Emergency rooms are becomingly increasingly dangerous places — for ER nurses.  According to a May 10 AP article, violence against medical professionals is on the rise, in part because the number of ER patients who are alcoholics, psychotics and drug addicts is also climbing.

Two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents serving in Mexico were attacked Tuesday when gunmen opened fire on the blue Suburban in which they were traveling. Special Agent Jaime Zapata, on assignment from his post in Laredo, Texas to the ICE office in Mexico City, was killed.

During a speech to the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics on Monday, Undersecretary of the Army Joseph Westphal (left) called the situation on the U.S.-Mexico border an “insurgency.” An unnamed Mexican official condemned Westphal’s remarks, as did a university assistant professor of political science and Latin American studies. The next day, CNN U.S. reported the Undersecretary was backing off his comments, expressing his regrets for his “inaccurate statements.”

The January 3 posting of Washington’s Blog (anonymous) opined that the “Biggest Terrorism Scaremongers are THEMSELVES Promoting Terrorism.” The blogger isn’t the first to make that assertion. He cited well-known investigative reporter Seymour Hersh, writing in the New Yorker, who said that the Bush administration helped fund groups that the United States claims are terrorists.

While churches, pastors, and Christians everywhere bemoan the state of spirituality in today’s culture, Americans can point to few notable Christian leaders in the nation. The findings of a November 21 study led the Barna Group to conclude that there are gaps to be filled — if not for national leaders, at least for “more local and regional Christian leaders to emerge — whether in churches, ministries, or a variety of other capacities.”

According to Fox News, the newly-released pro-life movie October Baby “earned the second-highest-per-screen average” last weekend — behind The Hunger Games — grossing $1.7 million, for 8th place overall. Considering the competition, and that it opened in only 390 theaters, this is a remarkable feat.

Director Jon Erwin (left) stated, “Here is our little film, small budget, in the top ten [at the box office]. We are thrilled, blown away.”

In a December 14 article, LifeNews.com noted, "In a victory for pro-life advocates, LifeWay Christian Bookstores has taken a Bible sold to fund the Komen breast cancer foundation (which funds [abortion provider] Planned Parenthood) off of its bookshelves."

The Susan G. Komen Foundation — with B&H Publishing (a division of Lifeway Resources) — has published a theme Bible for cancer awareness. One dollar from the purchase of each Bible — entitled “Here’s Hope, Breast Cancer Awareness Bible” and paperbacked in Komen’s signature pink — will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the most widely known breast cancer organization in the United States. The Bible was released in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

According to U.S. News for October 14, Mississippi voters will be presented with Amendment 26 on their November ballots, an initiative redefining "personhood.” U.S. News wrote: "The amendment would, if enacted, add 'The term "person" or "persons" shall include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or the functional equivalent thereof' to the state constitution."

Research conducted in 2010 by The Barna Group (TBG) revealed six “megathemes” indicating patterns that shape the Christian Church in America.