US News

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned Texas hospitals that despite a Dec. 7, 2023, court ruling that a woman could have a legal abortion, hospitals involved may be persecuted for violating the state's law.

Texas judge’s ruling that woman can have abortion leaves hospitals liable to prosecution

Dec 7, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Attorney General Ken Paxton warned that the court order will not shield the doctor, the hospital, or anyone else from... Read more

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a memorandum in 2022 announcing that the department would provide paid leave and reimbursement for travel expenses for service members who seek to obtain an abortion.

Congress drops amendment banning military spending on abortion and sex change surgeries  

Dec 7, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

A draft of the compromise version released Thursday revealed the House backed off from both the abortion and transgender amendments... Read more

A sonogram picture in the second trimester of a woman’s pregnancy.

Wisconsin court rules that pro-life law doesn’t apply to abortion

Dec 7, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Diane Schlipper wrote in her Dec. 5 ruling that the 1849 law “does not apply... Read more

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‘Social emergency’ of low fertility may be driven partly by pesticides, study shows

Dec 7, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Plunging fertility rates, due to multiple factors, present profound challenges for couples today, and the future does not look bright.  Read more

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Religious sisters sue Smith & Wesson for ‘facilitating’ mass shootings

Dec 7, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

A collection of four congregations of Catholic religious sisters filed a lawsuit against the gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson on... Read more

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Data shows most states moving away from use of the death penalty

Dec 7, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Executions peaked in 1999 and have been on a mostly unbroken downward trajectory since then with more states ending the... Read more

Republican presidential candidates (left to right) former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswamy participate in the NewsNation Republican Presidential Primary Debate at the University of Alabama Moody Music Hall on Dec. 6, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Republican presidential candidates debate parental rights, sex changes for kids

Dec 7, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Four candidates took the stage in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in the debate hosted by NewsNation. Read more

Christopher Wray at his confirmation hearing on July 12, 2017.

FBI director grilled after release of new report on targeting of Catholics

Dec 6, 2023

By Tyler Arnold, Joe Bukuras

The hearing followed the unveiling of the House Judiciary Committee’s report detailing the results of a monthslong investigation into a... Read more

Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick outside the Dedham District Court in Massachusetts on Sept. 3, 2021.

Theodore McCarrick case in Wisconsin hangs in the balance after new competency exam

Dec 6, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

If the Wisconsin case is dismissed, McCarrick could avoid any criminal penalties for the accusations of sexual abuse that saw... Read more

Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy.

Former Speaker McCarthy says he’s leaving Congress at end of year

Dec 6, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The California Republican said in an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal that he had “decided to depart the House... Read more

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Colorado parents protest after daughter told to share bed with male student on school trip

Dec 6, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The incident occurred over the summer on a cross-country overnight trip when the girl was assigned to sleep in the... Read more

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, speaks to members of the press at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 15, 2023 in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Tuberville ends pro-life blockade for hundreds of military appointments

Dec 5, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The blockade was a protest against a Defense Department policy that provides paid leave and travel reimbursement for service members... Read more

Parents protest the Montgomery County School Board's policy blocking them from opting out their children from pro-homosexual and transgender materials.

Maryland parents argue for right to opt children out of LGBT curriculum in appeals court

Dec 5, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The parents sued the Montgomery County Board of Education on May 24 after it changed its parental notification and opt-out... Read more

Notre Dame President-elect Father Robert Dowd succeeds Father John I. Jenkins, who is stepping down after 19 years.

Notre Dame board elects Father Robert A. Dowd as new university president

Dec 5, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The Congregation of Holy Cross priest and associate professor of political science, who serves as a current vice president, will... Read more

Bishop Joe Vasquez of the Diocese of Austin celebrates Mass in the Mountain View Unit prison in Gatesville, Texas, which houses the state's female death row, on Dec. 1, 2023.

Austin bishop celebrates special Mass in Texas prison for female death row inmates

Dec 5, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The Mass, which took place at the Mountain View Unit prison in Gatesville, Texas, was part of a three-day conference... Read more

A member of the maintenance crew at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., places a seal on the Holy Door at the basilica after Archbishop Timothy Broglio blessed the seal and doors on Dec. 3, 2023.

Archbishop Broglio sealed the Holy Door at the National Shrine. What is a Holy Door?

Dec 4, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The doors at the entrance to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., will... Read more

Advent wreath.

Everything you need to know about the Advent wreath

Dec 3, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Advent wreaths are traditionally made from evergreen branches and have four candles, which represent the four weeks of Advent.  Read more

For Advent 2023, Blessed Is She created a devotional for women called "Found."

Advent 2023: 5 Catholic resources to help prepare your heart for the birth of Jesus

Dec 2, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

With the hustle and bustle of holiday festivities, it’s easy to lose track of what truly makes this time of... Read more

A religious sister from the Monastery of Bethlehem in Livingston Manor, New York, hand-paints a pitcher.

Christmas 2023: Handmade gifts from Catholic monasteries

Dec 2, 2023

By Zelda Caldwell

From soap and china to cakes and rosaries, these unique gifts are special to receive — and proceeds support the... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Witnesses testify to torture by Nicaraguan dictatorship at hearing on imprisoned Catholic bishop 

Dec 1, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Among the witnesses testifying at the hearing titled “An Urgent Appeal to Let Bishop Álvarez Go” were several Nicaraguan exiles.  Read more