Christopher Tolkien, son of famed author J.R.R. Tolkien and his wife Edith, has passed away at the age of 95.

The Tolkien Society announced the passing of Christopher on Twitter Thursday afternoon writing, “Christopher Tolkien has died at the age of 95. The Tolkien Society sends its deepest condolences to Baillie, Simon, Adam, Rachel and the whole Tolkien family.”

Christopher Tolkien has died at the age of 95. The Tolkien Society sends its deepest condolences to Baillie, Simon, Adam, Rachel and the whole Tolkien family. pic.twitter.com/X83PTx4b7x

— Tolkien Society (@TolkienSociety) January 16, 2020

The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Born in Leeds in 1924, Christopher was the youngest of three.

According to science fiction and fantasy book website TOR.com, Christopher was his father’s intended audience for his famous work, The Hobbit. The Guardian reports that Christopher was even responsible for drawing many of the original maps for his father’s Lord of the Rings novels.

When the elder Tolkien died in 1973, Tolkien left his literary estate to Christopher who would work to continue his father’s legacy.

TOR.com reports that Christopher spent time editing and organizing his father’s papers and in 1977, he published The Silmarillion. The prequel to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books and movies, The Silmarillion – which was picked up to be made into a TV show for…

As America gets ready to commemorate the 91st birthday of the late great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his daughter, Dr. Bernice King, is positioned to answer the call of her late father while simultaneously making it clear that our country could learn a lot from the highly revered leader. 

“There are a lot of lessons that the country could learn from my father’s life,” King told Christian Headlines. “He was a deeply spiritual man who had a strong prayer life and faith in Jesus Christ.” 

One of the many character traits King inherited from her father is leadership. King leads the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia and preaches across the United States. 

Last week, King sat down for an interview with Christian Headlines to talk about her father’s legacy and how the country should remember him as the 42nd anniversary of his death approaches in April. 

“My father had a deep concern and love for our country in facing racial inequality,” King shared noting that racial inequality is still a prevalent issue in America. 

Ending racial inequality is one of the reasons King feels she is called to carry her father’s legacy. To that end, King works as the CEO of the King Center and serves as chairwoman and organizer for a week-long celebration put on by the center. The celebration has events for everyone and concludes with the annual Monday worship…

The Trump administration moved Thursday to safeguard constitutionally protected prayer in schools, threatening districts the loss of government funds if they don’t follow the guidance.

“The right of students and teachers to freely exercise their faith will always be protected, including the right to pray,” Trump said in an Oval Office ceremony. “… We will not let anyone push God from the public square. We will uphold religious liberty for all.” 

 Christian leaders and religious liberty groups applauded the administration and said it could provide clarity to an issue that often sparks controversy. It is the first federal update on the issue since 2003.

The Department of Education guidance, according to a White House summary: 

• Requires local educational agencies to “confirm that their policies do not prevent or interfere with the constitutionally-protected rights” outlined in the guidance — and threatens the loss of federal funds if they don’t.
• Allows individuals to file a complaint “if they are denied the ability to participate in protected religious expression.”
• Makes clear that students “can read religious texts or pray during recess and other non-instructional periods, organize prayer groups, and express their religious beliefs in their assignments.”

The guidance “will help safeguard students’ rights by giving education providers and…

A recognized Minnesota teacher has said she doesn’t regret kneeling during the national anthem at Monday’s NCAA football championship game.

Kelly Holstine, the esteemed recipient of Minnesota’s 2019 “Teacher of the Year” award, emulated controversial NFL quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, by taking a knee in protest against the Trump administration.

“I just decided that it felt like the right thing to do, to have a very respectful protest,” Holstine told The Hill Wednesday, arguing that too many communities are being isolated and oppressed by the President’s policies and rhetoric.

“I think the current environment that is being created and has been created in his tenure definitely adds to my feelings of wanting to support individuals who are not being supported,” she said. “I really feel like our country is not serving the needs of all its inhabitants … so many humans right now that are not being given the respect and the rights that they deserve.”

On Twitter, Holstine posted an image of herself kneeling on the field as the President and First Lady stood to observe the national anthem. “Honored as State Teachers of the Year at NCAA Champ FB Game. Given platform to stand up for marginalized and oppressed people,” Holstine wrote. “Like many before, I respectfully kneeled during Nat’l Anthem because, “No one is free until we are…

Planned Parenthood will reportedly spend $45 million on upcoming elections.

According to CBS News, the money will be used to “fund large-scale grassroots programs and canvassing, digital, television, and radio and mail programs.” The organization is calling the campaign “We Decide 2020.”

Jenny Lawson, the Planned Parenthood Votes executive director, told CBS News that the organization wants to support more rights for women.

“[The Trump Administration] has managed to undo so much over the last three years,” she said. “The fact that this summer the Supreme Court might gut Roe v. Wade is an indicator of their intention and they’ve never been so bold.”

This summer the Supreme Court is set to consider a Louisiana law that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. Abortion supporters, however, say the law would limit access to providers who perform abortions. Supports of the law say the rule would protect the health and safety of women.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, Planned Parenthood’s research group, state lawmakers proposed some 300 measures last year that restrict abortion.

“We Decide 2020” will target the states of Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The group says some five million voters could be reached.

Lawson said, for…