The Muppets' creator, Jim Henson, started his career in advertising, developing characters for coffee commercials and later for other products. This experience allowed him to build a creative team and eventually produce the Muppet Show, a groundbreaking variety show that became a huge success. The story of the Muppets is a testament to American perseverance and creativity, showcasing how art and commerce intersect. [... more]

A woman's journey from childhood abuse and sex industry involvement to faith, redemption, and healing, as she finds purpose in helping others escape similar situations through her outreach group, Treasures. [... more]

Herman Melville's life reads like his books, full of adventure, color, and penetrating genius. He's now considered America's Shakespeare, but his high esteem today is far from the reality he experienced during his lifetime. Melville's experiences in the Marquesas Islands marked him for the rest of his life as a man who had lived among the cannibals, and they also provided material for his first book, Taipei. He was rescued by an Australian whaling ship and signed on as a seaman, earning his keep working odd jobs and eventually enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Melville's 14 months on board would become the basis for his fifth book, White Jacket. He returned to New York and to his distinguished family, but his education never ceased, and he devoured every book he could get his hands on. Melville's experiences and writings would go on to shape American literature, and he would become a master of fiction, but his reputation fell into the dumpster during his lifetime, and he died almost anonymously. [... more]

President Donald Trump's 2026 State of the Union address highlighted several key issues, including the economy, tariffs, and the impact of AI data centers on utility grids. He also discussed the housing shortage, immigration, and the need to prevent large investment firms from purchasing single-family homes. Additionally, the president called for legislation to bar states from granting commercial driver's licenses to illegal aliens and highlighted the case of Irina Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who was murdered on the Charlotte Light Rail. [... more]

In 1996, John Leonard sued Pepsi over a promise to deliver a Harrier jet for 7 million Pepsi points. The case weaved through court systems for three years before a judge ruled in Pepsi's favor, stating that a commercial is not a contractual offer and the commercial was clearly tongue-in-cheek. The case has become a staple in law schools, offering an entertaining look into the infinite gray area of contract law. [... more]

Carl Merlantis shares a story of his time growing up in the Pacific Northwest, working with his grandfather in the logging industry and salmon fishing, and learning valuable lessons about coolness under fire and the importance of family. [... more]

A safety crackdown in North Carolina removed nearly 2,000 unqualified drivers and vehicles from roads and highways. The state is facing concerns over commercial driver's licenses, with a federal audit finding 54% of non-domiciled licenses did not meet federal requirements. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is proposing revised math standards to better align with workforce needs, and the state is investing in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity initiatives. Additionally, a new partnership between federal and state agencies is providing a significant financial and operational boost to Western North Carolina's recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. [... more]

Keegan Michael Key discusses his upcoming Super Bowl commercial with State Farm, where he plays a character who gets penalized for triple pumping in the end zone. Rich Eisen and his guests predict the outcome of Super Bowl 60, with some predicting a close game between the Patriots and Seahawks. [... more]

A criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has been opened by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, focusing on the renovation of the central bank's Washington headquarters and whether he was truthful in congressional testimony about the project. Meanwhile, a federal audit in North Carolina found that over half of commercial driver's licenses issued to foreign nationals did not comply with federal law, putting the state at risk of losing tens of millions of dollars in federal highway funding. Additionally, a controversy surrounding student loans for nursing graduate programs has sparked a debate over affordability and accessibility of higher education. [... more]

North Carolina's finances are heading in the right direction in the new year, with a $20 billion reduction in total debt, according to State Treasurer Brad Breiner. The state's economic outlook for 2026 is also strong, with experts predicting a 2.6% increase in real GDP. However, a major political scandal is rocking the state, with federal officials threatening to pull nearly $50 million in federal funding due to issues with commercial driver's licenses issued to foreign nationals. [... more]

Jesus' birth in Bethlehem fulfilled over 300 specific prophecies in the Hebrew scriptures about the promised Messiah. He came to show us the Father, to satisfy the prophecies of the Old Testament, and to save us from our sin by becoming a God-man who could pay the penalty for our sins on the cross. [... more]

Tony Sarg was a remarkable commercial artist and entrepreneur who invented the first mechanical puppets, known as marionettes, and revolutionized the field of puppetry. His innovative designs and techniques led to the creation of the iconic balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which he designed and produced from 1924 to 1942. Sarg's legacy extends beyond his work on the parade, as he also popularized folktales and stories that became classics, influencing the work of Walt Disney and other notable artists. [... more]

A shocking arrest exposes a hidden crisis on America's highways, where a wanted terrorist from Uzbekistan was able to obtain a commercial driver's license and work as a truck driver, highlighting a broader issue of states issuing licenses to individuals who are not authorized to be in the United States. Meanwhile, a federal court has blocked a new rule aimed at restricting illegal immigrants from getting commercial driver's licenses, and California is canceling 17,000 licenses issued to individuals who are no longer authorized to be here. The ACLJ is fighting to protect the rights of churches and pastors in Colorado who are being targeted for doing good work in their community. [... more]

The rise of Islam in America and its potential impact on the country's future is a topic of concern for many Christians. With the election of a Muslim socialist as mayor of New York City, some are warning of a growing threat to American values and the Christian worldview. International journalist Alex Newman joins the discussion, highlighting the importance of understanding Islamic theology and the role of globalism and socialism in promoting Islamic expansion. He also touches on the growing anti-Israel sentiment on the right and the need for Christians to be aware of the threats to their values and freedoms. [... more]

Financial teacher Ron Blue explores the disconnect between what people say and do about money, revealing that expecting money to fix problems or fill hearts is a recipe for disappointment. He notes that true wealth isn't measured in net worth, but in contentment, and that freedom and joy come from trusting God as provider, not paycheck. The solution lies in realizing it's not our money, but God's, and that our trust should shift from our finances to the Lord Himself. [... more]

A woman in Florida claimed her husband Eminem would pay her bill at a diner, leading to her arrest. Truck drivers are sounding the alarm about non-English speaking commercial drivers on the road. LifeLock offers tips to prevent identity theft, and a study found psychopaths have bigger brains in a certain area. A Canadian musician modified the Canadian anthem's lyrics to include 'native land', sparking controversy. Major League Baseball and the Dodgers tweeted about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's attendance at a game, leading to backlash. [... more]

In the early 1920s, a 19-year-old radio tech named Lester Wolfe dropped out of high school to work at WOK radio in Homewood, Illinois. He was fascinated by the new electronics-based industry of radio broadcasting and spent every hour he could at the local radio station. Tragically, Lester's life was cut short when he was electrocuted while trying to fix a faulty circuit at the station. His death led to a fundraising effort to build a monument in his honor, but it ultimately fell through. Today, Lester is remembered as the first martyr to radio. [... more]

Mean Joe Green, a 13-season NFL player and 10-time Pro Bowler, was known for his intimidating persona, but a Coca-Cola commercial changed his life, making him more approachable and a role model for kids. [... more]

Hiram Percy Maxim, a Renaissance man, revolutionized multiple industries, including automobiles and firearms, by inventing the silencer, a device that suppresses sound, and his design was initially marketed as a civilian product for sporting guns, but it became highly regulated in 1934, and today, it's a requirement to have a muffler on cars, but putting one on a firearm requires a lengthy background check and a significant tax stamp. [... more]

The use of genetic optimization software to select embryos based on intelligence and health raises concerns about eugenics and the commodification of human life. From a Christian perspective, every human being is eternally valuable and carries the divine imprint of God's image, regardless of age, health, or stage of development. [... more]