kate shellnutt

Outrage over ICE has spilled into typically apolitical online spaces Fury over Alex Pretti’s killing has flooded the internet’s most apolitical venues, reflecting a growing outrage over the Trump administration’s crackdown.

Lede of the week:

“The moderator of r/catbongos, an 800,000-member subreddit devoted to videos of people playing their cats like drums, never posted about politics before Saturday. But after watching clips showing Border Patrol agents killing...” www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...

Retired judge, now a World Relief staffer

Opinion | It’s So Hard Not to Be Consumed by Rage

“Mutual hatred is a national wound that we will have to work to heal, and that will require letting go of who we’ve become. It’s the only way forward for all of us.” - @esaumccaulley.bsky.social in the New York Times

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/o...

YouTube video by Saturday Night Live Beyond the Headlines - SNL

"How nice is it to wear jeans to church?" www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUsW...

Without a doubt

Nigella Lawson Joins ‘The Great British Baking Show’ as a Judge Ms. Lawson, 66, replaces Prue Leith, who announced her departure this month.

Nigella Lawson, the British author and cooking personality, is joining “The Great British Baking Show” as a judge, the series announced on Monday. She replaces Prue Leith, who announced her departure this month. nyti.ms/4rjDQJk

In a Tense Minnesota, Christians Help Immigrant Neighbors - Christianity Today As the Twin Cities reel from ICE arrests and the killing of Alex Pretti, churchgoers drive immigrants to work and doctor’s appointments.

Absent from protests, some Twin Cities churches are nonetheless mobilizing quietly to help foreign-born neighbors—delivering food, driving kids to and from school, committing to assume parental rights if the worst happens. Great dispatch from my colleague @emilybelz.bsky.social

Worth noting that one reason you’re benefitting so fully from the Star-Tribune’s timely, extensive coverage of unfolding events is that it’s a metro newspaper that hasn’t been systematically starved to further enrich shareholders and executives.

Tonight I tried to blow out my laptop like it was a candle.

GOODNIGHT TIME FOR BED 🫠🫠🫠

If it doesn't add to the piece it takes away from it!

Austin Kleon Five years ago, a reader emailed me this November 2005 Texas Monthly profile of Austin writer James Magnuson and said he had it taped above his desk. Magnuson died this week.

“It’s amazing what cutting a bad sentence will do. Or taking out a bad paragraph. Cutting is essentially a kind of sculpture. It reveals the face inside the piece of rock.” - James Magnuson

tumblr.austinkleon.com/post/8064561...

The American Murder Rate Has Never Been Lower, a New Report Projects

“The way that people interact with each other has been changing dramatically and becoming much less face-to-face, which is sort of a requirement for violence, right?”

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/u...

After Ruch's acquittal, ACNA grapples with trial implications and looks to reform (RNS) — As the denomination looks ahead to two additional bishops’ trials, the precedents set by the Ruch trial will have substantial bearing on the upcoming proceedings.

A good explanation of the current turmoil in the Anglican Church in North America: "there’s a sense of distrust on all sides." religionnews.com/2026/01/16/a...

With this one I'm struck not just by the highlighted error, but also by the fact that the sentence laboriously works its way to correcting the searcher's impression (?) that a previous Pope Leo (c. 1900 at the latest) would have been a critic of the Trump administration?

‘Think of It As a Best Friend and Youth Pastor in Your Pocket’ - Christianity Today A Q&A with the CEO of a Duolingo-style “Christian AI” app aimed at Gen Z.

"If you tell your companion that you are feeling sad, it will pray for you." Smart challenging questions here from @bonniekristian.bsky.social: www.christianitytoday.com/2026/01/cree...

Music streams hit 5 trillion in 2025. Christian, rock and Latin lead growth in the US NEW YORK (AP) — In the year-end report, it is clear that Christian/gospel music has continued to grow stateside: up 18.5% in on-demand audio volume change compared to 2024.

In the year-end report, it is clear that Christian/gospel music has continued to grow stateside: up 18.5% in on-demand audio volume change compared to 2024.
religionnews.com/2026/01/16/m...

We're past "happy new year" time but can we still "hope your year's off to a good start"?

Matt Damon Says Netflix Wants Plots Reiterated “Three or Four Times in the Dialogue” for Phone-Distracted Viewers "It's going to really start to infringe on how we're telling these stories," 'The Rip' star recently told Joe Rogan.

When going to the movie theater is like going to church:

“You’re in with a bunch of strangers...and you’re having this experience together...it’s more like going to church — you show up at an appointed time. It doesn’t wait for you.” -- Matt Damon

www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...

Atlanta Beyond MLK: How Black Christians Continue a Civil Rights Legacy - Christianity Today Generations take up the gospel work of becoming a beloved community.

One way to remember and honor Martin Luther King Jr. is to recognize those who are carrying on his legacy.

A memorable CT series from several years back:
www.christianitytoday.com/2020/09/atla...

Top Catholic Clerics Denounce U.S. Foreign Policy

America’s “moral role in confronting evil around the world” is in question for the first time in decades, three top American cardinals say in a strongly worded statement today. New from me, with comment from all three: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/u...

New Christianity Today CEO Nicole Martin believes in the good news, even in hard times (RNS) — Martin, a former leader at the American Bible Society who first joined CT's staff in 2023, says the magazine will focus on building a healthy culture, telling redemptive stories and reaching e...

Had a long talk with the new president of CEO of Christianity about some of the challenges the magazine has faced and her hopes for the future.

religionnews.com/2026/01/12/n...

Thank you Liam!

Brain Balls Scientists can now grow tiny, human brain balls. They’re useful, but are they alive?

Fascinating and haunting exploration of "organoids" on the latest @radiolab.bsky.social episode:

radiolab.org/podcast/brai...

Famed Nigerian Author Blames Death of Toddler Son on Negligent Care Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is accusing a private hospital in Lagos of administering an overdose of a sedative, prompting an outpouring of complaints by Nigerians about their health care system.

The author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is accusing a private hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, of negligence that led to the death of her 21-month-old son after the family traveled there from the U.S. for the holidays.

72% of people get their best ideas in the shower — here's why Ever feel like you come up with your best ideas while daydreaming in the shower? Well, that's...

This is one reason I enjoy the occasional long drive alone—it's time when no one is counting on me to be productive, when I have to be off my phone, and when I can be with my thoughts.

finance.yahoo.com/news/72-peop...

Raids Are a Perilous Substitute for Reform - Christianity Today Attempts to close America to immigrants helped spark the Revolution. Today, they are deforming our national conscience.

www.christianitytoday.com/2026/01/raid... As we enter America's 250th year, the Minnesota shooting and competing responses to it on social media feel like evidence for this thesis. New from me:

The Great Omission - Christianity Today With busy schedules, chatty small groups, and personalized quiet times, we’ve neglected the rigor of learning the Bible.

The last print piece I edited for @christianitytoday.com mag in print is now up!

@jenwilkin.bsky.social writes about how churches lost the rigor of Bible literacy and what we can do to restore a culture of learning:

www.christianitytoday.com/2026/01/bibl...

After Maduro’s Capture, Venezuelan Pastors Pray for Peace - Christianity Today Meanwhile, the diaspora celebrates the strongman’s ouster.

After Maduro’s capture, Venezuelan pastors are praying for peace.

“We have the firm hope and faith that this year will be the year in which God will give peace and freedom to Venezuela,” said one.

Especially not a Whippet!

Finnish children learn media literacy at 3 years old. It's protection against Russian propaganda Finland has been fighting fake news by teaching media literacy to children as young as 3. The Nordic nation includes this in its national curriculum to help citizens recognize disinformation, especial...

"It’s really important for us to be seen as a place where you can get information that’s been verified, that you can trust, and that’s done by people you know in a transparent way."

apnews.com/article/fake...