By FāVS News Staff
Hegseth invites Doug Wilson to lead Pentagon prayer service
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth invited Doug Wilson, the founder of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, to lead the Pentagon’s monthly prayer service. Wilson, a self-described Christian nationalist who has faced backlash for comments suggesting enslaved people had an “affectionate” relationship with their owners and for his church’s support of repealing the 19th Amendment, delivered a message centered on God’s power and protection.
Hegseth, a member of the Congregation of Reformed Evangelical Churches, which Wilson co-founded in 1998, praised the pastor during the service, saying Wilson exemplified the type of bold truth-telling he is trying to bring to the Pentagon. The Department of Defense posted photos of the two men together on social media with the caption, “We are One Nation Under God.”
Post Falls City Council removes Juneteenth, adds Columbus Day and approves meeting prayer
The Post Falls City Council voted 4-2 Tuesday to add an invocation to its meetings, remove Juneteenth as a city holiday and replace it with Columbus Day. Mayor Randy Westlund, who proposed the changes, said the invocation would ask for “divine assistance and wisdom” and that Columbus Day is “a more appropriate holiday honoring our American heritage.”
Council member Joe Malloy, who voted against the measures, warned of potential legal challenges to the invocation and called Juneteenth “one of the crowning achievements of Western civilization” worth celebrating. Council member Marc Lucca defended Columbus Day, noting it originated as a civil rights response to persecution of Italian Americans in the 1930s and 1940s.
16,000 Washington seniors had no social contact in January, survey finds
Nearly 16,000 Washington seniors living alone went the entire month of January without any meaningful social interaction, according to a new survey by Choice Mutual. The life insurance agency surveyed 3,025 adults 65 and older who live alone, finding that 41% reported no one had checked in on them since Jan. 1 — part of a broader national pattern in which 26% of seniors surveyed, or more than one in four, said they had gone the full month without contact.
The survey also found that 74% of seniors living alone say winter is when their loneliness feels worst, and 68% report feeling forgotten or invisible during the winter months. Nearly a third — 29% — say they have no one they can confide in during difficult times, and 58% worry their isolation is already affecting their health. Research has linked chronic loneliness to health risks comparable to heavy smoking.
Idaho frozen yogurt shop honors Charlie Kirk With memorial cups, boosts sales
A frozen yogurt shop in Coeur d’Alene is honoring Charlie Kirk months after his September assassination by printing his image on froyo cups to promote Christianity. Chase and Sarah Gibson, owners of Grooveberries and members of Candlelight Christian Fellowship, say the decision followed prayer and reflects their faith, reported The Spokesman-Review.
They donate 25%—now 5%—of proceeds from the cups to Turning Point USA, the nonprofit Kirk founded. Sales and foot traffic have increased since the cups launched. The couple has faced criticism and threats but says they remain committed to spreading the message of Jesus Christ through their business.
PNW high school wrestler alleges assault by trans opponent; Criminal probe launched
Authorities are investigating an allegation that a 16-year-old wrestler at Rogers High School in Puyallup was sexually assaulted during a Dec. 6 match against a transgender opponent. Sophomore Kallie Keeler said the competitor inappropriately touched her during the bout, prompting her to end the match early. She later learned the wrestler was a transgender female. Video recorded by her mother appears to show Keeler in distress during the match.
Keeler and her parents reported the allegation to coaches and school administrators within days. According to the family and reporting by Brandi Kruse’s “unDivided” podcast, school officials did not notify law enforcement until late January, nearly two months later. The Puyallup School District said it is cooperating with authorities but declined to discuss specifics, citing student privacy laws, reported The Center Square. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the case is under active investigation. No charges have been filed.
FāVS News strengthens community impact despite 2025 financial loss
In 2025, FāVS News transformed into a trusted regional source for religion and ethics coverage, achieving over 92% reader engagement, a 143% increase in Q4 and a 782% growth in direct web traffic. The organization joined the Institute for Nonprofit News, hosted the “Uniting the Inland Northwest” event with 65 community members and sustained a team of 17 reporters, an audio producer and 31 columnists producing fully original content.
Investigative reporting explored Christ Church’s influence, Indigenous language preservation and faith-based justice issues. FāVS remains dedicated to bridging divides through independent journalism, expanding reach and developing innovative storytelling for diverse and younger audiences. Read the annual report here.
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