by Bob Smietana (RNS) In the wake of Hurricane Ida, faith-based disaster relief groups are assessing damage, setting up mobile kitchens and preparing to send skilled volunteers to Louisiana, Mississippi and other states hit hard by the storm. Those groups began putting equipment and supplies into place before Ida made landfall on Sunday (Aug. 29) and have kept in constant … [Read more...] about Faith-Based Disaster Relief Groups Balance COVID Safety With Speedy Response to Hurricane Ida
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FBI: U.S. Hate Crimes in 2020 Soared to Their Highest Level Since 2008
(Relevant) The FBI says that in 2020, hate crime reports soared to their highest levels in 12 years, mostly fueled by attacks that targeted Black and Asian people. It was another grueling narrative to add to a year that suffered from a divisive presidential election, a frustrated response to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic tumult. All told, the FBI tallied 7,759 hate … [Read more...] about FBI: U.S. Hate Crimes in 2020 Soared to Their Highest Level Since 2008
Belief in ‘Eternal Life’ Is Why People in MS Are ‘Less Scared’ of COVID, Says Governor
(ChurchLeaders) Mississippi governor Tate Reeves told attendees at a fundraiser last week that the reason why people in Mississippi and elsewhere in the South are not as afraid of COVID-19 as people in other areas is because of their belief in eternal life. “I’m often asked by some of my friends on the other side of the aisle about COVID,” said Gov. Tate … [Read more...] about Belief in ‘Eternal Life’ Is Why People in MS Are ‘Less Scared’ of COVID, Says Governor
U.S. Won’t Seek Death Penalty in California Synagogue Shooting
SAN DIEGO (AP) Federal prosecutors said they will not seek the death penalty for a 22-year-old former nursing student charged in a deadly shooting at a Southern California synagogue on the last day of Passover. The decision was disclosed Monday in a one-sentence court filing in federal court in San Diego. It comes less than two months after U.S. Attorney General Merrick … [Read more...] about U.S. Won’t Seek Death Penalty in California Synagogue Shooting
Southern Baptists Prepare Response To Massive Hurricane Ida
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) Sixteen years to the day after Katrina’s historic landfall, Hurricane Ida arrived in Port Fourchon, La., around noon Sunday (Aug. 29) as a Category 4 storm. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) teams will start assessing damage and preparing their response today. With 150 mph winds, Ida is one of the strongest storms to hit the mainland United States. … [Read more...] about Southern Baptists Prepare Response To Massive Hurricane Ida