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Nine were killed and at least 25 wounded Tuesday in a mass shooting in remote Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. 

Police say an 18-year-old opened fire at a nearby home, fatally shooting the suspect’s 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother, before continuing to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. 

Those killed at the school included a 39-year-old educator, three 12-year-old girls, and two male students (12 and 13), making this one of Canada’s deadliest mass casualty events in decades.

Authorities said the suspect was born a “biological male who approximately six years ago began to transition to female.” The suspect dropped out of the school four years ago, and officers had previously visited the residence over mental health concerns and weapons-related interactions. Police recovered two firearms at the scene. 

The suspect died from an apparent self-inflicted wound.

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PRAY WITH US
Merciful Father, meet us here in the valley of the shadow of death. Bind up the wounded and heal them. Strengthen the grieving to meet the coming days with endurance and patience. Speak hope into sorrow, life into death.

And when we next pull up to the drop-off line or drive by little ones enjoying recess and feel the grip of fear, May your comforting Spirit turn our eyes to you, Father, who knows what it’s like to send a Son into a dangerous world; who knew that He would be despised, abused, and forsaken… and sent Him anyway. For me. And for the little ones. Amen.

Want more help bringing hard headlines to God in prayer? Join us in our Sunday newsletter Praying the News. Subscribe for free here.

Conflicting reports are flying after the FAA ordered a 10-day shutdown of El Paso airspace late Tuesday, only to Uno-reverse the order hours later.

The FAA cited “special security reasons,” while the Trump Administration blamed “Mexican cartel drones” breaching U.S. airspace, but anonymous sources are pinning the closure on an FAA-War Department miscommunication.

The anonymous sources point to the Pentagon testing anti-drone lasers without coordinating with the FAA on commercial air traffic safety, claiming the Department of War loaned their lasers to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to shoot down cartel drones Mylar party balloons. 

Lawmakers are demanding an explanation for the confusing chain of events. El Paso’s Mayor Johnson condemned the fact that local officials were not given advance notice, calling the orders “a major and unnecessary disruption” that hasn’t occurred since 9/11.

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A verse to consider when you feel frustrated by conflicting reports or overwhelmed with unanswered questions…“God is not a man, that he might lie, or a son of man, that he might change his mind. Does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?”
Numbers 23:19 (CSB) (read full passage)

When cooking for your Valentine (or galentine), the menu should include flavor, finesse, and love… not forever chemicals. 

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It’s Day 8 of the Milan Cortina Games, and we’re running out of ice puns Team USA’s medal count continues to climb. 

The U.S.—currently tied with Norway for second—has scooped up more medals in skiing and skating. Yesterday, Chloe Kim secured Team USA’s first snowboarding medal, taking silver and narrowly missing a golden three-peat in women’s halfpipe. 

Breezy Johnson crashed in Wednesday’s women’s super-G final—one of 17 skiers who DNFed—but still got some hardware when her boyfriend proposed at the finish line (see the happy tears). Then yesterday, 54-year-old curler Rich Ruohonen became the oldest competing American Olympian.

Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee barred a Ukrainian skeleton athlete from racing for continuing to wear a helmet honoring Ukrainians killed in the Russia-Ukraine war; the group said it violated rules against political statements during competition. 

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
God has given His people bodies that can do some amazing things, but even world-class athletes can’t compare to the eternal, imperishable bodies we’ll have one day. Worship God in the body He has given you today—whether it’s in top shape or in need of repair—knowing we’ll one day worship Him in a perfect one. 

“When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” 
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (CSB) (read full passage)

AG Bondi’s hearing over Epstein turned into a 5+-hour political cage match on Wednesday. Bondi apologized to victims for Epstein’s abuse but defended the DOJ’s handling of the files, sparking outrage from Democrats. As the hearing deteriorated, Bondi called Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) a “washed-up loser,” one lawmaker stormed out, and several Republicans ceded their time for Bondi’s response.

A January job surge shattered expectations. The “Super Bowl of job reports,” released Wednesday by the Labor Department, showed 130k jobs added last month (above the projected 65k), as unemployment ticked down to 4.3% (from 4.4%). Economists are encouraged after 2025 had the slowest growth on record outside a 2003 recession, with only 181k jobs added all year.

The House wants to nix Canadian tariffs. Wednesday, lawmakers voted 219-211 in favor of blocking President Trump’s use of a national emergency to impose punitive trade measures on Canadian goods. The rare GOP pushback in a narrowly divided chamber sends the resolution to the Senate, where it could pass. However, Trump’s expected to use a veto if it reaches his desk.

Operation Metro Surge is ending. Yesterday, Border Czar Tom Homan announced the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota will “conclude,” saying he would remain in the Land of 10,000 Lakes temporarily to “ensure its success,” and that 4,000+ undocumented immigrants had been arrested in the operation. Governor Walz (D) lauded the drawdown, saying “the long road to recovery starts now.”

The search for Nancy Guthrie is now on Day 13. After the FBI released doorbell camera footage on Tuesday, authorities say they’ve received thousands of tips. A man was briefly detained Tuesday night but later released, and investigators are testing a pair of black gloves found on the side of the road yesterday, 1.5 miles from Guthrie’s home.

Slidin’ down the Olympic luge track…

How We’re Helping End the Water Crisis
By giving to World Concern*

Imagine being thirsty, but the closest water is miles away. Not only that, but drinking it could kill you. That’s the reality for 2.1 billion people worldwide.

It’s one of the world’s biggest health problems, accounting for 1M+ deaths every year. 

World Concern is equipping people in the poorest, hardest-to-reach communities with clean, disease-free water by digging wells, capturing rainwater, and providing filters—long-term, life-saving solutions.

And you can help.

This week, TPO is matching the first $10k given through this link. Your dollars could be doing a lot of things. Why not make a difference, one clean cup of water at a time?

How We’re (Literally) Walking With Jesus
With this free Bible study*

What was it like to walk the streets of Nazareth? Or be in the boat during the storm on the Sea of Galilee? Or find the tomb empty? If you’ve ever had these questions, you’ll love this study. 

In the Footsteps of the Savior is a six-session study in which author Max Lucado invites you to the real places where Jesus taught, healed, walked, and transformed lives. Through rich storytelling and Scripture, you’ll step into the world of the Gospels and learn how geography, culture, and context deepen our understanding of Jesus.

Sign up for this free online study, and discover how His footsteps still lead us today.