New York governor approves congressional map that could flip three seats to Democrats
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed off on a new congressional map Thursday that analysts believe is more favorable to Democrats than the prior map.
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Multiple Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) receive bomb threats
More than six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across multiple state received bomb threats on Monday and Tuesday, triggering shelter-in-place orders, lockdowns and class cancellations before the all clear was given, NPR reports.
U.S. Army plans to discharge soldiers who refuse COVID vaccine
The U.S. Army announced plans Wednesday to discharge unvaccinated soldiers who do not have an “approved or pending” COVID vaccine exemption request.
Winter Storm Landon Spreading a 2,000 Mile-Long Mess of Heavy Snow, Ice From Texas to the Midwest and Northeast
Winter Storm Landon is underway with a widespread mess of snow, sleet and freezing rain spreading from the Rockies to the Plains, Midwest and parts of the Northeast through Friday. The storm will create major travel headaches and could have ice accumulations heavy enough to knock out power and cause tree damage.
Florida: Jews blamed for pandemic in flyers sent to homes, Nazi demonstrators stage anti-Semitic protest
Flyers blaming the COVID-19 pandemic on Jews were hand-delivered to hundreds of homes in Florida on January 22-23 while, that same weekend, a group identifying as Nazis demonstrated at an intersection in the state’s Orange County, shouting anti-Semitic slurs against Jews.
US opioid crisis: Native American tribes to receive up to $665 million in settlement with major drug companies
A group of pharmaceutical companies, including Johnson & Johnson (J&J), will pay up to $665 million in settlement of lawsuits connected to opioid addiction among Native American tribes, the Washington Examiner reports. The companies had already agreed to a $26 billion global settlement, and part of the money for the tribe will come from that settlement.
Florida Judge Grants Teenager Appeal to Have Abortion Without Parental Consent
A Florida judge has granted a 17-year-old Tampa teenager her appeal to seek an abortion without parental consent.
National debt passes $30 trillion for the first time in U.S. history
The U.S. national debt passed $30 trillion for the first time in U.S. history on Tuesday, according to Treasury Department data.
Near record number of Americans left their jobs in December
Nearly 4.3 million people in the U.S. quit or changed jobs in December, slightly less than a record 4.5 million in the previous month.
Trump raised $51 million in last half of 2021, enters new year with $122 million
Former President Trump’s political operation raised over $51 million in the second half of 2021, according to new federal filings.
‘We Have Your Back,’ Biden Admin. Tells Abortion Clinics while Launching Task Force
The Biden administration has launched a “reproductive healthcare” task force with the goal of advancing abortion rights across the nation and is telling abortion doctors and abortion clinics, “We have your back.”
Two more states call for convention of states to amend Constitution, as movement gains steam
Two more states, Nebraska and Wisconsin, last week joined the call for a convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution, imparting renewed momentum to a grassroots movement advocating a never-before-used constitutional process which, supporters say, will help transfer power back from Washington, D.C., to the states and the American people.
Pennsylvania court strikes down no-excuse mail-in voting law
A Pennsylvania court struck down the commonwealth’s mail-in voting law, saying that voters must amend the state constitution in order to enact the legislation.
Powerful nor’easter slams East Coast, with heavy snow and strong winds
Millions of Americans are under winter weather alerts Saturday as a nor’easter slams the Northeast.
Michigan to Pay $550,000 to Settle Catholic Adoption Agency Lawsuit After Supreme Court Ruling
One of the oldest Catholic adoption and foster care agencies in Michigan settled its almost three-year legal battle against the state this week, allowing the agency to obey its religious beliefs against placing children in single-parent or LGBT homes.
Court overturns $135K fine for Christian bakery that refused lesbian wedding cake but upholds ruling
An Oregon appeals court told a state agency Wednesday to reconsider its order for a Christian couple to pay $135,000 in damages for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding on grounds that the state’s actions did “not reflect … neutrality toward religion.”
Federal judge halts Noem’s abortion pill restriction rule
A federal judge has temporarily halted a South Dakota rule from taking effect that would have made the state one of the hardest places in the U.S. to get abortion pills.
Debt Up $2 Trillion in 1 Year of Biden
When President Joe Biden was sworn in on Jan. 20, 2021, the federal government’s debt stood at $27,751,896,236,414.77. When his first year in office ended on Jan. 20, 2022, it stood at $29,867,021,509,573.92.
GDP in fourth quarter of 2021 grew at annualized rate of 6.9%, exceeding expectations
The Commerce Department reported Thursday the country’s gross domestic product increased in the last quarter of 2021 at a 6.9% annualized pace, exceeding expectations.
Michigan agrees faith-based adoption agencies can refuse to place children with same-sex couples
The state of Michigan has agreed to a proposed settlement with faith-based adoption agencies under which the agencies can refuse to place children with same-sex couples, Church Leaders reports. The settlement was reached after the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Catholic child placement agency on a similar issue.