Join hosts Conner Jones and Micah Tomasella in this week's episode of Culture Brief, where they discuss hot topics from a Christian perspective. This week, they talk about the complex issues surrounding the deportation of immigrants under the Trump administration and the dismantling of the US Department of Education. Additionally, they discuss the innovative “torpedo” bats used by the New York Yankees, Senator Cory Booker's record-breaking Senate speech, the death of American icon Val Kilmer, and the latest developments in US-Iran tensions. Don't miss the listener mailbag segment and a teaser for the upcoming Masters week. Engage with today's top stories across politics, sports, pop culture, and technology, all while reflecting on how these issues intersect with faith and values.

• (00:41): Senator Cory Booker's record-breaking speech
• (02:27): Remembering Val Kilmer
• (03:13): Immigration controversies and deportations
• (19:10): Dismantling the Department of Education
• (26:47): Pros and cons of dismantling the US Department of Education
• (32:09): Shoutout to educators and Abbott Elementary
• (32:53): Listener mailbag: Fun stories and opinions
• (38:21): US-Iran tensions and nuclear deal
• (39:43): Trump's tariffs and Liberation Day
• (41:10): Trump's third term tease
• (42:06): TikTok deadline and March Madness
• (43:45): “Torpedo” bats in baseball
• (46:02): Masters Week and conclusion

• Mailbag: [email protected]
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• Culture Brief on Instagram
• Americans want Trump's focus more on prices, not tariffs; most approve of deportation efforts — CBS News poll
• Foreign-born population highest since 1890 — shock new figures show how much Biden changed America
• Border czar Tom Homan says he will visit Rochester cops who were blasted by their own city for helping ICE
• US Undocumented Population Increased to 11.7 Million in July 2023: Provisional CMS Estimates Derived from CPS Data - The Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS)
• Joe Rogan calls the possibility of non-criminals being deported with violent gang members 'horrific'
• Exclusive: How the White House ignored a judge's order to turn back deportation flights
• How the Trump administration is using tattoos to lock up immigrants in El Salvador | The Independent
• What to know about the wartime authority Trump invoked for mass deportations
• Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil will remain in ICE detention in Louisiana after first court hearing | CNN
• Should we support deportation?
• Who is Mahmoud Khalil and why is Trump trying to deport him?
• What to know about the wartime authority Trump invoked for mass deportations
• Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil will remain in ICE detention in Louisiana after first court hearing | CNN
• Damning nationwide test shows US kids’ reading levels plummeted to lowest level in 32-year history — and Republicans are blaming ‘woke’ education
• NAEP Long-Term Trend Assessment Results: Reading and Mathematics
• A Half Century of Student Progress Nationwide - Education Next
• Trump signs executive order to dismantle US Department of Education | Trump administration | The Guardian
• The cases for and against dismantling the Department of Education
• How Dismantling the Department of Education Would Harm Students | NEA
• US Education Department closure imperils law school finances, deans say | Reuters
• Coalition Sues Trump Administration For Dismantling Department of Education, Hurting All Students
• Val Kilmer, Top Gun and Batman actor, dies at 65

Micah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

Conner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.