A ceasefire between the United States and Iran appeared in jeopardy on Monday after the U.S. said it had seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade and Tehran vowed to retaliate, refusing for now to join new peace talks.

<p>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;</p>

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. 

<p>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.</p>

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. 

<p>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.</p>
<p>Resources</p>
<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.

Labeled "far-right" and "ultraconservative" by the Spanish-speaking mainstream media, López Aliaga must be doing something right. Known as "Porky" - due to his resemblance to the cartoon character of the same name - he unhesitatingly embraced the nickname as an integral part of his campaign identity.

What would you name as your greatest blessing? The warm laughter of loved ones gathered around a table? The fulfillment of a dream job that aligns with the longings of your heart? Perhaps it's a sun-drenched vacation that left your soul refreshed, or a material good you treasure. From a Christian perspective, these gifts shimmer with beauty - but they pale like morning mist when we turn our gaze to the eternal. Our salvation alone stands as the greatest gift we could ever receive - undeserved and lavish. And from that fountain of grace, blessings pour into our lives in ways we never anticipated and certainly never earned.

On Sunday, April 12, the presidential elections kicked off in Peru, featuring a field of 35 candidates. Thousands of citizens turned out to vote early. In most locations, they did so without incident. However, by nearly 4:00 p.m. that day, close to 13% of the polling stations in Lima - the capital and the country's most populous city - had not yet been set up, according to the NGO Transparencia Perú. The same situation occurred at polling stations designated for voters in the U.S. states of Florida and New Jersey, where members of the Peruvian diaspora were set to participate in the electoral process.

A progressive initiative to undermine the U.S. Constitution conquered another state last Monday when Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) signed into law a measure joining her state to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC). Under the NPVIC, a state's delegates are pledged to support the winner of the national popular vote, whether or not that candidate won that state. The NPVIC scheme will only take effect once participating states control 270 electoral votes - its members currently control 222 - enough to win the Electoral College. It would ensure that the winner of the popular vote becomes the next president, thus nullifying the Electoral College in all but form.

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.

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

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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Ceasefire at Risk after U.S. Seizes Iranian Ship, Iran Shuns Peace Talks

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The Electoral College and the Popular Vote

Young Men Are Becoming Increasingly Religious, Polling Confirms

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