Sen. Josh Hawley writes for First Things: America as a Christian nation—that’s a heretical notion by today’s lights. We are a secular country, the experts have insisted—demanded—for decades. But that was never true. The Founders read Roman historians, yes. Some were influenced by Enlightenment philosophies. But the Bible has been the main source of our national ideals. From the age …

The Associated Press reports: A Wisconsin judge ruled Friday that the state’s top elections official is legally holding her position and that the commission that appoints her is under no obligation to name a new leader, handing yet another defeat to Republicans who have tried to oust her. Meagan Wolfe has been the subject of conspiracy theories and targeted by …

“There are two groups that are impacted when it’s gonna be this cold. Young voters, 18 to 29-year-olds, are less likely to vote in inclement weather. Their turnout is always suspect. And in a Republican event, the average age of a caucus voter, frankly, is deceased. Now, the other group that is affected by it are those over age 70 …

The Baltimore Banner reports: Whether it’s a textbook or a library book, it won’t be allowed in Carroll County Public Schools if deemed sexually explicit by school officials. That’s thanks to a new policy passed unanimously by its school board Wednesday. The vote came after a monthslong campaign by the conservative parent group Moms for Liberty, whose members challenged dozens …

Politico reports: A federal judge on Friday rejected a bid to require Florida Democrats to hold a presidential primary in March. Florida’s Democratic primary was scuttled because President Joe Biden was the lone candidate certified to state election officials. It was a decision that rankled other Democrats, including Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) who is challenging Biden and called it “intentional …

The Associated Press reports: Iowa and New Hampshire are about to kick off the 2024 presidential nominating process, but Sen. Joe Manchin said Friday it won’t become clear until March whether there’s a path for a third-party candidate. He visited New Hampshire just before the Jan. 23 primary, and though he insisted his only goal was to promote his new …

“The American people have a choice to make. In this circumstance, they have a rare, historically unusual chance to choose between two presidents. They have a chance to choose between order and lawlessness. They have an opportunity to choose between putting America first or America last. Choose order over chaos. And so, whether you agree with him on every point …

“There’s a story in the Washington Post today, 60 degrees below normal, parts of Montana, where we were married, minus 40 degrees. This is the Washington Post. So, I just want to know of Mr. Kerry, whatever happened to global warming? “Why hasn’t there been front page stories? I mean every time you get a little heat wave or every …

“When DeSantis signed the book law, I supported the theme because there was abuse going on in Florida. There were far-left progressive people trying to impose an agenda on children, there’s no doubt about it. And the state has an obligation to protect children. But the wording of the law was far too nebulous in Tallahassee. So, that law needs …

The Messenger reports: The last time Dr. Ben Carson was stumping in Iowa’s Republican presidential caucus for himself, he was the target of a dirty trick by a rival campaign that informed voters he had dropped out. Eight years later, Carson recalled the incident in a video message Friday night to Donald Trump supporters. “Be on the lookout for dirty …

“The left’s latest obsession with forcing this so-called diversity, inclusion standards on America, it’s shredding the standards of excellence in everything from business to academia, even in the military. Now, in some settings when DEI comes first and merit second, this may mean needless American deaths and a lot of them. Boeing recently bragged, not about being the best in …

Variety reports: “Oppenheimer” is coming soon to NBCUniversal’s Peacock, allowing viewers to experience the three-hour historical epic from the comfort of their own homes. Christopher Nolan’s award-winning blockbuster, starring Cillian Murphy in the title role, will stream on Peacock beginning on Feb. 16, nearly seven months after its July 21, 2023, theatrical release. In addition to “Oppenheimer,” Peacock will also …

“DEI is just a rebranded version of hating white people, hating people who are part of this country, part of the West. The truth is that, for this person, you know, if you are, as you said, white, able-bodied, heterosexual, all that, you’re privileged. “But the truth is people who are part of the DEI officers, I mean, they make …

The New York Times reports: Marijuana is neither as risky nor as prone to abuse as other tightly controlled substances and has potential medical benefits, and therefore should be removed from the nation’s most restrictive category of drugs, federal scientists have concluded. The recommendations are contained in a 250-page scientific review provided to Matthew Zorn, a Texas lawyer who sued …

Rolling Stone reports: Andrew Torba, Gab’s CEO, first previewed his company’s AI agenda in a Jan. 2023 post declaring that “Christians Must Enter the AI Arms Race.” Torba added: “If the enemy is going to use this technology for evil, shouldn’t we be on the ground floor building one for good?” One year later, what does “good” AI look like …

Mediaite reports: MyPillow founder Mike Lindell claimed this week that Fox News “canceled” his company from advertising on the network, but a source told Mediaite his bedding company’s ads have been put on pause over a failure to pay its bills. Lindell still hasn’t paid for any MyPillow ads aired on the network since August 2023. The circumstances were communicated …

The far-right Washington Free Beacon writes: President Joe Biden told Pennsylvanians on Friday that he works for the government in the Senate, a comment likely to fuel concerns about the gaffe-prone president’s mental fitness. “My name’s Joe Biden. I work for the government in the Senate,” said the 81-year-old president as he met employees at a coffee shop in the …

New Haven’s Fox affiliate reports: Former Derby Alderman and mayoral candidate Gino DiGiovanni Jr. has entered a guilty plea for his involvement in the January 6 insurrection. DiGiovanni pleaded guilty Friday to one count of Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds. The crime carries a maximum sentence of one year of imprisonment and a fine of $100,000. …

CNN reports: President Joe Biden on Friday said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a lapse in judgement by not notifying him of his hospitalization, but White House officials made a point in emphasizing Austin remains heavily involved in military decision making. Touring an Allentown, Pennsylvania-area coffee shop, Biden was asked by reporters whether Austin’s delay in informing him about his …

Vice News reports: In You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment, a new documentary airing on Netflix, New York City mayor Eric Adams promotes not taking medication for diabetes and instead adopting a whole-foods, plant-based diet—a potentially deadly recommendation rejected by both the director of the documentary and the expert who designed the study on which it’s centered. In …