California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 107 into law Thursday, which contains several provisions related to "gender-affirming health." The measure passed the California State Assembly in a 60-19 vote on Aug. 29, followed by a 30-9 vote in the California Senate on Aug. 31. Both votes fell along party lines, with all support coming from Democrats and all opposition coming from Republicans. Opponents of the law, including the Alliance Defending Freedom, believe the language opens the door for a state court to take a child away from a parent or guardian who refuses to allow their trans-identified children to undergo puberty suppression, cross-sex hormone regimens or body-mutilating gender transition surgeries. In an Aug. 2 letter to the California Assembly Committee on Appropriations, ADF Senior Counsel Matt Sharp warned that SB 107 "violates parental rights protected by the U.S. Constitution" and outlined several scenarios he believes could arise following the legislation's passage, such as "an unfit parent about to lose custody could travel to California with the child, give the child puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones, and in doing so win custody under SB 107, even if the home-state court has already entered judgment on the case." Read more.

A North Dakota man accused of running over a teen who he described as a member of a "Republican extremist group" has been charged with murder after he was initially freed on bond. The man, Shannon Brandt, faces charges of homicide and "duty in an accident involving death" following the Sept. 18 hit-and-run that killed 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson, per Fox News. Prosecutors say Brandt initially fled the scene after running over Ellingson and told 911 that he believed at the time that the teen was trying to get a group of other people together to come "get him." According to a probable cause affidavit, Ellingson was in fact calling his mother for help before Brandt hit Ellingson with his SUV. The teen was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died a short time later. Read more.

Kahlil Square, 27, has pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree murder for the March 2021 fatal shooting of Pastor David Evans of Freewill Harmony Church in Ada, Okla., NBC News reports. Square reportedly snuck into the Evans home on March 22, 2021, and shot David Evans while he slept. Initially, Evans' wife, Kristie Evans, claimed he was murdered by an "intruder." However, she and Square were charged after she confessed her part in the plot. Brittany Long, an adult daughter of the couple, released a statement to the media saying she believes her mother was abused and did what it took to "survive." Read more.

In this op-ed, F. LaGard Smith, a retired Pepperdine University law school professor, addresses illegal immigration and border politics. Noting that even the Kingdom of God has borders and entrance requirements, Smith asserts there must be a practical approach to welcoming people without becoming so open that it is unsustainable. "If we let Jesus speak for Himself, there wouldn’t be a word about border politics, but plenty to say about the far greater importance of entering the Kingdom," he concludes. Read more.

Michael Brown reflects on an organization that supported his cause but declined to have a working relationship with him for fear of attacks by LGBT activists. Noting that Christians are called to be peacemakers, Brown points out that Christians are also called to be a light in the world—and the darkness hates the light. "As summed up by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:10-12, 'Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,'" Brown shares. He further outlines key stances, including speaking up for the unborn and preaching the Word of God, that will result in Christians having a target on their back. Read each of Brown's examples here.

Don’t Miss This! Volume 3 of The Christian Post Magazine

The Christian Post Magazine is a digital magazine published quarterly with feature stories from the award-winning CP Newsroom.

Each issue includes 10+ feature stories along with graphics and designs by CP’s design studio.

The CP Magazine is currently offered for FREE to subscribers who have an account on christianpost.com. If you are not sure whether you have an account, create a free account here.

Israeli archaeologists are calling the discovery of a rare 3,300 years old intact burial cave the "find of a lifetime." The cave dates from the Late Bronze Age, which is the time of Pharaoh Ramses II, who is thought to be the pharaoh from the biblical story of the Exodus from Egypt. Eli Yannai, an expert on the Bronze Age at the Israel Antiquities Authority, says the ancient cave provides a "full picture" of burial traditions during the period. The cave was accidentally discovered at the construction site of Palmahim Beach National Park on the southern Israeli coast after a tractor moved a rock and revealed the cave's ceiling. Read more.

"Chicago Med" actress Marlyne Barrett has revealed that she's battling cancer—but she is holding on to hope because of her Christian faith. In an interview with People magazine, Barrett detailed her struggle and explained how she is relying on her faith to carry her through. "I have a wave of emotion that comes. But it’s OK not to have it all together. You can’t tangibly hold onto fear. But I’m holding onto faith," she said. Barrett also praised her husband, Gavin, for his support: "The chemo gives me pins and needles in my limbs, and he will drop everything to bring me food and massage my hands. He has sacrificed everything to love me." Read more.