As a member of Gen Z, I am often told my generation is a lost cause for conservatism — too cynical, too progressive, or just too far gone. That assumption couldn’t be more wrong. Gen Z isn’t rejecting America; we’re demanding that it work again. And if conservatives are serious about reclaiming the soul of the nation, the path forward runs directly through the issues my generation lives with every day. Gen Z came of age at the crossroads of stability and uncertainty.  During President Trump’s first term, we witnessed a strong economy, interest rates that opened the door to homeownership, an end to forever wars, and a return to policies that prioritized the family. Under President Biden, however, millions of young Americans graduated college and took entry-level jobs that barely covered their student loan payments, even as the cost of everything rose faster than their paychecks. They were told to follow the rules — go to college, take on loans, delay adulthood. Then, when those rules failed them, they were blamed. What frustrates my peers isn’t tradition or responsibility; it’s a system that feels rigged against them.  That’s precisely where conservatism, properly articulated, can meet the moment. Homeownership For Gen Z, homeownership feels less like a milestone and more like a fantasy. Sky-high rents that prevent us from putting money into savings, zoning restrictions that choke supply, and inflation driven by reckless federal spending have priced young people out of opportunity.  Conservatives should call this what it is: a policy failure. Government rules make it harder to build homes, while bad monetary policy drains savings and pushes the dream of stability further out of reach for young families. If we believe in ownership, stability, and opportunity, then we should lead on reforms that make it easier — not harder — for young Americans to buy homes and build wealth. Student Debt Then there’s student debt. Gen Z didn’t invent the student loan crisis; we inherited it. Many borrowers were reckless, and they should repay what they owe. But recklessness was enabled by a federal loan system that treated teenagers as capable of signing six-figure contracts while shielding universities from the consequences of failure. Subsidies have fueled tuition inflation and reduced institutional accountability, leaving students to bear the full cost of bad decisions — both theirs and the systems. Conservatives should reject blanket loan “forgiveness” that shifts the burden to taxpayers, but we must also offer real solutions: ending the federal government’s role as a blank-check lender so private institutions once again have incentives to lend responsibly, expanding alternatives like apprenticeships and credentialing, and breaking the cartel between the federal government and higher education. Responsibility cuts both ways—and universities should finally be forced to bear some. Building A Family  Most surprising to pundits — but obvious to anyone paying attention — is Gen Z’s renewed interest in traditional family values. After watching the loneliness, instability, and social breakdown of the last two decades, many in my generation are rediscovering what older generations once took for granted: marriage matters, family matters, and children are not obstacles to fulfillment but central to it. This isn’t nostalgia; it’s realism. Gen Z wants meaning, not just mobility. We want strong relationships, safe neighborhoods, and a culture that doesn’t sneer at commitment. Conservatives should lean into this—not with lectures, but with policies that make it possible to start and raise a family. That means an economy where a young family has the chance to create a home and build a foundation for the future, a tax code that doesn’t treat marriage like a liability, and leaders who value faith, responsibility, and strong bonds across generations. When conservatives defend the family, we aren’t clinging to the past — we’re offering a future Gen Z actually wants. The fight for America’s soul isn’t about writing off an entire generation. It’s about proving that our ideas can meet real needs in real lives. Gen Z is open, skeptical, and looking for answers. If conservatives are honest about the economic realities we’re dealing with and defend the institutions that make life meaningful, my generation won’t just listen — we’ll lead. * * * Jake Matthews is a communications manager for technology, economics, and energy at The Heritage Foundation. The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

There is no question that Dolly Parton is an icon. From her music to her philanthropy, she has maximized her life in every possible way. A Sevier County, Tennessee native, and resident of Nashville, her home state has always been important to her. She opened Dollywood in Pigeon Forge in 1986, where millions of tourists flock every year. She also started the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in 1995. It has brought the love of reading to millions of children. The state of Tennessee is grateful to Dolly Parton for all her hard work. This year, they’re celebrating her birthday in a big way. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Declared Her 80th Birthday Dolly Parton Day Governor Lee made an official proclamation. He declared January 19, 2026, Dolly’s 80th birthday, as Dolly Parton Day across the state of Tennessee. “Dolly Parton’s life and career is woven into Tennessee’s music, culture, and rich history,” the governor said in a news release.  “Her talent and generosity have made a lasting impact on the world, and it is fitting that we honor her 80th birthday by celebrating her remarkable legacy and dedication to the Volunteer State.” The governor’s office shared the news on Facebook and fans loved it. “Well Deserved – Dolly is amazing. She is such a humanitarian and has never forgotten her humble Tennessee roots,” comment reads. Many noted that Dolly Parton’s birthday also falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. “She is the epitome of what it means to be a Tennessean and an American. I love that we are honoring MLK, Jr, across our great state as well as observing Dolly’s contributions, achievements, and humanity on her 80th birthday. Our capacity to celebrate people is unlimited,” a fan shared. “We are incredibly blessed to have two amazing, transformative leaders to honor on January 19.” This story’s featured image is by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images.

Incredible footage shows a team of rowers coming face to face with a whale in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The 4-man team encountered the animal midway through their 3,000-mile (4,800km) adventure to raise money for charity. SWNS news reported that the men were suddenly surrounded by a pod of four or five whales […] The post Rowing Team’s Breathtaking Face-to-Face with Whale Caught on Film While Crossing Atlantic (WATCH) appeared first on Good News Network.

Moments of true clarity are all too rare in our pampered, distracted lives. We seek endless entertainment, filling our days with buzz, gossip, sports, and movies to avoid the inevitable truth: we are all going to die. Unlike our ancestors, we don’t witness death constantly. We don’t even consider how lucky we are to have escaped what they faced—infant mortality, death in childbirth, more frequent wars, and ever-present disease and poverty. So, when someone like former Republican Senator Ben Sasse announces that he’s been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, it puts us face to face with our own mortality. Sasse, at 53, had to tell his parents that they’ll probably be burying their son. He had to tell his daughters that he won’t be there to walk them down the aisle. Then, he gave the world this news—and he also gave the reason for a hope that is in him. We All Have a Death Sentence “Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it’s a death sentence,” he wrote. “But I already had a death sentence before last week too — we all do.” Even insulated from the constant experience of death as we are, we know that death is coming. It’s nearly impossible to watch the news without hearing of death: the death of Renee Nicole Good, the death of Scott Adams, the death of 31-year-old Charlie Kirk—who left a wife and two very young children. Each death is a tragedy, but each death also presents an opportunity for us to learn. When my time comes, I pray I have the courage and faith to face death like Ben Sasse. Ben Sasse’s Courage and Hope Sasse announced his “death sentence” two days before Christmas, and he said the season of Advent was a fitting time to do so. Why? Because Advent isn’t just the four weeks leading up to Christmas, it’s also a time for Christians to look forward with anticipation to the Second Coming of Jesus. It’s a time to “orient our hearts toward the hope of what’s to come.” For those who don’t know, Jesus promised that he would return to earth from heaven, that the dead would be raised, and that those who accept his gospel would enjoy a new kind of life, where every tear will be wiped away. Christians don’t earn this eternal salvation—it’s only available for us because Jesus himself paid the penalty for our sins, and God calls us to follow him, to love others and die to ourselves. Sasse rightly noted that this isn’t some “abstract hope in fanciful human goodness,” or a “Hallmark-sappy spirituality,” or even a reliance on our own strength. It’s a “stiffer” hope, the hope of those walking in darkness who have seen a light off in the distance. It’s the hope of God telling Abraham that he will give his descendants the land of Israel—after they spend 400 years in Egypt. It’s the hope of God telling the Israelites in Babylon that they’ll be able to return home—after 70 years in exile. It’s the masculine hope that gives us strength to hold out amid tribulation, because the destination is worth the journey. Sasse said it’s the kind of hope you shout “often properly with a gravelly voice soldiering through tears.” This hope “doesn’t dull the pain of current sufferings,” but it does put them in a new perspective. None of this means Sasse—who attended Harvard as a wrestling recruit—is just going to throw in the towel. “I’m not going down without a fight,” the former senator writes. “One sub-part of God’s grace is found in the jawdropping advances science has made the past few years … Death and dying aren’t the same — the process of dying is still something to be lived.” Sasse viscerally feels the pain of losing the muscle he was so proud to have put on as a youth. His body is breaking down, but he isn’t giving up his fighting spirit. Most importantly, he’s using the last few public messages of his life to share something important with the world. His hope isn’t found on earth, but in the promises of Jesus. Ben Sasse may not be able to stop the decay of his body, but he can encourage us to take hold of the thing that gives him the most important hope. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, but I tell you a mystery: this mortal body will put on immortality. Though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. We work hard to distract ourselves, but the truth of our mortality will break through, sooner or later. Is there a reason for this kind of hope within you? I pray that there is. Friends-This is a tough note to write, but since a bunch of you have started to suspect something, I’ll cut to the chase: Last week I was diagnosed with metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer, and am gonna die. Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it’s a death sentence.…— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) December 23, 2025 The post Ben Sasse’s Powerful Deathbed Testimony appeared first on The Daily Signal.

In Reelection Launch, Josh Shapiro Admits Violent Attack Almost Drove Him From the Race

MS NOW’s Ali Velshi’s weekend show is the place to go if you desire to hurl a Nazi analogy at the Trump administration. This Saturday, Godwin’s Law was fulfilled by progressive radio host Thom Hartmann, who compared the administration’s Minneapolis response to Hitler doing away with state autonomy in 1934. Velshi began by quoting Hartmann’s recent Substack article, “You said, could this be what the end of a would-be dictatorship looks like? In which you say, ‘They're doubling down,’ meaning the government, ‘because they know their time is limited, their attempt to turn America into a Russia-like police state is suddenly failing, and a reckoning is coming. Trump and his lickspittles look at the horizon and see mushroom clouds rising against a red sky, suggesting their season of power and brutality is about to turn on them.’”     He then added, “And I would say, Thom, that half the time I feel that that's right. Half the time I feel like they've overstepped, and the American people are ready to say, 'we've got the power to change this.'” Hartmann began his response by essentially repeating the essence of the quote Velshi read, “On the one hand you've got Trump about to lose some considerable power. Mark Pocan pointed this out on my program last week, Congressman Mark Pocan, that there are numerous Republicans who, once their primaries are done, which is, you know, kind of the April through July season, that will probably turn on Trump, at least according to what they're saying to him. But they're terrified of losing their primaries. So, he's got this maybe six-month window.” Then came the Hitler comparison, “On the other hand, if he can lock down state and local authority and just impose federal authority on Minneapolis, for example, he can do it anywhere. One year in from the time he was made chancellor of Germany in January of 1933, on January 30th, 1934, Hitler passed a law that basically stripped all the state governors who had been rebelling against what he was doing, very much like Minnesota is, stripped them of their authority and basically federalized the entire country. So what Trump is talking about is blowing up this essential federalism that the Founders created, where, you know, where the states have a relatively large amount of autonomy, 10th Amendment, and all that.” It is always a bit amusing whenever progressives discover the 10th Amendment, but in this case, it does not apply. Minnesota is still in charge of its own affairs, but immigration enforcement has always been a federal prerogative. Here is a transcript for the January 17 show: MS NOW Velshi 1/17/2026 10:06 AM ET ALI VELSHI: You said, could this be what the end of a would-be dictatorship looks like? In which you say, “They're doubling down,” meaning the government, “because they know their time is limited, their attempt to turn America into a Russia-like police state is suddenly failing, and a reckoning is coming. Trump and his lickspittles look at the horizon and see mushroom clouds rising against a red sky, suggesting their season of power and brutality is about to turn on them.” And I would say, Thom, that half the time I feel that that's right. Half the time I feel like they've overstepped, and the American people are ready to say, “We've got the power to change this.” THOM HARTMANN: I think you're absolutely right, Ali. It's great to see you, by the way. Thank you. VELSHI: Thank you, sir. HARTMANN: Thank you again. On the one hand you've got Trump about to lose some considerable power. Mark Pocan pointed this out on my program last week, Congressman Mark Pocan, that there are numerous Republicans who, once their primaries are done, which is, you know, kind of the April through July season, that will probably turn on Trump, at least according to what they're saying to him. But they're terrified of losing their primaries. So, he's got this maybe six-month window. And, you know, on the one hand. On the other hand, if he can lock down state and local authority and just impose federal authority on Minneapolis, for example, he can do it anywhere. One year in from the time he was made chancellor of Germany in January of 1933, on January 30th, 1934, Hitler passed a law that basically stripped all the state governors who had been rebelling against what he was doing, very much like Minnesota is, stripped them of their authority and basically federalized the entire country. So what Trump is talking about is blowing up this essential federalism that the Founders created, where, you know, where the states have a relatively large amount of autonomy, 10th amendment, and all that.

From allegedly false claims about Stephen A. Smith’s basketball background to what Jason Whitlock calls a lack of basic sports knowledge and writing ability, the BlazeTV host argues Smith’s success isn’t accidental.Rather, it’s the result of a system that rewards obedience over independent thinking, particularly among black men.“Stephen A. Smith, as I have exposed to you all on this show — his background, his narrative, his story: It’s all a fabrication. He wasn’t a college basketball player at Winston-Salem State. He didn’t knock down 17 straight three-pointers and earn a scholarship at Winston-Salem State,” Whitlock begins.“You’ve seen me expose all of that. You saw Stephen A. Smith get triggered by me exposing all of that. You saw this man snap and put on a 45-minute profanity-laced tirade because I explained to you all — I read his book. We’ve done the research. We’ve gone through all these different lies,” he continues.Whitlock believes that Smith is nothing more than a “fraud” who is “unqualified for all the things he’s been given.”“They take someone with very limited talent, give them positions and jobs and a platform that they can’t do on their own,” he says, noting that even as a sportswriter, Smith “wrote at like an eighth-grade level” and “doesn’t know or follow sports in a real way.”“Claims to be a New York Knicks fan, doesn’t know who’s on the roster, thinks you can kick a field goal on third down — and if you miss it, you can re-kick it on fourth down. That’s who has been installed at the top of the sports media landscape,” Whitlock explains.“This is all intentional,” he continues. “Black men who can think for themselves, who have some sort of intellectual evolution, need not apply for the clown show that is being run.”Want more from Jason Whitlock?To enjoy more fearless conversations at the crossroads of culture, faith, sports, and comedy with Jason Whitlock, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Public DomainTerry Davis was a brilliant computer programmer who struggled with schizophrenia. From his early days as a gifted engineer to his final years spent chasing a divine vision through code, Terry Davis was one of the most unusual figures in modern computing history. To his fellow programmers, he was a rare technical master. In his own mind, he was a man chosen by God to build something sacred. For the first 26 years of his life, Davis was on the path to becoming another Steve Jobs. He learned programming language as a teenager, earned a degree in electrical engineering, and secured a job with Ticketmaster. Then, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, derailing his promising career. During the years he spent in and out of psychiatric facilities, Davis thought he heard God commanding him to build an operating system. So, he spent 10 years creating TempleOS, which he believed was destined to become the Third Temple foretold in the Bible. Then, in 2018, Terry Davis’ story came to a tragic close. He was struck by a train in Oregon, and nobody is sure if it was a terrible accident or if he died by suicide. Regardless, it brought an end to the life of one of recent history’s most brilliant yet troubled minds. Terry Davis’ Early Life And The Onset Of Schizophrenia Terrence Andrew Davis was born in Wisconsin in December 1969, one of eight children in a Catholic family. He moved frequently as a child, but his passion for computers followed him wherever his family settled. Find a GraveTerry Davis as a young man, long before he made waves with his operating system. As a young teenager, Davis learned programming language on a Commodore 64. This talent carried him to Arizona State University, where he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1994. He’d started working for Ticketmaster as an undergraduate, and he remained with the company for an additional two years after his graduation. Then, in March 1996, Terry Davis started experiencing manic episodes and paranoia. “I started seeing people following me around in suits and stuff,” Davis recalled to VICE writer Jesse Hicks in 2014. “It just seemed something was strange.” So, he got in his car and started driving, the whole time convinced that the voices on the radio were speaking directly to him. After he reached Texas, he pulled over on the side of the road, ripped the panels off his car to look for a tracking device, threw his keys into the desert, and walked away. Public DomainTerry Davis, the programmer behind TempleOS, pictured with his Commodore monitor. When a police officer picked him up, Davis jumped out of the moving patrol car and broke his collarbone. At the hospital, he thought he heard doctors talking about “artifacts” left by aliens that were detected in his X-ray images, so he fled once more. He stole a truck, was swiftly apprehended, and then shoved his glasses into an electrical socket in his jail cell in another attempt to escape. Davis was ultimately sent to a psychiatric hospital, where he stayed for two weeks. Although he was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder, doctors later determined that he had schizophrenia. And as Terry Davis’ illness progressed, so did his conviction that a higher power was speaking to him. Searching For God Through Code After his release, Davis felt deep guilt over what he described as being a “technology-advocate atheist.” He decided to follow Jesus by giving away everything he owned and living nomadically. But that plan didn’t last long. He spent the next seven years in and out of psychiatric facilities. In between, he worked on various projects, from stints at tech companies to inventing a milling machine to writing a sequel to 1984. Then, he started building TempleOS. Driven by a relentless search for God’s message, Davis began creating an operating system that he believed was divinely inspired and destined to be the Third Temple that’s prophesied in the Bible. He believed that God had personally instructed him to build the system. Public DomainThe logo of TempleOS, the operating system Davis claimed that he was instructed by God to create. Based on what he described as direct communication with God, Davis began development of TempleOS in 2003. Originally known as J Operating System, then LoseThos, the project spanned more than a decade. Davis created everything himself, including the programming language, which he dubbed HolyC. The operating system deliberately resembled early systems like the Commodore 64 and DOS-based interfaces. It ran at a fixed resolution of 640 by 480 pixels and was limited to just 16 colors. These constraints were intentional and purportedly instructions from God. In total, TempleOS contained more than 120,000 lines of code. Among its most unusual features was a program called AfterEgypt, which included a “digital oracle.” Using random number generation, the oracle generated Bible passages that Davis believed allowed users to communicate directly with God. When TempleOS was complete, Davis announced on his website, “God’s temple is finished. Now, God kills CIA until it spreads.” Terry Davis’ Growing Fame — And Controversy As Terry Davis shared TempleOS online, he began to attract a devoted following. His work gained attention within the programming community, and he eventually built a small but loyal fan base. He livestreamed coding sessions and referred to himself as “the smartest programmer that’s ever lived.” His YouTube channels were repeatedly deleted due to vulgar and offensive language. He still believed that CIA agents were following him, and he referred to them as “Glowies,” claiming they glowed in the dark. His language became increasingly disturbing. He frequently used racist and homophobic slurs. These moments overshadowed his brilliance and alienated many who once admired him. Yet, interest in his work continued to grow. Davis appreciated the attention, but he felt disappointed that few of his fans actually used TempleOS to talk to God. After all, that was its entire purpose. In his final years, Terry Davis drifted between homelessness, jail, and brief stays with his family. He stopped taking his medication, believing it hampered his creativity. His fans tried to help, but he reportedly declined offers for housing. Terry Davis/YouTubeTerry Davis in his final YouTube video, which was posted just before his death. In 2018, Davis traveled through California and Oregon. In his final video, uploaded just hours before his death on August 11, 2018, he spoke cryptically about “purifying” himself. “It’s good to be king,” he said. “Wait, maybe… I think maybe I’m just like a little bizarre little person who walks back and forth.” That night, Davis was struck and killed by a train while walking along railroad tracks near The Dalles, Oregon. The train’s engineer said the incident may have been intentional, though no official cause of death was ever confirmed. It was not ruled a suicide due to a lack of evidence. He was 48 years old. Just before the VICE article about Terry Davis’ work was published in 2014, he had emailed the author, writing, “What people are going to read is, ‘It’s about a pathetic schizophrenic who made a crappy operating system. My perspective is, ‘God said I made His temple.'” After learning about the life of Terry Davis, read about Grace Hopper, one of the first modern computer programmers. Then, go inside the story of John Nash, the brilliant mathematician with paranoid schizophrenia behind A Beautiful Mind. The post The Tragic Life Of Terry Davis, The Brilliant Computer Programmer Whose Struggle With Schizophrenia Derailed His Career appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Ron Galella/WireImageDionne Warwick, Ray Combs, Vanessa Williams during Taping of “Grammy Family Feud” at CBS TV City in Hollywood. On June 2, 1996, police arrived at Glendale Adventist Medical Center. The sight that greeted them was a man hanging dead in a closet from a noose made from bedsheets. Of course, while the reasons behind suicides are, tragically, often unknown, the identity of the dead man was not. It was Ray Combs. Combs was the longtime host of the reboot one of America’s favorite gameshows, Family Feud. For six years, he had greeted contestants and the viewers at home with a carefree wit that spoke to his background as a popular stand-up comedian. But behind the scenes, the laughter turned to tragedy. As the new Family Feud began to slip in ratings, Ray Combs’ life fell apart. Ray Combs’ Downfall It was decided that Combs would be fired from the show in 1993 to make way for the return of the original host of the show, Richard Dawson. The show was in a tailspin, with many stations dropping it from their schedules. The hope was that Dawson’s popularity could reverse the decline. Combs filmed his final episode in 1994. He left with a revealing joke after a contestant failed to get any points in the final round. “Thought I was a loser till you walked up here,” he said to the contestant, “and you made me feel like a man.” As soon as shooting wrapped, he walked off the set and drove home without even a goodbye, leaving the contestants celebrating on stage without him. Wikimedia CommonsRay Combs hosting Family Feud. Combs had once had a promising career, beginning as a warm-up comedian for sitcoms. He was so popular that shows would change their shooting schedules so they could have him perform for their audience. But by 1994, work was hard to come by. It’s not unusual for a comedian to go through dry spells in their careers, but it was especially hard for Combs because he was broke. Ray Combs pulled in a healthy salary hosting Family Feud, but he managed his money poorly and was always short on cash. Shortly after being fired from the show, two of the comedy clubs he owned in his home state of Ohio went bankrupt and had to close. Because he could no longer afford to pay his mortgage, his house then went into foreclosure. Then in July, Combs was involved in a serious car accident. The crash shattered one of the discs in his spine, leaving Combs temporarily paralyzed. Though he was eventually able to walk again, the injury meant he was in constant pain. The stress took a toll on Combs’ marriage and in 1995, he and his wife of 18 years filed for divorce. An Attempt To Restart His Life Ray Combs, desperate to restart his career, spent the year filming several projects that would ultimately prove to be failures. He shot a pilot for a talk show, but no network wanted to pick it up. Finally, he got an offer to host a rival game show called Family Challenge. YouTubeRay Combs hosting Family Challenge. Combs hosted the show for a little under a year. Then in June 1996, police responded to a call about a disturbance at Combs’ home in Glendale. Inside, they found that Combs had smashed up the furniture and was repeatedly banging his head against the walls hard enough to draw blood. Combs’ wife, who had recently filed for divorce, arrived and informed the police that he had just been released from the hospital after trying to kill himself with an overdose of prescription medication. Combs was taken into protective custody and committed to the Glendale Adventist Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation. In the early hours of the next morning, Combs hanged himself in the closet of his room. He was just 40 years old. After Ray Combs’ death, his wife discovered just how much financial trouble he had been in. He owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans and back taxes, with no assets to help pay them off. Combs’ wife was forced to sell what little Combs still had to cover some of the debt. The stress of overwhelming financial problems combined with injuries, career setbacks, and the end of his marriage had been too much to bear for Ray Combs. Ultimately, it was a tragic end to a life that had once held such promise. Next, read about the tragic life of Ota Benga, the human exhibit at the Bronx Zoo. Then, read about Rod Ansell, the real life Crocodile Dundee. The post The Tragic Life Of ‘Family Feud’ Host Ray Combs appeared first on All That's Interesting.