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By FāVS News Staff
Eastern Washington
WSU historian awarded Carnegie Fellowship for research on Satan, demons and American politics
Washington State University historian Matthew Avery Sutton has received a 2026 Andrew Carnegie Fellowship, a $200,000 award that will support his next book examining how beliefs about Satan, demons and evil have shaped U.S. politics from the post-World War II era through today’s polarized political landscape. Sutton, chair of the WSU Department of History, was one of 24 fellows chosen from more than 380 nominations by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. His tentatively titled project, “The Devil in Modern America,” follows his recently published book “Chosen Land,” which received favorable reviews in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal and explores how America’s competitive religious culture has driven its history. “When one side sees the other as literally satanic, polarization becomes not a clash of ideas but a crusade of good versus evil,” Sutton said.
WSU survivors speak out at sexual assault awareness protest
A small but vocal group gathered at Washington State University on April 29 for a campus protest marking the end of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and International Denim Day, an annual event in which participants wear jeans in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence. The event, titled Show Up, Speak Out, was hosted by the university’s Office of Health Promotion and featured three keynote speakers, including student Aurellia Chaplin, who described being assaulted during her first quarter at WSU. “This happened here on campus, in a place where I and everyone else should always be and feel safe,” she said. “The aftermath of the assault was incredibly isolating.”
Fourteen people attended the protest, which began at the SURC West Patio before marchers made a loop around campus. OHP Assistant Director Katie Parks acknowledged the small turnout but framed it as a foundation for growth. “Leaning on the network of people who care about this issue and who are impacted by this issue, I think that will continue to grow this event in the future,” she said.
Western Washington
Federal court blocks Washington school district from restricting Bible education program
A federal judge has temporarily blocked Everett Public Schools from interfering with a nonprofit Bible education program serving district students, finding the district likely violated the First Amendment. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington issued a preliminary injunction in late April after LifeWise Academy, which offers off-campus religious instruction during school hours, alleged the district imposed burdensome permission slip requirements, barred it from a community resource fair, blocked flyers in school lobbies and required its materials to remain sealed in students’ backpacks. More than 60 students from over 40 families had participated in the program.
The court ordered the district to allow LifeWise to participate in fairs, post flyers, use standard permission slips and permit students to read its materials during free reading time. The case drew additional attention after a school board member said at a December meeting that he holds “animus toward LifeWise Academy,” calling it “an organization of homophobic bullies” working toward “an authoritarian theocracy.” Everett Public Schools serves nearly 21,000 students across 27 schools.
Seattle man charged with hate crime after alleged racist attack on Black grocery worker
The Washington chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) welcomed hate crime charges filed against a Seattle man accused of racially targeting a Black grocery store employee in Ballard. Prosecutors say 27-year-old Jack Vafi shouted racist slurs at the worker inside a QFC store before allegedly attempting to hit him with his vehicle in the parking garage. Authorities also allege he returned the next day and threatened to come back with a gun. CAIR-WA Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi praised prosecutors for pursuing hate crime charges and condemned the growing normalization of racism, hate-driven violence, white supremacy and other forms of bigotry nationwide.
WA Governor, Pierce County Prayer Breakfast highlights unity, faith & community leadership
The Governor’s Prayer Breakfast and Pierce County Prayer Breakfast brought together faith leaders, elected officials, business professionals and community members for a morning focused on unity, service and ethical leadership. The long-standing regional tradition emphasized collaboration, resilience and community-building through keynote speeches and cross-sector dialogue.
On social media, Gov. Bob Ferguson reflected on the influence of his uncle, “Father Bill,” whose life of faith and counseling inspired many during times of grief and hardship. Quoting Mother Teresa’s belief that prayer changes people who then change the world, he encouraged attendees to seek strength to improve their communities. Seahawks legend Jim Zorn also shared personal reflections on faith and leadership.
Idaho
Nampa Catholic priest sentenced to up to 15 years for sexual battery of minor
A Catholic priest from Nampa, Idaho, was sentenced Wednesday to up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual battery of a minor. Robert Mendez Esquivel, a priest at St. Paul’s Catholic Church known in the community as “Father Toto,” is eligible for parole after three years and must register as a sex offender. The judge also imposed a no-contact order with the victim and all minors and ordered Esquivel to pay $2,000 in restitution.
Esquivel was arrested last summer after prosecutors alleged he met the 16-year-old victim through the Grindr dating app. He originally faced charges including rape and two counts of sexual battery of a minor, but pleaded guilty in January to a single sexual battery count as the remaining charges were dropped. At sentencing, Esquivel read a written apology, saying he had spent months in jail “praying and fasting” for his victim and hoped one day to be forgiven.
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