In this episode of BrightPath, hosts Lisa Jones and Johnnie Aycock sit down with Dr. Katherine L. Chiou, Associate Professor of Anthropology at The University of Alabama and Co-director of the Artificial Intelligence Teaching Enhancement Initiative. They explore how AI is reshaping higher education, research, and the workforce. The conversation examines whether AI is helping humans think more critically or simply work faster, and what it means for learning when students rely on AI to write, research, and solve problems. Dr. Chiou also discusses the importance of responsible AI use and ethics as these technologies influence innovation, hiring, and everyday life.

Lacey and Dr. Jurgenson continue their chat about retirement planning, starting with audience questions and ending on what the professor wants everyone to know about retirement!

This week, Don reviews Her Name Was Judy by Tracie L. Blackmon.

You may think your cat understands you when you talk to it - and you may be right!

In this episode of BrightPath, hosts Lisa Jones and Johnnie Aycock welcome Dr. Jeremy Carr, Central Alabama Community College Chemistry Instructor, to the studio to discuss the power of student-driven discovery, why microgravity is the ultimate laboratory, and what this means for the future of scientific innovation. They dive into an incredible student-led research project happening right here in Alabama. From sparking curiosity in the classroom to designing and defending a real space experiment, they explore how undergraduate students are taking science from the lab bench to low Earth orbit.

A year ago, commentator Cam Marston was plotting his escape from a job he’d come to hate. This morning, he tells us what changed, and why it’s made these commentaries harder to write.

If the very mention of the phrase “retirement planning” makes you shudder, you’re definitely not alone—2026 survey data from the National Institute on Retirement Security says somewhere between 40 and 55 percent of Americans feel unprepared for or lack confidence in having stability in their retirement years. Another survey says 47% of America’s workers believe they’ll never be able to fully retire. Here to hopefully dispel some anxiety is Dr. Jesse Jurgenson, an Assistant Professor of Practice within the Texas Tech University School of Financial Planning. He formerly spent three years teaching at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa as a personal finance pro before heading to Lubbock.

What does it take to turn Alabama politics into cartoons? Mostly patience, Pink Floyd playlists and waiting for someone to act up. Tune into our latest Quick-Fire Quips with "moderately disturbed" editorial cartoonist JD Crowe to hear the stories behind his most memorable sketches. Plus: iconic sunsets and tiki bar vibes at Fairhope's American Legion Post 199, his go-to road trip snack, how his art landed in the Baseball Hall of Fame before Pete Rose, and why you should check out the local Story Slam at The Book Cellar.

This week, Don Reviews "Beneath a Fallen Sky" by Scott Gould.

Beau’s Law is Alabama’s first statewide statute establishing minimum care requirements for dogs kept outdoors. It is in effect NOW!