Alabama’s “Back to School” Sales Tax Holiday is this Weekend
Alabama’s annual “back to school” sales tax holiday starts on Friday. That’s when the state waves its 4-percent sales tax on school related items. Many counties and cities drop their sales taxes too.
It represents a chance for parents to save but it’s also a big weekend for stores.
Kim Anderson is co-owner of the children’s clothing store Favorite Laundry in Birmingham. She hopes the sales tax holiday will bring the store new customers. To prepare, she’s making sure her staff understands the ins-and-outs of the tax-free weekend.
“We’re making sure we know the requirements, obviously, of what is going to be tax free, what does not count,” says Anderson.
Eligible items include school supplies, clothing, books, computers and computer accessories. The Alabama Retail Association predicts Alabamians will spend about $1.1 billion on back-to-school shopping. The sales tax holiday starts Friday and runs through Sunday.
Photo by Lyn Lomasi 
The U.S. labor market remains solid, with employers adding 147,000 jobs last month
U.S. employers added 147,000 jobs in June as the unemployment rate dipped to 4.1%. Job gains were concentrated in health care and state and local government.
Jenny Han is an expert in embarrassment
Jenny Han feels close to her teen self, which explains why her books and their adaptations connect with teen audiences. She spoke with Rachel about the potency of shame and what she's selfish about.
In theaters now: A post-apocalyptic thriller, a steamy noir and, yes, dinosaurs
The newest Jurassic installment is roaring into theaters. Meanwhile, Danielle Deadwyler is determined to defend her family's land in the post-apocalyptic thriller 40 Acres.
House Republicans expected to pass President Trump’s massive budget bill by July 4
House Republicans cleared a final procedural hurdle early Thursday and are now one vote away from passing President Trump's sweeping tax cut and spending bill before a self-imposed July 4 deadline.
What happens to Sean Combs now?
The hip-hop mogul's legal saga has reached an uneasy outcome. Despite a tainted legacy and severed business ties, does his acquittal on the most serious charges leave room for a return?
GOP governors stay silent amid plans to slash Medicaid spending in their states
In 2017, when President Trump tried to repeal Obamacare and roll back Medicaid coverage, Republican governors rallied against it. Now, as Trump tries again to scale back Medicaid, they've gone quiet.
