Terry Mattingly, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses the growth in worship attendance for churches and why they are are growing or decreasing. Mattingly writes the national "On Religion" column for the Andrews McMeel Universal syndicate and "Rational Sheep," a Substack newsletter on faith and mass media.

On April 28, a federal grand jury indicted former FBI Director James Comey over a photo he posted on social media last year that prosecutors say was an illegal threat. Comey is facing two criminal charges for threatening the life of the president and for transmitting a threat over state lines. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison. Katie Bernard analyzes the indictment and the First Amendment implications.

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. 

Charles Mitchell, an associate professor in the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discussed the U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Louisiana's congressional map.

Carlos Sanchez, a freelance writer based in McAllen, Texas, and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, writes that the deification of César Chávez must cease because of his predatory behavior. Sanchez says the Chávez legacy must not be erased but used as a teaching tool.

In a story for The Overby Center, Tony Pederson, managing fellow for The Overby Center, discusses the Senate race in Texas, how expensive it is becoming, some of the competitors in the race, and how impactful it will end up being amongst the MAGA base.