John Hagee, an influential Texas televangelist who endorsed John McCain, apologized to Catholics Tuesday for his stinging criticism of the Roman Catholic Church and for having "emphasized the darkest chapters in the history of Catholic and Protestant relations with the Jews." Washington Post

So much for spaghetti suppers: The First Baptist Church of Snellville is fueling its membership drive with a sign in front of its sprawling campus proclaiming "Free Gasoline." There's a catch, of course. The offer is a not a giveaway. Instead, each time newcomers or members attend a church event during a Sunday-to-Wednesday revival they get a pink raffle ticket for a chance to win one of two $500 gas cards. "We don't know how far it will go with these soaring prices," said Rusty Newman, the church's senior pastor. "But it may make someone's night." Associated Press

Believing that the universe may contain alien life does not contradict a faith in God, the Vatican's chief astronomer said in an interview published Tuesday. The Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, was quoted as saying the vastness of the universe means it is possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones. "How can we rule out that life may have developed elsewhere?" Funes said. "Just as we consider earthly creatures as 'a brother,' and 'sister,' why should we not talk about an 'extraterrestrial brother'? It would still be part of creation." Denver Post News

History textbooks being used by hundreds of thousands of public school students across the U.S. are blatantly promoting Islam, according to a new report by an independent organization that researches and reviews textbooks. WND has reported several times on issues involving the promotion of Islam in public school texts, including a recent situation in which California parents complained their children were being taught that "jihad" to Muslims means "doing good works." The new report is from the American Textbook Council, which was established in 1989 as an independent national research organization to review social studies textbooks and advance the quality of instructional materials in history. World Net Daily

A group of prominent U.S. evangelical Christians is urging other evangelicals to step back from partisan politics and avoid becoming "useful idiots" for any political party. In an often strongly worded statement released this week, more than 70 pastors, scholars and business leaders said faith and politics have become too closely intertwined and that evangelicals err when they use their religious beliefs for political purposes. LA Times

Jay Bakker, a big supporter of a pro-gay group, met privately with Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church to talk about faith and sexuality issues and to ultimately gain the support of the megapastor. Son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Jay and a group of gays and lesbians attended one of Lakewood Church's Sunday worship services in an effort to change the influential pastor's view on gays and lesbians. At the end, Osteen did not affirm homosexuality. The Christian Post

Sex shops and strip clubs would have to pay an extra 25 percent tax on their sales and services under a proposed state law meant to offset the costs of allowing such businesses into a community. But California's $4 billion-a-year adult industry has attacked the proposal by Assemblyman Charles Calderon, D-Montebello, as unconstitutional and based more on opinion than on fact. DOUG IRVING and ADAM TOWNSEND in the Orange County Register

California citizens are not in great need of furniture these days, the old will make due for now. Large chains and small stores are being forced to close as demand slumps amid the housing slowdown. Peter Y. Hong in the Los Angeles Times

Race is still a factor for the Democrat nomination process, West Virginia goes Hillary! The state's voters -- mostly white and working-class -- fit her strengths. Race also proves to be a factor. Mark Z. Barabak and Faye Fiore in the Los Angeles Times Carla Marinucci in the San Francisco Chronicle

I never knew this, did you? She (Hillary) owes $21 million, more than half of which she borrowed from herself. Historically, winners have helped their rivals repay their debts. Dan Morain in the Los Angeles Times

Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60%. He also pledges to press India and China to make cuts. Maeve Reston in the Los Angeles Times

Is this true for teens today? The San Francisco school board voted unanimously Tuesday to drop driver's education as a graduation requirement, agreeing with students that times have changed and the course isn't as relevant to today's teenagers. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle

Thousands of bicyclists are expected to take to Bay Area roadways on Thursday for Bike to Work Day, an annual event organized by government officials and community activists to promote pedal power as an alternative to the private automobile. Rachel Gordon in the San Francisco Chronicle

These are “gas pains”…after stabilizing in early May, gasoline prices are up again – and the $4 gallon is well within view. California's statewide average gas price has risen to $3.94 a gallon, a 22-cent increase in the past month, AAA of Northern California said Tuesday. Sacramento's average also has risen to $3.94. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee

Advocates for the poor say they are bracing for the worst today when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveils his revised budget proposal that seeks to close a massive deficit. With the state's economy continuing to slow down, the biggest question in recent weeks has been the magnitude of the looming budget gap, which Schwarzenegger at one point pegged as large as $20 billion. Matthew Yi in the San Francisco Chronicle