Real Talk with Riggin

Uber is triggering controversy again, this time for policies that critics say undermine able Americans and free enterprise. Stefan Padfield, Executive Director at the Free Enterprise Project (FEP), argues that Uber’s actions reflect a dismissal of the needs of those who are disabled by not offering fairness and opportunity. Padfield contends that Uber’s decisions could hurt both workers and consumers. Through FEP’s advocacy, he continues to call for corporate accountability and a return to values that support free markets and equal opportunity for all Americans.

Helping orphaned teens in the former Soviet Union is at the heart of the mission for the Slavic Gospel Association, led by President Michael Johnson. Through their Orphans Reborn program, the organization works alongside local churches to bring hope, love, and the message of Christ to young people who have been abandoned or left without family support. Johnson says the ministry focuses not only on meeting physical needs like food, clothing, and shelter, but also on building lasting relationships that help these teens find purpose and belonging. By empowering local believers to care for orphans in their own communities, the Slavic Gospel Association is transforming lives and shaping a new generation with faith and compassion.

Get ready for some spooky family fun at the Monster Mash Trunk or Treat at Discovery Playhouse with Director Courtney Corbett! This festive event invites kids and families to dress up in their favorite costumes and enjoy a safe, fun-filled evening of trick-or-treating among creatively decorated trunks. In addition to candy galore, guests can explore hands-on exhibits inside the Playhouse, take part in games, and join in on Halloween-themed activities that bring smiles to all ages. It’s a playful celebration of community, imagination, and a little bit of monster magic!

The Transportation Department is taking more wind out of the sails of offshore wind projects, raising new hurdles and concerns for an industry already struggling under mounting costs and logistical challenges. Craig Rucker, President and Founder of CFACT, argues that these federal actions highlight the impracticality and inefficiency of offshore wind, which continues to drain taxpayer dollars while failing to deliver promised energy solutions. He notes that instead of pouring resources into unreliable and environmentally damaging wind schemes, policymakers should focus on more dependable and cost-effective energy alternatives that truly serve America’s long-term needs.

President of the Genesis 123 Foundation, Jonathan Feldstein, is urging people to reflect on and commemorate October 7 this year with meaningful acts of remembrance and solidarity. He emphasizes the importance of honoring the lives lost and supporting those still impacted by the tragic events, while also standing strong against hate and terror. Feldstein encourages individuals and communities to gather in prayer, share stories of resilience, and engage in charitable acts that uplift survivors and their families. By doing so, he says, we not only preserve the memory of October 7 but also reaffirm a commitment to unity, healing, and hope for the future.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has joined First Liberty Institute in challenging a controversial city ordinance that banned a prayer vigil organized by Charlie Kirk on the downtown green. The ordinance, which critics argue unfairly restricts religious gatherings in public spaces, has sparked national attention and debate over free speech and religious liberty. Garrett Bell, Associate Counsel at First Liberty, emphasized that the case is about protecting the constitutional right of citizens to gather and pray peacefully in public, warning that if left unchallenged, such restrictions could set a dangerous precedent for religious expression across the country.

A new report highlights how trial lawyers overwhelmingly lean liberal, raising concerns about the influence of their political donations and advocacy on the legal system and public policy. Executive Director of the Alliance for Consumers O. H. Skinner explains that this imbalance has far-reaching consequences, shaping litigation trends, fueling regulatory overreach, and impacting everyday consumers. According to Skinner, the findings underscore the need for greater awareness of how trial lawyers’ political activity drives an agenda that often prioritizes ideology over fairness and consumer interests.

Government schools are failing America’s children, national research shows, and Sheri Few, President at USPIE, says the data underscores just how broken the system has become. Few argues that declining academic performance, political indoctrination in classrooms, and the erosion of parental rights are leaving students unprepared for the future. She stresses that real reform is needed to restore education to its true purpose—teaching children the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive—rather than advancing agendas that distract from learning.

Teachers who openly express delight in murder have no place in the classroom, according to Alfonso Aguilar, Senior Director of Federal Affairs for Defending Education. Aguilar stresses that educators are entrusted with shaping the minds and values of young people, and anyone who glorifies violence undermines both the safety of students and the integrity of the teaching profession. He argues that such behavior is a clear sign of being unfit for the job, as it betrays the fundamental responsibility of teachers to model respect, compassion, and civic responsibility.