Newly released polling data has confirmed what many pastors and churchgoers have long suspected: young men are bucking the cultural trend of declining religiosity and returning to the church in droves. A Gallup survey released Thursday revealed a remarkable surge in young men saying that religion is "very important" to them, with data from 2024-2025 showing 42%, a 14-point increase from 2022-2023.

All eyes are on the shifting political landscape of the state of Virginia. Although she ran as a moderate, newly elected governor, Abigail Spanberger, has proven to be more left leaning than she originally let on. Host Casey Harper is joined by FRC Action's Matt Carpenter and The Washington Stand's Mark Tapscott to discuss the political bait and switch happening with Virginia's newly elected governor. The three analyze the suggested state redistricting, potential policy outcomes, and the governor's very low polling numbers.&nbsp;

All eyes are on the shifting political landscape of the state of Virginia. Although she ran as a moderate, newly elected governor, Abigail Spanberger, has proven to be more left leaning than she originally let on. Host Casey Harper is joined by FRC Action's Matt Carpenter and The Washington Stand's Mark Tapscott to discuss the political bait and switch happening with Virginia's newly elected governor. The three analyze the suggested state redistricting, potential policy outcomes, and the governor's very low polling numbers. 

Has Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) officially been shut down or has it simply been renamed? Host Casey Harper is joined by the director of research at the National Association of Scholars, David Randall, to discuss the current state of DEI within our culture. The two break down how DEI views the world through power and group identity, why younger generations keep pushing it forward, and how schools may be keeping it alive by changing names instead of removing it.

Has Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) officially been shut down or has it simply been renamed? Host Casey Harper is joined by the director of research at the National Association of Scholars, David Randall, to discuss the current state of DEI within our culture. The two break down how DEI views the world through power and group identity, why younger generations keep pushing it forward, and how schools may be keeping it alive by changing names instead of removing it. 

As America nears its 250th birthday &ndash; the country is at a crossroads. The founders had a vision for this country, but is that vision still alive? Still relevant? Host Casey Harper is joined by professor and author, Dr. Matthew Spalding, to reflect on America&rsquo;s past and future. The American founders put their lives on the line to protect truth and freedom. Today&rsquo;s America looks very different than 1776, and many are wondering if the country will ever fully turn back to the founding ideals? Are the Constitution and Declaration of Independence still relevant? The two dive deep into those questions as well as details of the founding documents and the impact of the relationship between revelation and reason.
Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=making+of+american+mind&amp;adgrpid=186568886379&amp;hvadid=779574346066&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvexpln=0&amp;hvlocphy=9007525&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvocijid=251889339430468950--&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=251889339430468950&amp;hvtargid=kwd-2474603217821&amp;hydadcr=20586_13321904_2281773&amp;mcid=fd5dcbc13dcf3dd6ba987880ad62c7f3&amp;tag=googhydr-20&amp;ref=pd_sl_i6it6npza_e">The Making of the American Mind: The Story of Our Declaration of Independence</a> by Dr. Matthew Spalding</li>
</ul>

As America nears its 250th birthday - the country is at a crossroads. The founders had a vision for this country, but is that vision still alive? Still relevant? Host Casey Harper is joined by professor and author, Matthew Spalding, to reflect on America's past and future. The American founders put their lives on the line to protect truth and freedom. Today's America looks very different than 1776, and many are wondering if the country will ever fully turn back to the founding ideals? Are the Constitution and Declaration of Independence still relevant? The two dive deep into those questions as well as details of the founding documents and the impact of the relationship between revelation and reason.

<div>Nigerian Christians are being targeted and killed -- and their government is doing nothing about it. Host Casey Harper is joined by Nigerian native and founder of Stefanos Foundation, Mark Lipdo, and Family Research Council&rsquo;s Arielle Del Turco to shed light on the brutal persecution of Christians in Nigeria. For many, the threat of an attack from radical Islamist groups is simply part of their daily lives. Mark shares his story, explaining why he founded the Stefanos Foundation and what life is like for Christians in Nigeria. With jihadists being the main aggressors towards Christians, the three address the very real and dangerous reality for Christians in Nigeria and what America can do to help end the violence.</div>

Nigerian Christians are being targeted and killed -- and their government is doing nothing about it. Host Casey Harper is joined by Nigerian native and founder of Stefanos Foundation, Mark Lipdo, and Family Research Council's Arielle Del Turco to shed light on the brutal persecution of Christians in Nigeria. For many, the threat of an attack from radical Islamist groups is simply part of their daily lives. Mark shares his story, explaining why he founded the Stefanos Foundation and what life is like for Christians in Nigeria. With jihadists being the main aggressors towards Christians, the three address the very real and dangerous reality for Christians in Nigeria and what America can do to help end the violence.

On today's news brief: The Strait of Hormuz is officially open, the U.S naval blockade of Iran will remain in place, at least for now until the deal is 100% done, NATO countries have finally come around and were ready to aid the U.S. in reopening the strait, but its a little too late, RFK Jr.'s comments that the Biden administration had been discriminating against Christian families by requiring families to affirm the LGBT agenda to receive foster kids and lastly, the U.S. House and Senate passed measures this morning to extend a law on government spy powers for two weeks to give more time for negotiations.

On today's news brief: The Strait of Hormuz is officially open, the U.S naval blockade of Iran will remain in place, at least for now until the deal is 100% done, NATO countries have finally come around and were ready to aid the U.S. in reopening the strait, but its a little too late, RFK Jr.'s comments that the Biden administration had been discriminating against Christian families by requiring families to affirm the LGBT agenda to receive foster kids and lastly, the U.S. House and Senate passed measures this morning to extend a law on government spy powers for two weeks to give more time for negotiations.

One of the U.S. Supreme Court's most stalwart conservative voices is warning that progressive ideology is incompatible with America's founding principles and poses an existential threat to the nation's continued existence. Justice Clarence Thomas spoke at the University of Texas Austin Law School on Wednesday, hailing the school's upcoming program focused on civics and the history of Western civilization. "Your plans could not come at a more important moment for our nation when, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the very values announced in it have fallen out of favor," Thomas told leaders, teachers, and students of the law school.

Mississippi has banned the prescription and distribution of abortion-inducing drugs, one of the most common methods used to terminate a pregnancy in the United States, even in states with strong laws restricting abortion.

An Indiana school district has agreed to pay nearly $200,000 to settle a complaint from a counselor who was fired for publicly opposing a gender identity student policy. School counselor Kathy McCord sued the South Madison Community School Corporation after being fired for refusing to follow a policy that required staff to conceal from parents that their child identified as the opposite sex while at school. 

"A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as U.S. forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East," announced Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), on Wednesday. "U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going in and out of Iran by sea." After Iran illegally threatened commercial traffic through one of the world's busiest maritime throughfares, the U.S. military is finally giving Iran a taste of its own medicine - and the early results are splendid.

When GOP leaders braced themselves for the trip back to D.C. after recess, they expected a mess - just not this one. In the last 48 hours, a full-blown ethics crisis has gripped the Hill, triggered by revelations that Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) was likely guilty of sexual misconduct, harassment, and "predatory behavior" against staffers and other women. But the Californian's fall from grace is far from the only scandal consuming Congress right now, as a string of other allegations of everything from fraud, theft, domestic violence, and extramarital affairs overshadow members. The distractions aren't what House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) had in mind for hitting the ground running in April, but with the disgrace threatening to upend Washington, inaction isn't an option.

Editorial Director and Senior Writer, The Washington Stand

Sometimes, the best deal that can be reached is none at all. After a 21-hour marathon session on Saturday, Vice President J.D. Vance and a U.S. delegation walked away from negotiations with Iranian officials in Islamabad, Pakistan, after the Iranians rejected a "final and best offer," Vance told reporters. In response to the Iranian regime's refusal to compromise, President Donald Trump directed the U.S. to increase pressure on the regime by blockading all Iranian ports.

Senior Writer, The Washington Stand

Every night for the past six weeks, cable news has assembled its panels - retired generals and decorated pilots breaking down the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, the missile exchanges across the Gulf, China's shadow role in arming Tehran's defenses. Confident. Credentialed. And often missing the most critical part of the picture.

Senior Fellow for National Security

Ask any Virginian what day they're most looking forward to this month, and they'll probably say April 22. That's when the constant barrage of political ads over the state's redistricting measure will finally stop. For weeks, voters have been fed a steady diet of disinformation about the ballot initiative being decided next Tuesday, featuring everyone from Barack Obama to gray-haired veterans. It's about "fairness," the Left argues - if by "fairness," they mean handing complete control of the Commonwealth to Democrats.

President Trump didn't enter into this conflict with Iran for the world's applause - and it's a good thing, because there isn't any. The international media, followed by a surprising parade of global leaders, have spent the last several weeks shaming the administration's decision to neutralize the nuclear threat that a regime of Islamist madmen poses to the planet. Regardless of what public opinion has to say, a lot of Christians are probably trying to understand if his decision was the right one.

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Young Men Are Becoming Increasingly Religious, Polling Confirms

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April 17, 2026

Clarence Thomas Lambasts Progressivism as a Threat to America’s Founding Principles

Mississippi Bans Abortion Drugs as ‘Continuing Threat’ of Mail-Order Abortions Plagues States

School Counselor Wins Almost $200K over Firing for Opposing Trans Policy

U.S. Naval Blockade Seals Iranian Coast

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OUTSTANDING PODCAST

Virginia is on the Brink (Ep. 239)

Did DEI Really End? (Ep. 238)

At a Crossroads: America's 250th (Ep. 237)

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