Let’s start this week’s newsletter with the ongoing debate over girls’ sports. With the gender battle heating up, numerous headlines surrounded the issue this week.

The Boise State women’s volleyball team on Wednesday forfeited its semifinal match in Friday’s conference finals against San Jose State, whose roster features a transgender player, bringing to a premature close the Broncos’ championship quest. Read more about the story here.

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Cultural battle intensifies

This is part of a much broader pattern, as a growing number of volleyball programs across the country are drawing a line in the sand when it comes to competing against biological males. The result has been a rebellion this season at both the collegiate and high school levels. That, of course, comes at a cost to these teams and players, yet they’re standing by their convictions.

In related news, two teenage runners have sued their California high school after being forbidden from wearing “Save Girls’ Sports” T-shirts. Here’s what officials said and why the young people are taking legal action.

Battling over the sanctity of life

Pro-lifers are flagging data showing late-term abortions surging in blue states. The shocking stats show the issue — which some pro-choice activists say is rare and not frequently unfolding — is experiencing a stunning uptick.

The British House of Commons voted to allow assisted suicide, approving a bill that would let terminally ill adults in England and Wales seek medical assistance to end their lives.

Read more about all the issues here.

Other important headlines

Thanksgiving is behind us, but you might still be interested in the real story surrounding the Pilgrims and Native Americans. Historian William Federer breaks it all down.

The Associated Press recently asked, “Would you trust an ‘AI Jesus’ with your innermost thoughts and troubles?” One Catholic chapel in Switzerland tested that question with a real-world experiment — and here’s what they found.

Moving on, with Christmas upon us, Higher Ground has the ultimate Christmas gift guide, exploring some of the best options for your loved ones this holiday season.

Finally, the “Moana” sequel has officially hit theaters. Here’s what parents need to know.

In our opinion

As always, the opinion pages are filled with thought-provoking content:

• Billy Hallowell explains why President Biden’s “vile” award for abortion activist Cecile Richards must be met with this response.
• Cheryl Chumley contends transgender madness is an evil that must be stopped.
• Here are five post-election lessons for Christians.
• Donna Amidon offers a Christmas Advent, offering lessons on Jesus from King David.
• Finally, Everett Piper breaks down the “definition of ‘woke.’”