Religious leaders to congress: ‘Don’t tamper with our rights’

"Leaders from more than 100 religious organizations are urging Congress against tampering with the freedom of religion, contending that pending legislation would deny religious charities receiving federal grants their fundamental right to hire people who share their faith."

Click here for more on the position of these leaders.

Summer for Marriage Tour: Civility in the Face of Hostility

"In the debate over same-sex marriage, why is the side demanding tolerance so radically intolerant? And how should we respond to intolerance?"

For more of Chuck Colson's commentary, click here.

New microbe discovered eating oil spill in Gulf

"A newly discovered type of oil-eating microbe is suddenly flourishing in the Gulf of Mexico.

And the microbe works without significantly depleting oxygen in the water, researchers led by Terry Hazen at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley reported Tuesday in the online journal Sciencexpress."

Click here for more on this new discovery.

Mentoring programs offer minorities a chance to grow

"Small-business owner Patricia Watts recently graduated from a two-year mentorship program for minority-owned companies.

But Watts, who is chief executive of FCI Management Consultants in Long Beach, didn't get just know-how out of the program. She also scored a job for her energy services company from one of the corporate mentors, sports and entertainment giant AEG."

Click here for more on how these programs make a difference to small companies.

Chalmette area is no stranger to broken hearts

"Get to know a little bit about Chalmette, an unincorporated municipal area and seat of government for St. Bernard Parish, bounded roughly by Florida Avenue on the north, the Mississippi River on south, the Murphy Oil Refinery on the east and Jean Lafitte Parkway on the west."

Click here for more on this amazingly resilient community.

Eggsploitation: Women as Commodities

"More women are donating their eggs to infertile couples and for embryonic stem cell research. One new documentary shows why that may be a very bad idea."

To read the rest of Chuck Colson's commentary, click here.

Top federal parks chief promises to help St. Louis Arch project

"A top federal official on Friday viewed the rival plans for reshaping the Arch grounds and declared the project 'one of our highest priorities,' despite the recession's pressure on government budgets."

For more on the plans to enhance the Midwest icon, click here.