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Review: Mitch Albom Spins Moving Holocaust Tale In ‘The Little Liar’

By ROB MERRILL Associated Press Mitch Albom’s books often capture the zeitgeist, but his new novel about the fate of Greek Jews during World War II packs a particular punch in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Israel on Oct. 7. “The Little Liar” tells the story of four interconnected characters, three of them Jews living in Salonika, Greece, at the onset of Germany’s invasion, and the other a Third Reich devotee carrying out Hitler’s orders on the Mediterranean island. Nico Krispis is the title character and it’s his journey from a beautiful boy who has never told ...

Churches Have Unique Opportunity

At the end of October, NPR reposted a story that featured an interview with Sharon Riley, the pastor of Orlando, Fla.’s Agape Perfecting Praise and Worship Center. In response to Florida banning AP African American History and the state placing restrictions on how Black history is taught in public schools, Riley is providing master classes for her congregation, which consists of many families with school-aged children. Riley isn’t the only pastor who stepped in to fill this educational void. The Rev. Gaston E. Smith, senior pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Miami, ...

Young Voters Spring (Contradictory) Political Surprises

What’s with young voters? It’s a question prompted by two surprising and perhaps contradictory developments that are out of line with conventional wisdom and prevailing expectations among political observers. One is the sharp difference in opinion between young voters and their elders on the Hamas atrocities against Israel. A post-Oct. 7 poll by Quinnipiac University showed respondents under 35 disapproving of Israel’s response to Hamas’ atrocities, 52% to 32%, while those over 35 approved by a wider margin. Young voters’ views are out of line with President Joe Biden’s ...

‘The Marvels’ Melts Down At Box Office With $47M

NEW YORK (AP) — Since 2008’s “Iron Man,” the Marvel machine has been one of the most unstoppable forces in box-office history. Now, though, that aura of invincibility is showing signs of wear and tear. The superhero factory hit a new low with the weekend launch of “The Marvels,” which opened with just $47 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. The 33rd installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a sequel to the 2019 Brie Larson-led “Captain Marvel,” managed less than a third of the $153.4 million its predecessor launched with before ultimately taking in $1.13 ...

Classes On Celebs Engaging A New Generation Of Law Students

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A South Dakota law professor typically teaches about dense topics like torts and natural resources. But next semester, he and his fearless students are shaking things up by turning their attention to Taylor Swift. Sean Kammer wanted his legal writing course to draw on music and art to help his students reconsider legal language and craft persuasive arguments. The self-described “Swiftie” thought a focus on the cultural icon was also a way to connect with his students. Never in his wildest dreams did Kammer expect the attention that the announcement ...

Democrats In Mountain State Are At End Of Era

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Joe Manchin’s impending departure from the U.S. Senate marks the end of an era for West Virginia’s conservative Democrats, who for decades held outsize influence in Washington. It’s the latest sign of the party’s steady decline in the state that often has paralleled the demise of Appalachian coal. Manchin, 76, is the last in a line of formidable Democratic senators from the Mountain State who promoted coal interests at the national level. He stayed true to a path set by stalwarts like Robert C. Byrd, Jennings Randolph and Jay Rockefeller, even as he ...