Vials labeled ‘smallpox’ found by lab worker cleaning freezer in Pennsylvania
Vials labeled as smallpox were discovered at a Pennsylvania lab, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.
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HHS memo shows department moving to undo Trump-era action aimed at better protecting religious liberty
The Health and Human Services Department (HHS) is considering revoking authority the former Trump administration delegated for the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to prevent violations of religious liberty – prompting concerns about conscience protections under Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Texas abortion ban stays in force as justices mull outcome
More than two weeks have passed since the Supreme Court‘s extraordinarily rushed arguments over Texas’ unique abortion law without any word from the justices.
Americans want ‘fair shake’ for faith-based groups, protection for vaccine refusers, survey suggests
Most Americans say that religious groups providing community services should qualify for government funding alongside their secular counterparts, according to the 2021 Religious Freedom Index survey released Wednesday.
Feds estimate 100,000 Americans in 12-month period died of an overdose, setting record
An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in a recent, 12-month period, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday.
Los Angeles approves strict Covid vaccination mandate
Los Angeles leaders on Wednesday approved one of the nation’s strictest vaccine mandates — a sweeping measure that would require the shots for everyone entering bars, restaurants, nail salons, gyms or even a Lakers game.
Two Virginia races headed for recounts; control of House in limbo
Two incumbent Democrats who trail Republican challengers in close races in Virginia’s House of Delegates announced Tuesday that they will seek recounts, leaving control of the House in limbo.
Judicial Watch pushes five states to clean voter rolls, or face federal lawsuits
The watchdog group Judicial Watch has sent letters to election officials in 14 counties across five states notifying them of apparent violations of the 1993 National Voter Registration Act.
US Supreme Court to hear appeal by Christian group against Boston city in First Amendment case
The US Supreme Court last week agreed to hear an appeal brought by Christian group Camp Constitution against a lower court ruling that allowed state authorities in Boston to refuse to display a flag with a Christian cross over its city hall, Reuters reports.
National Day of Repentance on December 1 as SCOTUS hear arguments in Mississippi abortion case
Pro-life organizations in America have called for a National Day of Repentance over abortion on December 1, the day on which the US Supreme Court hears opening arguments in a legal challenge to Mississippi’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks, CNS reports.
Biden signs $1.2T infrastructure bill into law, opening up funds for roads, ports
President Biden signed his $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package into law on Monday, opening up federal funds for railroads, bridges, mass transit, broadband and utilities.
National Guard on standby in Wisconsin for Rittenhouse verdict
About 500 Wisconsin National Guard troops are on standby outside Kenosha in the event of trouble following a verdict in the high-profile Kyle Rittenhouse homicide trial.
Record number 4.4 million US workers quit their job in September, feds report
The Labor Department reported Friday a record 4.4 million U.S. employees quit their jobs in September, another indication that jobs in the country exceed demand and that workers continue to aggressively hunt for higher pay and other benefits.
Federal appeals court extends stay on Biden’s vaccine mandate for large businesses
A federal appeals court ruled to uphold its stay on President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for companies with 100 or more employees.
Federal judge temporarily blocks new Tennessee law banning mask mandates in schools
A federal judge in Tennessee ruled Sunday that school districts can continue with mask mandates despite a new law banning them.
Oklahoma court blocks hospital system from firing workers seeking religious exemption from vaccine
A Tulsa, Okla., judge granted the state attorney general’s request for a temporary restraining order blocking Ascension Healthcare from firing employees who had been denied religious exemptions from the hospital system’s COVID-19 mandate.
Steve Bannon indicted for contempt of Congress in Jan. 6 investigation
Steve Bannon was indicted by a federal grand jury for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
‘I will send them to Delaware’: DeSantis threatens to remove migrants flown to Florida by Biden administration
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida floated the possibility of sending buses of illegal immigrants to President Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware if the federal government keeps sending “clandestine” planes to Florida filled with migrants detained at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Blizzard warnings issued in South Dakota, Minnesota
A pair of powerful storm systems, including a rare November blizzard, are forecast to hit the northern United States beginning Thursday night.
Treasury Collects Record $283,927,000,000 in Taxes for October
The US Treasury has announced in its monthly Statement that it collected a record total of $283,927,000,000 in taxes for October 2021, the first month of fiscal year 2022, CNS News reports.