Faith and politics: 5 key religion storylines in the 2022 midterm elections

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. COZUMEL, Mexico — I spent much of the past week on a Caribbean cruise, enjoying a vacation with my family. Upon my return to the U.S., … Continue reading Faith and politics: 5 key religion storylines in the 2022 midterm elections

Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists honors Bobby Ross Jr. with five awards

LAWTON, Okla. — I’ve been blessed to win a number of awards from the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists over the last 30 years. In 2021, I was surprised to win the first-place prize for best reporter. This past weekend, I was honored to place in five categories in the 2022 awards, given for work produced last year. The winners were announced in a ceremony … Continue reading Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists honors Bobby Ross Jr. with five awards

ReligionUnplugged.com wins 10 awards in Editor & Publisher’s 2022 Eppy Awards

ReligionUnplugged.com won five first-place honors and five runner-up recognitions in Editor & Publisher’s 2022 Eppy Awards. The online magazine’s awards included best entertainment/cultural news website and best home page design. I write ReligionUnplugged.com’s “Weekend Plug-in” column, featuring analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. My column, published each Friday, is a fixture on the home page. Congrats to executive editor Paul … Continue reading ReligionUnplugged.com wins 10 awards in Editor & Publisher’s 2022 Eppy Awards

Big week in religion news: From Loretta Lynn to Aaron Judge, 9 names to know

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. A country music queen. A home run king. A former White House press secretary. A current U.S. Supreme Court plaintiff. They are among nine key religion … Continue reading Big week in religion news: From Loretta Lynn to Aaron Judge, 9 names to know

‘Faith-based FEMA’: Relief organizations mobilize to help after Hurricane Ian

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Over the years, I’ve covered the faith-based response to a variety of hurricanes. I traveled to New Orleans after Katrina, Houston after Harvey, the Florida Panhandle … Continue reading ‘Faith-based FEMA’: Relief organizations mobilize to help after Hurricane Ian

5 facts about religion in the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who served Jesus her king

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. When news broke Thursday of Queen Elizabeth II’s death at age 96, I immediately consulted with the leading expert of her 70 years on the throne … Continue reading 5 facts about religion in the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who served Jesus her king

Is Nashville the center of the religion news universe? For today, let’s say so

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Twenty years ago, I moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to work for The Associated Press. I spent less than a year in Music City before transferring to … Continue reading Is Nashville the center of the religion news universe? For today, let’s say so

Why faith matters to America: We talk to the author of an insightful new book

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Religion reporter Bob Smietana’s “aha!” moment came a few years ago while covering a hurricane. When a tornado, flood or other disaster occurs, so-called faith-based FEMA … Continue reading Why faith matters to America: We talk to the author of an insightful new book

Why my old school district removed 41 books, including the Bible, from its libraries

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. KELLER, Texas — I don’t remember the Keller Independent School District making national headlines when I was a student here in the 1980s. Even back then, this … Continue reading Why my old school district removed 41 books, including the Bible, from its libraries