The World and Everything In It

Hunter Baker has more Washington than Wednesday can hold: Pentagon upheaval, the politics of AI data centers, Social Security’s looming reckoning—and a lightning round besides. In Venezuela, an earthquake exposes a crisis years in the making, while Mary Muncy looks past Dolly Parton’s carefully built image to the faith and roots beneath it. Plus: cheaper raccoon permits, and Maria Baer on the friend who asks, and Wednesday morning news.
Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.
Additional support comes from Boyce College—which offers a Christ-centered education built on the truth of God’s Word. Every student—no matter their major—takes 30 hours of Bible and theology, learning how to think biblically, live faithfully, and lead with conviction.
Formed from the 160-year legacy of Southern Seminary, Boyce College prepares students for maximum faithfulness in the world, the workplace, the church, and the family.
Learn more at boycecollege.com
From World Watch. A 10-minute daily news program that explores current events for students 5-12th grade. This high-energy show connects learners to the present, history and communities around the world. Join 40,000 Christian families that utilize World Watch as a tool to foster curiosity and have conversations about today’s news as a discipleship rhythm within their families. “Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!” First time? Take advantage of a 30-days free trial at worldwatch.news/podcast. Not ready to sign up? Check out a free episode at get.worldwatch.news/free-episode.
And from Cedarville University—a Christ-centered, academically rigorous university located in southwest Ohio, equipping students for Gospel impact across every career and calling. Cedarville integrates a biblical worldview into every course in the more than 175 undergraduate and graduate programs students choose from. New online undergraduate degrees through Cedarville Online offer flexible and affordable education grounded in a strong Christian community that fosters both faith and learning. Learn more at cedarville.edu, and explore online programs at cedarville.edu/online.

Venezuela makes a once-unimaginable turn toward American oil investment, privacy advocates propose “collective bargaining” for personal data, and Trump’s FDA nominee inherits a long-stalled review of the abortion pill. Plus: Where religion becomes rule, Cal Thomas on the test that caught his cancer, a Vermont woman growing a dress so slowly the fashion trend may come back around, and the Tuesday morning news.
Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.
Additional support comes from Cedarville University—a Christ-centered, academically rigorous university located in southwest Ohio, equipping students for Gospel impact across every career and calling. Cedarville integrates a biblical worldview into every course in the more than 175 undergraduate and graduate programs students choose from. New online undergraduate degrees through Cedarville Online offer flexible and affordable education grounded in a strong Christian community that fosters both faith and learning. Learn more at cedarville.edu, and explore online programs at cedarville.edu/online.
From World Watch. A 10-minute daily news program that explores current events for students 5-12th grade. This high-energy show connects learners to the present, history and communities around the world. Join 40,000 Christian families that utilize World Watch as a tool to foster curiosity and have conversations about today’s news as a discipleship rhythm within their families. “Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!” First time? Take advantage of a 30-days free trial at worldwatch.news/podcast. Not ready to sign up? Check out a free episode at get.worldwatch.news/free-episode.
And from Boyce College—which offers a Christ-centered education built on the truth of God’s Word. Every student—no matter their major—takes 30 hours of Bible and theology, learning how to think biblically, live faithfully, and lead with conviction.
Formed from the 160-year legacy of Southern Seminary, Boyce College prepares students for maximum faithfulness in the world, the workplace, the church, and the family.
Learn more at boycecollege.com

Legal Docket previews a Supreme Court clash over whether Colorado can require Catholic preschools to set aside religious standards for public funding even as secular providers tailor enrollment. New Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh on a quieter central bank on MoneyBeat. And Yazidi families are still searching for more than 2,000 missing since the ISIS genocide. Legal Docket, Moneybeat, WORLD History Book—and the morning news on this last Monday of August.
Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.
Additional support comes from Boyce College—which offers a Christ-centered education built on the truth of God’s Word. Every student—no matter their major—takes 30 hours of Bible and theology, learning how to think biblically, live faithfully, and lead with conviction. Formed from the 160-year legacy of Southern Seminary, Boyce College prepares students for maximum faithfulness in the world, the workplace, the church, and the family. Learn more at boycecollege.com
From World Watch. A 10-minute daily news program that explores current events for students 5-12th grade. This high-energy show connects learners to the present, history and communities around the world. Join 40,000 Christian families that utilize World Watch as a tool to foster curiosity and have conversations about today’s news as a discipleship rhythm within their families. “Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!” First time? Take advantage of a 30-days free trial at worldwatch.news/podcast. Not ready to sign up? Check out a free episode at get.worldwatch.news/free-episode.
And from Cedarville University—a Christ-centered, academically rigorous university located in southwest Ohio, equipping students for Gospel impact across every career and calling. Cedarville integrates a biblical worldview into every course in the more than 175 undergraduate and graduate programs students choose from. New online undergraduate degrees through Cedarville Online offer flexible and affordable education grounded in a strong Christian community that fosters both faith and learning. Learn more at cedarville.edu, and explore online programs at cedarville.edu/online.

Jews, Muslims, and Christians try to co-exist in the shadow of the Temple Mount–the most contested piece of real estate in the world

On Culture Friday, John Stonestreet considers what allowed Dolly Parton to rise above the political fray, why “no contact” is a poor substitute for honoring difficult parents, and the WNBA’s sudden need to define woman. Then Wile E. Coyote finally gets his day in court in Coyote vs. Acme, and listeners tell us which WORLD stories and moments stayed with them. Plus, the Friday morning news
Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.
Additional support comes from Covenant College in Georgia. Looking for a Christ-centered education with a deep commitment to academic excellence? Located on top of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Covenant College students thrive in a Christ-centered community and are equipped to pursue their callings through a vibrant liberal arts education. Applications for Fall 2027 are open, and students who visit are eligible to receive a grant of $2,000. More at Covenant.edu/world.
From Ascend by Unbound. A higher education program focused on practical skill development and career preparation.  beunbound.us/world
And from Dordt University’s Master of Education program. Equipping educators with advanced classroom and leadership abilities. dordt.edu