Church used unemployment scam to boost funds, ex-members say

SPINDALE, N.C. (AP) — When Randy Fields’ construction company faced potential ruin because of the cratering economy, he pleaded with his pastor at Word of Faith Fellowship church to reduce the amount of money he was required to tithe every week. To his shock, Fields said church founder Jane Whaley proposed a divine plan that … Continue reading →

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Jailed clerk who fought gay marriage is ordered released

  GRAYSON, Ky. (AP) — After five days behind bars that helped make her a hero to the religious right, county clerk Kim Davis was ordered released from jail Tuesday, September 8 by the federal judge who locked her up for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples. U.S. District Judge David Bunning lifted the … Continue reading →

Kurds keep up offensive against extremists in northern Syria

BEIRUT (AP) — Backed by U.S.-led airstrikes and buoyed by battlefield successes, Kurdish fighters kept up an offensive through northern Syria on Tuesday, driving Islamic State militants out of a town near the extremists’ de facto capital of Raqqa. The capture of Ein Issa came just hours after the Kurdish forces had overrun a nearby … Continue reading →