderly beneficiaries account for most of its spending. Even by the raw numbers, then, U.S. health insurance looks as much public as private. But that understates the government’s role: Private health insurance in the U.S. is both highly regulated and heavily subsidized. This is obviously true for the insurance coverage purchased by tens of millions of Americans through the exchanges established by the Affordable Care Act. But employment-based health insurance, which covers 161 million Americans, is far more of a government creation than most people realize. For employment-based insurance exists largely because of huge implicit government subsidies that come with major strings attached. Here’s how that works. If your employer pays you $10,000, that’s taxable income. But if your employer pays $10,000 toward a company health insurance plan that meets certain criteria, it isn’t taxable. That’s a huge effective subsidy, running at more than $300 billion a year. Take that subsidy into account, along with the more than $100 billion per year spent subsidizing policies purchased under the ACA, as well as the outlays on Medicare and Medicaid, and net effect is that the government pays for more than two-thirds of Americans’ health insurance. Granted, there are strings attached. Roughly speaking, employment-based health plans can’t discriminate based on medical history — that is, they can’t deny coverage to employees with pre-existing conditions — and they also can’t offer the plans only to highly compensated employees — a health plan that is only for the C-suite is considered taxable income. So given the restrictions of the federal tax code, employer-based health insurance is a lot like Obamacare, which also prohibits discrimination based on medical history and provides subsidies to make insurance affordable to lower-paid workers. The fact is that virtually all of private healthcare insurance is already well under some form of government control through regulation and tax subsidies. How should we think about this system? First of all, is Medicare socialist? Don’t tell anyone, but the way Medicare operates — it covers every senior’s medical expenses, whatever they turn out to be, while being funded by taxes that depend on one’s income — could be summarized by the old Marxist slogan “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” And back in 1961, when Ronald Reagan was the face of a last-ditch effort by the American Medical Association to block the creation of Medicare, he denounced Medicare as “socialized medicine” and warned that it would destroy our freedom. In reality, American freedom survived until Jan. 20, 2025, while Medicare is immensely popular, with an 82 percent favorable rating in the most recent KFF survey. Medicaid, government health insurance for lower-income Americans, comes in at 73 percent. This is in sharp contrast to public views about private insurers, who are widely disliked if not hated and accused of denying essential care. Furthermore, if Medicare is socialism, then the whole U.S. health insurance system, with the government paying most of the bills and placing conditions on private insurers, is almost equally socialist. If you insist on calling any program the government pays for and regulates socialist, then U.S. healthcare would best be described as a partially privatized form of socialism. And one must ask, what is the point of the part that is privatized? Do private insurers add anything positive? Or are they simply parasites, skimming off money that could have been paying for care? The case for viewing insurers as parasites is strong. Many Medicare benefits are now delivered via Medicare Advantage, that is, plans paid for by the government but run through insurance companies. MedPAC, an independent advisory commission, estimates that last year Medicare Advantage plans were overpaid by $84 billion, thanks to practices such as “upcoding,” in which patients’ health problems are overstated to get larger sums from Medicare. Assessing the waste from employer-based insurance is harder, but most evidence suggests that private insurers have substantially higher administrative costs than Medicare does. Furthermore, the complexity of private insurance, with multiple payers all trying to deny care when they can, is a huge burden both on providers — doctors, nurses, and hospitals — and on patients. What do private insurers offer to compensate for these costs? One must go through intellectual contortions to avoid the conclusion that they are, in fact, parasites. Which brings me back to El-Sayed. In supporting Medicare for All, he’s basically calling for an end to the partial, parasitic privatization of a healthcare system that is already hugely dependent on public funding. When one looks at it that way, it’s not at all a radical proposal. Admittedly, the political lift requires overcoming the opposition to higher taxes to pay for Medicare for All. Political realism rather than economics was the reason I and many other progressives supported Obamacare, with all its complexities, rather than demanding an immediate move to Medicare for All. But the political calculus may very well have shifted since the 2000s, as Americans are fed up with a system of unaffordable premiums, rampant claim denials, and byzantine claim administration. Moreover, funding healthcare insurance through taxation would allow for a much more progressive distribution of the cost. That is, compared to the present system, middle-income households would pay less as high-income households would pay more. And the U.S. would stop wasting large sums on pointless administrative costs. So let’s be clear: El-Sayed’s healthcare platform is perfectly reasonable on the merits of cost, fairness and health efficacy. And with private insurers never more hated, while millions of Americans are losing their health insurance, 2026 may be its time. MUSICAL CODA
Top Obama ally reveals which far-left candidate needs to lose to help progressives win
David Axelrod calls Francesca Hong a "font of zany liberal, faculty lounge exotica" and says her Wisconsin primary loss would help Abdul El-Sayed.
Alabama Position Preview: The Future vs The Veteran at Quarterback
Five-star phenom Keelon Russell battles seasoned veteran Austin Mack as Kalen DeBoer weighs explosive potential against established trust to lead the Crimson Tide's post-Simpson era.
Abdul El-Sayed and Barack Obama spoke as Democrats seek to unify following heated Senate primary
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed on Sunday described a “really warm” conversation with former President Barack Obama as the party seeks to find a path forward following last week’s bruising primary.
El-Sayed spoke with Obama as Michigan Democrats look to unite after a bitter Senate primary
“I was grateful for his advice. It was very warm, very inviting, and I know that he knows the critical role that Michigan is going to play,” El-Sayed told NBC’s “Meet the Press."
Obama and Abdul El-Sayed Spoke to Discuss Unity After Michigan Senate Primary
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed’s call with the former president comes as he tries to win over wary Democrats in Michigan’s high-stakes Senate race.
Business executives explain what brought their companies to Alabama at BCA conference
The executives told the crowd what made their companies choose Alabama, why they stay and how Alabama could better pitch itself to businesses.
Why Alabama football players say high school athletes should play multiple sports
Alabama football's Jackson Lloyd and Kaleb Edwards credit their multi-sport high school backgrounds for their success.
Barack Obama blames Larry David for his infamous tan suit scandal in new sketch
Former president Barack Obama pokes fun at his tan suit debacle with Larry David on the season finale of ‘Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness.’
Trump goes unmentioned but not ignored as Clinton, Bush and Obama step up as essayists on presidents
Three ex-presidents have joined an all-star roster of historians in contributing to a series of essays about presidents back to George Washington
Ex-Obama, Biden diplomat blasts former boss’ border failures: 'They woke up too late'
Ken Salazar says the Biden administration "woke up too late" on the border crisis, creating a vacuum that handed Trump his strongest political issue.
Yahoo Sports' Preseason College Football Top 25: No. 11 Alabama strives to be a true national title contender again
Alabama commit Elijah Haven headlines top 15 quarterbacks entering 2026 season
USA TODAY Sports takes a look at the top quarterbacks going into the 2026 high school football season.
Today’s horoscope: Aries - don’t mix business with pleasure (Aug. 4, 2026)
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Cole Sprouse, 34; Dylan Sprouse, 34; Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, 45; Barack Obama, 65.
Kennedy, Oz Contend Fraud Crackdown, Not Skyrocketing Prices, Led Millions To Leave Obamacare
Rising premiums forced many people in Affordable Care Act plans to give up their coverage. But the Trump administration claims a huge drop in enrollment is almost entirely due to its fraud crackdown.
Alabama Crimson Tide WR is Already on Transfer Watch
This Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver could be facing a do or die season in 2026.
Alabama Was Called Cheap; Now Its Strategy Looks Smart
While rivals chase high-priced transfers, the Crimson Tide prioritizes roster continuity. This calculated shift toward internal stability over flashy recruiting hauls marks a new era for sustaining dominance.
Alabama’s Tuskegee University demands students wear business suits, bans certain headwear in controversial new dress code
Who is Kathryn Ruemmler? Former Obama White House attorney interviewed about Epstein emails
Ruemmler called Epstein, whom she first met in 2014, a “masterful liar” in her opening remarks to the panel, adding that she didn’t see evidence of criminal conduct by Epstein.
Hope Florida Foundation hires political firm linked to pro-Moody Super PAC
The Hope Florida Foundation moved its records into the same Alabama building that houses the super PAC backing Senator Ashley Moody’s campaign.
Alabama business selling hotdogs and sushi has new location
If the menu at New South Eats is wrong, we don't want to be right.
Strengthening the rural workforce: East Alabama Health tackles nursing shortage
Apprentice programs at East Alabama Health cover nursing and other crucial roles , including medical coders, scrub techs and CNAs
Clinton, Obama-era Democratic heavyweights Penn and Emanuel rip NYC's Mamdani over taxes, Israel, blast DSA
Democratic power players Mark Penn and Rahm Emanuel publicly criticize NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani over his property tax plan and Israel positions.
Obama makes one of his first midterm endorsements with a basketball video
The former president is trying to help Josh Turek net a Senate seat in Iowa, which Democrats see as one of their best pickup opportunities of the midterms.
Obama Endorses Josh Turek in Iowa Senate Race With Basketball Video
The former president is trying to help Josh Turek net a Senate seat in Iowa, which Democrats see as one of their best pickup opportunities of the midterms.
Jumbo Package: Athlon pegs Alabama football 7th in the SEC
Your latest Crimson Tide news and notes.
'Demon cavefish' discovered under WWII chemical weapons facility in Alabama
Introducing demon cavefish (Demogorgonichthys arcanus); the rare eyeless predators that have been hiding in plain sight below a military base for decades.
Former Auburn star, Alabama Sports Hall of Famer, dead at 85
Lanett native started in Super Bowl I for Kansas City Chiefs
Alabama's Kalen DeBoer Sets the Record Straight After Recent Backlash
Alabama Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer has set the record straight on some comments he made that resulted in fan backlash.
Alabama adds commitment from top 2028 linebacker prospect
The Crimson Tide received a commitment from a premier pass rusher.
Jumbo Package: Alabama adds 4-star EDGE to 2028 class
Your latest Crimson Tide news and notes.
Alabama already stacking blue-chip commits in 2028 cycle
The third season of the Kalen DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa is almost underway and conversations about Alabama football remain as heated as ever. After signing a pair of top-six recruiting classes in each of his first two cycles, DeBoer and his staff are far from the top of the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings in […]
Former Alabama Crimson Tide Player Blasts Kalen DeBoer
A former Alabama Crimson Tide player has taken quite a shot at Kalen DeBoer.
Kalen DeBoer's Alabama Future Lands Resounding Take From Insider
Is it possible that the Alabama Crimson Tide could part ways with Kalen DeBoer after 2026?
CBS affiliate changes impact NFL fans in multiple markets
NFL fans in several U.S. television markets will have to turn to a different channel to watch their games, as CBS and Nexstar announced major changes to the network affiliations of several local stations. The changes will affect fans in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Jackson, Mississippi; Bismarck, North Dakota; Birmingham, Alabama; Greenville, South Carolina; and Rapid…
A day in the life of Caitlin Clark: All-Star business as usual, Barack Obama's presidential perspective and 'Studbudz' shoutouts
At her third All-Star in as many seasons, Caitlin Clark is garnering more attention than ever.
Alabama endures major roster turnover from 2025
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — Less than 50% of Alabama’s 2025 roster is back with the Tide this season. One group bucking that trend, however, is the defensive back room. “The more time we’ve spent together, we’ve been able to communicate more,” cornerback Zabien Brown said. “You don’t have to spend as much time, you know, […]
Rising healthcare costs are reshaping Ohio's midterm elections
A drop in Obamacare enrollees has raised concerns about healthcare costs.
Conan O’Brien shares the hilarious yet painful reason why he has a new hairdo (exclusive)
Conan O’Brien is finally addressing his new hairdo, revealing that the slicked-back look is the result of a sunscreen mishap at the Obama Presidential Center event.
Jumbo Package: Alabama next up at SEC Media Days
Your latest Crimson Tide news and notes.
Appeals court rejects Biden's bid to block release of audio from memoir ghostwriter interviews
Joe Biden disagrees with an appeals court's rejection of his effort to block the release of audio recordings of his interviews with a memoir ghostwriter.
Jumbo Package: Alabama Basketball adds a 7-footer for 2026
You wanted big men? Nate Oats got a BIG man
Alabama health officials report 28 cases of Cyclospora amid national outbreak
The Alabama Department of Public Health has reported 28 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the state as of July 20, as part of an ongoing national outbreak.
3 storylines for Alabama football entering 2026 SEC media days
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is likely to speak on a variety of topics at 2026 SEC media days, most notably the Crimson Tide's quarterback battle.
Former Jack Daniel’s Cooperage closes in Alabama
Alabama Cooperage, previously known as Jack Daniel's Cooperage, will close in September, resulting in 71 job losses.
As Trump toys with disaster aid, Congress eyes FEMA change
New Jersey, snubbed for $84 million in aid after damaging cold, is among Democratic states turned away by a Republican president
AOC channels Obama's "Hope and Change" message
She's broadening her pitch beyond revolutionary democratic socialism ahead of a potential run for president.
This Is The Alabama’s Biggest Question Entering 2026
Alabama enters the 2026 season with expectations as high as ever, but unlike many recent Crimson Tide teams, there is one glaring question that could determine whether Kalen DeBoer’s third season ends with a College Football Playoff run or another disappointing finish. Can Alabama finally establish a consistent running game? The numbers from last season…
ARKANSAS A-Z: Black men’s business league embraced economic advances
The Arkansas Negro Business Men's League was created by prominent Black business and professional leaders at a meeting in Little Rock on Dec. 31, 1902-Jan 1, 1903. The state organization grew out of the National Negro Business League, created in 1900 and headed by Booker T. Washington, principal of Alabama's Tuskegee Institute and one of the most prominent spokesmen for Black communities at the time.
Indiana Finally Gets Anticipated Final Answer on 5-Star Recruit
After months of battling to land one of the best players in the nation, Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti comes through again with an incredible achievement.The Hoosiers have been in a recruiting battle for five-star standout wide receiver Monshun Sales. Indiana was going up against schools like Alabama, Texas, LSU, and Ohio State.Ultimately, at […] The post Indiana Finally Gets Anticipated Final Answer on 5-Star Recruit appeared first on HEAVY.
Health Brief: Trump’s Obamacare gamble hits court trouble
Plus: A federal advisory panel is facing scrutiny over members’ ties to peptide products
Alabama students show significant gains in science proficiency; reading, math results mixed
By Andrea Tinker, Alabama Reflector Alabama students made significant improvements in science proficiency on this year’s Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) standardized test, while the picture was somewhat more mixed on reading and math scores. According to data released by the Alabama State Department of Education on Tuesday, science proficiency went up for fourth, sixth […]
Alabama state health officer receives 7% raise
The raise, a 5% performance-based raise and a 2% cost-of-living adjustment, amounts to an increase of about $16,800, for a total salary of $352,800.
Students show progress in science across Alabama
Alabama students made strong gains in science and improved in all three tested subjects in eighth grade, according to preliminary statewide test results presented Tuesday (July 14).
Alabama students post large science gains, overall eighth-grade scores improve
Alabama students posted strong gains in science, improved eighth-grade achievement and higher ACT scores, according to preliminary statewide assessment results presented Tuesday.
Alabama state employees could see health benefit changes amid 'difficult choices'
Changes could be presented to the State Employees Insurance Board (SEIB) in September, CEO Stephanie Azar said.
Biden will publish 'Promise Me, America' memoir after the November midterm elections
The timing of the book — two weeks after midterm elections in which Democrats seek to regain control of Congress — could raise concerns within Biden's party by putting him back into the spotlight.
The States Try to Topple WarnerMount…Thus Begins the Local Antitrust Era
(Welcome to the “Most Important Story of the Week”, my bi-weekly strategy column analyzing the most important (but often not buzziest) news story of the last two weeks. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. Please subscribe.) Well, it looks like it’s time for another strategy column. Can I finally avoid writing about M&A? No, it seems I cannot. Admittedly, I’m a week early with this column, since I usually put it out every other week. But this news couldn’t wait. This will make three “Most Important Stories” in a row with a merger or acquisition as its centerpiece. First, Roku-Fox (an acquisition), then Comcast-NBCUniversal (a divestment!), and now the State AGs and the WGA’s lawsuits against Paramount’s pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery (antitrust). M&A is usually the “most important” topic any given week, simply because a giant company merging or breaking up (or preventing those outcomes) can have the biggest impact on the streaming board. If you think about these companies as players in a game, changing the number of players is one of the biggest changes you can make. I shouldn’t really complain, either, since this lawsuit is very good news for customers and suppliers (econ speak for talent, workers and indie studios in Hollywood). So let me answer some questions about this potential trial, along with (shudder) making some heavily caveated predictions. I’ll also look at whether Hollywood must consolidate, whether or not the states can win, trouble at X-Box, Netflix’s YouTube binge, and more. Plus, I have five images that visualize this merger and the harm, including three brand new data looks you’ve never seen before. Subscribe Most Important Story of the Week - Can The States and the WGA Stop Hollywood’s Consolidation (Crisis)? If every other newsletter and news outlet is writing about the same story, I try to avoid writing about it as well, but I can’t ignore a story this consequential. The story of the last year was the fate of Warner Bros. Discovery, and this development potentially extends that saga into 2027. As I tried to figure out my angle, I realized, like my last column, I’m again faced with a series of questions. These questions, though, are much more forward-looking. Will the states win? Will the WGA win? If so, what happens to Warner Bros. Discovery? Either way, will this chill the market for future mergers? So you know what that means: predictions. About the future, no less, the hardest thing to predict.1 Just remember: nothing here comes with a guarantee. And the more confident someone is in their predictions, the less you should trust them. This situation is incredibly fluid, nuanced, uncertain and tenuous. So let’s try to explain what may happen. Question: Why File this Lawsuit? I’ll admit, a few months back, I was fairly pessimistic about the fate of this lawsuit. Rumors had started bubbling up that the state Attorneys General (in particular California) wanted to settle with either some minor divestments (usually CNN) or behavioral remedies. And that tracked for me: the states usually settle lawsuits, like the recent John Deere right-to-repair suit. Yet, they plan to fight this. (As they did the LiveNation-Ticketmaster monopolization trial and the Nexstar-Tegna merger.) Honestly, that also makes a ton of sense. Frankly, this move is just good politics for these State AGs. Most are still running for higher and higher office in blue states—some folks have emphasized that only Democratic AGs joined this suit, but given the Ellison/Trump ties, and fears of retribution, that tracks—and a high profile case like this will help them move up the electoral ladder, especially since Paramount and its leadership (the Ellisons, father and heir) have sided with the other side of the political aisle. That makes them unsympathetic to Democratic voters and Hollywood workers in particular. Why did this lawsuit happen? In addition to the very real concerns about industry consolidation, this is why. That said, I don’t think we would have seen this lawsuit for Netflix and Warner Bros., simply because they’re more sympathetic and aligned with Democrats. But those consolidation concerns are real. The “town”—meaning Hollywood and such—really is seeing the damage of mergers on this industry. That’s why the WGA also filed its own lawsuit in defense of workers as well. (Wildcard: What about Europe? Will they try to stop the deal, too? There have been some rumors out of the UK they may try to fight the deal, and UK enforcers just stopped a Getty Images-Shutterstock tie up, so there is precedence. This argument could go either way, though. On one hand, the EU doesn’t need to step in, cause they states are handling it. On the other hand, this could make the EU’s case easier. Just imagine if both sides coordinated. I’ll simply say, “We’ll see!”) Question: Will The State AGs or the WGA Win? Can the state AGs play David to Paramount-Skydance’s Goliath here? That’s really the whole thing, isn’t it? If you know this result, you could make a lot of money. When things are uncertain, it’s tempting to shrug and say, “Eh” meaning it’s a 50/50 proposition. I wouldn’t, though. When in doubt, you should expect that the merging parties succeed. AT&T did successfully buy Warner Bros., after all, and Disney bought Fox without any challenges. Many judges are extremely sympathetic to mergers, and I’d bet the state AGs get a judge who will allow the merger. (Even Obama-appointed judges often allow mergers.) As I understand it, we’ll see two main attacks. First, theatrical films. The AGs are arguing that, when it comes to share of box office and the number of both “wide releases” and blockbuster (or “tentpole”) films, the merging parties will have over 27% market share. Now, the Supreme Court once ruled from on high that any merger that exceeds 30% is presumptively illegal, but that’s guidance, not an ironclad bar. Still, the states will have to argue that this is close to having too much power, and with that power, this will likely further worsen the theater/studio splits in particular. Indeed, as Matthew Stoller pointed out, “just five studios are responsible for 95% of all blockbusters; if this merger goes through, then Paramount and Disney will control 60% of that.” So yes, movie studios will be very concentrated after this merger. Want me to visualize some of that? Well, here’s the share of films that grossed over $200 million at the domestic box office since 2022. (Note: this isn’t all films released in over 3,000 screens, but it is a good look at market power.) First, here are the 43 films by studio: Notice all the blue (Disney), orange (Universal), and purple (Warner Bros)? Yeah, those studios are powerful, and this combines Paramount with one of them. Here’s the look by studio and share of the films that grossed over $200 million: Now, if you look at that and also think, “Huh, should we break up Disney?” I’m with you. I’ve seen some folks poo-poo this idea that this is a real category, but it is! For an upcoming article, I’ve been pulling data on the share of top 100 films at the box office as a share of total box office, and it’s massive. Here’s the chart: (This analysis looks at The-Number’s top 100 films and total domestic box office each year.) To be clear, tentpoles make up 80.7% of the box office each year, so I do think it’s a genuine market. (To be clear, films grossing over $50 million make up 80% of the domestic box office, and films grossing over $100 million make up 64.1%.) I mean, the top 100 films at the box office make up 95% of each year’s grosses. Worse, the combined studios will likely cut output to flex that market power. Everyone can just look at what happened to Disney and Fox to see the precedent. (With fewer films, the remaining theaters have to give more for those few films that remain.) Here’s an image I’ve used a lot, the share of wide-release films from Disney and Fox over time: The AGs will also argue that this consolidation will also impact the cable industry. In this case, the consolidation is actually worse, but that environment is…complicated. Paramount will argue that the cable industry is shrinking. That said, predictions that cable will “go to zero” also don’t look very well supported by the data, as the declines are shrinking, meaning “cable” or “vMVPDs” will likely stabilize at some point. Can the state Attorneys General win on those two main arguments? I honestly don’t know. Again, I’d bet no, since history in general supports that, but it depends on the judge/jury and how they interpret the arguments. Notably, Paramount won’t face accusations about monopoly power in other areas, like streaming, news, sports rights, or vertical integration. I tend to disagree with leaving out sports rights, but I also see the appeal for a simpler case. The states also aren’t really pushing novel theories about labor harm either, which should help. (By the way, Sean McNulty at The Ankler wrote a great run through of potential options, and Capitol Forum also wrote a great paper on theatrical consolidation. Both these pieces predated the lawsuit. Matthew Stoller is also out with his analysis of the pros and cons of the case too.) In some ways, the WGA’s case is even stronger. Quoting Sean McNulty’s summary: “The WGA is citing WARNAMOUNT as crossing a 30% market share in multiple sectors, a number that the Supreme Court has precedent for deeming “presumptively anticompetitive” in a market. According to the WGA numbers, WARNAMOUNT would have represented: - 35% of film writing jobs between 2021 and 2024 - 36% of TV writing projects between 2022 and 2025 - 38% of overall deals between 2021 and 2024” Notably, antitrust enforcers did win recently in the Penguin-Simon & Schuster merger by focusing on labor impact, so don’t count this thinking out. (Wildcard: Will the states try to get a jury trial? Most likely no, they’ll let a judge handle it. If I’m them, though, I’d try to put this in front of a jury. Juries tend to understand monopoly power in a more realistic way than judges faced with legions of economists.) Question: What if They Win? What if They Lose?
WATCH: House lawmakers speak ahead of Kathy Ruemmler interview in Epstein probe
Kathryn Ruemmler, the former top lawyer at Goldman Sachs who was White House counsel to President Barack Obama, said Wednesday in testimony to Congress that it “was a mistake to deal with” Jeffrey Epstein but insisted she never witnessed criminal activities.
Former Obama White House attorney says ‘it was a mistake’ to deal with Epstein and she regrets it
Former Obama White House counsel Kathy Ruemmler said she regrets interacting with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and believes now it was a mistake, according to opening remarks she delivered to House committee investigators as part of a closed-door interview.
You Don’t Need to Vote for Socialists to Get Universal Health Care
Critics on the left and the right are, for different reasons, obscuring the Democratic Party’s long commitment to this cause.
Alabama students make big gains in science, improve across eighth-grade tests
Since 2023, eighth-grade proficiency has climbed from 50% to 59% in English language arts and from 21% to 27% in math.
Preliminary ACAP test scores show improving science, stagnant ELA and math scores
The Alabama State Board of Education is sharing preliminary data on spring 2026 test scores for the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP).
Preliminary ACAP test scores show improving science, stagnant ELA and math scores
The Alabama State Board of Education is sharing preliminary data on spring 2026 test scores for the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP).