McELROY TO DC? A controversial bishop who called faithful Catholics a “cancer” in the Church is rumored to be in the running for archbishop of Washington, DC. http://cvote.it/2gqQIiZ
HEALTH CARE Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-TN, crafted a deal with Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA, that would restore government payments to insurers to prevent a large spike in premiums for the lower middle-class (who make too much money to get Obamacare subsidies). Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi both hailed the proposal, but conservatives threw cold water on the deal. http://cvote.it/2yvF50o
CHANGE IN EUROPE Austria’s rightward swing shows changing political shifts in Europe. Could the European Union’s days be numbered? http://cvote.it/2gr2Tw8
ISIS LOSES ITS “CAPITAL” U.S.-backed forces capture the Syrian city of Raqqa, in a huge blow to ISIS. The city has long been considered the de facto capital for the Islamic State. http://cvote.it/2ywzMhy
TRADE WITH CHINA The Trump administration declined to brand China as a currency manipulator, despite repeated campaign promises to do so. http://cvote.it/2gqmw7x
DRUG CZAR Rep. Tom Marino withdrew his name from consideration for drug czar after a Washington Post report that he backed a bill which weakened the DEA’s ability to go after drug distributors involved in opioid-related deaths. http://cvote.it/2yvNQrg
WILDFIRES The Forest Service used to be much better at combating wildfires in the early 20th century. What changed? Environmentalist policies. http://cvote.it/2gr3WMr
NOT JUST THE NFL Can you believe this? Four city council members in Ann Arbor took a knee during the Pledge of Allegiance after their meeting was called to order on Monday night. http://cvote.it/2ywQzku
VILE A man, dressed up as a Satanic drag queen, read to children at a library in Long Beach, CA, named after Michelle Obama. http://cvote.it/2gqTnct
POPE EMERITUS Benedict XVI’s secretary denies rumors former pope is close to death. http://cvote.it/2gqRSuR
LUNCH OF SOLIDARITY Pope Francis invites 20 prisoners to lunch, and two decide to break free instead. http://cvote.it/2gqR6hr
SAINT OF THE DAY Saint Luke – http://cvote.it/dailysaint
DAILY MASS READINGS “Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.” (Ps 145:10) – http://cvote.it/Daily-Readings
PRAYER Saint Luke, the beloved physician, pray for all the doctors, nurses, and health care workers who work hard to keep us healthy. Pictured below is the Basilica of Santa Giustina in Padua, Italy, which contains the Tomb of Saint Luke.