Top headlines to know this week

Welcome to The Weekly, produced by TAB Media Group, which publishes The Alabama Baptist and The Baptist Paper. Each episode features news headlines read by TAB Media Group staff and volunteers. New episodes are released weekly on Wednesday mornings. Articles featured in this episode:

Online extremists, sextortion and child exploitation: Protecting children in the digital age

Southern Christian Writers Conference offers ‘unique experience,’ set for June 19–20

Rashional Thoughts

Tim Adams to UM students: Excessive devotion to anything other than God ‘wreaks havoc’

Lass Words: A ‘puzzling virtue’ — humility

Veterans, first responders and finding path to God’s healing

In ‘brokenness,’ Coach Hugh Freeze finds hope and peace in Christ

Nicaragua repeats year of widespread repression, report says

Central Alabama Water to stop adding fluoride to drinking water

ERLC names presidential nominee: Evan Lenow

‘Sarah’s legacy’: Senate approves camp safety bill named for Birmingham girl

Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation partners with SamfordMiss America’s Scholarship Foundation partners with Samford

‘Gulf of America’ bill passed by Alabama lawmakers

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‘Even if’: Pastor’s family sees God’s goodness in the wake of blood cancer journey

April 16, 2026

Blue Bryan, lead pastor of Purpose Church in Hoschton, and his wife Heather have been walking through a difficult season the past two years as Heather battles Erdheim-Chester disease, a rare blood cancer that is incurable, but treatable.

Bill to protect against forced conversions, marriages advances in Pakistan

April 15, 2026

A key committee of Pakistan’s Punjab Province Assembly on Monday (April 13) reportedly approved legislation that would help protect Christian

Alan Raughton honored with Tim Holcomb Legacy Award for Christian educators

April 15, 2026

Alan Raughton received the Tim Holcomb Legacy Award at the annual meeting of the Disciple Leaders Network in March at Northside Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Raughton has been a lifelong Christian educator with a distinguished career.

Students fan out across states, nations during spring break

April 15, 2026

Nearly 500 Georgia Baptist Collegiate Ministries students spent their spring break on mission this year, serving in eight international locations, seven sites across the United States, and seven places in Georgia.