Nation

(RNS) — The Trump administration’s announcement that it would once again slash refugee admissions to the United States to unprecedented lows was met with outcry by refugee resettlement groups — many of which are faith-based.

The good news: Food insecurity in the U.S. declined in 2018 to pre-recession (2007) levels. The bad news: 11.1% of households (14.3 million) remained food insecure -- 13.9% among U.S. households with children.

(RNS) — In the wake of reports alleging objectionable rhetoric and conduct by Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., about 200 students at the evangelical Christian school gathered at a protest on campus Friday (Sept. 13).

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- John Schnatter, founder of Papa John’s, announced a $1 million gift to Simmons College of Kentucky today (Sept. 4), declaring, “Supporting Simmons College is a better investment to build a better community.”

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- "After the assessments we will know what kind of help we need [in the Bahamas]," Baptist Global Response Executive Director Jeff Palmer said. "It might involve medical help, food, water, shelter -- you can imagine what the needs might be based on a storm like this."

According to a Gallup report, approval of unions among U.S. adults 64 percent, the highest support level since 2003 and the third year in a row that approval was above 60 percent. A decade ago, support was at its lowest since polling began, at 48 percent. This is the highest support level since 2003 (65%) and the third year in a row that approval was above 60%.

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico (BP) -- With Hurricane Dorian missing the island of Puerto Rico, it now is making its way northward. The National Hurricane Center projects the storm will gain strength, potentially becoming a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall in Florida early Monday morning (Sept. 1).

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico (BP) -- Current projections from the National Hurricane Center have the Tropical Storm Dorian making landfall on the southwestern side of Puerto Rico around 8 p.m. Wednesday evening (Aug. 28). Preparations are underway, two years after the destruction of Hurricane Maria here and the Virgin Islands.

NEW YORK (AP) — When Donald Trump assumed the presidency, conservative religious leaders drew up "wish lists" of steps they hoped he'd take to oppose abortion and rein in the LGBTQ-rights movement. With a flurry of recent actions, Trump's administration is now winning their praise for aggressively fulfilling many of their goals.

(RNS) — In the early 2000s, Jeff Sharlet responded to an invitation he thought would fit in a book he was writing about religion in America. Instead, he stumbled into the story of a lifetime, about a secretive Christian group whose membership has helped shaped our politics for more than 50 years.