The University of Pennsylvania and the Ivy League are backing the decision to allow trans-identified swimmer Lia Thomas to swim in women's competitions amid concerns about the biological male athlete's participation. In separate statements issued last week, both touted their "inclusive environment." Thomas' participation on the women's team has come under fire as Thomas is a biological male who previously competed on the men's team.

Jim Huntzinger writes about the history of America's tax and economic policies, shedding light on some of what has worked as well as what has not. "[E]conomic history definitively illustrates income tax rate reductions boost the economy, and tax cuts combined with spending reduction enhance the economy even more so. Certainly all tax cuts are not equal, but targeting income tax rate reductions has benefited America," Huntzinger writes. However, the challenge lies in the long-term implications, with Huntzinger further explaining that cuts go awry because around "three-quarters of a long-run tax cut is typically undone by legislated tax increases of various sorts within five years," per research by economists David and Christina Romer.

Exclusive columnist Robin Schumacher writes about why he believes America is not–and never has been–a "Christian nation" despite having a Christian heritage. "[I]t was the dream of some who first came to America (e.g., the Pilgrims) for the country to be a Christian nation. However, things didn’t work out as they planned," he asserts. Click to continue reading.

The Reformed Presbyterian Church has placed Indiana Pastor Jared Olivetti on leave as it investigates accusations the pastor, as well as other elders, failed to act with urgency after eight victims from multiple families reported sexual abuse by a boy who is related to Olivetti. In a letter sent to the IndyStar, the church's judicial commission wrote that they were imposing the requirement not to "pre-judge the case" but to acknowledge "the gravity of the accusations against Mr. Olivetti."

"Organized groups are igniting forest fires to divide and destroy our unique American culture. It’s imperative that we not only extinguish their efforts, but foster a new movement that nurtures, unites, and strengthens us as Americans, regardless of race, for generations to come," writes Kendall Qualls. "To be clear, we do have racist people in our country that do bad things to people, but the country is not systemically racist ... If you look for racism in this country, you’ll find it. If you look for opportunities, you will find them 100 times over," Qualls explains. Click to keep reading.

Former youth pastor Scott Christner has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for molesting multiple boys ages 11 to 13 over the course of several years. Christner also received two seven-year sentences for two Class C felonies to be served along with the remaining suspended sentence in case he violates his parole after serving the prison time, WNDU reported.