From The Torch Podcast Network, This is The Chimes Weekly. I’m Matthew Garcia, here to start off your week with major headlines and what’s coming up. It’s Monday, October 20th.

Last Saturday, five people were hospitalized after a helicopter crashed in Huntington Beach. The crash was spotted around the Car n’ Copters in front of the Waterline Beach Resort. Footage obtained by KTLA shows the helicopter suddenly spiraling out of control. Several witnesses noticed the rotor fly off the tail seconds after the helicopter descended into the palm trees and in front walkway of the resort. The casualties include the two who were on board and three other people who were near the accident. A bystander who was in proximity to the helicopter quoted, “It was something out of a nightmare. There was an old man, about 85, who had a cut in the back of his head. He was trying to get a rag so he could stop the bleeding.” Despite the accident, Cars n’ Copters continued as scheduled. 

Last Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth proposed a new policy that severely restricts press access at the Pentagon. The policy will force journalists who ask department employees to disclose classified or unclassified information to give up their Pentagon press badges. Dozens of reporters turned in their press passes and refused to sign the new agreement. News outlets such as the New York Times, the Associated Press, and Reuters reject the policy and claim it infringes on First Amendment press rights. According to DW, broadcast networks such as ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, and NBC released a joint statement claiming, quote, “The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections. We will continue to cover the US military as each of our organizations has done for many decades, upholding the principles of a free and independent press,” end quote.

Last Monday, the first phase of a 20-point peace plan between Israel and Hamas was enacted. Hamas released 20 living Israeli hostages while Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners it had agreed to free in response. According to the Wall Street Journal, the bodies of 28 dead Israeli hostages are still held in Gaza, and four of them to be returned today. More information on the release was unavailable at recording time. Hamas has told mediators that the location of some bodies are unknown. Israeli troops have withdrawn from parts of the Gaza Strip, and the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza has resumed. The release of hostages and the ceasefire is celebrated by leaders and civilians in Gaza, Israel, and the world; however, negotiation continues in regard to how Gaza will be governed, how much Israel will withdraw from Gaza, and how to fund and rebuild the devastated Gaza Strip.

Last Friday, President Donald Trump hosted a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. After the meeting, Trump called on Ukraine and Russia to “stop where they are” and end their war. He also delayed the selling of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, though he has not denied that option. In the days leading up to the meeting, Trump had been expressing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning the Russo-Ukraine War, as well as openness to selling long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. However, according to AP News, a day before the meeting, Trump had a one-to-one call with Putin. After the call, Trump seemed less ready to give Tomahawks to Ukraine and announced that he was planning to meet with Putin in Hungary soon. President Trump said that it was “to be determined” if Zelensky would be involved in the upcoming talks. That’s all for last week’s headlines. Now, let’s dive into what’s happening this week at Biola.

Tomorrow, Torrey Honors College will host a Distinguished Guest Lecture with Daniel Nayeri from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Calvary Chapel. Daniel Nayeri is an award-winning author of Everything Sad is Untrue, The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams, and the recently released The Teacher of Nomad Land. His novel Everything Sad is Untrue is a compelling memoir about his childhood experience immigrating as a refugee from Iran to Oklahoma in the 1980s. This lecture is open for everyone to attend.

This Thursday to Saturday, the Center for the Study of the Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit Today will host the Holy Spirit Academic Symposium. This year’s theme, Holy Spirit-Empowered Evangelism and Missions, will focus on a theological examination of pneumatological (that is, Holy Spirit-related) encounters in conversion and mission. The event will feature various speakers, including author and former investigative journalist Lee Strobel. Ticket prices for students are 50 dollars and include meals. For more information, check out the link in our show notes. 

Biola Theatre presents the play Our Town this Thursday through Saturday. The play takes place in the fictional town of Grover’s Corners and explores themes of human connection, memory, and the beauty of everyday life. The show will be held at Curtis Theatre in Brea, and tickets for students are only 5 dollars! For more information on showtimes, please see our show notes.

The Biola Conservatory of Music will present the 33rd Annual PRISM Concert this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Crowell Music Building’s Lansing Recital Hall. Created in 1992, the PRISM Concert has become a highlight of the fall concert series, offering audiences a vibrant glimpse into the wide spectrum of talent within the Conservatory. Ensembles large and small — along with student soloists — come together for a program showcasing musical excellence, artistry, and great spirit. Tickets for this popular event often sell out, so be sure to purchase yours early. For details on ticket prices, check out the link in our show notes.
Family Weekend 2025 is happening this Friday through Saturday, and family and friends of current Biola students are invited to join in the fun! This special weekend is designed for families to spend intentional time together — enjoying events on Biola’s campus and exploring the surrounding Los Angeles area. All activities are optional, giving families the flexibility to create meaningful memories with their students. For schedules and registration details, be sure to check out the link in our show notes.
And looking ahead to Sunday, October 26, at 3 p.m., the Conservatory of Music will host a performance by Guest Artist: Male Ensemble Philippines (MEn). The Male Ensemble Philippines is an award-winning vocal group made up of singers from distinguished choral ensembles, united by their passion for ensemble singing. In 2023, the group earned international acclaim at the 54th Tolosa International Choral Competition in Spain, where they won top prizes in the Vocal Groups division. They’ve also performed at prestigious venues in Moscow and St. Petersburg as part of the Universe of Sound Festival. Since their founding in 2018, MEn has performed extensively across the Philippines and around the world, collaborating with institutions such as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and various NGOs and private organizations. Their repertoire spans classical, jazz, pop, folk, and Filipino music, often featuring commissioned works that celebrate and promote Philippine culture and the arts through music. For more details on ticket prices, check out the link in our show notes.

And that’s all for this week. 

Thanks for listening! As always, if you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with a friend or a roommate. To read stories from The Chimes, see our show notes, or head over to our website at ChimesNewspaper.com. The Chimes Weekly is a production of The Chimes Media Group and The Torch Podcast Network. 

This episode was produced by Matthew Garcia with headlines written by Marc Aguilera, Reagan Glidewell, Jae Koo, and Jason Lee. This episode was engineered by Jason Lee. Our theme music is from Warner Chappell  Productions. Thomas Rakhola is our Editor-in-chief, and Reagan Glidewell is our managing editor.

I’m Matthew Garcia, and we’ll see you all next week.