Podcasts about General assembly

Join Jim and Greg for the Tuesday 3 Martini Lunch as they discuss Twitch streamer Hasan Piker's love and admiration for Mao Zedong, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's threat to have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested, the U.S. Treasury stopping nearly $100 million in payments bound for dead people, and Daniel Ortega scrapping elections in Nicaragua for good.First, Jim and Greg react to a clip of Hasan Piker calling the Chinese communist dictator Mao Zedong "one of the great leaders of this world" and "a man who changed the entire universe," insisting he never has and never will criticize him. Jim and Greg remind us that Mao's Great Leap Forward starved tens of millions of his own people to death in what's considered the deadliest famine in history.Next, they dig into Mamdani saying on a New York Times podcast that Prime Minister Netanyahu "belongs in The Hague" and wanting to arrest Netanyahu if he visits the city for September's U.N. General Assembly. Jim says the mayor has no legal authority to do so, and President Trump has already said that Netanyahu will not be taken into custody on American soil.Then, Jim and Greg welcome some good news as the Treasury stopped nearly $100 million in payments to deceased recipients, more than triple what was caught before Trump returned to office. The Treasury says its new verification system could stop up to $350 million in fraudulent payments before the year is out. Jim and Greg agree that while this may be a drop in the bucket compared to the national debt, any improvements should be celebrated.Finally, they cover Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega abolishing elections, effectively extending his term indefinitely and closing off any path for the opposition to take over. Jim and Greg note the 80-year-old has been around for decades. The Reagan administration famously supported the Contra freedom fighters against Ortega's Sandinista government in the 1980s.Please visit our great sponsors: BetterHelpDon't let stigma stand in the way of support. Start therapy with BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLLarinecoRight now, Larineco is offering our listeners up to 50% off at https://BuyLarine.com/3MLNew episodes every weekday. 

North Carolina's hemp industry has largely been unregulated, but that may soon change, and this multi-billion-dollar sector of our state's economy hangs in the balance. A federal law banning intoxicating hemp products is scheduled to go into effect in November and the General Assembly is considering its own prohibitions. A look at what this may mean for the industry and the 16,000 people working in it.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss the state of the race to replace Graham Platner as the Democratic candidate for Senate in Maine and South Carolina's race for the GOP Senate nomination following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Then, RCP White House correspondent Carolina Lumetta joins the guys to discuss the Administrations' reaction to four American deaths in the Iran War over the weekend, and President Trump's appearance at the final game of the World Cup on Sunday. And finally, they discuss New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's statement on whether New York Police will try to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the U.N. General Assembly in September, New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's first address since taking office, and the politics of the new film version of The Odyssey. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the recent General Assembly

One of the most notable bills to pass in the General Assembly this year was Senate Bill 9 — the Wetlands Stewardship Act. Once signed by Gov. Matt Meyer, this law will protect half of Delaware's freshwater wetlands that were previously shielded from development by the federal governmentThis week, Delaware Public Media contributor Jon Hurdle took a closer look at the bill, how it got to the finish line and its expected impact. He joined Tom Byrne this week to discuss his reporting.

On this episode of APTN News InFocus, we're bringing you the latest edition of the Truth & Politics podcast. Each week on APTN National News, our Truth & Politics panelists sit down with our hosts Dennis Ward to discuss important topics affecting Indigenous Peoples in the news. On this episode, the Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly has now come to an end after a busy couple of days. As we've been reporting, major projects, residential school denialism and the wildfire situation were among the big topics. Joining Dennis Ward to discuss are Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press and Alessia Passafiume, an Anishinaabe Parliament Hill reporter with the Canadian Press. Listen to more episodes and follow the podcast here: https://podfollow.com/truth-and-politics • • • APTN National News, our stories told our way. Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

Political and economic power is increasingly moving toward the South as corporations relocate, populations grow and Southern leaders gain more influence in Washington. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy speak with Democratic strategist Howard Franklin about his new report, Accelerating South: Risks, Rewards and the Road Ahead. Franklin explains how migration, business investment and a new generation of governors could reshape the region and Georgia's place within it. The conversation also examines the debate over data center growth, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens' second-term priorities and the possibility that Georgia could elect a Democratic governor while Republicans retain control of the General Assembly. Tia and Patricia then assess how Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson are repositioning themselves for the general election, and what Democrats still want to see from the Bottoms campaign. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In May, the Rhode Island House of Representatives elected a new leader. Chris Blazejewski, a Providence Democrat, is now House Speaker, a role many call the most powerful job in state government. He joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to talk about his priorities for the General Assembly. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Rev. Everett Henes, Moderator of this year's General Assembly, reflects on moderating the Assembly and the place and importance of ruling elders participating in the higher assemblies.GA Reports on various subjects can be found here.This year's GA had 87 ministers and 52 ruling elders, for a total of 139 voting members.Everett's Recommended BooksCarl Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution, Crossway, 2020.J C Ryle, Thoughts for Young Men, Banner of Truth.Bryan Chapell, The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times, Zondervan, 2011.

America's Work Force Union Podcast brings together two conversations that capture the labor movement's momentum heading into a consequential fall election season. First, Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga joins fresh from the AFL-CIO's 30th Constitutional Convention in Minneapolis, where delegates voted to set a new organizing target of 2 million new union members by 2032 after surpassing the previous goal of 1 million. Burga reports on a broad wave of organizing activity across Ohio spanning healthcare, construction, higher education, hospitality, libraries, museums and the arts, with recent wins including workers at Jeni's Ice Cream, United Academics of Ohio University and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. He also addresses the ongoing challenge of securing first contracts after organizing wins and what Ohio workers should watch for when the General Assembly returns from summer recess and the lame duck session begins after November's elections. Then, CWA District 4 Administrative Director Frank Mathews discusses a ratified four-year contract for approximately 300 DirecTV customer service workers across Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Minnesota and Colorado, delivering compounded wage increases of 13.4% and preserving health care after workers voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike in April. Mathews addresses the growing difficulty of protecting health care at the bargaining table, describes a roughly tenfold increase in CWA organizing activity since COVID and details the CWA's new Fighting Oligarchy political education training rolling out across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan ahead of November's elections. Visit ohioaflcio.org for Ohio AFL-CIO updates and cwa-union.org for more from CWA District 4.

A Bridgewater College political scientist will give a talk about authoritarianism... New gun laws passed by the General Assembly are facing legal battles... Congressman John McGuire will face one of three Democrats in the race for Virginia's 5th District... and a Grammy-wining Richmond Jazz drummer has been named as the artistic director for the Newport Jazz Festival...

In 2026, the General Assembly passed laws making numerous changes to municipal elections, including standardizing election days, limiting municipal election commissions to larger cities, and limiting dates for special elections. Municipal Association General Counsel Eric Shytle and Associate General Counsel Sara Weathers discuss the impacts.

In this compelling episode of The Doron Keidar Podcast, Doron sits down with Edmund Fitton-Brown — former British Ambassador to Yemen, ex-UN Coordinator of the Security Council's Monitoring Team on ISIS, al-Qaeda, and the Taliban, and current Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).They dive deep into the United Nations' toxic and disproportionate obsession with Israel — from biased resolutions and endless condemnations to the systemic double standards that undermine the organization's credibility.Edmund also exposes how China is actively reshaping the UN General Assembly into an anti-Western bloc, forging alliances that threaten democratic values, Western influence, and the rules-based international order.If you want to understand the hidden dynamics driving global diplomacy, anti-Israel bias at the UN, and the strategic power plays reshaping the world stage, this is a must-listen.Topics: UN bias against Israel, China's influence in the General Assembly, international diplomacy, counter-terrorism insightsAvailable now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.Share this episode if you care about truth, fairness, and defending Israel on the global stage.Connect with Edmund Fitton-Brown here:https://www.fdd.org/team/edmund-fitton-brown/X: @EFittonBrownhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/87abb2e7d5295986If you're interested in the Middle East, Israel, geopolitics, and the war of ideas, this conversation is for you.Support The Doron Keidar Podcast on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/cryforzionn

It's Thursday, July 9th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus 2026 Global Persecution of Christian Index released International Christian Concern released its 2026 Global Persecution Index. The report highlights 20 countries where Christians face persecution. These countries include China, Cuba, India, Iran, and Nigeria. The report also put a spotlight on leaders of countries where persecution is worsening. These leaders include Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The report noted, “Despite mounting repression, Christianity continues to grow in unexpected places.” Examples of this include the Iranian house church movement and China's underground churches. Hebrews 13:3 says, “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Christian British nurse, who affirmed biological accuracy, left alone The United Kingdom's Nursing and Midwifery Council dropped its case against a Christian nurse last week. Jennifer Melle worked at a hospital in London. In 2024, she used biologically-accurate pronouns with a patient who was pretending to be the opposite sex. She then faced suspension and an investigation. Thankfully, the nursing regulatory body has ended its case against her.  Melle commented, “Regulators should protect patients from real harm, not punish nurses for holding Christian beliefs, speaking truthfully about biological sex, or raising serious concerns in the public interest.” Trump: Ceasefire with Iran is over after Iran attacked ships in Strait The United States carried out retaliatory strikes on Iran yesterday. The strikes came hours after Iran attacked commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The Trump administration also restored sanctions on Iran's oil sales. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he considers the ceasefire with Iran to be over.  Listen. TRUMP: “They're vicious, violent people. If they had a nuclear weapon, they'd use it. As far as I'm concerned, it's over. I'll speak to our negotiators. They want to negotiate. They're good people: Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner. But they have to come back to me. As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them.” Ban on Planned Parenthood funding expired last week The federal government's ban on Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood expired last week. Congress passed legislation last year that cut the funding for just one year. As a result, dozens of Planned Parenthood locations have closed since then. However, the abortion giant can now resume its reimbursement from Medicaid. Some Republican lawmakers are calling for another bill to defund Planned Parenthood.  Call your Congressman at 202-225-3121 and ask him or her to vote to continue to defund the abortion giant Planned Parenthood. If you don't know who it is, click here and type in your zipcode. Young Men's Christian Assoc. allows men in women's locker rooms Parents are calling on the Young Men's Christian Association to change its transgender policies. The publicly-funded organization allows men, pretending to be women, in women's bathrooms and locker rooms.  The American Parents Coalition says this violates a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The decision affirmed that Title IX protections in federal law are based on biological sex. The coalition stated, “The YMCA has ignored parents' concerns for far too long while maintaining policies that undermine the privacy, safety, and fairness Title IX was enacted to protect.” Plus, it violates the group's stated vision which was to put Christian values into practice by developing a healthy body, mind, and spirit. Send a polite, 2-sentence letter of objection to the president of the Young Men's Christian Association and ask them to live up to their name and their Biblical founding by opposing this transgender insanity. Suzanne McCormick, President, Young Men's Christian Association, 101 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (Write to your local YMCA and object as well). Trump's tariffs led to Toyota announcing $3.6 billion U.S. expansion Toyota is expanding its manufacturing in the United States. On Monday, the Japanese car maker announced a $3.6 billion expansion in San Antonio, Texas. This will move some of its production from Mexico to the U.S. It will also bring about 2,000 new jobs to the Lone Star State. This expansion comes after the Trump administration imposed tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts.  Presbyterian Church U.S.A. defends transgender surgeries for kids The largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States supported transgender surgeries last week. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA voted 441-30 in favor of an overture known as “On Access to Healthcare.” The measure defends body-mutilating surgeries for people, including children, who pretend to be the opposite sex. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 says, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” Christian US soccer player: “I'm just trying to bring people into His light.” The American men's soccer team lost to Belgium on Monday. The game knocked the U.S. out of the 2026 World Cup. Despite the loss, players on the U.S. team continued their practice of praying together on the field after the game. Player Mark McKenzie led the prayer, having become a spiritual leader on the team.  He told The Athletic, “The Lord is at the center of it all. He is the main purpose. … And I'm just trying to bring people into His light in some way.” Worldview listeners weigh in from Washington and North Carolina Rachel Lundberg in Washougal, Washington wrote, “I like The Worldview because It allows me to feel like I'm aware of important things going on without having to spend so much time watching other news and sorting it out or wondering if it's true. I almost always just read it in my email and then I share certain parts with my kids and family. “My 13-year-old son recently wanted to subscribe with his own email so he can read it on his own. I also love when there is an action step to send an email or letter. Makes me feel like I can make a difference. Thank you!” Wow! I loved that last comment, Rachel.  I gave you two suggested action steps today. I hope you follow through on them.  I agree with you.  It feels empowering.  I always try to write or call myself every time I recommend it to you. And Chris Smith in Columbus, North Carolina wrote, “I've been a listener now for 10 years. I've become a vocal and financial supporter as well.  In this current era, it's very difficult to find the truth about what is going on to our fellow Christians in the world without doing a lot of digging. “Since I first found you on Sermon Audio, I've become an addict of your newscast. It's a part of my weekday morning routine to read or to listen to The Worldview. I especially appreciate your correlation to Scripture in two of your stories, your encouragement to keep praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters, and how we can help them financially.” 9 Worldview listeners gave $1,590 on Wednesday And finally, on Wednesday by 7:00pm Central, 9 Worldview listeners stepped up to the plate and invested their treasure to fund the six-member team behind The Worldview for another 365 days. Our thanks to Augustine in Auburn, California and Hope in Big Lake, Minnesota – both of whom gave $20. We were touched by the generosity of Janet in Canton, Illinois, Janice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Hannah in San Jose, California – each of whom gave $100. And we're grateful to God for Melinda in Indianapolis, Indiana who pledged $10/month for 12 months for a gift of $120, Adam in Gile, Wisconsin who gave $150, Tom in Spokane, Washington who pledged $40/month for 12 months for a gift of $480, and Nancy in Flagstaff, Arizona who gave $500. Those 9 gifts add up to $1,590. Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please. (drum roll sound effect) $19,288 (sound effect of people cheering) That means we have just 2 days to raise $11,587 to hit our $30,875 goal by tomorrow at 12 midnight on Friday, July 10th.  To be honest, that is going to be a challenge. But with God, all things are possible. Since the beginning of this month-long campaign to fully fund the six-member Worldview team for another year, the greatest number of donations has been 15. Let's double that today!  Would you consider choosing to be 1 of 30 people to step up to the plate with a one-time gift or a monthly pledge? That would help us to get significantly closer to our $30,875 goal by tomorrow, Friday, July 10th, at 12 midnight. Go to TheWorldview.com, click on Give, select the dollar amount, and make sure to click on the “recurring” button if that's your wish.  This Christian newscast champions the truth and a Biblical worldview. Invest in it today for another 365 days. I'm reminded of the words from the prophet Isaiah who said, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!'” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, July 9th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

When a client suffers a major loss, the last thing they want to deal with is a claims process bogged down by miscommunication and a lack of empathy. If your agency is simply acting as a middleman passing emails back and forth, you aren't adding value - you are just in the way.My guest, Clayton Matthews, Director of Strategic Claims Advocacy at Oakbridge Insurance, joins me to discuss why the claims experience is the ultimate "moment of truth" for an agency. Clayton shares his unique background, from interning in politics to spinning records as a late-night DJ, and how reading a dance floor translates perfectly to reading a room during a catastrophic loss. We discuss the friction points between adjusters and producers, the power of letting a client tell their story, and why you don't need a four-year degree to learn empathy. If you want to understand how a proactive claims strategy can save your biggest accounts and set your agency apart, this episode is a must-listen.▶▶ Sign Up For Your Free Discovery Callcompletegameu.com/agaTimestamped Outline(00:00) The Most Outgoing Claims Advocate: Introducing Clayton Matthews(01:15) Politics and Public Service: From the General Assembly to Insurance(03:47) The Late-Night DJ: Learning the Psychology of the Crowd(05:22) The Real Job of a DJ: Keeping the Floor Packed and Selling Beer(07:37) The Billion Dollar Question: Solving the Claims Communication Gap(09:34) The Importance of Being Heard: Why Every Claim Needs a Storyteller(12:14) Case Managers and Adjusters: The Friction Between Empathy and Process(14:01) The Highest Paid Translator: Balancing Contractual Facts with Human Feelings(16:51) Boots on the Ground: Losing Hope and Finding Humanity in Catastrophe Zones(19:33) The Uninsurable Era: Why We Need a Stand-Alone Wildfire Policy(21:42) The Reality of Risk: A Personal Story of Driving Uninsured at 19(24:05) Stop Being the Middleman: Where Agencies Go Wrong in Claims Advocacy(26:53) The Bad News Requirement: Front-End Expectations vs. Back-End Excuses(30:42) Why Clients Leave: The Danger of Poor Agency Exploration and Expectation Setting(34:22) The Washout Factor: Why Empathy Trumps a 4-Year Degree Every Time(39:02) Clayton's Lightning Round: Checking Email at 5 AM, Southern Mafia Podcasts, and Stephen KingCONNECT WITH ANDY NEARY

President Donald Trump at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey says he was 'very disappointed' with NATO member states during the U.S. war with Iran and suggests the U.S. may withdraw more military forces from Europe; NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says NATO nations are on track to meet the increased defense spending goals that President Trump has demanded; President Trump tells Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the U.S. will lift sanctions on Turkey that have prevented that country from buying U.S. F-35 fighter jets; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO Summit appeals for more air defense systems to counter Russia's advantage; Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) joins the long list of Democrats urging Maine's Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner to end his candidacy after a woman he was dating says he sexually assaulted her five years ago; Gov. Josh Stein (D-NC) signs a state budget bill into law, ending multi-year a stand-off over funding priorities with the Republican-controlled General Assembly; In Great Britain, Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, resigns from Parliament to trigger a special election in which he will be a candidate. He is facing allegations he improperly took millions of pounds in gifts, and says he wants his constituents to be the judges by deciding whether to vote him back in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The General Assembly passed its long-awaited budget last week with bipartisan support — the first in more than two years. The $34 billion plan includes teacher pay raises and additional money for Hurricane Helene recovery, but it also contains a provision that would force Charlotte and other governments to repay money already spent on the rejected I-77 toll lanes.

God is God, and “loves all creation equally and desires justice for all.” In love, God calls the prophet to stand apart and speak to the powers a word telling them that they must change.

Wrapping up our live interviews from the exhibit hall at the 53rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, this episode features conversations with Gabe Fluhrer, George Sayour, Josh Currie, and Matthew Everhard. The conversations explore how confessional theology equips Christians for ministry beyond the church walls—apologetics, government ministry, global missions, and courageous Christian witness. From the halls of state government to unreached language groups around the world, these interviews demonstrate how a robust Reformed theology equips believers to proclaim Christ wherever God calls them. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

It's Thursday, July 2nd, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus British might criminalize speaking Biblical truth on sexuality The United Kingdom may criminalize pastors and parents for sharing Biblical truth on sexuality.  The country's Labour government published the Conversion Practices Draft Bill last week. The measure would ban practices aimed at changing a person's so-called sexual orientation or gender identity.  Andrea Williams with Christian Concern said, “This bill opens the door to the persecution of parents and pastors through false accusations of abusive conversion practices.” British Parliament is “the gayest” with 75 sexually perverted In other United Kingdom  news, outgoing Prime Minister Kier Starmer, an atheist, signaled his support for sexually perverted lifestyles.  Listen to his recent comments. STARMER: “I'm really proud that we've got the gayest parliament. I don't think, anywhere in the world. I don't think there's any parliament that is gayer than this parliament. That is fantastic. “The HIV Action Plan is really good to end transmissions by 2030. We've legislated to equalize all existing strands of hate crime and make them aggravated offenses, and again, the announcement through Liv last week, a full trans-inclusive ban on abusive conversion practice. We put an end to those practices.” Indeed, out of the 650 members of British Parliament, 75 of them have sinfully embraced sexual perversion. Isaiah 5:20-23 says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil . . . Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes. … Who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from the righteous man!” Starmer announced his resignation last month. His Labour Party had just experienced major election losses in May.  Canadian Anglicans offer “liturgy” to bless the euthanized Speaking of calling evil good, the Anglican Church of Canada announced a Christian liturgy to bless people being euthanized. The denomination said it would not comment on the morality of assisted suicide. Instead, it authorized clergy to bless people who have chosen it.  Canada is considered the euthanasia capital of the world. Tragically, over 100,000 people have died under the country's assisted suicide program. The death push began 10 years ago on June 17, 2016.  Planned Parenthood shuts down Iowa City abortion mill Here in the United States, Planned Parenthood will shut down its location in Iowa City, Iowa this month.  The abortion giant closed four other facilities in Iowa last year. This leaves only one location in the state.  Iowa banned most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy in 2024. And yesterday, a law went into effect that bans mail-order abortions in the Hawkeye State.  78% of Americans favor public school student-led prayer groups A new Pew Research survey found that Americans support religious expression in public schools. Seventy-eight percent of U.S. adults favor allowing students to voluntarily pray in student-led groups. Fifty-seven percent favor allowing coaches to lead their teams in prayer. Fifty percent favor displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms. And 46 percent favor allowing teachers to lead their classes in prayer.  Presbyterian Church in America voted against female deacons The second-largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S. recently voted against female deacons. Last month, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America met in Louisville, Kentucky. The church body voted resoundingly against a proposal to allow women to serve as ordained deacons. This reaffirmed the denomination's constitutional documents. Those documents state, “The ordinary and perpetual classes of office in the Church are elders and deacons. ... The office of deacon is not one of rule, but rather of service both to the physical and spiritual needs of the people. In accord with Scripture, these offices are open to men only.”  Chick-fil-A 92-year-old employee encourages customers A Chick-fil-A employee in his 90s is making headlines for his work ethic and his Christian faith. Gilbert Martin, affectionately known as “Mr. Gil,” has been working at a Chick-fil-A in Wilmington, North Carolina for the last six years. Mr. Gil just turned 92. But that doesn't stop him from working throughout the week. He not only keeps the restaurant clean, he takes personal care of the people who walk in. Mr. Gil told WECT-6 that God has allowed him to be an encourager to people. Listen.  MARTIN: “I get a lot of people that are coming in, just going to the doctor, or just been to the doctor, and got bad news, and so forth, and I'm able to be encourager. The Lord gave me that. I don't plan to go anywhere else..” Romans 15:2 says, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” Looking for feedback from Worldview listeners I was surprised not to receive a single email yesterday about what listeners, like you, enjoy about this newscast.  What makes this newscast different to you from other newscasts which you've heard?  Do you listen to it while you exercise, drive in the car, or at home with the family as part of your morning routine? What is your favorite part of it? Email me your thoughts in 2-4 sentences including your name, city and state, and country if outside America. Send that to Adam@TheWorldview.com. That's Adam@TheWorldview.com 10 Worldview listeners gave $1,762 yesterday And finally, toward our goal of raising $12,450 by this Friday, July 3rd, 10 Worldview listeners stepped up to the plate. Our thanks to Karen in Goshen, Indiana who gave $12 as well as Emily in De Forest, Wisconsin, Myron in Trinity, Alabama, Jon in Granger, Indiana, and Anna in West Jefferson, North Carolina – each of whom gave $50. We're grateful for the kindness of Mandy in Walpole, New Hampshire and Michael in Ritzville, Washington – both of whom gave $200 as well as LuShun in Newport News, Virginia who gave $250. And we were touched by the generosity of Heather in Mt Juliet, Tennessee who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300 and Michelle in Stagecoach, Nevada who pledged $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600. Ready for our grand total? Drum roll please. (Drum roll sound effect) $1,762 (sound effect of people cheering) That means we have to raise $10,688 over the next two days to hit our first goal toward the $123,500 finish line come July 31st. Go to TheWorldview.com, click on Give, select the dollar amount, and make sure to click on the “recurring” button if that's your wish.  I'm looking for 9 Worldview listeners to pledge $50/month for 12 months or give a one-time gift of $600 and another 18 to pledge $25 per month for 12 months or give a one-time gift of $300. What has the Lord placed on your heart to give to keep this newscast on the air? Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, July 2nd, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

This month's News or Noise dives into the biggest political developments coming out of Maryland's June primary elections, and what they could mean for county government, legislative priorities, and the 2027 General Assembly.Kevin Kinnally, Michael Sanderson, and Karrington Anderson break down the latest chatter around a potential special session on redistricting, key legislative upsets, major county executive turnovers, and what a wave of new local leadership means for MACo and Maryland's counties. The team also looks at how issues like education policy, data center politics, and election outcomes are shaping the road ahead.And to close things out? A lighter debate on World Cup fever, prediction markets, and whether Team USA has a real shot. Tune in to find out what's really news, and what's just noiseFollow us on Socials!MACo on TwitterMACo on Facebook

Another round of interviews recorded live from the exhibit hall at the 53rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. This episode features conversations with Dave Filson, Dan Millward, James Baird, and Rob Pacienza. They explore what it means to faithfully engage a rapidly changing culture—from church planting in Detroit and recovering confessional Protestantism to political theology, cultural apologetics, and the enduring relevance of the Westminster Standards. Whether the challenge is secularism, Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, or the shifting assumptions of the modern world, these conversations point to the same conclusion: Christ's church must remain rooted in Scripture while confidently proclaiming the gospel in every generation. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

Recorded live at the 53rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, this special episode brings together conversations with four seminary presidents—Donald John Maclean, Alan Strange, Jonathan Master, and Ligon Duncan. Together, they reflect on the state of the church, the urgent need for faithful pastors, the role of theological education, and the opportunities facing confessional Christianity in the years ahead. At a time when many pulpits stand empty and the pressures facing the church continue to mount, these leaders offer both sober realism and genuine hope for the future of gospel ministry. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

This topic is one that is on the surface too political for confessionalism Protestantism (which is more about church life than society).  But Christian nationalism is not only trending but a natural for confessional communions, for two reasons. The first is that Lutherans, Anglicans, and Presbyterians all grew up in Christian "nations"; our churches began during a period of European history sometimes called confessional because each state sponsored a church that had its own confession.  The second good reason is that the Presbyterian Church in America, a confessional Protestant communion, produced a report on Christian nationalism.   With the topic fair game for confessional Protestants, co-hosts, Anglican Miles Smith, Lutheran Korey Maas, and Presbyterian D. G. Hart discussed the PCA's preliminary report (received for study at the recent General Assembly).  But the pudcasters did so with the added twist of discussing Miles Smith's response to the report.  In what might have appeared to be a hunt without any Lutheran dogs, Korey Maas had plenty to say not only because of Miles Smith's early departure from the recording.  Among the subtopics discussed were natural law, the magistrate's basis for punishing evil and rewarding good conduct, and the church's capacity to speak on political matters.  Listeners will be very surprised to learn - spoiler alert - that the pudcasters answered every single question that anyone has about Christian nationalism. (Disclaimer for Christian nationalists who struggle with humor: this last sentence is a joke.)

This week, the Charlotte City Council appointed Rob Harrington as the next mayor and approved a pilot program to bring red-light cameras back. Meanwhile, the General Assembly overrode four of Gov. Josh Stein's vetoes. The Hornets also traded away guard LaMelo Ball. We discuss it all on this week's local news roundup.

Fireworks... you either love them or hate them. And the approaching July 4th holiday is centered around them. Add to that 2026 being the nation's 250th anniversary, and the upcoming Independence Day will likely see massive displays including some “unofficial” displays.But there are laws in Delaware to ensure safety and lessen fireworks' health and environmental impact. As a matter of fact, just this week the General Assembly passed a bill that clarifies and bolsters existing fireworks regulations. It awaits Gov. Meyer's signature.In preparation for the upcoming holiday weekend, Assistant State Fire Marshall and Chief of Investigations B. Scott Bullock joined Delaware Public Media's Jay Shah to walk us through fireworks dos and don'ts.

This week on Do Politics Better, Brian Lewis and Skye David sit down with North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pam Cashwell to discuss her remarkable career in public service and her department's leadership role in commemorating America's 250th anniversary. Secretary Cashwell made history as the first Native American to serve in a North Carolina Governor's Cabinet. Throughout her career, she has been guided by a commitment to public service, holding leadership positions in civil rights enforcement, litigation, public safety, and state government. She reflects on the experiences that shaped her, the mentors who influenced her path, and why she believes public service remains one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference in people's lives. The conversation also explores North Carolina's plans for America 250, the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As the state agency charged with preserving North Carolina's history, culture, and natural heritage, the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is leading efforts to ensure communities across the state have opportunities to celebrate, learn, and reflect on the nation's founding and the many stories that have shaped North Carolina over the past two and a half centuries. Plus, Brian and Skye unpack another busy week in North Carolina politics. They provide the latest updates on state budget negotiations, veto override efforts at the General Assembly, and legislation that is moving—or waiting in the queue—as lawmakers race toward key deadlines. They also discuss the Carolina Hurricanes' visit to the legislature, reflect on the life and legacy of a former state senator following his passing, and cover a variety of other political developments from around the state. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the American Heart Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Msgr. Roger J. Landry The Pontifical Mission Societies USA Briefing on the 2026 TPMS General Assembly For Diocesan TPMS Directors June 22, 2026   To listen to an audio recording of today's presentation, please click below:  https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/catholicpreaching/6.22.29_Briefing_on_2026_General_Assembly.mp3   To download a PDF of the slides of the presentation, please click below:  6.22.26 TPMS General Assembly […] The post TPMS General Assembly Briefing, June 22, 2026 appeared first on Catholic Preaching.

Nelson County's Department of Social Services is rebuilding after a year of turmoil… The General Assembly approves a new budget, just over a week before the deadline… We take a deeper look at the compromise in that budget over a legal marijuana marketplace….

Get a full subscription at a 40% off: https://www.globaldispatches.org/40PercentOff  Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett could become the first United Nations Secretary-General of Indigenous descent. Guyana's ambassador to the United Nations was nominated as a Secretary-General candidate this week, bringing the grand total of candidates to six as we enter the final stretch of the campaign before the first Security Council straw polls. Anjali knows Rodrigues-Birkett! They had lunch together not long ago, and in this episode of To Save Us From Hell she explains what Guyana's UN ambassador brings to this race. We also discuss what we learned from the three-hour General Assembly forum with another candidate, Maria Espinosa. Remember: We watch these marathon forums so you don't have to! (Another reason to subscribe to Global Dispatches, which gets you all episodes of To Save Us From Hell) Finally, we discuss Antonio Guterres' visit this week to Haiti, and what it suggests about international efforts to support security and stability as Haiti seeks to emerge from crisis. All those segments are for our paying subscribers only. But up first: we discuss the UN's role in the Iran ceasefire — and what this moment means for the UN's ability to mediate conflicts around the world.  

Read more from VPM News: Lawmakers reach two-year, $207B budget compromise On the agenda: This week in Central Virginia public meetings  Other links: WATCH: The 1944 Student Bus Protest that Challenged Jim Crow (NOVA Parks) Norfolk channel reaches 55-foot depth, making it the East Coast's deepest port (WHRO News) Albemarle County Public Schools finalizes severance with former superintendent (29 News) City Hall is making its own news, and paying the RTD to distribute it (The Richmonder) Delegate Kent Highlights Legislative Wins (News on the Neck) County plans new Revolutionary War memorial for America 250 celebration (The Prince William Times)* New CEO: Goochland-based CarMax is growing again, but the fix isn't finished (The Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  *This outlet uses a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

This week on The Narrative, Aaron, David, and Mike get into the details of both the Cleveland Clinic’s settlement over fraudulent billing for gender procedures, which established a $2 million detransitioner fund, and the Major League Baseball players who resisted forced corporate speech during Pride Month by rejecting pride caps or writing scripture on their gear. After the news, Representative Mike Dovilla joins the hosts to discuss Ohio's widespread Medicaid and insurance fraud, calling it a symptom of an unaccountable administrative state. He argues that medical systems exploit loopholes to bypass state laws. Listen to The Narrative today! More About Representative Mike Dovilla Mike Dovilla represents the 17th District in the Ohio House of Representatives. From 2011 to 2016, he served most of the same southwestern Cuyahoga County communities in one of Ohio’s most competitive legislative districts. A principled yet pragmatic legislator, Mike returned to the Legislature in 2025 with the well-earned reputation of a thoughtful policymaker trusted by constituents and colleagues alike. In the 136th General Assembly, Representative Dovilla serves as Vice Chairman of the House Finance Committee and a member of the Energy, Veterans and Military Development, and Workforce and Higher Education Committees. During his previous service in the House, his peers elected him Majority Whip and he chaired two standing committees. As a freshman in 2011, he was appointed Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. Representative Dovilla is the author of 15 state laws designed to spur economic development, strengthen education, protect senior citizens, support veterans, and improve government accountability. Mike is deeply committed to our community, state, and nation, volunteering in numerous civic, veterans, and educational organizations. He is a scripture reader at his church and devoted mentor to college students, serving in advisory roles for more than 25 years. A lifelong baseball fan and voracious reader, Mike also enjoys cooking for family and friends, traveling to historical sites around the country, and spending time outdoors with his yellow Labrador retriever, Perry, named in honor of the “Hero of Lake Erie.” Do You Have Your Tickets for the Essential Summit? At the 2026 Essential Summit, you'll find five targeted breakout session tracks. Whether you lead in ministry, education, business, or the home, these Essential Summit breakout sessions are designed to speak directly to your calling. Choose the track that aligns with your influence:✝️ Faith in Action – For believers eager to boldly engage cultural issues with biblical clarity. This track addresses today’s greatest moral and political challenges and equips attendees to respond with truth and love.

Learn the ins and outs of this years 46th General Assembly. Gianna Lazaro interviews Michael Davis.

We have just passed the 20 year anniversary of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. When he was asked recently by ABC News Chief Meteorologist and Chief Climate Correspondent Ginger Zee whether the film and its predictions on global warming hold up, Gore responded, "Unfortunately, yes." He went on to say, "The scientists were dead right on all the important elements of it and it really is insane that we are continuing to use the sky as an open sewer and we're trapping so much heat every day it's equal to the amount that would be released by 800,000 Hiroshima-class atomic bombs exploding every day on the earth." Earlier this year the Yale School of the Environment published an article titled, Overshoot: The World is Hitting Point of No Return on Climate. They stated: "With warming set to pass the critical 1.5-degree limit, scientists are warning that the world is on course to trigger tipping points that would lead to cascading consequences from the melting of ice sheets to the death of the Amazon rainforest-that could not be reversed." Returning to Crosstalk to discuss the latest response by the U.N. General Assembly to such news was Alex Newman.

We have just passed the 20 year anniversary of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. When he was asked recently by ABC News Chief Meteorologist and Chief Climate Correspondent Ginger Zee whether the film and its predictions on global warming hold up, Gore responded, "Unfortunately, yes." He went on to say, "The scientists were dead right on all the important elements of it and it really is insane that we are continuing to use the sky as an open sewer and we're trapping so much heat every day it's equal to the amount that would be released by 800,000 Hiroshima-class atomic bombs exploding every day on the earth." Earlier this year the Yale School of the Environment published an article titled, Overshoot: The World is Hitting Point of No Return on Climate. They stated: "With warming set to pass the critical 1.5-degree limit, scientists are warning that the world is on course to trigger tipping points that would lead to cascading consequences from the melting of ice sheets to the death of the Amazon rainforest-that could not be reversed." Returning to Crosstalk to discuss the latest response by the U.N. General Assembly to such news was Alex Newman.

Read more from VPM News:  Bluntly: Virginia legislators, Spanberger add retail weed to state budget  Spanberger sides with House in Virginia budget dispute WATCH: Protecting RVA's Historic Black Cemeteries (YouTube)   Other links:  Joe Morrissey announces run for office, three years after saying he was done with politics (WTVR)  DPU suspends water cutoffs as billing glitches continue (The Richmonder)  Swords into Plowshares reaches out to Black residents, unhoused community for input on recasting Robert E. Lee statue into new public art (Charlottesville Tomorrow)  Baby giraffes found safe after disappearing from Natural Bridge Zoo (WDBJ)  Petersburg casino revenue bounces back in May (The Progress-Index)*  *This outlet uses a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

On this June 16, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by higher education reporter Jane Winik Sartwell and politics intern Ronni Butts. Hear the latest news on UNC System education legislation in the General Assembly, plus development projects like Carolina North and what's being demolished at NC State. Plus the response to a bleeped out video by Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Jane Winik Sartwell and Ronni Butts Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick Chess, attorney, real estate strategist, capital-raising expert, and trusted advisor, is passionate about helping entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners navigate complex decisions that can dramatically impact enterprise value and long-term success. Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, Rick has raised over $100 million for multiple organizations, guided companies through acquisitions, governance challenges, and strategic growth, and helped owners prepare for successful exits. We explore The Capital Raising Framework — Focus on Individuals, Not “the Market”; Be Ready to Sell; Start With Who You Know; Connect on Emotion; and Find a Problem to Solve. Rick explains why raising capital is ultimately about understanding people, not pitching ideas, why investors care more about their needs than your opportunity, and how trust-based relationships create opportunities that compound over time. He also shares lessons from raising capital, building influential networks, serving on boards, and helping entrepreneurs avoid costly mistakes when pursuing funding, growth, and exit strategies. — How to be a Trusted Advisor with Rick Chess  Good day, dear listeners. Steve Preda here with the Management Blueprint Podcast. And my guest today is Rick Chess, who is a real estate and exit strategist. He helps business and real estate owners, and the trusted advisors who guide them, turn complex decisions into strategic moves that grow enterprise value and maximize sale outcomes. Rick, welcome to the show.  Thank you. Appreciate it, Steve.  Well, it’s great to have you. And I’m going to ask you my favorite question, which I always ask: What is your personal ‘Why’, and what are you doing to manifest it in your practice?  When you go back in my career, 50-some years, where I’ve been most happy is either growing an organization. That can be a community, that can be a business, it can be an association. And then, at some point, individuals in that association want to move on, whether that’s to retire, to go someplace else, or whatever. And I find that in that world, there are certain things where they might have a Steve Preda who helps them with how to manage day to day. But they get to certain big issues that they’ve never done before, and maybe they’ll never do again. That’s where I like to come in because I know I’m critically important to them. So you’re a trusted advisor. You like to grapple with the big challenges people have in their lives, whether it’s a big real estate transaction, getting ready for an exit, an acquisition, or something like that.  Yeah.  Yeah.  So, I mean, the things that would be—for instance, most folks, if they’re talking about real estate, they have some idea how to fix a toilet. They have some idea how to buy a property. But when they get to a certain point, it’s like, “We need to raise $10,000. We need to raise $100 million,” whatever the amount is, because there’s either a great opportunity or they want to keep moving upward. And they have, again, a Steve Preda who can help them through the process. How they get that capital often is what trips people up. So that’s where I kind of first got into this.  I was an acquisition guy. I knew how to spend other people’s money, but I didn’t know at that time how to raise the money. And I’ve done it several times. I’ve raised $100 million for three different companies. And like everything in life, like with Summit, there is a process that you go through. And I love doing it. I just love doing that kind of stuff.  Okay. So when you are doing capital raising, fundraising, M&A deals, or real estate transactions, is there a framework that has helped you, that you figured out along the way? And think about something that is three to five steps. Maybe it’s a mental model of how you look at things, or maybe it’s a process. How would you describe that framework that you have, or that has helped you, so that the listeners would also benefit from it?  The listeners are best served if they step back from their preconceived notions of, A, how they think capital is attracted, because they usually are wrong. And they step back from how wonderful they are. And those two things are difficult. Because the reality is, no one is waiting to give you money. That’s foolish. You’ve got to sell the concept like you have to sell everything else. And what you sell is not what you think is wonderful. It’s what the market is going to think is wonderful. It’s like with any other product you’re making. “Hey, I made this great widget.” And the population looks at it and says, “I don’t need it. I don’t want it. I don’t know what it does.”  And depending on whether you’re trying to raise $100,000 from friends and family or $100 million on Wall Street, you look at who it is that you know. Because people that you know might at least return your phone call. So if you don’t know Bill Gates, thinking that you’re going to go to Bill Gates and get a billion dollars is, well, stup*d. But if you’re just trying to raise money from friends and family, and you have an aunt who lives three states away that you don’t see very often, and she has some money, okay, then you start with who you know. So, for instance, thinking about one of the many ways that you can raise money, there’s something called intrastate. And it is something that’s allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. If all of your money is raised within your own state, there are certain allowances for that.  But if you do one transaction outside the state, it all collapses. So like everything else on the business side, where there are certain rules that you can’t violate without getting into trouble, it’s the same thing when raising money. And I get so many people saying, “I’m going to list this on Wall Street, and I’m going to make…” It’s like, “No, you don’t. You better be prepared. If you’re going to list something on Wall Street, you’d better have $25 million that you can risk just to get it out there. And nine times out of ten you’re going to fail.” Not because there’s anything wrong with you.  It’s just that if you’re going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with a pair of Keds, a T-shirt, and some shorts, you’re not prepared to climb that mountain. It’s no different when raising capital. And also think about when you were a kid. At a certain age, your parents let you cross the street to see your buddy. Then ten years later, they’ll let you get in the car and drive, but you’ve got to get home by midnight. It’s the same thing with raising money. And there aren’t a lot of folks who have done what I’ve done. So talking to your local lawyer or accountant—who may be wonderful people—but if they’ve never raised money, they’re not the people to talk to.  One of the ways people get taken advantage of on a regular basis is they’ll go to a securities attorney. The securities attorney will charge them $100,000 and write this great offering document, and no one ever gives them a penny. Because lawyers generally have no clue what’s happening in the marketplace. I own my own securities broker-dealer. I’ve also raised money for three different companies. It’s not easy. But like having read your book, Steve, if you follow certain paths, there’s at least a chance for success. Same thing here. Fascinating. So what I’m taking away in terms of a framework: Be aware that people are not out there waiting to give you money. You have to sell them. So that’s the first step. The second one is: start with who you know. Don’t start on Wall Street. Start with the people you know, where you have some trust, the people you understand, and where you have a chance to get there. And then look at some special circumstance that’s going to give you a leg up. For example—  Absolutely. Again, this is coming right out of your book on the business side. You create a widget. So what? But you create a widget that solves a problem. Ah. Then you have something. So it’s the same thing. When you get over onto the money-raising side, it’s: who do you know? Where do they live? How much money do they have? How do I approach them? But then, in the end, it’s not what’s in it for you, it’s what’s in it for them. And for them, if it’s friends and family, your mama may give you some money because she thinks you’re cute.  Your aunt might give you some money because she’s related to your mama. But at some point, you’re going to people who really have a checkbook. They have money in the checkbook. They’re not going to give this up just because you’re cute or you have a great idea. You’re either going to get them because you have something they’ve never heard of, or you have something that really feels like it could solve one of their needs. And their needs are not always what you think. Some people think, “Well, what they need is high cash flow.” What if they don’t need cash flow, but they’re really interested in a cure for cancer?  What if you think, “Well, it’s really going to go up in value”? Well, they have all the money they need. They’re not looking for that. But is this something that is going to allow their nephew to come work for you? Yeah. When you start thinking that you know what other people are thinking, that’s when you’re going to fail. When you can step back and just ask them, “Well, what’s important to you?” If you can’t have a conversation, one, you’re never going to date anybody, and you’re never going to raise any money.  And don’t be slick. You can be slick for three sentences, and at that point they’re going to reject everything you say thereafter. So don’t talk about how much money you’re going to make and all the rest of it. No. Talk about them. Talk about them. Talk about them. Your document should talk about them. Your questions should talk about them. Now, does that mean there are certain people who won’t put money into your deal? Yes, because it doesn’t fit. If you sell high-heeled shoes and a runner comes in, they’re generally not going to buy your high-heeled shoes. They’re not going to invest money in high-heeled shoes.  But if that high-heeled shoe actually is a running shoe, and you can break off the heel and then… I mean, I don’t know. You could come up with something there. And the folks that say no are sometimes your biggest advocates. What? The folks that… Yes. Because you’ve been able to get into their head, and they’ve shaken it around, and they’ve looked at it and said, “No, that’s probably not right for me. I’m not into high-heeled shoes, but I have a friend.” If you’ve done a sincere job, a thoughtful job, you’ve really asked them questions, and you’ve connected on an emotional level, they’ll open the next door. And that’s what it’s about. It’s often a lot of the same things that you teach people about how to sell their company. It’s how they sell—  Rick, this is fascinating. So how do you connect with people on an emotional level? What’s the trick there?  First thing is: why are they going to take a meeting with you? Why they take a meeting with you answers almost everything that we’ve just asked. If they’re taking a meeting with you because you’re related, okay, that’s the emotional connection. If they take a meeting with you because some friend of yours called them and said, “This is a great way to make money,” that’s another reason. If you found them in an article in the paper—yes, there are things called newspapers. They print them. There are words in them. And there’s somebody in there who has shown an interest in something you do.  Then you’re talking to them about that interest. You want to try to avoid cold calls. Really, it’s a waste of your time and a waste of their time. It’s a random thing. It’s like asking every girl who walks by in college, “Do you want to go out on a date?” Sometimes it works. You get slapped a lot, get arrested, and what have you. There’s this thing called the internet, Steve. And what shocks me is how few people—not just my age, but young pups—say, “Well, that’s for watching YouTube videos.” No.  Through the internet, you have so much information. So maybe I can’t find anything about Johnny Jones, but his kids are on there and what sports they play. Huh. Okay, so I used to do judo. I did three years of judo in high school. If somebody’s doing karate or whatever, I have an opening. I have something to talk about. Now, it’s great if what you have to talk about then connects to something else that they want. It’s a linking process of connecting various things together. It’s what I did… I told you I was a member of the General Assembly in Pennsylvania way back in the ’70s.  And I learned there that if I could get people talking about themselves, or their next-door neighbor, or some relative… What’s funny is people are much more likely to tell you about somebody else. So when I go into a company—this is just a side note—when I’m doing due diligence and I really want to know their financial condition, I’m not going to get it from the CFO. I’m going to get it from somebody over in property management. Why? Because the property management person knows not to tell me anything secret about property management, but they’ll talk about finances all the time. And it’s the same thing. If I’m in a family and I want to know about Daddy, I talk to the daughter.  If I want to know about a neighbor, I talk to a neighbor. I can go to the post office. Everything you ever need to position yourself to sell is out there waiting for you. But you’ve got to get out of your head what you think the market is about and start thinking about individuals within the market. And accept that when I’ve raised money, 70% to 80% of the people I call on don’t do a deal with me. But of that 70%, half of them lead me to somebody else. And I keep up with them. They become my support group. They become my unofficial advisors. Because I’m a decent guy, they want me to succeed. And once they know I’m not bugging them anymore, I say, “Hey, you told me I should go talk to such-and-such.  Here’s what I heard.” And then the network just expands. And occasionally, that person who said no has somebody new come into their life and says, “You need to go talk to Rick Chess.” And sometimes the next time I’m raising money, their situation is different. So the person who told me no originally has seen me work the market and close the deal. It’s amazing how attractive an opportunity is once you can’t put any more money into it. And so you let them know, “I know it wasn’t the right time for you to come into my deal, but we did buy this company. We’ve doubled their…” Whatever it is. You continue to work with them. If somebody is willing to give you time on the phone, on Zoom, at a coffee shop, or wherever, they’re your friend for life. They don’t know that yet, but you’re going to make them your friend for life. It’s the old six degrees of separation—the Kevin Bacon game.  Everybody’s related to somebody somewhere. And it’s what makes this fun for me. You were talking before about growing an exit. I love the process of putting together the network and feeding the network. There are people I’ve known for 50 years that I still talk with.  You’re very good at connecting people and making them look good with other people that you connect them to. It’s very gratifying. So this is a long game, right? Absolutely.  It’s a long game because you’re being decent. You listen to people. You find something that helps them. You learn what they need, what is the itch that needs to be scratched, and then you connect people who can help them scratch that itch. And then they will reciprocate, and it becomes a self-perpetuating process.  Well, I mean, an example is the work that I do in North Carolina with a family that owns 44 hotels. A woman who was my CPA left the CPA firm and became the family officer for a large family here in Richmond. A friend of hers who does advisory work with family offices was giving up on a client. So she told my friend, who used to be a CPA. She introduced me to them and said, “Would you be willing to serve on the board of a private company?” I said, “Well, do they pay?” I used to be on the board of a public company, and after a certain age, you’re not attractive anymore.  After a certain age, they want you off the board because the institutions say, “We want a mix on the board. So I got introduced to these people, and I’ve had a great time. Members of the family have hired me for other work, and it just goes on and on. But I’ve learned that you’ve got to pay it forward. So I have students of mine from VCU who I’ve helped place in jobs. I keep up with them. I give them ideas. And they’re often shocked to find that I’m still in touch with them. I’m not asking them for anything. I’m just saying, “Look, I paid it forward to you. Now it’s your turn to pay it forward to somebody else.” And some of them are doing it. Some of them haven’t caught on yet.  But it is the circle of life, and it’s all tied together. And there are skills you have that I don’t have. There are skills I have that you don’t have. We both have folks that work with business brokers because they have a different drive. But it’s also self-selecting. There are a lot of people you’ve met that you don’t do business with. There are a lot of people I’ve met that I don’t do business with. If you’re going to get into raising money, doing governance, or doing exit planning, whatever it may be, one of the most important things is saying no. Or, “No, I don’t want to work with this person.” You can always be friendly with them. Yeah. But I try to fire a client every month. Somebody that just doesn’t fit for me ethically. Yeah. Or I don’t think there’s anything more I can do for them.  I pass off legal work to other attorneys in Virginia. I’m the chair of the Real Property Section of the state bar. There are 1,550 attorneys. I have plenty of attorneys that I can pass things on to, and they’re happy to get the business, and I’m happy. I’ve got somebody that I’ve referred that’s happy that I’ve referred them. My biggest challenge, my wife would say, my son would say, is that I’m a squirrel chaser. Something new and interesting comes along, and I want to get involved with it. And I’ve wasted so much time. So I’m working with this hotel group down in North Carolina. The last time I had worked with a hotel company was 30 years earlier. Two owners couldn’t agree on a direction.  I worked with them for six months. We made a decision. It was great work. I learned a lot about hotels. But I then went 30 years without applying the same skills. And that’s one thing that, with age, I’ve realized. I am better off saying: “I’ll help you with capital, I’ll help you with governance, and when you’re ready, I’ll help you exit.” That’s it.  Yeah.  If it’s not one of those three, I’ll talk about it.  Yeah.  I’ll listen to you. You don’t want to engage me.  Yeah. I mean, people want deep expertise. They don’t want generalists. They want someone who knows what they’re talking about and who can link them to other resources who also know what they’re talking about. And in today’s age, I think this is becoming more important again. Because of the internet, there was a disintermediation going on, but now there is a reintermediation, I believe. Because there’s so much noise out there, you don’t know what is true and what is fake. AI is creating a lot of fake stuff.  The only people you can really trust are the people who are in front of you, or someone recommends them whom you trust. It’s a transparency thing. So I think what you’re doing is very valuable. It’s going to become even more valuable. And knowledge is ubiquitous. You can ask ChatGPT, and it will give you an answer. But how do you get the trust? How do you get the emotion? How do you get the relationships? That’s all human stuff. And if you still have that, then you’ve got what is valuable.  Well, I have a friend of mine who wrote a book, and he wrote it as a fable. What I love about it is that I know the true story behind the fable. And what comes across in every single chapter is that, with that trust, people who were afraid took a step. And often that is the hardest thing. So I go to the gym six days a week, and the gym is hard. Getting in the car to drive there is the hard part. Once I’m there, I’m around friends, I work hard, I sweat, I get better. Getting in that car and driving down the drive…  So in your fable, in your book, and in most of where I’ve had success, I would love to say it was because I was brilliant. Eh, sometimes I will say I was brilliant. But let me give you an example. United Dominion Realty Trust, now based in Denver and originally based here in Richmond, has been around for 35 years. It was one of the original five REITs in the country—real estate investment trusts. I came in as acquisitions director. They hadn’t closed a deal in a year. I closed three in the first three months. I grew the firm tenfold in 10 years, and I had great people. Buddy Scott as an analyst. Catherine Surface as an attorney.  But what I did was look at it and say, “Does anybody know what we’re trying to buy?” Because they had no acquisition criteria. So I wrote a one-page acquisition criteria document and put it out to everybody who had ever submitted a deal. Oh, and we weren’t responding to the submissions. So a submission would come in, they would look at it and say, “Okay, that doesn’t work.” But they never told anybody no. So one of my rules was that anything that came in would get a response within 48 hours.  And it should be specific. “We don’t like this because of the city.” “We don’t like this because of the roof.” Something specific, because I knew they’d pay attention. And by responding within 48 hours, we went from struggling to get submissions to doubling our submissions within a year. Because people were like, “Oh, we know what they want. We know they will respond.” And then—and this probably sounds outrageous—we celebrated. We put out a newsletter every month. This is back when you mailed things, so we’re going way back into the dinosaur era. But anytime a broker brought us something that we bought, we would do a full-page spread on the broker. We were marketing him or her.  People loved us. And they would tell others about us. So owners would know that if they came to us, we’d make a fair offer and we’d move on. So I would love to say that’s because I was a great attorney. I would love to say that’s because I was insightful. It was just like, “Well, damn, this is obvious.” And reading some of your stuff, I’ve seen you point that out to people time and time again.  You give me too much credit. But yeah, I mean, if you’re there, they say that if you work hard for 25 years, you can become an overnight success. So yeah, it does get obvious when you’ve been studying it long and hard. Well, listen, Rick, that’s been wonderful. So what is your final thought for an entrepreneur, a young entrepreneur or founder who’s coming up? Maybe he’s in real estate. Maybe he’s trying to be successful. What’s the most important mindset for an entrepreneur to become successful?  Well, I mean, you’ve got to know something. I mean, you either need to really know construction, or you’ve got to really know how to lease a space. If you’re going into it like they do on HDTV, like, “Oh, we’re going to find this property and it’s going to be…” You’re going to fail. So get good at something. Accept the fact that you’re not going to be good at everything. Find people who fill in the spots where you aren’t good. In the old days, you might have had to hire them. In today’s world, there are fractional CFOs.  And then when you get down to picking your experts—your attorneys, your accountants, the people that cost you real money—ask them a simple question: When was the last time they did whatever it is that you’re trying to do? Not when was the last time they prepared a securities document. When was the last time they prepared a securities document that succeeded? And that’ll knock out two-thirds of them right there.  Love it. That’s fantastic. Well, if you’re listening to this and you want to be successful in business, or you have a business and maybe you’re getting close to retirement and want to figure out how to transition it, how to exit right, and how to structure it… Or maybe you have a family company and you’re trying to put together a board, and you need someone who really understands governance. Or if you’re trying to do a transaction, a merger, or an acquisition, and you need a trusted advisor who will connect you to the right people and help you make it happen, then call Rick Chess. Rick Chess is here in Richmond. He is on LinkedIn. And you have a website as well, Rick, right?  Yep, yep.  What’s your domain?  It’s chesslawfirm.com.  Chesslawfirm.com. So you can go there, and Rick is going to respond because he always does within 24 hours, or 48 hours max, and he’ll help you. So Rick, thank you very much for coming on the show and sharing your wisdom with us. And if you’re listening to this and you like this show, please follow us on YouTube and Apple Podcasts. Give us a review, and make sure you listen to every episode because we have very exciting entrepreneurs and subject matter experts sharing their knowledge. So thank you for coming, and thank you for listening. Important Links: Rick's LinkedIn Rick's website

Alex Murdaugh finished law school at the University of South Carolina in 1994. The judge who now holds his future finished at the same school in 1993. Twelve months apart, same building, same degree — and two lives that could not have run in more opposite directions. He walked into a family firm with a century of Lowcountry power behind it. She walked out with law books other people had to buy for her, opened a solo practice, and spent twenty-five years grinding before the General Assembly ever put her on the bench. Now those two paths collide in the biggest retrial this state has ever seen.If you've followed every turn of this case, this episode is your full briefing on Judge Debra McCaslin. We trace how Chief Justice Kittredge's order handed her exclusive control over every motion, every hearing, and the retrial itself. We dig into her real history with Dick Harpootlian — the shared office space, the video poker class action, the murder case where she refused to revoke his client's bond. And we look hard at the other side of her ledger: the triple-murder trial where she sentenced both defendants to life, and the DNA challenge she shut down that the appeals court later upheld.Then the stakes: McCaslin will decide whether this trial leaves Walterboro, how a death penalty demand gets handled if the Attorney General follows through, and how much of the financial-crimes evidence the next jury actually hears after the Supreme Court said the first jury heard far too much. Every road in this case now runs through one woman — and the Murdaugh name means nothing to her.Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#MurdaughRetrial #AlexMurdaugh #MurdaughMurders #TrueCrime #DebraMcCaslin #Harpootlian #MurdaughNewTrial #SouthCarolina #MaggieMurdaugh #PaulMurdaugh

(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says there could be a special legislative session in Illinois this summer, but he won't raise people's taxes to pay for a new Chicago Bears stadium. Pritzker spoke in Chicago on Tuesday afternoon and said there could be a special session if the General Assembly can get together on one piece of Bears legislation. “The first priority for me is we're not raising people's taxes to pay for a privately owned stadium, that's number one, or any stadium for a billionaire-owned family,” Pritzker said. The governor also said the legislature would be meeting again in few months. Fall veto session is scheduled Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aaron, Chris and Kim cover Lexington's data center deliberations, what's up with medical weed, and WHEN WILL BEVIN GET LOCKED UP, then check in on the civics crisis facing Kentucky with online educator and good troublemaker, Attica Scott. Great week on #ColonelsOfTruth!BITIN' LISTAaron: Jason NemesChris: Demetrius LigginsKimberly: Baron Trump GET INVOLVED:NO KINGS, NO CAGE MATCHES - Just singing, and a livestream and community at the The Historic Lyric on Sunday evening: https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/965165/ We've got 145 Days to FLIP THE 6th!!! Join the campaign to turn out more unlikely voters!!! Wise Bird on the 23rd and W6 on the 6th - https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/870258/ NEWS OF THE WEAK:https://www.weku.org/the-commonwealth/2026-06-05/kentucky-ohio-valley-coal-plants-receive-more-than-100-million-in-trump-fundshttps://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article316064052.htmlhttps://kentuckylantern.com/2026/06/09/gop-leader-says-ky-agencies-that-go-along-with-medical-cannabis-order-should-be-prosecuted/https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/06/05/judge-orders-jail-time-for-former-gov-matt-bevin-over-failure-to-produce-financial-information/INTERVIEW: Attica Scott - Ask Attica and Civics in 60!she's on FB: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@atticascottkyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atticascottkyIG: https://www.instagram.com/atticascottky/CALL TO ACTION - Kentucky Conservation Committee & Kentuckians For The Commonwealth are coming together to demand more from our General Assembly on the issue of data centers:https://secure.ngpvan.com/MtM-HGBKykG8KsVyCaNWIA2#ProgressKentucky - #ColonelsOfTruthJoin us! http://progressky.org/Support us! https://secure.actblue.com/donate/progresskyLive Wednesdays at 7pm on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/progressky/live/and on YouTube http://bit.ly/progress_kyListen as a podcast right here, or wherever you get your pods: https://tr.ee/PsdiXaFylKFacebook - ⁠⁠@progressky⁠ ⁠ Instagram - ⁠⁠@progress_ky⁠⁠ Bluesky - ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/progressky.org ⁠https://linktr.ee/progresskyEpisode 262 was produced by Aaron & supported by ParkerTheme music from the amazing Nato - hear more at http://www.NatoSongs.com

Colorado's General Assembly gaveled out on May 15th after passing hundreds of bills on everything from conversion therapy to transportation, law enforcement requirements to homelessness. This week on "Off the Record" we hear a conversation with reporters from the Colorado Capitol News Alliance on bills of note and where politics are going in Colorado. This program is hosted by Rocky Mountain Community Radio and KVNF's Body Wilson.

ALTERNATE TITLES Lindsey Graham's Machine Faces a Reckoning The GOP Civil War in South Carolina Alan Wilson's Final Pitch to Voters Can Conservatives Finally Change Columbia? The Battle for the Governor's Mansion The Establishment vs. The Grassroots Why This Election Could Change South Carolina Forever The Last Stand of the Political Machine Immigration, Taxes, and the Future of SC Election Day: A Turning Point for Conservatives HOOK After decades of control, is South Carolina's political machine finally vulnerable? On Election Day, Tara examines the power structure that has dominated state politics for generations, hears a final pitch from gubernatorial candidate Alan Wilson, and asks whether voters are ready to demand a different direction for the Palmetto State. PODCAST DESCRIPTION South Carolina voters head to the polls today in what many conservatives view as a defining election for the state's future. Tara explores what she describes as the long-standing political machine operating in Columbia, examining issues ranging from immigration enforcement and tax policy to congressional redistricting and Republican primary battles. The episode features an extended interview with Attorney General Alan Wilson, who outlines his vision for the governor's office, discusses plans to eliminate the state income tax, reform the judicial system, combat government waste, and use the governor's office more aggressively to push legislation through the General Assembly. The discussion also focuses on Lindsey Graham's influence within South Carolina politics, ongoing tensions between grassroots conservatives and establishment Republicans, and concerns about whether state leaders have done enough to advance conservative priorities. As Election Day unfolds, Tara argues that voters have an opportunity to begin reshaping the future of South Carolina politics. FEATURED INTERVIEW Attorney General Alan Wilson Makes His Final Case With voters heading to the polls, Attorney General Alan Wilson joined the program to deliver his closing argument to South Carolina Republicans. Wilson highlighted his record as attorney general, including criminal prosecutions, legal challenges against federal administrations, public safety initiatives, and efforts to combat government waste and corruption. He also laid out a gubernatorial agenda focused on: Eliminating South Carolina's income tax Reducing property taxes Expanding school choice Reforming judicial selection Modernizing state government Increasing accountability in Columbia Using the governor's office more aggressively to advance legislation Wilson emphasized that leadership requires active engagement and pledged to use the governor's office as a "bully pulpit" to pressure lawmakers when necessary. KEY TAKEAWAYS • Election Day could reshape South Carolina's political landscape • Alan Wilson argues for a more aggressive use of gubernatorial authority • Immigration enforcement remains a major issue among conservative voters • Debate continues over the influence of political insiders in Columbia • Congressional redistricting remains a source of controversy • Conservatives continue pushing for income tax elimination • School choice and judicial reform remain major campaign themes • Lindsey Graham's influence remains a significant factor in state politics • Grassroots voters are increasingly challenging establishment leadership • Turnout may determine whether political change occurs SOUND BITES "The office of governor belongs to you, and I'm asking you to hire me." "Strong, bold leadership—not someone waiting for a bill to come to their desk." "The governor should be leading from the front." "We can begin to break the back of the machine." "I will always be accountable to you." "This is a rare chance to change the future of the state." CHAPTERS Segment 1 Election Day and the fight against the political machine Segment 2 Lindsey Graham's influence on South Carolina politics ...

On this June 9, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by legislative and lobbying reporter Esther Frances and democracy reporter Kyle Ingram, looking at State Board of Elections upcoming hearing and the dustup at the Jackson County Board of Elections. Plus what to expect at the General Assembly this week, from Jaleeyah's Law to budget talks. Stay tuned to the end for a Canes update and picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Esther Frances & Kyle Ingram Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlock the full episode with a discount subscription to Global Dispatches --> https://www.globaldispatches.org/40PercentOff There was a remarkable scene at the United Nations yesterday as the President of the General Assembly and former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock read out the results of a hotly contested race for a Security Council seat. For months, Portugal, Austria, and Germany had been duking it out behind the scenes at the General Assembly. These three EU allies were competing for just two seats on the Security Council, where they would serve for two years as non-permanent members. They needed the votes of two-thirds of the Assembly to secure those seats, and one country would be the odd European out. As Baerbock read the results, she sat stone-faced while the General Assembly erupted in raucous applause: Portugal and Austria would be joining the Security Council in 2027. Germany was snubbed. This was the first time that Germany sought a Security Council seat and lost. What's more, it was the first time that any of the so-called "G4" countries — India, Brazil, Japan, and Germany — were denied a seat on the Council. Adding insult to injury in Berlin is the fact that, ever since the United States sharply cut foreign aid, Germany has been the largest bilateral donor in the world, according to OECD figures. So what happened here? Why was Germany snubbed? In this episode of To Save Us From Hell, our podcast about the United Nations, we break down the likely reason that Germany fell from a shoo-in for the Council to losing an election to much smaller European countries. But first, we discuss the first "hustings" in the race for UN Secretary-General, hosted in London by the United Nations Association of the United Kingdom. Five of the six declared candidates for UN Secretary-General took rapid-fire questions before a live audience in London. We break down what we learned about the candidates — and what their answers suggest about who might become the next UN Secretary-General.

Former NC Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest sits down for a candid conversation about the twists and turns that have shaped his life, career, and outlook on the future.   The Republican reflects on growing up in a political family, how his parents' divorce affected him and influenced his views on faith, family, and perseverance. He also opens up about one of the most difficult chapters of his public life: his 2020 gubernatorial loss, what he learned from the experience, and how it changed his perspective on politics and leadership. Today, Forest has embarked on a new chapter that he says he genuinely loves. As a lobbyist and leader of a coalition focused on blockchain technology and AI, he is helping businesses and policymakers navigate some of the most transformative innovations of our time. He discusses the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, the future of cryptocurrency, and why he believes emerging technologies will reshape government, business, and everyday life. Plus, Skye and Brian break down the latest developments at the General Assembly, including a budget update, several key bills on the move, and a notable veto override. They also take a look at the stories shaping the week across North Carolina before turning their attention to the state's collective obsession: the Carolina Hurricanes.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the American Heart Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

History is usually told through the lens of famous men, but it's often that lesser-known figures deserve our closer attention. Such is the case with Philip Cary (fl. 1685–1710), a Particular Baptist minister in Dartmouth, England. Cary attended the General Assembly of Baptist churches in London in 1689, and his writings were commended in a letter from that esteemed association. This volume contains the complete works of Cary, published for the first time in 300 years. These three treatises were written to defend the distinctives of the Baptist tradition. In particular, he defended the doctrine of believer's baptism in dialogue with his friends and fellow-townsmen, the Puritan minister John Flavel, and a local physician, Richard Burthogge. Taylor Walls has written a substantial introduction in which we meet Philip Cary, and the reader is well-served by his survey of Cary's theology. Cary's view of the law and covenant theology reveal both his continuity and discontinuity with the broader Reformed tradition. Cary's labor was valued by Baptists in ages past and, after such a lengthy stay in dusty archives, is worthy of rediscovery in our day. Pick up your copy of the Works of Philip Cary here: https://www.particularbaptistbooks.com/product-page/the-works-of-philip-cary-1 For more information, visit CBTSeminary.org  

This episode is presented by Create A Video – Andrew Dunn is the publisher of Longleaf Politics and a contributing columnist to The Charlotte Observer. He joined me to discuss five of the proposals from the North Carolina legislature to make changes to the state constitution. Two proposals have already been approved to go to voters this November. Three others are making their way through the General Assembly. Plus, Charlotte's rejection of a plan to widen I-77 likely means no congestion relief for another decade or two.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-pete-kaliner-show--6946691/support.Subscribe to the podcast My preferred podcast platform: SpreakerAll the links to Pete's Prep are free!Get exclusive content here!Media Bias Check: GroundNews promo code!Advertising and Booking inquiries: Pete@ThePeteKalinerShow.com  

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and ⁠Liz Farrell⁠ are hopeful that South Carolina will pass a law criminalizing coercive control abuse … eventually … maybe. Ugh.  After the tragic death of Mica Francis in April 2024, we all got a crash course in the horrors of coercive control abuse because of what Mica's estranged “Pastor” JP Miller is accused of doing to her during the final 18 months of her life. Mica repeatedly sought help from the Horry County and Myrtle Beach Police Departments in JP's alleged stalking and harassment of her, but over and again the police told her there was nothing they could do.  In the meantime, three coercive control bills continued to languish in the General Assembly, which is almost 90 percent men. Last week a hearing was held in subcommittee to discuss the latest iteration of the bill, dubbed Mica's Law. Liz and Mandy talk about how that went and what they think will happen next. Needless to say, South Carolina's women should be angry … again.  Let's Dive in…