A North Carolina House Select Committee is recommending broad changes to the state's mental health and criminal justice systems to reduce violent incidents and address untreated mental illness. The committee aims to improve access to mental health services, increase the mental health workforce, and enhance data collection and sharing between state agencies. [... more]

North Carolina's rural healthcare system is on unstable footing, with hospital leaders warning of potential closures due to financial strain. The state legislature is considering a $213 million plan to stabilize and transform care in rural areas. Meanwhile, a lawsuit is underway challenging the Trump administration's tariff policies, with multiple states, including North Carolina, joining the suit. Additionally, wildfires are burning across the state, with agricultural officials warning of the risks facing communities statewide. [... more]

A statewide burn ban is in effect in North Carolina due to drought severity and forecast fire weather, with six major wildfires burning across the state. Meanwhile, recovery efforts continue in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, with some areas seeing progress and others still facing significant challenges. North Carolina's Republican congressional delegation is urging the Department of Homeland Security to clear administrative bottlenecks that have delayed FEMA aid for Hurricane Helene. Additionally, a state audit has found delivery gaps in the ABC system, which generates over $1.4 billion in revenue annually, despite meeting cost accuracy and safety performance indicators. The audit recommends improvements to the system, including developing contingency plans and establishing improved fleet maintenance schedules. [... more]

Pastor Greg Laurie discusses the importance of faith and family in Christianity, highlighting the lives of Jesus' disciples, including Peter, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, and Judas Iscariot, and how their experiences can help us understand God's love and forgiveness. [... more]

Building habits that last requires intentionality, a plan, and accountability. A budget helps automate goals and steward what God has entrusted. Real lasting change requires spiritual power, not just willpower. Sticking to a budget may feel restrictive, but Scripture assures us that discipline produces peace, stability, and a life aligned with God's wisdom. [... more]

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight held a field hearing in Charlotte to discuss victims of violent crime, focusing on repeat offenders and the effectiveness of the judicial system in preventing crime. Witnesses shared personal stories of loss and highlighted the need for reform in the bail system, citing the case of Irina Zaruska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was murdered by a 14-time repeat offender. The hearing also touched on the importance of public safety, mental health issues, and crime prevention, with lawmakers and witnesses calling for changes to the current system to hold offenders accountable and protect communities. [... more]

Living with faith and integrity in finances brings peace, contentment, and joy. Committing to manage money God's way requires surrender, trust, and perseverance. Biblical principles guide financial decisions, and wise stewardship involves deploying God's capital into investments that align with values, solve problems, and meet needs. [... more]

Foreign stocks may be poised for a comeback as the US stock market has become richly valued and foreign stocks look relatively cheap. Factors such as government spending trends, inflation, and interest rates are shifting in favor of foreign markets, making them an attractive option for investors looking to diversify their portfolios. [... more]

God's love for his people is a weighty concern, as seen in the book of Malachi, where he reminds them of his covenant faithfulness and love, despite their doubts and spiritual drift. Through Malachi's prophecy, God warns his people of the dangers of performance-based religion and encourages them to return to him, trusting in his enduring love and faithfulness. [... more]

When we try to fill in God's gaps, we often end up in trouble. We become impatient with God's timing and try to take matters into our own hands, leading to consequences that can be difficult to escape. God creates gaps in our lives for our protection, correction, and preparation, and He always reserves His best for those who are willing to wait and walk in simple childlike faith and obedience to a loving Father. [... more]

Aligning your giving with God's heart involves understanding the geography of giving, the causes that God cares about, and developing a giving strategy that reflects your values and priorities. [... more]

The discussion revolves around the Second Amendment, gun control, and Joe Biden's speech on the topic. The G7 summit is also discussed, focusing on immigration, climate change, and energy security. Additionally, the conversation touches on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority. [... more]

Coming to know God and His plan for our lives is part of the privilege and challenge of living the Christian life. Pastor Greg Laurie points out how we should feel free to approach God for help in sharpening our understanding and deepening our faith. He discusses the different personalities of Jesus' disciples, including Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John, Thomas, and Judas Iscariot, and how they relate to our own experiences and struggles with faith and doubt. [... more]

Lebanon is facing a humanitarian crisis with many families living in poverty, creating a unique opportunity for ministry. A non-denominational Christian organization, Heart for Lebanon, is providing basic necessities and sharing the gospel with those in need. The organization's Hope Ministry Center is welcoming families fleeing the conflict and offering them physical and emotional support, as well as introducing them to the hope found in Jesus Christ. [... more]

Sharon Epps shares a giving portfolio approach that aligns with God's Word, helping individuals evaluate their giving in light of their passions and biblical principles. She discusses how to treat giving like a portfolio, with multiple buckets and purposes, and how to apply this approach to real-life situations. [... more]

A discussion on the importance of intentional fatherhood and male formation, highlighting the consequences of helicopter parenting and the benefits of a 'severing dinner' to guide young men into productive manhood. [... more]

Understanding the Bible requires approaching it faithfully, believing it, honoring it, loving it, obeying it, fighting for it, and proclaiming it. The Bible demands that we study it, let its word dwell in us richly, and know its truths to live a life of righteousness and avoid sin. [... more]

To truly understand the Bible, one must close the gaps of language, culture, geography, and history, which can hinder an accurate interpretation of God's Word. By studying the original languages, understanding the cultural and historical context, and grasping the geography of the biblical world, individuals can gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and complexity of Scripture. [... more]

The Biden administration's decision to sue Arizona over its border barrier has raised concerns about national security, the fentanyl crisis, and the impact on American citizens. The lawsuit comes as Title 42 is set to expire, potentially leading to a surge in illegal immigration. Arizona's Republican Governor Doug Ducey has offered to remove the shipping containers if the federal government commits to permanently filling in the remaining gaps at the border. [... more]

Growing up without a father can leave deep emotional scars, but the gospel offers a powerful message of healing and redemption. By understanding God's fatherly love and spending time in scripture, individuals can begin to heal from the pain of fatherlessness and find a deeper sense of identity and purpose. [... more]