The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts are coming at a high price for public school districts in Florida, the Orlando Sentinel reported. “Statewide, school enrollment is expected to be down by about 46,000 students this year. State demographers, in a January…
Hale’s new book leads churches toward relationship and trust
Congregations can become so focused on formalities and outward appearances that they forget the importance of seeking connection through stronger relationships, said Andy Hale, author of Mending the Fracturing Church: How to Navigate Conflict and Build Trust for Thriving Communities….
Muslim inmates awarded damages from Missouri prison abuse
Eight Muslim inmates pepper sprayed while praying in a Missouri prison have been awarded $667,000 in damages by a federal jury. The judgment stems from a 2023 lawsuit that accused correctional officers of assaulting the men as they prayed together…
Ivey commutes death sentence of man who didn’t kill anyone
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey commuted the death sentence of 75-year-old Charles “Sonny” Burton to life without the possibility of parole March 10. He was scheduled to die two days later by nitrogen gas. Burton has spent three decades on Death…
Only 15 Texas districts opt in for prayer and Bible reading
All but 15 of more than 1,200 Texas school districts and charters rejected a state law that encourages students and staff to pray and read the Bible during the school day, The Texas Tribune reported. Religious liberty advocates described the…
Rapidly passed Kansas law targets trans residents
A new Kansas law requires the driver’s licenses of transgender people to match their sex at birth and restricts them to using public bathrooms corresponding to their assigned gender. Senate Bill 244 initially went into effect Feb. 26, shortly after…
DOJ wants to use money due Hispanic victims to increase deportations
A proposed settlement of a Texas property scam lawsuit would divert $20 million from Hispanic victims of the scheme to immigration enforcement in the very community where consumers were swindled. In response, a coalition of immigration advocacy, civil rights and…
Once again, Young Republicans caught in racist chat group
A racist, homophobic and antisemitic online forum for young Republicans in South Florida has conservative politicians working hard to distance themselves from the controversy. The Miami Herald and The Floridian reported March 5 on the leaked WhatsApp group chat —…
Congressmen demand release of Dreamers wrongly detained
Three Democratic members of Congress joined immigration advocates in demanding the release of detained Dreamers just hours before one of the targets of their ire, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, was fired by President Donald Trump. The virtual…
Faith and social justice groups argue for contraception coverage
Dozens of faith and social justice groups have stepped up to support the plaintiffs in a protracted lawsuit filed to preserve the reproductive care rights of workers and college students. Filed in 2017, Pennsylvania v. President of the United States…
Report documents local law enforcement becoming ICE extensions
About 77 million U.S. residents now live in counties where local law enforcement agencies have been contracted and trained to conduct immigration enforcement actions on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to a new report. The number of state…
Once again, judge knocks down Noem’s secrecy
A federal judge has temporarily suspended the latest Trump administration policy requiring members of Congress to give seven days’ notice before inspecting immigration detention facilities. The March 2 order by U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington, D.C., covers all…