North Texas synagogues request active threat training after Colleyville standoff

Security training paid off for those held hostage recently by a terrorist at a local synagogue. Now, other area synagogues are requesting some of that same training that helped a rabbi and others escape from a possible life and death situation.

Colleyville synagogue meets for Shabbat service week after hostage standoff

At Beth Israel's service Saturday, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and the three other people who were taken hostage last weekend stood in front of the congregation, linking arms as they sang the ritual blessings before and after the weekly reading of the Torah.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk, dies at 95

Thich Nhat Hanh, the revered Zen Buddhist monk who helped spread the practice of mindfulness in the West and socially engaged Buddhism in the East, has died. He was 95.

Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis was a hate crime and act of terrorism, FBI says

The FBI was more emphatic on Friday that last weekend’s act of terrorism at a Colleyville synagogue was also a hate crime. They said no other people have been arrested locally, though they think they know everyone he’d been around. However, they still don’t know how Akram got the gun he used to take the synagogue members hostage.

Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis was targeted attack on Jews, FBI says

In the last phone call he made to his family, Malik Akram spewed venom against Jews, cursing Jews and America. He said he was not giving up and that he had prayed about this for two years and was opening the doors to further attacks.

Pope Francis baptizes 16 babies in Sistine Chapel after pandemic break

Pope Francis baptized 16 babies in the Sistine Chapel Sunday, resuming a decades-old Vatican tradition that had been interrupted last year by the pandemic.

Pope Francis starts new year with call to protect women, focus on the good

Pope Francis has used his New Year's Day appearances to encourage people to focus on the good which unites them and to decry violence against women.

Pope Francis prays for pandemic's end in Christmas Day address

Pope Francis' Christmas Day speech gives him an opportunity to draw a global audience's attention to conflicts big and small. This year was no different.

Pope Francis celebrates 85th birthday as reform hits stride

Pope Francis turns 85 on Dec. 17, a milestone as he continues efforts to make the Catholic Church more attuned to the laity.

Lakewood Church money: Plumber who found cash, checks in wall to get $20K

Crime Stoppers of Houston is gifting $20,000 to the plumber who found a large amount of money inside of a wall at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church last month. Police believe the money is connected to a theft case from 2014.

Plano church's expansion plan temporarily paused by city zoning board

Representatives from St. Andrews United Methodist Church fielded several questions from the planning and zoning commission. The board ultimately decided to delay the zoning vote for another two weeks.

Cash, checks found in wall at Lakewood Church during repair work is from 2014 theft, says HPD

A large amount of money – including cash, checks and money orders – was found inside a wall while renovation work was being done at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church. Houston police say it's from the 2014 theft, where $600,000 were reported stolen from the church's safe.

Plano residents upset with church's plan for new chapel

Under its current plan, St. Andrew United Methodist Church‘s new chapel will back right up to homes in Stone Lake Estates off Plano Parkway and Parkwood Boulevard. Neighbors believe it’ll negatively affect property values.

Anti-vaccine North Texas evangelist Marcus Lamb dies from COVID-19

A North Texas-based televangelist has died from COVID-19 after spending months promoting his outspoken opposition to COVID-19 vaccines.

‘Chanukah Sameach’ : Biden recognizes Hanukkah  2021 with well wishes

“From our family to yours, and from the People’s House to your own homes, Jill and I wish you and your loved ones a Chanukah Sameach, a Happy Hanukkah!” President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Survey: Few Americans blame God for COVID-19 pandemic, other tragedies

A large majority of U.S. adults believe that most of the suffering in the world comes from people rather than from God, according to surveys from the Pew Research Center.

Diwali 2021: What to know about the festival of lights

The Hindu festival of Diwali, which symbolizes new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, is being celebrated by millions across the world.

Biden receives Communion in Rome amid abortion debate in US

While President Joe Biden regularly receives Communion in his home dioceses in Washington and Delaware, it was significant that he also received Communion in Rome.