The risk first responders face is getting renewed focus following the fatal shooting of two police officers and a paramedic in Minnesota. Amid challenges facing agencies, leaders say those in the field remain committed to the mission. The tragedy occurred Sunday in the Twin Cities suburb of Burnsville when teams were responding to a domestic-violence call. .
In North Carolina, congregations are banding together to repurpose empty churches as community pillars to address issues like housing. According to a study called "Twenty Years of Congregational Change," church attendance has declined, with 70% of churches seeing fewer than 100 members at their services each week. Lynda Ferguson, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Asheboro, said the trend has affected churches in her area. .