It’s important this time of year to reflect on the major news events of the past year.
Typically, we rank them in different categories, and in many years of newspaper sports journalism prior to joining American Family News, it was a struggle to come up with the No. 1 story.
Which one was the best? Which one deserves that coveted distinction?
This year, I’ve got an easy favorite in the culture/faith category. In a year in which giants in the faith like John MacArthur and James Dobson were called home, I will vote for Charlie Kirk.
My primary journalism instructor in Monroe at the university formerly known as Northeast Louisiana, was once a crusty old city editor. In his post-newspaper retirement job he’d become a professor, so to speak, but without the tweed jacket and pipe.
He taught us that one important element in news value, judging the prominence of a story and where it should be placed in the newspaper, was its uniqueness. What made it stand out?
The assassination of Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder and president, shocked us even though it shouldn’t have. He understood the risks he faced for the bold stances he took for his relationship with Jesus Christ, his positions for faith, family and conservative values.
But that Wednesday in September, the day before 9-11, it was a TUPSA event like any other, just Charlie on a campus, engaging liberal students who disagreed with his positions, clearly taking them down point by point while keeping their respect and dignity intact.
Yet the news surprised us.
MacArthur and Dobson touched lives too, winning people to Christ, strengthening families and making possible that far-reaching, continued impact.
MacArthur was 86, Dobson 89, at the time of their passing. We mourned because when friends and family leave this life the pain of separation is real even when we know the glory that awaits them with Christ.
However, with these men we could see lives well-lived now worthy of rest and renewal. We mourned, but their passing, to us, seemed in line with natural order. We understood.
For Charlie Kirk, 31, timing was much harder to understand. So young, so alive and so much more good to accomplish.
Now, there are so many campuses left untouched – untouched at least in Charlie Kirk’s signature manner.
Charlie’s TPUSA successor, Erika Kirk, made a widow and single mom by the sniper’s rooftop shot, says the mission will not change. Her husband’s vision for the organization will carry on.
No doubt, the core message will advance, but will its delivery change?
Will a TPUSA event include Kirk’s trademark tent and sound system, set up outdoors, so easily accessible on campuses where foot traffic prevails?
Will they include Kirk’s trademark engagement, carefully listening to all comers then winning the argument with equal care?
It’s doubtful. That type of engagement is a gift. It’s not for everyone. Finding the “next Charlie” would be no easy task.
There are also security considerations.
Even with all the boxes checked, all rooftops swept, workers vetted, that type of outdoor model is really hard to secure.
We’ve seen already since Charlie’s passing successful TPUSA events indoors. Maybe that’s the future.
Or at least move the outdoor events into stadiums that seat thousands while being easier to secure.
Erika Kirk has shown herself to be a strong leader in her husband’s absence.
TPUSA and its mission should be in good hands moving ahead.
Maybe all the emotion from Charlie Kirk’s death will be productive and properly channeled. Maybe more than 60,000 inquiries on starting new campus chapters, as reported by TPUSA, will stick.
And maybe Erika Kirk’s TPUSA is the No. 1 culture/faith story in 2026 for very different reasons.
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