Three parents are appealing the dismissal of a lawsuit contending Florida violated their constitutional right to contest the removal of books from public schools. The target of the initial lawsuit and the appeal is a 2023 state law providing a…
Trump administration ordered to admit pre-screened refugees
The Trump administration has been ordered by a federal judge to admit about 12,000 refugees whose arrival plans were canceled when the president took office in January. U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead in Seattle said his order includes refugees from…
‘Protecting the right to vote is protecting every other right we have as citizens’
Standing up for voting rights is essential in pushing back against the social and political chaos consuming the nation, activist Moya Harris said during a July 15 organizing webinar. “Protecting the right to vote is protecting every other right we…
Trump 2.0: Hymn sings, prayer meetings and ‘biblical’ deportations
Pentecostal pastors laying hands on the president in the Oval Office. Prayers to open cabinet meetings. Hymn sings in the Roosevelt Room. Cross necklaces as faith-forward fashion statements. A prayer meeting at the Pentagon. Such public expressions of faith are…
Kendi’s latest project is to teach kids about Malcolm X
In his latest project, Ibram X. Kendi is on a mission to help the next generation know and understand the work of Malcolm X. Kendi already is known as a modern-day interpreter of the present moment through a historical lens,…
Florida pastor arrested and deported by ICE
A Florida congregation is reeling after its pastor was arrested by federal immigration agents and deported to Guatemala. The Tampa Bay Times reported Maurilio Ambrocio, 42, was expelled to his native country July 2 after being detained by Immigration Customs…
Trump policies and actions are more cruel than last time, panelists report
The “volume and viciousness” of President Donald Trump’s legal and policy actions against marginalized communities has far outpaced the cruelty displayed during his first term, said Cecillia Wang, national legal director of American Civil Liberties Union. “The Trump administration came…
Wes Campbell resigns from Gospel Music Association board after Tait sex abuse allegations
Wes Campbell has resigned from the Gospel Music Association board after allegations that Newsboys Inc. helped cover up sexual abuse committed by former Newsboys frontrunner Michael Tait. Campbell is the owner of Newsboys Inc., which was dropped from its record…
Evangelical firebrand John MacArthur dead at 86
American fundamentalism has lost its prophet. John Fullerton MacArthur Jr., 86, died July 14 after a series of illnesses left him hospitalized. Having served the nondenominational Grace Community Church of Sun Valley, Calif., for 55 years, MacArthur acquired a truly…
Commandments crusading Texas attorney general accused of adultery
The Texas attorney general who has fought to get the Ten Commandments posted in every public school classroom has a problem with No. 7, according to his wife, who has filed for divorce “on biblical grounds.” Last year, Ken Paxton…
Trump will deport 70,000 Nicaraguans and 4,000 Hondurans
The Trump administration is rescinding the Temporary Protected Status of about 70,000 Nicaraguans and 4,000 Hondurans. The Department of Homeland Security published notices of the terminations in the Federal Register July 8. The move follows similar actions this year against…
Progressive group apologizes for using Billy Graham footage against Trump
A progressive political group that used footage from the late Billy Graham’s sermons to critique his son Franklin’s embrace of candidate Donald Trump and promote the Christian faith of candidate Kamala Harris has apologized and pledged not to do so…