Top Stories

Does Faith Matter to Political Party?

Tonight is the lone vice-presidential debate, and there are still a couple of presidential debates to come before Election Day.  There’s no doubt this has been one long campaign season, and David Kinnaman with the Barna Group says one reason may be because of the faith of the candidates. A recent Barna survey showed that political party is not nearly as important to people of faith this year.  Hear Dennis’ complete interview with Barna President, David Kinnaman via the links at right.

Life and Single-Issue Voters

A new Gallup poll says one out of every ten voters in America will only support pro-life candidates, and one out of every six feel strongly enough about it that they consider themselves single-issue voters.

9/11 Libyan Consulate Attack Under Scrutiny on Capitol Hill

The State Department is once again tweaking its story regarding the attacks at the consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others.  Deputy Secretary of State Charlene Lamb testified yesterday that the security levels at the consulate on September 11 were adequate, and in line with what the consulate had asked for, but it was overrun by what she called an “unprecedented attack.”  Earlier, a former security officer there had said they had requested more security, but the request was denied.  White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters that in hindsight, there is “no question that the security was not enough.”

Syria and Turkey Continue Tensions

Relations between Syria and Turkey got even more volatile on Wednesday when Turkish fighter jets forced a Syrian passenger plane to land, and then detained the crew and passengers and confiscated some cargo.  That plane was flying in from Moscow, and Turkey says it is an unacceptable use of their airspace.

Another Meningitis Case Reported

New Jersey is the tenth state to report at least one case of meningitis related to that tainted steroid, and the death toll has now hit eleven.  Tennessee has the most cases, with 39.  Other states on the list in Family Life Nation:  California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Texas.

Former NFL Player and Actor Alex Karras Has Died

One of the first successful athletes to make the switch to Hollywood after his playing days were over has died.  Alex Karras was a defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions back in the 1950s and 1960s, but as an actor was best known for his roles in Blazing Saddles, Monday Night Football, and on the 1980s sitcom Webster.  Karras died yesterday from kidney failure at his home in Los Angeles.  He had also struggled recently with dementia, and was included in a lawsuit accusing the NFL of not doing enough for former players who had suffered head injuries during their careers.  Alex Karras was 77.

Most Expensive Colleges in America

You don’t have to have an Ivy League education to pay a whole lot of money.  This year’s list of most expensive colleges has tiny Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, N-Y on top of the list.  They’re asking 61-thousand dollars for tuition this year, including room and board.  Harvey Mudd College in California is on the list, along with NYU, Columbia, and Wesleyan University rounding out the Top 5.

High Chair Recall

Graco is recalling some of its Classic Wood High Chairs because the seat can become detached, causing a child to fall out.  It’s a big recall – 86,000 high chairs are affected, including some sold at Babies R Us, Burlington Coat Factory, and Target between 2007 and 2010.  For a picture and more details, check out www.CPSC.gov.

Family & Relationships

Life Still a Significant Political Issue

The Sanctity of Life is always a big political issue, especially in a presidential election year, but a group in Southern California is looking to give pro-life a face-lift.  LIFE-SoCal is gearing up for what they call “Go-2-Bat-4-Life”, an upbeat celebration of life at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on November 18.  Pro athletes and other high profile guests will be part of it, several Christian bands, and just a big carnival like atmosphere – all to celebrate the beauty and fun of being pro-life.  All you need to know at www.Go2Bat4Life.com.

Protect Your Family: No, You Did NOT Inherit Millions from African Royalty

You’ve seen the e-mails a dozen times.  They’ll say things like “I work for a Nigerian king” – then you click on it, a virus loads and your personal information is at risk.  October is Crime Prevention Awareness Month, and Mike Prusinski with LifeLock says identity theft is a big concern. He says if you fall victim to identity theft it could cost you hundreds of hours to get everything  back in order. So he recommends “playing offense instead of defense” by being intentional in your actions to protect yourself and your family. That means learning what measures you can take to secure your identity. More free advice on protecting your identity at www.LifeLock.com.

Work

Business Travel Costs More for Fewer Trips

That big business trip may be put on hold.  More companies are cutting back on travel plans, thanks to the continued economic uncertainty.  However travel spending is up, because everything costs more.

Finances & Economy

Retirees Get a Raise from SSA

Good news for folks who receive Social Security.  A cost of living raise is on the way, and the American Institute for Economic Research says it’ll probably be around 1.5-percent.  The official number will be released next week.

Walmart vs. Amazon

Walmart is following Amazon’s lead and will offer same-day delivery for people who shop online.  Walmart could have a big edge too, because of their more than 4-thousand stores.  Amazon has just 40 distribution centers in the U-S.  Still the costs associated with offering it may offset any profits.

Health

Tips for Restful Sleep

Is tossing and turning pretty much a nightly occurrence at your house?  It may be because you’re not breathing well.  Sleep specialist Michael Breus says 20-percent of the population isn’t breathing well when they sleep, and that’s playing havoc with our ability to function during the day.  One of the main reasons may be a dirty house, so he’s teamed up with Trish Suhr from the show Clean House to give tips on cleaning up the bedroom to help you sleep better.  Their suggestions:  Dontate or throw away old items and make sure your air filters are clean; Invest in a new duster; and wash your bedding in hot water.

Features

It's A Girl

You've heard of China's one-child policy. Well, The United Nations estimates that as many as 200 million girls are missing in the world today because of so-called "gendercide." That is, children are killed, aborted, or abandoned, simply because they are girls. Evan Grae Davis is doing something about it as the Director of a new film called "It's A Girl." He spoke with FLR's Steve Tanner about the film and the issue of gendercide.

The film is screening next week in Tucson with more screenings coming all across Family Life Nation, including perhaps, your church or theater. Davis hopes the exposure of the issue through this film will motivate people of faith all around the world to work to eradicate the horrific practice of gendercide.

Find out more about the issue of gendercide, this film, and your opportunity to see it at itsagirlmovie.com. And hear Steve's complete interview with Director Evan Grae Davis via the link at right.

How Much Impact Does Your Faith Have On Your Vote?

It’s the economy.  No, it’s social justice.  No, it’s the sanctity of life.  There is no shortage of opinion as to the top issues this election.  Earlier this year, the Barna Group did some research on those issues – and how much of a role faith plays in it.  Over the course of the next couple of weeks, we’ll look into the specifics of that survey with David Kinnaman of the Barna Group, who tells us they break people down into 5 faith segments: Evangelical Christians, Non-Evangelical Christians, Notional (or cultural) Christians, Non-Christians, and Skeptics (atheists and agnostics). Stay with us over the next several days as we delve deeper into that study from the Barna Group. And you can hear Dennis Hutchinson’s entire interview with David Kinnaman, president of Barna Research, by clicking the link to your right, on this page.

It’s the Economy, Voter!

This week we’ve been looking at the impact of faith in this year’s election with David Kinnaman of the Barna Group, who helped lead a study that breaks people into five different faith segments – but no matter where they land in terms of faith, the economy is still the biggest issue on their minds.  And health care and taxes are important, too, because they also impact economic policy. There are a lot of other factors influencing voters too.  For links and the full interview with David Kinnaman See the links on the right side of this page.

Gendercide All Around the World

“Gendercide” is taking the lives of millions of girls ever year, especially in China and India.  It’s the willful abortion of an unborn child, simply because it’s a girl, and a new documentary is exploring some of those stories. Evan Grae Davis is the Director of the documentary film “It’s A Girl.”  He says the reality of life as a girl in these countries is so devalued that girls are not only aborted, but often simply killed—after they are born—in order to accommodate their preference for boys. Dowry killings are another form of the abuse, whereby if a girl does not have an adequate dowry to present her husband, she is often found not fit to live. And families often prefer boys so they can RECEIVE the dowry from a worthy girl’s family. Screenings are coming to Family Life Nation over the next month or so, including Tucson next week. Find out more with the links to your right.