The 3 - October 19, 2025

California pastor Jack Hibbs was a leading voice warning constituents about the stark possibilities offered by a bill called AB495, which was recently signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.  The Washington Stand said that the governor "signed into law a measure that would allow virtually any adult to take custody-like control of a child, including making medical care decisions on their behalf and enrolling them in schools. Experts say parents who have children enrolled in the state’s public schools must take immediate precautions and file an emergency contact list with their child’s school."

While supporters of the bill painted it as upholding parental rights, the article points out that there were a number of "legal experts and advocacy groups" who expressed concern over the new law that allows a relative to file an affidavit and assume custody of a child.  It states: "As the California Family Council has emphasized, the affidavit would allow any adult to claim a familial relationship with a child without the school being able to verify the claim’s authenticity, since 'no parent signature, no notary, no verification, and no parent notification [is] required.'"

Jonathan Keller, President and CEO of the Council, told Family Research Council President Tony Perkins: “This is something that is going to immediately start to affect families...And I would strongly encourage … all parents to revise their existing caretaking arrangements. I encourage you to go look at your emergency contact list. If your kids are in public school, make sure that it is clear in writing — you, your spouse, your family — only people you designate should be authorized to make any decisions for your child.”

China is well-known for its persecution of Christian believers and restrictions on the expressions of the Christian faith.  Yet, amidst it all, the underground Church in China is a vibrant force.  Recently, though, a high-profile underground church leader and other pastors were arrested by Chinese officials.  The Washington Times reported in an article on Sunday, October 12:

The Trump administration on Sunday denounced China’s restrictions on underground churches and the recent detention of dozens of leaders of the unregistered Beijing Zion Church, including prominent pastor Mingri “Ezra” Jin.

The crackdown is another example of the Chinese Communist Party’s hostility toward Christian groups that reject party interference in their faith, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.

“We call on the CCP to immediately release the detained church leaders and to allow all people of faith, including members of house churches, to engage in religious activities without fear of retribution,” Mr. Rubio said.

The article went on to say: "Last month, China issued strict regulations on online activity by church groups, ordering clergy not to 'collude' with foreign forces by participating in their “religious infiltration activities.”  One of the rules states that, “Religious clergy, when engaging in online activities, must love the motherland, support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, support the socialist system, abide by national laws and regulations, and relevant provisions of the management of religious affairs, observe social morality, and public order and good customs..."

It's a mixed bag - 2 boys in Loudoun County, VA, students in the Loudoun County Public Schools, or LCPS, district, who were disciplined by the school board for protesting the presence of a girl in their locker room, won a court victory, yet there was negative directive aimed at them, as well.  As The Daily Citizen reported:

The young woman repeatedly used the boys locker room under LCPS’ infamous Policy 8040, which allows students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their subjective “gender identity,” rather than their biological sex.

Founding Freedoms Law Center and America First Legal sued to overturn LCPS’ ruling in September on behalf of the boys and their families.

On October 10, Judge Leonie Brinkema of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia granted the boys’ request for a preliminary injunction, which prevents LCPS labelling them “sexual harassers” until their case against the district concludes.

One boy moved out of the district, and the one who remained had been given a ten-day suspension, which was put on hold by the court.   The Daily Citizen article also noted: "Though Judge Brinkema ultimately sided with the boys and their families, he also threw up serious obstacles by requiring them to post a $125,000 bond to continue their suit against LCPS. The money will be used to help recoup the district’s legal costs if the boys lose in pretrial evidence discovery — before the case makes it back to Brinkema."  The article said that a fundraising effort exceeded that amount.