The following is an edited transcript excerpt of an interview between Daily Wire editor-in-chief John Bickley and Daily Wire culture reporter Megan Basham on a Sunday Edition of Morning Wire. When it comes to providing homes for at-risk kids, people of faith, especially Christians, are far more likely to adopt and foster than non-religious people. But because of new regulations from the Biden administration, the very religious beliefs that prompt people of faith to adopt and foster could now render them ineligible. The faith-based commitment that inspires many Christians to care for vulnerable children is illustrated in a new film, “Sound of Hope,” which DailyWire+ has partnered with Angel Studios to get into theaters on July 4th. JOHN: Daily Wire culture reporter Megan Basham joins us now to discuss the new PeaceTree Productions film “Sound of Hope,” and how new federal regulations might impact the role communities of faith play in caring for foster children. So Megan, let’s start out by giving some context here. How big of a need is there for adoptive and foster families? MEGAN: I think it’s fair to say heartbreakingly big. So, the most recent year for which we have data is 2022. In that year, just over 53,000 kids were adopted out of foster care. But well over twice that number had a case plan for adoption. Meaning, they just continued in the system because they didn’t have any families that case workers believed were safe for them to return to and no one adopted them. Joe Knittig is the CEO of the Global Orphan Project and founder of CarePortal, a platform that connects churches to kids in need. He was also an executive producer on “Sound of Hope” and he broke down some of the statistics for me in an interview: Every year in the United States, even though we pour about $30 billion taxpayer dollars into child welfare, there are more than 7 million children, that’s more than 4 million families that are referred to Child Protective Services. So these are families at the front door of the system. And there are nearly 400,000 children that are in foster care right now. And there are more than 100,000 children in the system who are available and waiting for adoption. So that’s kind of a big picture look. A myth about child welfare is that every child that’s in that system is there because of abuse. That’s not true. The number one driver for why those 7 million children go into the system — is not abuse, it is neglect. And it’s usually poverty related neglect. So, in sum, we have a very reactive system with many children waiting. We keep flooding more children into the system. Children that shouldn’t be going in there in the first place. That is the state of the union of child welfare and child wellbeing in the United States of America. To give a little more context, the average child in foster care is around 8-years-old. And as they get older, it becomes much harder to place them. Angel Studios/DailyWire+ JOHN: Definitely heartbreaking. So just how big of a role do people of faith and Christian communities tend to play in providing homes for these kids? MEGAN: Oh man, just a massive role. According to Barna research, practicing Christians are more than two times more likely to adopt than the general population. For evangelicals, which is who this film focuses on, they’re five times more likely than other Americans to adopt. They’re also more likely to adopt older kids and kids who have special needs or behavioral issues. I spoke to Tony Mitchell, a board member for the Christian Alliance for Orphans, also known as CAFO. That’s a nonprofit that represents around 200 organizations and close to a thousand churches. He was adopted out of foster care himself by a Christian family. And he told me that upbringing, and his own personal faith that grew out of it, were the reasons he decided to get involved in this work. So I was given up at birth to foster care and I remained in the foster care system for two and a half years. Up until late in my life, I did not know what happened during those two and a half years, how many homes, or anything at all. Then I was adopted at two and a half years by a wonderful family. That family, we were not very wealthy, we existed below the poverty level, and then I was the first and only one to go to college. And then after a 30 year, very successful business career, I retired. And now I give time to several ministries and have a ministry focused retirement… He also told me that Christians are instrumental in caring for at-risk kids, not just in the fostering and adopting they do themselves, but also in how they support those who foster and adopt. My adoptive parents were people of faith and it had a significant impact on me. My dad would always quote things from the Bible without chapter and verse. I did not know as a child where his sayings, as I called them, came from. And when I opened the Bible for the first time myself, my first reaction was, “Hey, they got this from my dad.” So it was definitely a part of my life. And God also touched my life in my foster experience. People of our faith are very key … many times a church will create a community around foster children, and families, adopted children, families, and even families that are at risk and to help prevent children from being put into the system. He pointed out that you will often see churches organizing to make sure the foster and adoptive families in their congregations are provided with clothes, beds, and other material needs. They offer baby-sitting, weekend care, homework assistance. Just anything you can think of so these families don’t feel like they’re bearing the responsibility on their own. LISTEN: Catch the full interview with Megan Basham on Morning Wire JOHN: Yeah, I’ve seen that play out personally in communities I’ve been involved with. So why is it often Christians who tend to be especially engaged in this work? MEGAN: Because, as Barna Research found, Christians believe they have a biblical command to be involved in this kind of work. 77% of them say they have a personal responsibility to care for orphans. For example, James 1:27 says: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to look after orphans and widows in their affliction.” And I’d say that belief is very authentically reflected in “Sound of Hope,” which tells the true story of Bennett Chapel, a church located in the small East Texas town of Possum Trot. All 22 families in the church adopted 77 children out of foster care. JOHN: Yeah. Now when you hear about kids in need in the foster care system and religious families stepping up to fill the need, I think many people find it surprising, even shocking, that this issue has become controversial and a matter of political debate. What’s going on there? MEGAN: Well, essentially, the very thing that makes these families decide to adopt and foster — their Bible-based beliefs — is what’s prompting some political leaders to decide they’re unfit. So on April 29, the Department of Health and Human Services enacted a new rule called the Safe and Appropriate Foster Care Placement Requirements. It requires foster families to use a child’s “identified pronouns, chosen name,” and to allow the child to dress “in a manner that the child believes reflects their self-identified gender identity and expression.” In other words, if a girl says she’s a boy, the foster parents would be required to treat her as a boy, and vice versa. The rule also says that any foster families “…must commit to establishing an environment that supports the child’s LGBTQI+ status or identity.” That language could potentially even mean that foster families must commit to something like providing puberty blockers to the child. So these rules conflict with the doctrinal convictions of the vast majority of church-going Christians in the United States. Here’s what Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma said while discussing these concerns during a finance committee hearing last month: I am getting some concerns from some folks that are coming back to my office on — just the concern the ACF recent rule on foster care consider situations where a child has been removed from their home. The statement was due in part, or in whole, to a familial conflict about their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics. I know it’s a touchy issue on this, but we’ve got to figure out how to get as many people as we can possibly to be able to help in the foster system. And what I don’t want to have is a message being sent to faith-based organizations or families that believe in a traditional marriage situation that you’re no longer welcome to participate. When HHS proposed the new rule at the end of last year, a group of 18 Republican attorneys general sent a letter to the administration saying it violates the constitution because it discriminates against religious families. They also said the proposal, “will harm children by limiting the number of available foster homes…” But the administration went forward with it anyway. JOHN: Okay, so the rule has just recently been enacted. Do we know yet how it’s going to be applied? MEGAN: Not yet, because it’s not scheduled to go into effect until 2026, and if a new administration takes power, they could reverse this, of course. But we can look at how some Democrat-led states are applying similar policies. Oregon’s Department of Human Services also requires foster and adoptive parents to “support” a child’s sexual orientation and gender identity. And there Christians are stepping forward to say the state has not allowed them to foster or adopt because of their Christian beliefs. For example, Alliance Defending Freedom is representing Jessica Bates, a widowed mother of five who says her application to adopt a pair of siblings out of foster care was denied because of her Christian beliefs. Also last year, Catholic couple Mike and Kitty Burke said Massachusetts rejected their application to be foster parents. They said the only reason listed on their application was that the state did not believe they would, “be affirming to a child who identified as LGBTQIA.” They have also filed a lawsuit arguing that this is a violation of their constitutional right to religious liberty. JOHN: You almost wonder whether a story like the one told in “Sound of Hope” would be possible in some states right now. MEGAN: Yes, and that’s something the filmmakers behind the movie are very concerned about. Josh and Rebekah Weigel made this movie together — they were co-writers and Josh directed. And they’re also adoptive parents themselves. So this was a serious labor of love for them and an expression of their own faith. They told me policies like the new HHS rule stand to hurt suffering kids the most: We’re Christians and this is a story about a Christian community. And, you know, obviously that kind of legislation would prevent this story from happening again. … People may not understand that over two thirds of the people helping are people that may not agree with that kind of legislation … You would have a monumental ocean of traumatized children mounting every year if you were to cut off that kind of care… Rebekah: Anything that would stand in the way of churches being able to be the answer to this crisis and being able to care for children is going to hurt the kids. And we want to see more churches step in. We want to see them be the solution to this. So any legislation prohibiting that is definitely problematic. Hopefully, though, the attention this film is getting will encourage audiences, whether religious or not, to consider how they can care for foster kids or support foster and adoptive families. JOHN: Yes. The most important people we have to remember when considering these policies are the children in need. Thanks for bringing us this report, Megan. MEGAN: Anytime.

Daily Wire reporter Megan Basham was presented with the 2024 Boniface Award from the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) last weekend for her “fearless and faithful journalism.”  Basham, a regular fixture on The Daily Wire’s “Morning Wire” podcast, was honored with the award just weeks before her explosive new book “Shepherds for Sale: How Evangelical Leaders Traded the Truth for a Leftist Agenda” gets released on July 30. The book is already the #1 New Release in the “Christian Ministry” category on Amazon.   The Daily Wire reporter received the Boniface Award at the 2024 Repairing the Ruins conference in Atlanta. “Few things are more encouraging than the work of the Association of Classical Christian Schools, which is engaged in the best kind of troublemaking. The same kind of troublemaking Nehemiah was engaged in—rebuilding a culture that honors the transcendent, permanent things. And to be the recipient of the same award as Rosaria Butterfield, Voddie Baucham, Al Mohler, ADF President Michael Farris, and Doug Wilson is an honor I hardly feel deserving of, but am incredibly grateful for,” Basham wrote on X.   Few things are more encouraging than the work of the Association of Classical Christian Schools, which is engaged in the best kind of troublemaking. The same kind of troublemaking Nehemiah was engaged in—rebuilding a culture that honors the transcendent, permanent things. And to… https://t.co/CO0uuRwstw — Megan Basham (@megbasham) June 22, 2024 The ACCS is “the primary public advocate for classical Christian education.” The organization presents the Boniface Award to “a public figure who has stood faithfully for Christian truth, beauty, and goodness with grace.”  “Like St. Boniface, recipients chose to publicly speak or act on a matter that could cost them personally. The award is presented at our annual ACCS conference, Repairing the Ruins, in June of each year,” ACCS says on its website. “To be nominated, the recipient will have, on one or more specific occasions, taken a stand for the Christian viewpoint, even in the face of negative public opinion. And, the recipient engaged in this action without bitterness and in a godly and grace-filled way.” Basham has made a name for herself among Evangelicals for exposing the Left-ward drift among pastors and leaders in traditionally conservative Christian circles, such as the Southern Baptist Convention. From her reporting on Christianity Today’s staff donating extensively to Democrats to revealing how church leaders aligned themselves with Dr. Anthony Fauci during the COVID pandemic, conservative Christians have come to trust Basham’s straightforward writing. Basham’s newest book focuses on how powerful leftists have influenced the American church. “Shepherds for Sale” is available for pre-order now on Amazon. 

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce made a surprise appearance on stage at his girlfriend Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” concert show in London on Sunday. In videos and clips posted on social media from the third show at Wembley Stadium, Kelce appeared dressed in a tuxedo and top hat as part of the outfit change introduction to the 34-year-old singer’s hit song “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” from her new “The Tortured Poets Department” album. Kelce stepped in for one of her dancers as he carried Swift across the stage and pretended to do her makeup and get her ready to perform the song.  The NFL football star was greeted by loud applause and cheers as fans went crazy seeing Kelce and Swift together on stage, with both grinning from ear to ear, before the superstar singer took the mic from another dancer and started singing the popular song. ? SURPRISE! Travis Kelce came onstage and carried Taylor Swift during her outfit change skit for “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” #LondonTSTheErasTour ?: @PEOPLE’s @Kirsty_Hatcher pic.twitter.com/5KadoRpl52 — Brian A. Hernandez (@BAHjournalist) June 23, 2024 On Monday, Swift posted a couple pictures on her Instagram from the latest Wembley show and mentioned how she was still “swooning” from the interaction with Kelce in her show. “Wembley Stadium round one was so surreal,” Swift captioned her post. “Looking out into crowds of 90,000 fans each night and hearing that VOLUME … Those were some of the loudest crowds I’ve ever heard.” “Acoustic sections went OFF. I got to sing ‘Castles Crumbling’ with @yelyahwilliams for the first time — hadn’t performed with her since 2011 and man my heart was just so full of love for her and our friendship,” she added. “Then the impossibly gifted and wonderful @gracieabrams came and surprised the crowd with the first performance of our song ‘us.’” “And I’m still cracking up/swooning over @killatrav’s Eras Tour debut,” Swift continued. “Never going to forget these shows. Can’t wait to do it 5 more times in August. Up next: Dublin!!” It was only the second time she’s posted on her Instagram about her NFL star boyfriend. Days earlier, the “Shake It Off” hitmaker went Instagram official with their relationship when she posted a picture from her first London show posing with Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, and Kelce, who were all at her show. She captioned the post, “Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start @princeandprincessofwales.” The Kansas City tight end and “Blank Space” hitmaker have been linked together since last summer. It was previously believed the two had their first date after she attended his game on September 24. However, Swift later made it clear their relationship started weeks before and they were a couple by the time she went to his first game, as previously reported. Related: Travis Kelce Jokes He Has No Idea How He Won Over Taylor Swift

A McDonald’s location in San Francisco closed after more than three decades in a move the franchisee owner partially attributed to California’s newly-implemented minimum wage. The fast-food restaurant at Stonestown Galleria shopping mall near San Francisco State University and a high school shut down over the weekend. Franchisee Scott Rodrick told the San Francisco Chronicle there were two main reasons behind the “long and difficult” decision to shut down the location that he purchased in 2014. Rodrick blamed a failure to reach a deal on rent with the landlord as he noted the property taxes and tenant fees are relatively high at the shopping mall. California’s $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers — that Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom signed last year and went into effect on April 1 — was the second issue he mentioned. The change proved to be “an extraordinary headwind against operating a successful, family owned business,” Rodrick said. “It has never been as challenging in my 30 years of owning a franchise in California as it is today,” he added. Rodrick told local ABC affiliate KGO-TV that all of the employees at the shuttered McDonald’s were offered jobs at nearby locations and most chose to remain with the company. The home of the Big Mac is not the only chain in which there have been restaurant closures after California instituted its $20 minimum wage earlier this year. Rubio’s Coastal Grill announced earlier this month the closure of 48 locations in California while citing rising business costs in the state. The chain filed for bankruptcy soon afterwards. A letter posted at the entrance of the McDonald’s restaurant at Stonestown Galleria announced to customers that the location was permanently closing on Sunday, according to local station KRON4. “It has been a pleasure for my entire team and I to serve the 19th Avenue and Ingleside neighborhoods for more than 30 years,” Rodrick wrote in the message. He added, “We are thankful to have been a part of your daily meal routine, either for an Egg McMuffin in the morning or a Happy Meal with the kids after an afternoon of shopping at Stonestown.”

“Pirates Of The Caribbean” actor and surfing legend Tamayo Perry was attacked by a shark and died as a result in Oahu, Hawaii, over the weekend. He was 49. Perry, who appeared in Disney’s fourth installment of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie franchise, was taking a break from lifeguarding duty when the attack occurred near Goat Island on Sunday, Stab magazine reported. The actor — who is not only an ocean safety lifeguard but also surfing instructor — was found by local surfers off Mālaekahana Beach on Oahu’s North Shore. When Perry was located he was missing an arm and leg, the outlet noted. He was transported to the shore on Malaekahana Beach by emergency personnel who tried to resuscitate the surfer but moments later pronounced Perry dead. Surfing legend #TamayoPerry has died following a shark attack in Oahu, Hawaii. https://t.co/sYYqAh9u2L pic.twitter.com/jBOiPAjVc8 — New York Post (@nypost) June 24, 2024 Following the fatal attack, shark warning signs were put up in the area by ocean safety personnel, the New York Post noted. Acting Honolulu ocean safety chief Kurt Lager said, “He’s well known on the North Shore. He’s a professional surfer known worldwide.” “Tamayo’s personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more,” he added, noting that Perry was “a lifeguard loved by all.” “Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected,” Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, calling the surfer’s death “a tragic loss.” Perry started his lifeguarding career in 2016 and worked as a lifeguard on the North Shore until the time of his death. Besides keeping people safe in the ocean waters, Perry also appeared in several blockbuster movies such as the 2003 film “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” 2002 film “Blue Crush,” “Lost,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” and “Hawaii Five-0,” the Post noted. Perry, who was born in 1975 in Hawaii, took to water and surfing from a very early age. As young as 12, the young surfer became known as the “up-and-coming local boy who had to borrow surfboards because he had no sponsors,” according the Encyclopedia of Surfing. Related: Details Of Horrifying Great White Shark Attack Emerge In Mexico: Report

New White House Associate Communications Director Tyler Cherry spent the weekend scrubbing his social media account after a number of old tweets — including a number that were racially charged, anti-police, and anti-Israel — resurfaced and went viral. Cherry, who previously worked for the Department of the Interior under Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, faced so much scrutiny over the resurfaced comments that by Monday, only one post was visible on his X account. BREAKING: Biden White House spox Tyler Cherry has DELETED ALL of his posts expect this one: https://t.co/6u2E5QMZhy pic.twitter.com/WwUIjahbrD — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) June 24, 2024 “Past social media posts from when I was younger do not reflect my current views. Period. I support this Administration’s agenda — and will continue my communications work focused on our climate and environmental policies,” he said. Past social media posts from when I was younger do not reflect my current views. Period. I support this Administration’s agenda – and will continue my communications work focused on our climate and environmental policies. — Tyler Cherry (@TylerACherry) June 23, 2024 But before Cherry had a chance to get to the “delete” button, a number of critics were able to capture screenshots of the offending posts. “Cheersing in bars to ending the occupation of Palestine – no shame and f— your glares #ISupportGaza #FreePalestine,” one post read. Another compared police officers to “slave patrols” and “lynch mobs.” This is Tyler Cherry. He was just promoted to White House Associate Communications Director. pic.twitter.com/dIYBVhhgjA — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 23, 2024 New White House Associate Communications Director is now backpedaling on all his past posts. Here are a few as a reminder: – promoted gender ideology – propagated Russia hoax – referred to police as slave patrols – called to abolish ICE – called everyone and America racist Are… https://t.co/EIoZYiIWpW pic.twitter.com/oIxu6lGuUD — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 23, 2024 Nate Hochmann noted that, prior to the purge, there were “pages and pages” of posts in which Cherry had simply quote-tweeted an image and then complained about how many white people were in it — and then noted that just an hour later, they had disappeared. “Since I posted this an hour ago, the Biden communications staffer has gone back and deleted every single one of his tweets with the word ‘white’ in it. (When I checked an hour ago, he had hundreds).” Since I posted this an hour ago, the Biden communications staffer has gone back and deleted every single one of his tweets with the word “white” in it. (When I checked an hour ago, he had hundreds). https://t.co/BJwpBRdQlk pic.twitter.com/ZPCOKW0Gni — Nate Hochman (@njhochman) June 23, 2024

Lauren Boebert, the firebrand Republican Congresswoman from Colorado, has been at the center of numerous controversies that threaten to overshadow her political career. From public altercations to controversial remarks, Boebert’s actions have drawn significant media attention and criticism from both sides of the aisle. Recently, Boebert found herself under investigation following an alleged physical altercation with her ex-husband at a restaurant in Colorado. This incident is just one in a series of personal and professional scandals that have plagued her tenure in Congress. Boebert has denied the allegations and expressed her intent to take legal action against what she claims are false accusations. BREAKING: MAGA Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene goes for Lauren Boebert's throat and mocks her now-infamous Beetlejuice sexual misconduct scandal. Don't you just love it when Republicans eat each other alive? Greene was infuriated when some members of the Republican caucus… pic.twitter.com/yz3mOXUYpY — Occupy Democrats (@OccupyDemocrats) November 2, 2023 Boebert’s controversial behavior is not new. She has a history of making inflammatory remarks, including tweeting the location of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the January 6th Capitol riots. This act led to calls for her resignation from various groups who accused her of endangering Pelosi’s life. Her public image took another hit when she was removed from a Denver theater for disruptive behavior during a performance of "Beetlejuice." The incident, which included accusations of inappropriate behavior, prompted Boebert to issue public apologies and adjust her campaign strategy to mitigate the fallout. Boebert attempted to dismiss the scandal that made her a national joke saying she had made mistakes and apologized for her conduct, but Clark persisted and asked her if she had apologized to the service workers she harassed and abused as she was escorted from the Denver theater… pic.twitter.com/0j2tkJ6T9K — RidinwithBiden (@tltown2019) June 2, 2024 Boebert’s divisive actions have also included making Islamophobic jokes about her colleagues, specifically targeting Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. Her comments have been widely condemned and have further alienated some members of her party and constituents. Despite the controversies, Boebert continues to maintain a strong base of support among her conservative followers, who appreciate her outspoken stance on issues like gun rights and her opposition to COVID-19 restrictions. However, these scandals have undoubtedly strained her broader appeal and raised questions about her suitability for public office. The Republican party faces a dilemma in addressing Boebert’s behavior. While her actions energize a segment of the base, they also risk alienating moderate voters and undermining the party’s credibility. Balancing support for free speech and responsible conduct is crucial as the party navigates these challenges. As Boebert gears up for her re-election campaign in a new district, she must confront the growing scrutiny and criticism. Her ability to weather these storms will be a significant test of her political resilience and the extent of her support among voters. The post Lauren Boebert’s String of Scandals Casts a Shadow Over Her Political Career appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

A major pet food company has voluntarily recalled over 3,500 bags of dog treats after discovering they may contain “metal objects.” On June 20, TDBBS LLC announced on the FDA website that certain bags of Green Tripe dog treats could be tainted. Pet stores nationwide sold the treats under the “Barkworthies” and “Best Bully Sticks” brand labels online and in stores between February 2024 and May 2024. Fortunately, no pet parents have reported injuries caused by the treats. However, the company said that “the potential presence of metal objects could pose a health hazard to your dog.” So if your pet has eaten the recalled treats, you should keep an eye on them. “If you believe your dog has consumed the affected product, you should monitor for any signs of illness [or] unusual behavior and contact a veterinarian in the event of any concerns,” reads the original post. Check Your Green Tripe Dog Treats For These USP Codes Exactly 3,551 bags of Green Tripe dog treats are included in the nationwide recall. Best Bully Sticks brand “Green Tripe” treats in a 2-pound bag with the UPC code “816807016027,” the item number “1016027,” lot codes “WO152669,” “WO153321” or “WO152107” and “best by” dates from March to August 2026. Barkworthies brand “Green Tripe” treats in 7-ounce packages bearing the UPC code “816807015686,” the item number “2015686,” lot codes “WO151768” or “WO152373” and “best by” dates of February and March 2026. Best Bully Sticks brand “Green Tripe” treats in a 5-pound bag with the UPC code “816807016010,” item number “1016010,” lot codes “WO151401,” “WO152319” or “WO153179” and “best by” dates from January to April 2026. If you have any of the above products, you should throw them away immediately. TDBBS LLC noted that it is “working with distributors and retailers to ensure that the affected products are no longer sold and have been removed from inventory.” If you have questions or concerns, you can call the company at 877-483-5853 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or send an email to Support@BestBullySticks.com. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Attention Pet Parents: This Popular Dog Treat Has Been Recalled For Metal Contamination appeared first on InspireMore.

The Cleveland Cavaliers hired who?

'he's everywhere financially'