I’m heading to the Religion Newswriters Association’s annual conference, held in Durham, N.C. this year. Check out the schedule and let me know if there are any specific topics you’d like me to cover, in addition to the Buddhism session I’m moderating Saturday. You can also follow the conference on Twitter at #RNA2011 (you don’t need to have a Twitter account to read the posts).

Meanwhile, as the Republicans and Tea Party candidates duke it out over their conservative Christian bonafides, faith groups are pushing more liberal priorities: immigration reform (particularly the DREAM Act) and President Obama’s jobs proposal. Here’s a sample of stories:

• Bishops make Alabama immigration law matter of religious freedom (Orlando Sentinel)
• Video: Alabama Bishops fight tough immigration law (Episcopal Cafe)
• Religious Responses to American Jobs Act (Faith in Public Life)
• Jewish groups praise Obama’s jobs plan (JTA)

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.