Top 24 of 2024: Bobby Ross Jr.’s best stories of the year
By Bobby Ross Jr. OKLAHOMA CITY — I love what I do. I get paid to travel and tell newsworthy stories. 2024 marked my 35th year in full-time journalism, and I thank God for allowing me to live my dream. A major career highlight: In April, I was honored to receive the Religion News Association’s Supple Award for Feature Writing at its 75th anniversary convention in … Continue reading Top 24 of 2024: Bobby Ross Jr.’s best stories of the year
🏆 Weekend Plug-in year in review: The best religion journalism of 2024 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Welcome to a special year-end edition of Weekend Plug-in! I asked some of the nation’s top religion journalists to share their … Continue reading 🏆 Weekend Plug-in year in review: The best religion journalism of 2024 🔌
🚔 Family, faith and a finale: Why fans loved the TV series ‘Blue Bloods’ 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged For the popular CBS drama “Blue Bloods,” the “End of Tour” — as the final episode is dubbed — promises an emotional farewell. After 14 seasons and nearly 300 episodes, … Continue reading 🚔 Family, faith and a finale: Why fans loved the TV series ‘Blue Bloods’ 🔌
In presidential election, many Christian voters split along racial lines
At a predominantly Black church in Southern California, Donald Trump’s win sparks discussion and reflection. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CARSON, Calif. — President-elect Donald Trump doesn’t have many fans, if any, at the Metropolitan Church of Christ in this urban community south of Los Angeles. No one interviewed at the predominantly Black congregation on a recent Lord’s Day voted for the Republican candidate. That’s not … Continue reading In presidential election, many Christian voters split along racial lines
⚖️ Transgender rights debate moves from the voting booth to SCOTUS 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Transgender rights emerged as a key factor in the 2024 race for the White House. President-elect Donald Trump successfully used Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2019 support for … Continue reading ⚖️ Transgender rights debate moves from the voting booth to SCOTUS 🔌
Ukrainian refugees prepare a special Thanksgiving feast to show gratitude to Texas Christians
A Houston church’s thriving outreach to families fleeing the war inspires a heartfelt holiday gesture. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON —A year ago, Memorial Church of Christ volunteers served Ukrainian refugee families a traditional Thanksgiving meal from Pappas Bar-B-Q, a popular Houston restaurant chain. But this November, the newcomers to Texas — still adapting and learning a new language after fleeing Russia’s 1,000-day war on their homeland … Continue reading Ukrainian refugees prepare a special Thanksgiving feast to show gratitude to Texas Christians
🐶 Will there be hound dogs in heaven? Beliefs differ on furry friends in eternity 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged OKLAHOMA CITY — I’m not a dog person. At least that’s what I’ve always claimed. But a few months ago, a basset hound named Frannie came to … Continue reading 🐶 Will there be hound dogs in heaven? Beliefs differ on furry friends in eternity 🔌
🇺🇸 Trump’s comeback: What it means for immigrants, people of faith and the press 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Before Election Day, I predicted a long night of vote counting. I was sort of right. When I fell asleep Tuesday — well before midnight — the … Continue reading 🇺🇸 Trump’s comeback: What it means for immigrants, people of faith and the press 🔌
🗳️ What do the 1968, 1996 and 2024 elections have in common? Hint: It involves a cake 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged For a journalist, Election Night typically means tight deadlines and pizza. And, in my case, an occasional cake with lighted candles. I celebrated my first birthday — … Continue reading 🗳️ What do the 1968, 1996 and 2024 elections have in common? Hint: It involves a cake 🔌
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 