Read Time: 5 min 49 sec | Listen to Podcast

Rev. Jesse Jackson, longtime civil rights leader and two-time Democratic presidential candidate, died peacefully on Tuesday at 84, after battling a rare neurodegenerative condition. 

Jackson was mentored by Martin Luther King Jr., and became one of the civil rights era's most gifted organizers and orators who sought to "transform the mind of America.” He ran for the Democratic nomination in 1984 and 1988, becoming the first Black candidate to seriously contend for a major party’s nod by building his “Rainbow Coalition" of poor and working-class voters and delivering electrifying convention speeches (like this one).

Jackson later created the Rainbow PUSH Coalition—an organization focused on voting rights, education, and economic equality—and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000. He is survived by his wife and six children.

__

PRAY WITH US
God of comfort, draw near to the loved ones and admirers mourning Rev. Jesse Jackson’s death. We thank You for the ways his life and message echoed Your heart for the poor, the overlooked, and the outcast. As we continue our march through history, we bring our longings to You: “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24). 
Amen.

The Pentagon’s reviewing its relationship with Anthropic amid disputes over the use of its AI product Claude.  

Claude was the first chatbot approved for the military’s classified systems, but tense negotiations have the Department of War threatening to cancel its $200M contract and—in a move usually reserved for foreign adversaries—label the AI giant a “supply chain risk,” giving Pentagon partners an “us or them” ultimatum. 

U.S. officials say they need partners willing to help “win any fight” and wants its AI partners, including Anthropic, to allow their tools to be used for “all lawful purposes.” 

Anthropic reportedly has concerns about Claude’s deployment in the U.S.’s Venezuela raid and, while committed to supporting national security, wants safeguards against use for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons—limits the Pentagon isn’t ready to swipe right on.

__

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Whether you’re unsettled by, indifferent to, or excited about conversations surrounding AI and the military, remember that God will remain God and our eternal life with Christ will remain secure. Be quick to point to God and give Him the credit for your hope, strength, and love during times dominated by uncertainty and fear.

“The life of every living thing is in his hand, as well as the breath of all humanity.” 
Job 12:10 (CSB) (read full passage)

Sick season has a way of humbling even the healthiest households. That’s why Beekeper’s Naturals is all about small, doable daily habits that support your immune health for the long haul. 

Their Throat Care Duo is a sniffle-season staple: Propolis Immune Support Spray helps defend against germs on the spot and support daily immunity, while Propolis Throat Soother delivers rapid, cooling relief when your throat’s in its villain era. Can’t remember what it’s like to breathe through your nose? Add the Propolis Nasal Spray—a non-toxic, non-habit-forming formula that cleanses and soothes nasal passages while helping stop germs in their tracks. 

Implement a daily habit with lasting impact. Use code POUROVER at checkout for 20% off!

Curious how we choose sponsors?  Learn more  |  Advertise with us

The Milan Cortina Games continue to leave fans frozen in front of their TVs. 

While Norway is skiing away with the top overall spot, Team USA remains in third with 21 medals, including new hardware in men’s speedskating. On Monday, 41-year-old bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor capped her fifth Olympics with her first gold; her six career medals tie her with speedskating legend Bonnie Blair as Team USA’s most decorated female Winter Olympian. 

Yesterday, the Blade Angels (Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito) glided onto the ice, hoping to give Team USA its first podium sweep in women’s figure skating by tomorrow’s final round. Also tomorrow, the U.S.’s undefeated women’s hockey team—which has outscored opponents 31-1—aims to sweep Canada (again) in the gold-medal game.

See when to watch the golden moments here.  

__

Verse to consider whether you’re a professional athlete, newsletter writer, student, teacher, dentist, farmer, stay-at-home mom, or retiree… “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” 
1 Corinthians 10:31 (CSB) (read full passage)

Former President Barack Obama briefly triggered “Disclosure Day” after saying on a podcast Saturday that aliens are “real.” Before anyone stormed Nevada, Obama clarified on Instagram that “the odds are good” extraterrestrials exist, but he saw no evidence they’ve “made contact.” He also said aliens aren’t in Area 51… unless there’s an “enormous conspiracy” hiding them from the president.

Authorities declared Nancy Guthrie’s children, siblings, and their spouses innocent in her disappearance. Pima County Sheriff Nanos affirmed, “The family has been nothing but cooperative.” FBI databases yielded no DNA matches on a glove recovered near Guthrie’s home, and President Trump said authorities should pursue the death penalty if the 84-year-old isn’t returned alive; she’s been missing for 18 days.

Satellites scoped Uncle Sam putting his Battleships near Iran. Iran’s Supreme Leader responded to the USS Abraham Lincoln’s presence in the Arabian Sea, warning that the U.S. Navy could “be struck so hard that it cannot get up again.” Despite the tensions, officials from both nations met in Switzerland yesterday, agreeing on “guiding principles” for continued nuclear talks.

Oscar winner Robert Duvall died “peacefully” on Monday at 95. After getting his cinema start as Boo Radley in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” he became Don Corleone’s consigliere in “The Godfather,” and had an affinity for napalm’s morning scent in “Apocalypse Now.” Off screen, Duvall received a National Medal of Arts in 2005 and is survived by his wife, Luciana.

Big news for floats, red envelopes, and telescopes: Yesterday, 1B+ Lunar New Year revelers rung in the Year of the Fire Horse with fireworks and family feasts (see the highlights); Catholics and Carnival partygoers also feasted and feted for Mardi Gras* (see the parades); and a “ring of fire” solar eclipse was spotted in Antarctica (see for yourself).
*Want to learn more about the history of Mardi Gras and the season of Lent? Check out our most recent episode of TPO Explains here.

Painting in one stroke...

Why People Really Visit Our Office
For Lemonade Salt from LMNT*

You’d think people stop by to talk about news, Jesus, or just catch up on life.

Nope—they’re here to mooch off our abundant LMNT stash (specifically, the new Lemonade Salt flavor). 

Our kitchen cabinet has basically become a heistable hydration station. Friends “stop in” for a visit and leave with three sticks in their pockets and a suspiciously salty water bottle. Can we blame them? Not really. 

It’s that good—zero sugar, no junk, just electrolytes that actually work. We could hide our stash… but honestly, we want this for our friends, too. TPO readers get a free 8-count sample pack of LMNT’s most popular flavors with any purchase. Try it mooch-free!