Preaching Against Racism Is Not a Distraction from the Gospel

The pulpit gives a record of our witness. On November 4, 2008, some seven months after I became a father, I saw something unfold on television that I never expected to witness in my lifetime. The United States of America had elected an African American president. My son was asleep by the time the final results came in. Nonetheless, I lifted him from his crib, carried him to the television, and whispered into his still forming imagination: We have a black president; all things are possible. I... Read More

The car mechanic trade is dying. Who will fix our high-tech cars?

The latter group, he said, seemed to be in the profession because they heard there was money there. In 2018, the median annual pay for mechanics and technicians was close to $41,000, slightly higher than the median annual pay for all workers at $39,000. The highest-earning technicians make over $67,000. Some can get into the triple digits with overtime and bonuses. ... Read More

Gamers and mass shooters: Do video games really make a person more aggressive?

This week, the Entertainment Software Association responded to Trump’s words tying violence to video games with this statement: “Video games positively contribute to society, from new medical therapies and advancements, educational tools, business innovation, and more. Video games help players connect with family and friends, relieve stress, and have fun.” ... Read More

Pot choices grow: Medical marijuana dispensaries swell across South Florida

Some South Florida cities, including Boca Raton, Margate, Tamarac and Pembroke Pines, still prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries. But even that may be changing: Coral Springs reversed its ban in April and a discussion about allowing dispensaries in Boca Raton is scheduled for a City Council workshop Aug. 26, according to city spokeswoman Chrissy Gibson. ... Read More

Back to school: South Florida researcher wants to prove behavior adjustments can treat ADHD

This summer, about 300 children with ADHD have learned how to focus on listening to directions and following rules. In week one, the children interrupted the counselors, poked the kids next to them, and wandered from their group between activities. By week eight, they stayed with their groups and lined up quickly for the next activity when the whistle blew. ... Read More

Dirt-cheap rent in Fort Lauderdale? Artists morph empty Las Olas storefronts into funky studios

At their one-bedroom Fort Lauderdale apartment, artists Khadine and Robert Spruce constantly jockeyed for studio space. The bedroom? Off-limits (except to store paintings, of course). The garage? Way too cramped. So the couple often traded off in the dining room, with Khadine painting mermaids on the table while Robert, a 12-year Air Force veteran, painted American flags on the floor. ... Read More

An assault weapons ban is a matter of public safety — not partisanship | Opinion

There are plenty of hunting rifles that hold 10 or less rounds. Semi-automatic military-grade weapons, on the other hand, are not meant for hunting animals, or for self-defense –– they’re meant for killing as many people as possible as quickly as possible, as we’ve seen in Parkland, Pulse, Gilroy, and now in El Paso and Dayton. ... Read More