Jared Schroeder, an associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, writes about AI-generated videos influence on voters’ opinions in the midterm elections this year.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, an annual program that inspires 51 high school students — one from each state and the District of Columbia — to pursue careers in journalism and multimedia storytelling. Named for my father, Freedom Forum and USA TODAY founder Al Neuharth, the conference continues his legacy of creating opportunities for young people of all backgrounds and viewpoints. The Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference has educated and inspired more than 1,700 students, many of whom have become prize-winning journalists and media industry leaders.

Robert F. Darden, a professor emeritus in Journalism at Baylor University and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, writes about the complex relationship between 4th of July-styled patriotism and Black gospel music.

R.J. Morgan, an instructional professor in the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi and director of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association, discusses scholastic journalism education and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. He received the CSPA James F. Paschal Award for excellence in scholastic press leadership, which he says is somewhat of a lifetime achievement award for a scholastic press director.

Terry Mattingly, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses the growth in worship attendance for churches and urges people to keep asking questions about why attendance is growing or shrinking. Mattingly writes the national "On Religion" column for the Andrews McMeel Universal syndicate and "Rational Sheep," a Substack newsletter on faith and mass media.

The Freedom Forum's annual survey "Where America Stands,"  regarding awareness, understanding and support of the First Amendment, was the subject of a panel discussion at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics on April 29. The latest survey showed that while admiration for the First Amendment is widespread, understanding of its five freedoms is uneven.