The Monday Flyover Replay : Happy Presidents’ Day!; High-Level Talks Push for Ukraine War End; Severe Weather, Flooding Hits Eastern U.S.; Byron Wins Daytona as NASCAR Season Opens;

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The Flyover Replay

The Monday Flyover Replay : Happy Presidents’ Day!; High-Level Talks Push for Ukraine War End; Severe Weather, Flooding Hits Eastern U.S.; Byron Wins Daytona as NASCAR Season Opens;

Presented by Russell Sherrard.

Narrated by Artificial Intelligence, Our Hosts are Christopher and Jenny.

THE FLYOVER REPLAY.

Monday, February 17, 2025

Happy Presidents’ Day! On this day in 1864, the CSS H.L. Hunley became the first submarine to sink an enemy warship, taking down the USS Housatonic off the coast of South Carolina during the Civil War, though the Hunley itself was lost shortly after. See why it sank.

Imagine typing on your computer using only your thoughts. Meta is testing a half-ton, room-sized machine that can turn brain signals into text. It’s not ready for everyday use, but the research is turning heads. Read more in our Science section.

We hope you enjoyed reading today’s Flyover. Let us know how we’re doing by replying to Russell Sherrard at russellsherrard@reagan.com.

The sponsors keep the tanks full around here. Be sure to check out today’s sponsors.

TAKEOFF.

High-Level Talks Push for Ukraine War End.

High-level diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine are accelerating, with U.S. and Russian officials set to begin talks in Saudi Arabia this week, though European allies have not been invited.

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff were scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to hold preparatory discussions with Russian negotiators ahead of a potential meeting between President Trump and President Putin in the near future.

A Ukrainian delegation is also in Saudi Arabia, officially focused on economic agreements, though there is speculation about a possible visit from President Zelensky and links to the broader talks.

The exclusion of European leaders has prompted heads of state to gather in Paris today for an emergency meeting to coordinate their response.

Severe Weather, Flooding Hits Eastern U.S.

A major storm in the Eastern U.S. has brought devastating flooding as more than 110 million people were under weather alerts Sunday.

In Kentucky, flooding has led to at least 1,000 rescues and eight fatalities, including the deaths of a mother and her 7-year-old daughter whose car was swept away in flood waters.

“This is one of the most serious weather events we’ve dealt with in at least a decade,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, whose request for federal aid was approved by President Trump on Sunday.

Tennessee, West Virginia, and North Carolina have also been impacted by the storm. In some areas, snow followed severe flooding on Sunday morning.

Byron Wins Daytona as NASCAR Season Opens.

The 2025 NASCAR season roared to life with the 67th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, where William Byron captured his second straight victory in a dramatic finish on Sunday.

The race was delayed for more than three hours due to rain, with several late crashes shaking up the field.

Tyler Reddick finished second, and Jimmie Johnson placed third, while Kyle Busch blamed Joey Logano for a wreck that knocked out several contenders.

President Trump attended the season opener and took ceremonial laps in his armored limousine, known as “the Beast,” before leaving during the rain delay.

POLITICS.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel on Sunday, backing its war aims and saying Hamas “must be eradicated.” Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled he is moving forward with President Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, calling it the “only viable plan” for the region.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has unveiled a $500 million plan to close the state’s second-oldest prison, built in 1898 in Green Bay, and overhaul its correctional system without constructing a new facility.

President Trump toured a Boeing airplane on Saturday, highlighting the delay by the aircraft’s maker in delivering replacements for Air Force One’s two-plane fleet, originally scheduled for 2024 but now projected for 2027 for the first plane and 2028 for the second.

After a word from one of our sponsors Jenny will be Narrating the last half of the news.

And Now, A word From one of Our Sponsors.

Are you an author or writer with a Blog and wonder if it is being effective?
I have added audio to my blog posts and am getting good comments. I can add voice to your blog posts. You choose Male/Female $10 per post. Direct your inquiries to russellsherrard@reagan.com.

Thanks Christopher.

Now, back to the News.

SPORTS.

Orlando Magic guard Mac McClung clinched the first-ever three-peat in the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest, scoring 50 points in each round of the contest.

Speaking of three-peats, Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard was eliminated in the first round of the NBA’s three-point contest after winning each of the last two contests. Instead, Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro was the champion in his first time competing in the event.

Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles has agreed to a race against Miami Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill, the fastest player in the NFL. The date and distance of the race is yet to be decided.

The White House Transition.

The Trump administration is trying to rehire federal nuclear safety employees it had laid off on Thursday, following concerns that their dismissal may pose a national security risk.

President Trump said he would target countries that use value-added tax (VAT) systems with reciprocal levies, arguing that VAT systems—a standard for nations in the European Union—were “far more punitive” than tariffs.

The Justice Department fired multiple immigration judges on Friday, adding to a growing list of judges, managers, and new hires for the Executive Office for Immigration Review to be laid off since the start of the Trump administration.

FINANCE.

Apple and Google restored TikTok to U.S. app stores after a temporary ban imposed in January, allowing downloads to resume amid ongoing national security debates.

Home prices fell 8.6% to a $560,000 median in Washington, D.C., as thousands of DOGE-led federal layoffs and return-to-office orders unsettled buyers.

Truth Social’s parent, Trump Media & Technology Group, posted a $400.9 million net loss in 2024, citing legal costs linked to Biden administration disputes.

SCIENCE AND TECH.

The first total lunar eclipse, or blood moon, since 2022 will be viewable on the night of March 13 in the lower 48 states.

Facebook parent company Meta is testing a machine that can decode brain signals into words typed onto a screen with up to 80% accuracy.

ChatGPT, one of the world’s most widely used conversational artificial intelligence systems, tends to exhibit a left-leaning political bias rather than reflecting the broader range of opinions held by Americans, according to recent research.

THE ROTATOR.
BEYOND OUR BORDERS.

More than 40 people, mostly women, died in Mali after an illegal gold mine collapsed. The victims had climbed into abandoned mining pits left by industrial companies to search for gold when the ground suddenly caved in.

Pope Francis was hospitalized with a respiratory tract infection on Friday in Rome. The Vatican said Sunday that he had his second consecutive restful night.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei faced backlash after endorsing LIBRA cryptocurrency on Friday, which crashed 85% within hours, erasing $4.4 billion.

ET CETERA.

“Zizians,” a cultish group of tech-savvy radical vegans, is linked to six deaths across Vermont, California, and Pennsylvania, including a Vermont border patrol agent.

A young Indigenous man from an isolated Amazon tribe briefly emerged in Brazil on Wednesday, seeking fire, before returning to the forest hours later.

A cake-loving opossum in Omaha, Nebraska, ate an entire Costco chocolate cake before wildlife rescuers admitted the “cranky” animal for recovery and diet rehab.

Daily Quote.

“I actually just wanted to take a gap year after school, but I’ve ended up with a bounty!”

— Chloe Cheung, a 19-year-old Hong Kong student, the youngest of 19 activists accused of breaching a Chinese national security law.

And thats the news for today.

And Now a Word from Our Sponsor, The Life of Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Go to https:// payhip.com/ Christian NonFiction eBookStore then scroll down and click on The Life of Charles Haddon Spurgeon

n publishing the life of the late CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON, the publishers feel a peculiar pleasure and believe themselves especially fortunate in having secured the Rev. Russell H. Conwell, D.D., LL.D., pastor at The Temple, of Philadelphia, to prepare the work. There are many reasons why the popular preacher, who might justly be called the Spurgeon of America, should in this way pay a loving tribute to the memory of his great English ecclesiastical brother, and why such a book must have an absorbing interest for all readers. Foremost among these might be considered his personal acquaintance with the great divine of gigantic efforts and wonderful achievements, and the deep study he has ever given to his popular brother preacher’s life and the measure of its successes.

As a fellow-preacher of the Gospel, he knew better than any layman how to interpret the hidden springs of success to count the cost of Herculean efforts made, and better, understand the great man’s life-work in all its thousands of minute details which he, as an intimate personal friend had the opportunity to observe.

Like Spurgeon, he has the power to earn and raise large sums of money, but he devotes every dollar beyond a reasonable living expense to the cause he has so much at heart. His remarkable line of work, also, in many ways corresponds with that of Spurgeon,

The similarity in the work of the English Spurgeon and the American Conwell has often been commented upon by press and people. Spurgeon made, and Conwell is making, a complete sacrifice of talents, time and health to the one aim in life-the salvation of souls. Each commenced life a poor boy, and had an early life fraught with discouragements and temptations.

The author’s grand work for the Grace Baptist Church, of Philadelphia, has justly distinguished him as the greatest preacher of his denomination in this country. He was a student at Yale College, and graduated in the Law Department of Albany University and was admitted to the New York bar in 1865. His health not permitting the practice of law, he began as traveling correspondent of the Boston Traveler and the New York Tribune, during which his constant companion and warmest friend was Bayard Taylor, with who he traveled all over the world, and obtained distinction as a journalist.

In addition to the pastorate of a church which has one of the most remarkable houses of worship in the world, open every hour of every day and night in the year, and is never untenanted, Dr. Conwell is the head of Temple College, connected with the church fostered by him, which is for the free education of working-men and women in the classic collegiate branches, with fourteen professors, a preparatory department that sends pupils to Yale, Harvard and Amherst, and giving itself decrees equal to those of Princeton. He is the head of the Samaritan Hospital, also an outgrowth of his personal effort and example, which is doing incalculable good in Philadelphia.

In addition. to his church work, Dr. Conwell lectures all over the United States, to large and delighted audiences.

He is also a prolific author, The most important of his works are a ” Life of Garfield,” which he wrote at the home of the martyred President, in Mentor; “Why and How the Chinese Immigrate,” the material for which he gathered in the Chinese Empire Life of Hon. James G. Blaine,” Life of Bayard Taylor,” and “Acres of Diamonds,” each of which has been appreciatively read by thousands of readers in this and other countries.

 

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CrossReads Weekly Devotional: Gems From Pastor Jim 2/17/2025

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by Jim Hughes,

Narrated by Artificial Intelligence, Eric,

Click Above to Read/Listen to the Devotional

CrossPsalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

I dare you to pray this prayer from your heart today. I dare you to let the Lord search out your heart and reveal to you what He finds there. Do you have the guts to let the Lord have access to your thought life? What do you think about that you don’t want others to know about? God knows all that you think about. What kind of thoughts do you have for those who wrong you? God knows what you are thinking. What do you think about when things don’t go your way and things begin to fall apart in your life? God knows what you are thinking.

Do you have the guts to ask the Lord to point out anything He finds that offends Him? Think about it. In light of what you understand from the Word, is there anything going on in your head or heart that you know offends God? Be honest with yourself. You know there are things that God is not pleased with. We all have the same problem. We all sin against God. What is He pointing out to you today?

What are you going to do about it? Are you going to continue on as if it doesn’t matter what the Lord finds, or are you going to confess it and seek the Lord’s forgiveness? You will do one or the other. If you don’t seek the Lord’s forgiveness, you won’t have His peace overshadowing your life until you do. You will not enjoy the presence of God until you do. It’s your choice.

Do you want the Lord to lead you along the path of everlasting life? He wants to do that for you, but He won’t drag you along. He will gladly lead you if you are willing to follow. He will show you how to live a life that pleases Him. He will show you what you need to get rid of in your heart and the changes you need to make. He will not mess around. He will lead you directly on the path of righteousness. He will not take any side trips. The way to heaven is a narrow path and you must stay behind the Lord at all times if you are going to safely make it home.

Do you dare to follow in the footsteps of Jesus today by letting him have his way with you?

About the Author:

Jim HughesSpending his formative years in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jim followed the love of his life to southeast Iowa where they married and have spent the majority of their lives. Jim has pastored several churches throughout his life and has worked many years in local factories to help support his family. The father of two married adult children and one son still at home, Jim is a first-time author.

C Through Marriage came into being through many years of pastoral and life experiences. The book first took on a life of its own over 20 years ago when I sought to address the much publicized moral failures of prominent leaders in the church. In the chapter on Chastity, I include the guideliness that I developed then to protect one’s self from such failures.

I am a firm believer in order to make sense out of life you have to use much common sense. We need to get back to the basics of what has worked for many, many generations. If it isn’t broke, why try to fix it? I strive to return to the basics of what really works in all my writings.

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The Friday Flyover Replay : RFK Sworn In, Highest Paid Athletes, and New Dumbledore

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The Flyover Replay

The Friday Flyover Replay : RFK Sworn In, Highest Paid Athletes, and New Dumbledore.

Presented by Russell Sherrard.

Narrated by Artificial Intelligence, Our Hosts are Christopher and Jenny.

THE FLYOVER REPLAY.

Friday, February 14, 2025.

Happy Valentine’s Day! On this day in 1946, scientists unveiled ENIAC, the world’s first digital, general-purpose computer. It weighed 30 tons and filled a 1,500-square-foot room. (See Video)

Valentine’s Day means different things to different folks—some see it as a “make or break” moment for their relationships, while others think it’s a bit overhyped. But whether you’re planning a special dinner or just having a laugh at animal shelters letting donors name rodents after exes, there’s plenty of love (and humor) to go around.

Have you experienced something sweet, funny, or a little unexpected this Valentine’s Day? We’d love to hear about it—send email to Russell Sherrard @ russellsherrard@reagan.com and share your story!

We hope you enjoyed reading today’s Flyover. Let us know how we’re doing by replying to Russell Sherrard at russellsherrard@reagan.com.

The sponsors keep the tanks full around here. Be sure to check out today’s sponsors.

TAKEOFF.

RFK Jr. Sworn In as Health Secretary.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in Thursday as President Trump’s health secretary after a 52-48 Senate vote and is set to take control of the $1.7 trillion Health and Human Services Department, overseeing vaccine policy, health insurance programs, and food safety.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was the lone Republican to oppose Kennedy, citing Kennedy’s views on vaccines.

In other confirmation news, Kash Patel, the nominee for FBI director, cleared a Senate panel in a party-line vote Thursday, setting up a final confirmation vote next week.

Linda McMahon, the nominee for education secretary, appeared before the Senate for her confirmation hearing Thursday, facing questions from Democrats and outlining plans to reduce the department’s role while preserving major programs.

Bondi Sues New York Over Immigration Laws.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a civil lawsuit against New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder, alleging the state’s Green Light Law obstructs federal immigration enforcement.

The law allows illegal migrants to obtain driver’s licenses and restricts federal access to DMV data without a warrant.

Bondi argued the law endangers law enforcement and violates the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, while Hochul dismissed the lawsuit as politically motivated and vowed to defend the state’s policies.

Last week, the U.S. government sued Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County, claiming their sanctuary laws block Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts.

Top 100 Highest-Paid Athletes of 2024 Revealed.

Sportico released its annual list of the top 100 highest-paid athletes in the world, with Cristiano Ronaldo claiming the top spot after earning $260 million in 2024.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry ranked second with $153.8 million.

Soccer players dominated the top 10, while NBA players led the overall list with 36 selections, followed by the NFL (22), MLB (11), and golf (9).

U.S. tennis star Coco Gauff was the highest-earning female athlete, bringing in an estimated $30.4 million—just missing the top 100, which was rounded out by quarterback Daniel Jones at $37.5 million before his release from the Giants.

POLITICS.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited President Trump in Washington, D.C., and expressed India’s willingness to reduce tariffs on U.S. goods to improve trade relations.

At least one U.S. citizen was released from detention in Belarus on Wednesday as part of a unilateral gesture by the Belarusian government, along with journalist Andrey Kuznechyk and another person, U.S. officials said.

Democratic Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota on Thursday announced she will not seek reelection in 2026, prompting Governor Tim Walz and other top Democrats to consider bids for the open seat in St. Paul.

After a word from one of our sponsors Jenny will be Narrating the last half of the news.

And Now, A word From one of Our Sponsors.

Are you an author or writer with a Blog and wonder if it is being effective?
I have added audio to my blog posts and am getting good comments. I can add voice to your blog posts. You choose Male/Female $10 per post. Direct your inquiries to russellsherrard@reagan.com.

Thanks Christopher.

Now, back to the News.

SPORTS.

The New York Jets have confirmed the release of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The move will create nearly $50 million of dead money.

The NBA has announced the cancellation of a three-point shootout rematch between Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and WNBA champion Sabrina Ionescu, saying they felt they were unable to create a plan that would raise the bar from last year’s event.

The Boston Red Sox have signed two-time World Series champion Alex Bregman to a three-year $120 million contract.

The White House Transition.

A federal judge in Baltimore temporarily blocked President Trump’s executive order restricting sex-changing treatments for minors.

Danielle Sassoon, a federal prosecutor in Manhattan, resigned Thursday after the Trump administration ordered charges dropped against Mayor Eric Adams.

President Trump was elected chair of the Kennedy Center’s board on Wednesday, prompting resignations from Ben Folds, Renée Fleming, and Shonda Rhimes.

FINANCE.

Big Stock Move: Pittsburgh-headquartered Aurora Innovation Inc. stock surged 46% after the company reported strong earnings, progress toward driverless trucking, and strategic partnerships with NVIDIA.

President Trump on Thursday signed a memorandum proposing reciprocal tariffs aimed at countering unfair and discriminatory trade practices by adversaries and allies.

Major grocers, including Costco, Kroger, and Whole Foods, imposed egg purchase limits across the U.S. as bird flu outbreaks fuel shortages and rising prices.

The New York Stock Exchange announced it will launch NYSE Texas, a fully electronic equities exchange in Dallas, as companies flock to the state.

SCIENCE AND TECH.

A geomagnetic storm driven by solar winds could bring northern lights as far south as Michigan and Maine on Valentine’s Day, weather experts said.

Why do American hockey players often sound Canadian? Researchers say linguistic mirroring causes them to adopt Canadian-like accents to fit into the sport’s culture.

Archaeologists uncovered the oldest Roman basilica in London, dating to 78-84 A.D., beneath a planned 32-story skyscraper on Gracechurch Street in ancient Londinium.

THE ROTATOR.
ENTERTAINMENT.

The Nominations for the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame have been announced, featuring Oasis, Mariah Carey, The White Stripes, and Billy Idol. Inductees will be revealed in April.

Veteran Actor John Lithgow, a six-time Emmy winner, is in final talks to portray Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s Harry Potter TV series.

A new movie by Wes Anderson, The Phoenician Scheme, starring Benicio del Toro and Scarlett Johansson, will debut May 30 in U.S. theaters via Focus Features.

ET CETERA.

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, with about 5,000 sailors aboard, collided with a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt, on Wednesday, causing above-waterline damage but no injuries.

A survey revealed 17% of U.S. couples consider Valentine’s Day “make or break” for their relationship, while 64% believe the holiday is overrated.

Animal shelters and zoos across the U.S. launched Valentine’s Day fundraisers allowing donors to name cockroaches, rats, or feral cats after exes, with some animals fed to predators in Alaska.

An artist in Canada created a massive bull moose design by shuffling his feet through fresh snow on Washademoak Lake in New Brunswick.

Daily Quote.

“This is a new DOJ. New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops. It stops today.”

— Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General, announcing a lawsuit against New York state officials over their sanctuary policies.

And thats the news for today.

And Now a Word from Our Sponsor, Spurgeons’ Morning and Evening Devotionals.

Go to https:// payhip.com/ Christian NonFiction eBookStore then scroll down and click on Spurgeons’ Morning and Evening Devotionals.

Organized by month, this devotional has a morning and evening meditation for every day of the year. Although these devotions are short in length, they are filled with spiritual goodness. In just a few sentences, Spurgeon is able to convey the wisdom of Scripture with eloquence and purpose. These daily messages provide Christians with the spiritual energy they need to begin and end each day. Spurgeon weaves a verse of Scripture into each devotion, helping readers draw deeper meaning out of the selected passages. This powerful devotional provides Christians with the spiritual nourishment required to strengthen their relationships with God. Readers will find themselves inspired by Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotionals.

 

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Imagination 2/14/2025

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by Staci Stallings

Narrated by Artificial Intelligence

Click Above to Read/Listen to the Devotional

In my imagination is difficult.

Maybe that’s because I have what people call a “vivid imagination.”

Do you know what that means, to have a vivid imagination? For me, it means that what I “experience” in my head is often as real or more real to me than things that I experience in real life.

Having gone through the deaths of people close to me, I know that there is a time in death when people rewind or remember their lives as if they were living them again. One gentleman I know who was a carpenter, as he got closer to death, they said he had “started building again.” He was building houses and furniture that he had actually built in his lifetime, recalling details about things he had built many years before.

My grandmother did something similar, recounting details of things that had happened in her life some 65 years before her death. So I know that the brain “works backward” through its memories when you die.  That’s why I’ve warned my kids that when I get to that point, many things I talk about may or may not have really happened because so many things that I have “experienced,” weren’t really in my real life experience, they were things that happened only in my head.

I have had stories that I wrote that I would pick up to continue writing years after I wrote the initial book, and my mind would fill in details I could not possibly have just “remembered” 5 years later. A character who always refers to his grandmother as “Beautiful” as if that is her name—and I wrote that four or five years before and write it into a new scene without reading over what I had previously. Strange things like that.

A room off to the side in a church that I wrote in book 3, and sure enough, that room was written in the original book (that I hadn’t gone back to reread when I wrote that part)—except that church really doesn’t exist except in my mind.  What is that? I don’t know.

I don’t fully comprehend how I do what I do. I just know, for me, that is life.

And so it is with this new series that has just gone on preorder. It’s called “The Imagination Series” because so much of it revolves around characters with “abilities” that I think most of us either don’t have or don’t know how to access.

In the first book “Becoming Me,” for example, Nelson Samuels, the hero, hears music—melodies all the time in his head.  He has learned how to capture them—on a piano, a guitar, the drums, etc.   His friends all think that he “writes” music, but much like I do with my stories, it is less about him creating something as him trying to capture something that only he hears. The heroine, Paige Grayson, does the same thing except her imagination expresses itself in words. She writes poetry. Words about how she feels and about life as she is experiencing it.

Neither of them have ever really told anyone about these gifts because they know others probably will not understand.  It is much like me, trying to explain what it’s like to live with an imagination like mine is a big challenge because, honestly, I know without asking that other people will think I’m weird (and I just don’t want to go there although I’m getting braver and braver about sharing that part of me as I go).

Two things come to mind as I think through this whole imagination and what it means and what it can mean for the one with the imagination and those around that person.

I’ve mentioned before my obsession with “The Greatest Showman,” and I think this discussion is one of the reasons I love it so much. PT had an amazing imagination and the courage to try to put that imagination into real life. In one line in the movie, Phillip says: “They come to see you—the crazy acts you come up with.”  It was because PT could imagine things that had never been seen before that he could unlock the human potential of those around him.

The second is an experience I had the other night. My son and I went to see “Paul, the Apostle.” To say that movie is brutal is, for me, an understatement.  Watching the movie was an extra credit assignment for my son, and so we went. I don’t know that I had really thought through what the movie might be about, but two things should have clued me in:  1) Paul was in jail and I knew that was part of the movie, and 2) Jim Caviezel was in it and had produced it in the vein of “The Passion of the Christ.” So to put it mildly, it didn’t pull many punches.

After the movie, I told my son, “I may never recover from that movie.”  He, having watched things like “Lord of the Rings,” thought that was silly. “Why, Mom? It wasn’t that bad.”  But then as we talked, I began to realize why it “wasn’t that bad” to him.  For him, being only 15, he didn’t understand several points that they (kindly) did not show.  The Christians sent into the arena to be torn apart by animals for example. They left that “up to the imagination.”

And there were several other incredibly brutal things just like that. They didn’t show it, but if you know enough about the history of that time, you know what happened, and for me, it matters little that I was covering my eyes (yes, literally!) because my imagination helpfully fills in all the details with things I didn’t “see” in my own experience with things that I did “see” only in my imagination—sometimes that might be good, other times it might be far worse.

So, I guess I just wanted to share with you some of how this new series came into being, some about me as an author and person, and some to explain what the word “imagination” means to me and why I chose that as the name of this series. I do hope readers enjoy reading it because honestly this one has challenged even MY imagination because I’ve had to tap into my characters’ imaginations to be able to write it.  I hope it will challenge my readers to think in terms of the strengths of their own variant of imagination and get a little braver about using it, sharing it, and calling it out in others.

This is your chance. Get a jump on everyone and preorder this one today….

Becoming Me

About the Author:

Staci StallingsA stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Although she lives in Amarillo, Texas and her main career right now is her family, Staci touches the lives of people across the globe with her various Internet and writing endeavors.

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The Thursday Flyover Replay : Tulsi Confirmed, a Wooden Jacket, and Pepperoni Perfume

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The Flyover Replay

The Thursday Flyover Replay : Tulsi Confirmed, a Wooden Jacket, and Pepperoni Perfume.

Presented by Russell Sherrard.

Narrated by Artificial Intelligence, Our Hosts are Christopher and Jenny.

THE FLYOVER REPLAY.

Thursday, February 13, 2025.

 

Good Morning! On this day in 1741, the first magazine in America was published, appropriately named American Magazine. As part of a furious race to come out first, its publication beat by three days a competing magazine produced by Benjamin Franklin.

With Valentine’s Day looming, it’s worth noting that the young adults of Gen Z appear to be returning to a more old-fashioned style of dating focusing more on marriage than hookups.

We hope you enjoyed reading today’s Flyover. Let us know how we’re doing by replying to Russell Sherrard at russellsherrard@reagan.com.

The sponsors keep the tanks full around here. Be sure to check out today’s sponsors.

TAKEOFF.

Senate Confirms Tulsi Gabbard as Intel Chief.

The Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence on Wednesday in a 52-48 vote, with Sen. Mitch McConnell as the lone Republican opposing her.

Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who became a Republican and endorsed Trump in 2024, faced criticism over a past meeting with Syria’s now-deposed President Bashar al-Assad and her support for NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.

Despite initial skepticism, she secured key GOP backing, with supporters arguing she will refocus the intelligence community. President Trump praised her confirmation, calling her a “fearless” leader committed to national security and constitutional rights.

In other confirmation news, the Senate voted Wednesday to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as Health and Human Services secretary, setting up a final confirmation vote today.

Trump: Putin Agrees to Ukraine Peace Talks.

President Trump announced that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine following a lengthy phone call.

Trump stated that he and Putin committed to working closely on a resolution and suggested they may meet in person.

While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed a conversation with Trump, it remains unclear how involved Ukraine will be in the negotiations.

The announcement follows a U.S.-Russia prisoner swap and comes ahead of planned peace talks in Munich, where Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will continue discussions.

Gen Z Turns Conservative on Marriage.

New research suggests that Generation Z may be significantly more conservative than millennials, particularly in their views on marriage.

Approximately two-thirds of Gen Z consider marriage important, with only 23% engaging in casual hookups, a significant decrease from the 78% reported among millennials two decades ago.

This shift aligns with a broader generational pendulum swing, where values tend to cycle between liberal and conservative over time.

For example, Bible sales have surged by 22% in the past year, with young people leading the trend, signaling a growing interest in faith and stability, researchers say.

POLITICS.

A federal judge declined to halt the Trump administration’s federal worker buyout program Wednesday, saying the unions who tried to block it had no standing to sue.

House Republicans unveiled their budget plan, calling for spending cuts totaling $2 trillion while pursuing tax cuts up to $4.5 trillion. The proposal wraps everything into one package to be reconciled with the Senate’s two-package proposal.

A group of GOP senators is calling for a $1,000 tax on new sales of electric vehicles to help pay for road repairs, which are typically funded through gas taxes. Electric cars don’t pay that tax.

After a word from one of our sponsors Jenny will be Narrating the last half of the news.

And Now, A word From one of Our Sponsors.

Are you an author or writer with a Blog and wonder if it is being effective?
I have added audio to my blog posts and am getting good comments. I can add voice to your blog posts. You choose Male/Female $10 per post. Direct your inquiries to russellsherrard@reagan.com.

Thanks Christopher.

Now, back to the News.

SPORTS.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, fresh off Sunday’s stunning Super Bowl defeat, told fans that he needs to take some time to decide if he will return to play next season.

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points on Tuesday night, joining LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Wilt Chamberlain.

Pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training for all 30 Major League Baseball teams.

The White House Transition.

President Trump fired the top watchdog for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) after details resurfaced that the agency helped pay college bills for an Al Qaeda terrorist with ties to the 9/11 hijackers.

Meanwhile, eight federal government “watchdogs” previously fired by Trump filed suit Wednesday, claiming their terminations violate federal law.

Two top Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have been reassigned from their jobs in a signal that arrests of illegal migrants are lagging behind the goals set by border czar Tom Homan.

FINANCE.

Big Stock Move: Upstart Holdings stock surged 32% Wednesday after delivering fourth-quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street’s expectations for the lending platform.

Consumer prices rose 0.5% in January, higher than expected, as the annualized inflation rate rose to 3%. Market experts say they don’t foresee new interest rate cuts until the last quarter of the year.

Joann, the national fabric and craft retail chain, announced plans to close 500 of its 800 stores across the U.S. as it works its way through its second bankruptcy reorganization.

Chevron plans to cut up to 20% of its workforce in a cost-cutting move aimed at saving between $2 billion to $3 billion by the end of 2026.

SCIENCE AND TECH.

A wooden jacket made from finely laser-cut veneer has been unveiled by British company Vollebak. The $3,295 prototype explores new frontiers in material science.

NASA announced on Tuesday a new return date of March 12 for two astronauts stranded on the ISS since June 2024 due to Boeing Starliner malfunctions.

Researchers spotted a rare humpback anglerfish, known to live in the black darkness of the deep sea, swimming out in broad daylight for the first time.

THE ROTATOR.
THROWBACK THURSDAY.

Crayola is bringing back eight retired crayon colors, including Dandelion, for a limited time. The nostalgic collection also includes Blizzard Blue, Magic Mint, and Mulberry.

Celebrity weddings have been a staple of news coverage for as long as we’ve had celebrities. Here are wedding photos from yesteryear of famous stars from Elvis Presley to Liza Minnelli to Brigitte Bardot.

These siblings surprised their parents by hilariously recreating, as adults, their 1980s childhood family portrait.

ET CETERA.

Giant schnauzer Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Dog Show in New York, marking his first overall victory after three years of competition.

Domino’s released a limited-edition pepperoni-inspired perfume, Eau de Passion, for Valentine’s Day, featuring spicy and woody notes meant to ignite attraction.

People on social media mock elite college admissions by pretending unlikely candidates—babies, grandparents, and pets—got into Harvard. The viral trend reflects skepticism toward selective universities.

Daily Quote.

“Together with the U.S., we are charting our next steps to stop Russian aggression and ensure a lasting, reliable peace. As President Trump said, let’s get it done.”

— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the prospect of peace talks with the U.S. and Russia.

And thats the news for today.

And Now a Word from Our Sponsor, Spurgeons’ Morning and Evening Devotionals.

Go to https:// payhip.com/ Christian NonFiction eBookStore then scroll down and click on Spurgeons’ Morning and Evening Devotionals.

Organized by month, this devotional has a morning and evening meditation for every day of the year. Although these devotions are short in length, they are filled with spiritual goodness. In just a few sentences, Spurgeon is able to convey the wisdom of Scripture with eloquence and purpose. These daily messages provide Christians with the spiritual energy they need to begin and end each day. Spurgeon weaves a verse of Scripture into each devotion, helping readers draw deeper meaning out of the selected passages. This powerful devotional provides Christians with the spiritual nourishment required to strengthen their relationships with God. Readers will find themselves inspired by Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotionals.

 

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CrossReads Book Spotlight: Loving Jesus for Children 2/13/2025

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CrossReads Book Spotlight

CrossReads Book Spotlight

Loving Jesus for Children

by Chelsea Kong

Loving Jesus for Children

Loving Jesus for Children shows them how much Jesus loves them and how to love Him.
Children will learn how they can love Jesus back. They will understand how important it is and how to walk with Jesus. Start them young to be pure and holy as a bride. Jesus is our king and High priest and we are kings and priests in His kingdom. Jesus is our bridegroom. He is more than a valentine, so why not celebrate Him all the time?

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The Wednesday Flyover Replay : Winter Storm Alert, Playground Bombs, and a Full ‘Snow Moon’

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The Flyover Replay

The Wednesday Flyover Replay : Winter Storm Alert, Playground Bombs, and a Full ‘Snow Moon’.

Presented by Russell Sherrard.

Narrated by Artificial Intelligence, Our Hosts are Christopher and Jenny.

THE FLYOVER REPLAY.

Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

Good Morning! On this day in 1994, on the opening day of the Lillehammer Winter Olympics, thieves stole Edvard Munch’s The Scream from a Norwegian museum in just 50 seconds, leaving a note reading, “Thousand thanks for the bad security!”

Gentlemen, are you unsure how to dress to impress your upcoming Valentine’s Day date? Check out our story below on matching, pairing, and accessorizing for a picture-perfect moment.

We hope you enjoyed reading today’s Flyover. Let us know how we’re doing by replying to Russell Sherrard at russellsherrard@reagan.com.

The sponsors keep the tanks full around here. Be sure to check out today’s sponsors.

TAKEOFF.

Winter Storms Sweeping Across U.S..

A new series of powerful winter storms is expected to bring significant snow, ice, and rain from the Plains and Midwest to the Great Lakes and Northeast starting today.

The first of three forecasted storms swept across the U.S. Tuesday, placing over 80 million people under winter weather alerts as snow and rain fell from coast to coast. Another storm has formed over the Plains and is projected to follow a similar path.

The second storm is on track to impact over 20 states from the Central Plains to the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast into Thursday.

A third storm has been identified in the Pacific, with officials anticipating it will make landfall later this week and eventually become a significant winter storm over the Plains, Midwest, and Northeast this weekend.

DOJ Drops Charges Against NYC Mayor.

The Justice Department has dropped corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, citing concerns that the case interfered with his reelection campaign and his role in addressing illegal immigration and violent crime.

The directive, issued by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, does not assess the strength of the evidence but suspends further investigative steps until after the 2025 mayoral election.

Adams, who was accused of accepting illegal campaign contributions and luxury perks from foreign nationals, denied any wrongdoing and vowed to regain public trust.

President Trump hinted at a pardon in December, saying the mayor had been “treated pretty unfairly” and that Adams was targeted for criticizing former President Biden’s immigration policies.

Danish Petition Seeks to Buy California.

A satirical Danish petition to “buy California” from the U.S. has gained nearly 200,000 signatures, responding to President Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland.

The campaign, titled Denmarkification, proposes raising $1 trillion to purchase the state, promising to introduce Danish values, rename Disneyland to “Hans Christian Andersenland,” and bring “hygge to Hollywood.”

Under the tongue-in-cheek plan, California would be renamed “New Denmark,” and Los Angeles would become “Løs Ångeles.” The campaign also suggests changing California’s flag by replacing the bear with a mermaid.

To sweeten the deal, Denmark has offered Trump a lifetime supply of Danish pastries, which “Hollywood would pay for.”

POLITICS.

The U.S. has negotiated the release of schoolteacher and former diplomat Marc Fogel from Russia after his imprisonment for a medical cannabis infraction, reuniting him with his family Tuesday night.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II agreed to accept 2,000 sick Palestinian children Tuesday following a White House meeting with President Trump, who reaffirmed that the U.S. should control the Gaza Strip.

The Department of Homeland Security fired four FEMA employees for bypassing leadership and unilaterally allocating $59 million to New York City for sheltering illegal migrants in hotels and other facilities.

Steve Bannon pleaded guilty Tuesday to defrauding donors in a private effort to build a border wall, avoiding jail as part of a plea deal.

After a word from one of our sponsors Jenny will be Narrating the last half of the news.

And Now, A word From one of Our Sponsors.

Are you an author or writer with a Blog and wonder if it is being effective?
I have added audio to my blog posts and am getting good comments. I can add voice to your blog posts. You choose Male/Female $10 per post. Direct your inquiries to russellsherrard@reagan.com.

Thanks Christopher.

Now, back to the News.

SPORTS.

AP Top 25: Arizona men’s basketball was the biggest riser in this week’s AP Top 25 poll, while Marquette and Maryland both dropped seven spots after upset losses this past week.

Luka Dončić scored 14 points with five rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes in his first NBA game since being traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.

A protester who unveiled a banner showing the Palestinian flag with the words “Gaza” and “Sudan” during singer Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show has been banned from NFL stadiums for life.

The White House Transition.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday ordered the U.S. Army to rename Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg, this time honoring a World War II hero instead of a Confederate general.

PBS confirmed Tuesday the closure of its diversity, equity, and inclusion office and the release of its diversity staff following a White House order to end DEI initiatives in federal agencies.

Former President Biden has the lowest favorability among all living U.S. presidents, scoring a 39% favorability rating and a 57% unfavorable rating in a new Gallup poll.

FINANCE.

Big Stock Move: SPS Commerce stock dropped 14% Tuesday after the supply chain company’s first quarter and full-year guidance for 2025 disappointed investors.

Fox projected Super Bowl LVIX averaged a record 126 million U.S. viewers Sunday night, with peak viewership reaching 135.7 million in the second quarter.

Shopify removed a site promoted by Ye, formerly Kanye West, that sold swastika t-shirts after his Super Bowl ad. The company said it violated its policies.

Coca-Cola said it would shift from aluminum to plastic bottles if President Trump’s new tariffs raise costs, despite recent efforts to reduce plastic waste.

SCIENCE AND TECH.

February’s full Snow Moon, the year’s second full moon, will shine tonight alongside Regulus, the brightest star in the Leo constellation, nicknamed the Heart of the Lion.

Researchers have discovered a rare new Moroccan blow fly that disguises itself as a termite to live undetected in termite colonies.

Scientists may have found the universe’s largest structure, Quipu, a vast network of galaxy clusters and superclusters totaling about 200 quadrillion solar masses.

THE ROTATOR.
WISDOM WEDNESDAY.

An old Italian phrase, “Piano piano,” refers to the mindset shift we all might need this winter. Embracing life “little by little” can reduce stress and enhance daily experiences.

Here are 11 phrases Baby Boomers use that Gen Z wishes would disappear, from “Back in my day” to “Nobody wants to work anymore.”

Mastering these 10 skills—like setting boundaries and owning your flaws—can help you command respect into your 80s, according to psychologists.

ET CETERA.

Two private jets collided at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona on Monday, killing one person and injuring others. One of the jets, owned by Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil, who wasn’t aboard, veered off the runway and struck a parked aircraft.

The FBI said it is in possession of 2,400 newly discovered records related to JFK’s assassination, which will be transferred to the National Archives for declassification.

Workers renovating an English playground discovered 175 unexploded WWII practice bombs. “It’s quite something to think the children have been playing on bombs,” a town official said.

Daily Quote.

During these hellish conditions and amidst ferocious fighting, Pfc. Bragg saved a fellow soldier’s life by commandeering an enemy ambulance and driving it 20 miles to transport a fellow wounded warrior to an allied hospital in Belgium.”

— U.S. Army memo renaming Ft. Liberty back to Ft. Bragg in honor of World War II hero Roland Bragg, who won a Silver Star during the Battle of the Bulge.

And thats the news for today.

And Now a Word from Our Sponsor, Spurgeons’ Morning and Evening Devotionals.

Go to https:// payhip.com/ Christian NonFiction eBookStore then scroll down and click on Spurgeons’ Morning and Evening Devotionals.

Organized by month, this devotional has a morning and evening meditation for every day of the year. Although these devotions are short in length, they are filled with spiritual goodness. In just a few sentences, Spurgeon is able to convey the wisdom of Scripture with eloquence and purpose. These daily messages provide Christians with the spiritual energy they need to begin and end each day. Spurgeon weaves a verse of Scripture into each devotion, helping readers draw deeper meaning out of the selected passages. This powerful devotional provides Christians with the spiritual nourishment required to strengthen their relationships with God. Readers will find themselves inspired by Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotionals.

 

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CrossReads Short Takes: The Dreamer and the Cowboy & JOY COMES IN THE MORNING 2/12/2025

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CrossReadsShortTakes

CrossReads Short Takes

The Dreamer and the Cowboy

(The Rancher’s Daughters Series Book 2)

by Debra Ullrick

The Dreamer and the Cowboy

A Clean Contemporary Christian Romance NOVELLA
Born and raised on a ranch, Teagan Baxter has never felt like she belonged. She has no interest in ranching or cowboys. All she wants is to pursue her dream of dancing on stage. The one person who believed in her dreams was her mother. On her death bed, she makes Teagan promise to not let anyone or anything stop her from pursuing her dream, not even her father. Teagan is determined to keep that promise. However, she didn’t count on the handsome rancher from Amarillo riding into her life.
When Kage Jenkins hires on with the Circle B Cross ranch, it is with one purpose… to learn every phase of Colorado mountain ranching so he can buy a place of his own in Grand County. He feels an immediate connection to Teagan Baxter, but he refuses to pursue her because she was born to dance, not ranch. And he is determined not to do anything to interfere with her dreams.

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JOY COMES IN THE MORNING
Discovering Your Miracle At Sunrise
by Michael Yeager
Joy Comes in the Morning
In this inspiring and heartwarming book, Doc Yeager delves into the profound symbolism of the morning as depicted in the Bible—a time of new beginnings, divine intervention, renewal, mercy, and unwavering faithfulness. With a narrative that is both uplifting and deeply personal, Yeager shares his extraordinary journey of going to bed with burdensome infirmities only to awaken completely healed, a testament to God’s miraculous intervention and deliverance.

“Joy Comes in the Morning” is not just a book; it’s a beacon of hope for those seeking light in the darkness. Through his compelling experiences and divine visitations in the early hours, Yeager illustrates the powerful biblical promises that underscore God’s active presence and support at the break of dawn. He brings to life the essence of verses such as Psalm 30:5, reminding us that although weeping may endure for a night, joy indeed comes in the morning.

The book further explores the depths of Psalm 143:8 and Psalm 59:16, encouraging readers to trust in God’s lovingkindness each new day and to sing of His power and mercy from the moment they rise. It echoes the assurance found in Psalm 3:4-5, highlighting the Lord’s sustaining grace that carries us from darkness into light.

“Joy Comes in the Morning” serves as a spiritual guide, offering readers the keys to unlocking their own sunrise miracles. It is a celebration of faith, a testament to the transformative power of God’s love, and a reminder that no matter the struggles we face, with trust in the Divine, we too can experience the joy and renewal that each new morning brings.

Embark on this enlightening journey with Doc Yeager and discover the miracle of your own sunrise, where every dawn is a promise fulfilled and every day holds the potential for divine wonder. This book is a treasure trove of encouragement, wisdom, and unwavering faith, perfect for anyone seeking solace and strength in God’s eternal promise of a new beginning.

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The Tuesday Flyover Replay : Ceasefire at Risk, Pinching Pennies, and a $777 Vegas Wedding

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The Flyover Replay

The Tuesday Flyover Replay : Ceasefire at Risk, Pinching Pennies, and a $777 Vegas Wedding.

Presented by Russell Sherrard.

Narrated by Artificial Intelligence, Our Hosts are Christopher and Jenny.

THE FLYOVER REPLAY.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

Good Morning! On this day in 1963, Julia Child’s The French Chef premiered on public television, introducing French cuisine to the U.S. The first episode featured boeuf bourguignon, a French beef stew made with red wine.

Budweiser’s iconic Clydesdale horses remain a Super Bowl favorite with viewers, winning their ninth USA Today Ad Meter award for the game’s best commercial.

We hope you enjoyed reading today’s Flyover. Let us know how we’re doing by replying to Russell Sherrard at russellsherrard@reagan.com.

The sponsors keep the tanks full around here. Be sure to check out today’s sponsors.

TAKEOFF.

Ceasefire at Risk as Hamas Stalls Hostage Release.

Hamas said it was postponing the next scheduled release of Israeli hostages, putting the ceasefire agreement at risk as Israel raised its military readiness to high alert.

Hamas accused Israel of delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, targeting them with shelling and gunfire, and failing to allow the entry of agreed-upon humanitarian aid.

In response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz condemned Hamas’s actions as a “complete violation” of the ceasefire and instructed the Israeli military to prepare for any possible scenario in Gaza.

President Trump said the Israel-Hamas ceasefire should be canceled if Hamas does not release all remaining hostages by midday Saturday, though he acknowledged the final decision is up to Israel.

Judge Extends Pause in Buyout Plan.

A Massachusetts federal judge on Monday extended indefinitely the pause on the Trump administration’s buyout plan for federal employees, just hours before the deadline.

The plan offered over 2 million remote federal workers eight months of pay and benefits if they didn’t want to return to working full-time in the office. Over 65,000 federal workers have taken the offer, according to officials.

Monday’s ruling is the second extension of the program. Unions have argued that employees might find themselves out of luck when government funding terminates in March, as Congress hasn’t authorized the spending for the program.

The pause is expected to continue until the judge rules on a preliminary injunction in the case.

President Pinches Penny Production.

President Trump ordered the U.S. Treasury to stop producing new pennies, citing the move as a way to reduce wasteful spending since each penny costs more to mint than it can buy.

The U.S. Mint’s 2024 fiscal report revealed that the penny costs at least 3.7 cents to mint, marking the 19th consecutive year its production exceeded face value. The U.S. spent over $179 million to mint over 4.5 billion pennies in fiscal year 2023 alone.

Previous attempts to eliminate the penny haven’t been successful. Supporters argue that the coin helps keep prices lower and enhances charitable donations. Internationally, Canada hasn’t minted a one-cent coin since 2012.

Not all pennies are equal; several editions are worth tens of thousands of dollars, including two pennies from the 1940s estimated to be over $1 million in value.

POLITICS.

White House officials confirmed that former Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich will receive a presidential pardon, following a commutation of his 14-year sentence for corruption nearly four years ago during President Trump’s first term.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday nominated former Ohio State Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel for lieutenant governor, praising him as a strong leader and educator capable of running the state.

President Trump signed an executive order Monday pausing the enforcement of a decades-old law banning the bribery of foreign officials to review whether it put American business executives at a disadvantage.

After a word from one of our sponsors Jenny will be Narrating the last half of the news.

And Now, A word From one of Our Sponsors.

Are you an author or writer with a Blog and wonder if it is being effective?
I have added audio to my blog posts and am getting good comments. I can add voice to your blog posts. You choose Male/Female $10 per post. Direct your inquiries to russellsherrard@reagan.com.

Thanks Christopher.

Now, back to the News.

SPORTS.

Philadelphia Eagles fans set towels on fire and ripped down some of the city’s traffic lights during their celebration of the team’s Super Bowl LIX victory.

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis is set to miss multiple weeks after getting injured in his first game with the team, following one of the most controversial trades in NBA history.

The No. 2 South Carolina women’s basketball team saw its record 57-game SEC winning streak end on Sunday at the hands of No. 4 Texas.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young was named to the 2025 All-Star Game just weeks after he complained about missing out on the festivities.

The White House Transition.

A third federal judge in New Hampshire has blocked President Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship, following similar rulings from judges in Seattle and Maryland last week.

The Trump administration filed a motion to vacate or modify a restraining order blocking the Department of Government Efficiency from accessing Treasury payment records, arguing the access is appropriate and necessary.

The White House announced Monday the dismissal of Board of Visitors advisory members from four service academies, saying their advice conflicted with Trump’s goal to make military academies “Great Again!”

FINANCE.

Big Stock Move: SpringWorks Therapeutics jumped 34% Monday following a report that German medical firm Merck KGaA could acquire the U.S-based cancer treatment company.

Elon Musk is leading a $94.4 billion bid to acquire the nonprofit controlling OpenAI, aiming to restore its original open-source mission. CEO Sam Altman responded on X: “No thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”

Meta plans to cut 5% of its workforce, about 3,600 jobs, as Mark Zuckerberg pushes for higher performance standards for the “intense year” ahead.

McDonald’s announced disappointing revenue as U.S. same-store sales fell 1.4%, the worst drop since the pandemic.

SCIENCE AND TECH.

OpenAI, Discord, and other tech companies announced a $27 million “Robust Online Safety Tools” initiative, a child safety program offering free resources to detect, review, and report harmful online content.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is displaying 1,000-year-old Thule snow goggles, intricately carved from walrus tusks and used by Inuit ancestors to protect their eyes against harsh Arctic conditions.

Scientists now estimate there’s a 2% chance of a potential “city-killer” asteroid striking Earth, up from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s 1.6% prediction last month.

THE ROTATOR.
TRAVEL TUESDAY.

Lexie Alford, a 25-year-old social influencer, has set two world travel records: She’s the youngest person to travel to every country in the world and the first person to travel around the globe in an electric vehicle.

North Carolina’s Emerald Isle beaches—part of the barrier island known as the Crystal Coast—feature the kind of white sand and clear blue water usually found only in Florida or the Caribbean.

Swimming tours have become a travel trend. Accompanied by small boats with safety gear and supplies, travelers spend their days swimming in locations around the world.

ET CETERA.

A pair of rare black wolves were spotted in a Polish forest, and researchers hope genetic testing will reveal more about the uncommon fur mutation.

Pop singer Ed Sheeran was stopped mid-song by police while busking in India. He later clarified he had permission, reassuring fans ahead of his scheduled concert.

Taco Bell is offering a $777 wedding package at its Cantina location on the Las Vegas Strip, providing couples with a unique, fast-food-themed ceremony. The package includes an Elvis impersonator, Vegas showgirls, and a private chapel for up to 25 guests.

Daily Quote.

“Let’s rip the waste out of our great nation’s budget, even if it’s a penny at a time.”

— President Trump, announcing plans to stop minting new pennies, which cost over a penny to make.

And thats the news for today.

And Now a Word from Our Sponsor, Spurgeons’ Morning and Evening Devotionals.

Go to https:// payhip.com/ Christian NonFiction eBookStore then scroll down and click on Spurgeons’ Morning and Evening Devotionals.

Organized by month, this devotional has a morning and evening meditation for every day of the year. Although these devotions are short in length, they are filled with spiritual goodness. In just a few sentences, Spurgeon is able to convey the wisdom of Scripture with eloquence and purpose. These daily messages provide Christians with the spiritual energy they need to begin and end each day. Spurgeon weaves a verse of Scripture into each devotion, helping readers draw deeper meaning out of the selected passages. This powerful devotional provides Christians with the spiritual nourishment required to strengthen their relationships with God. Readers will find themselves inspired by Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotionals.

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Weekly Devotional: Gems From Pastor Jim 2/11/2025

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Cross

by Jim Hughes,

Narrated by Artificial Intelligence, Eric,

Click Above to Read/Listen to the Devotional

 

CrossPsalm 25:4-5 Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD, point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.

This is a prayer that the Lord will answer every time. The Lord wants us to know the way to Him. He wants us to stay on the path to Him. He wants what is best for us and for us to be on the path that gets us there. He wants us to clearly know the truth. He wants us to learn the things we need to know in order to live holy lives.

The path that leads to the Lord is a rugged path because it is not worn down by many travelers. It is rugged because we are constantly battling Satan along the way to stay on it. It is rugged because it requires much determination, commitment, and work on our part. It is rugged because it’s the only way we will ever develop our spiritual muscles to sustain us in life. It is rugged because sometimes it’s a very lonely road since most do not travel on it.

We must be careful that we don’t get on the wrong road. Only one road leads us to Christ and it is the road of Mount Calvary. We have to ask the Lord to help us because it’s so easy to get off track and start traveling on the wrong path. One thing to look out for is if everything is easy with no struggles along the way, you are traveling on the wrong road. On Calvary’s road, we must pick up our cross and carry it along with us daily.

As we travel this journey of life we must always be led by God’s Word if we want to see Jesus. We must make it a priority in our lives to learn God’s truth and live it. We must never be satisfied with what we know, or think we know. We must always remain teachable. We must never get out from underneath its teachings.

Only the Lord our God can save us. He alone is the only hope we have for making it to heaven. Let us stay the course and always follow in the footprints of Jesus, the author and finisher of our salvation.

About the Author:

 

Jim HughesSpending his formative years in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jim followed the love of his life to southeast Iowa where they married and have spent the majority of their lives. Jim has pastored several churches throughout his life and has worked many years in local factories to help support his family. The father of two married adult children and one son still at home, Jim is a first-time author.

C Through Marriage came into being through many years of pastoral and life experiences. The book first took on a life of its own over 20 years ago when I sought to address the much publicized moral failures of prominent leaders in the church. In the chapter on Chastity, I include the guideliness that I developed then to protect one’s self from such failures.

I am a firm believer in order to make sense out of life you have to use much common sense. We need to get back to the basics of what has worked for many, many generations. If it isn’t broke, why try to fix it? I strive to return to the basics of what really works in all my writings.

And Now a Word from Our Sponsor, Spurgeons’ Morning and Evening Devotionals.

Go to https:// payhip.com/ Christian NonFiction eBookStore then scroll down and click on Spurgeons’ Morning and Evening Devotionals.

Spurgeons' Morning and Evening Devotionals
Organized by month, this devotional has a morning and evening meditation for every day of the year. Although these devotions are short in length, they are filled with spiritual goodness. In just a few sentences, Spurgeon is able to convey the wisdom of Scripture with eloquence and purpose. These daily messages provide Christians with the spiritual energy they need to begin and end each day. Spurgeon weaves a verse of Scripture into each devotion, helping readers draw deeper meaning out of the selected passages. This powerful devotional provides Christians with the spiritual nourishment required to strengthen their relationships with God. Readers will find themselves inspired by Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotionals.

 

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