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📰 Lessons learned in high school journalism class still resonate 🔌

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 KELLER, Texas — Ronald Reagan was president. “Top Gun” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” were massive hits at the box office. Telephones were attached to the wall, and … Continue reading 📰 Lessons learned in high school journalism class still resonate 🔌

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Best in Class for 10th time: Christian Chronicle wins Associated Church Press’ top award

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — The Christian Chronicle, where I serve as editor-in-chief, earned 28 national awards in annual journalism contests sponsored by the Associated Church Press, the Evangelical Press Association and the Religion News Association. In the ACP’s “Best of the Church Press” competition, the Chronicle claimed the Best in Class honor as overall top newspaper for the 10th time. The prize was presented at the faith-based … Continue reading Best in Class for 10th time: Christian Chronicle wins Associated Church Press’ top award

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Religion News Association honors Bobby Ross Jr. with eighth Excellence in Religion Reporting Award

By Bobby Ross Jr. DECATUR, Ga. — I was honored to receive my eighth Excellence in Religion Reporting Award at the Religion News Association’s recent annual convention. I earned second place in the national contest for Excellence in Analysis and Explanatory Reporting. The prize recognized the Weekend Plug-in column I write each Friday for Religion Unplugged. My entry featured these three columns: 1. COVID miracle: … Continue reading Religion News Association honors Bobby Ross Jr. with eighth Excellence in Religion Reporting Award

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✍️ After 61 years, this legend still hasn’t missed a beat on the Godbeat 🔌

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 “Why not keep busy?” That’s Richard Ostling’s quick reply when asked why — at age 85 — he’s still churning out insightful religion news content. “Our beat is … Continue reading ✍️ After 61 years, this legend still hasn’t missed a beat on the Godbeat 🔌

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📰 How a career choice by my wife led me to the Godbeat 25 years ago 🔌

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 — Twenty-five years ago this week, I watched as two-time killer Wanda Jean Allen was strapped to a gurney and injected with lethal drugs at … Continue reading 📰 How a career choice by my wife led me to the Godbeat 25 years ago 🔌

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🏆 Weekend Plug-in year in review: The best religion journalism of 2025 🔌

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 It’s time for my favorite Weekend Plug-in column of the year! For this special year-end edition, I asked some of the nation’s top religion journalists to share … Continue reading 🏆 Weekend Plug-in year in review: The best religion journalism of 2025 🔌

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Oklahoma SPJ again honors Bobby Ross Jr. as Print Reporter of the Year

By Bobby Ross Jr. OKLAHOMA CITY — I was pleased to receive the Print Reporter of the Year award in the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists’ 2025 annual contest. I earned this honor for the second year in a row and the third time in five years. In the 2025 contest, I was recognized for a portfolio of five stories I wrote for The Christian Chronicle: 1. “Culture warrior, MAGA … Continue reading Oklahoma SPJ again honors Bobby Ross Jr. as Print Reporter of the Year

📰 ‘Our job is not to cover up sin’: Reporter Jerry Mitchell on faith and journalism 🔌

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 PEARL, Miss. — Jerry Mitchell is a legendary investigative reporter — and a devoted Christian who characterizes his secular job as both a calling and a ministry. … Continue reading 📰 ‘Our job is not to cover up sin’: Reporter Jerry Mitchell on faith and journalism 🔌

🗞️ My 35 years in full-time journalism: What’s changed and what hasn’t 🔌

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 STILLWATER, Okla. — In August 1990, the first President Bush occupied the White House, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and a gallon of gasoline cost $1.19. I was a 22-year-old … Continue reading 🗞️ My 35 years in full-time journalism: What’s changed and what hasn’t 🔌