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| IMPEACHMENT Democrats again pressure Speaker Nancy Pelosi to begin impeachment proceedings against President Trump. A senior House Democrat told Fox News that Pelosi “isn’t going to be able to hold off on impeachment much longer.” Pelosi has called a special meeting of House Democrats where the impeachment issue is expected to be discussed. READ |
| IMMIGRATIONPresident Trump is expected to name Ken Cuccinelli to a top immigration post at the Department of Homeland Security. Cuccinelli, a former Virginia attorney general, has been one of the nation’s most outspoken voices on illegal immigration. READ |
| KENTUCKY Gov. Matt Bevin, a Republican, could only muster just slightly more than half of the votes in this own party’s primary. The mediocre result is a dangerous sign for Bevin, who is one of the least popular governors in the United States, according to opinion polls. READ |
| ABORTION STATISTICS There were 70,000 abortions in Florida last year. Data collected from the State of Florida shows that three-quarters of the abortions were classified as “elective” and 20% listed “social or economic reasons” as the justification. Alexandra DeSanctis notes: “Only .14 percent of women reported having obtained an abortion due to having been raped, and only .01 percent took place in cases of incest.” READ |
| JUDICIAL REFORM Attorney General William Barr blasted federal judges who have issued 37 nationwide injunctions against the Trump administration. “One judge can, in effect, cancel the policy with the stroke of the pen,” he said. “No official in the United States government can exercise that kind of nationwide power, with the sole exception of the President. And the Constitution subjects him to nationwide election, among other constitutional checks, as a prerequisite to wielding that power.” READ |
| JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS The Senate confirmed Daniel Collins to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on a 53-46 party line vote. Collins is President Trump’s sixth circuit court judge confirmed to the liberal 9th Circuit, which now has a 16-11 majority of Democratic-appointed judges, with two vacancies. READ |
| THE WAR ON CHICK-FIL-A Texas lawmakers passed a ‘save Chick-Fil-A’ bill ensuring that local governments could not discriminate against businesses based on the owner’s political or religious viewpoints. The bill, expected to be signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, comes in response to a decision by the San Antonio City Council to prohibit Chick-Fil-A from opening a restaurant in the city’s airport. READ |
| KIDS’ TV Alabama Public Television refused to air an episode of “Arthur” depicting same-sex marriage. “We felt it would be a violation of trust to broadcast the episode,” said Mike McKenzie, director of programming for Alabama Public Television. READ |
| CHURCH VANDALIZED A Catholic church in Pennsylvania was vandalized with graffiti. The message on the windows said: “You do not have the right to decide how others live. #ProChoice.” READ |
| DC INSTALLATION Archbishop Wilton Gregory pledged openness at his installation Mass as Archbishop of Washington, DC. He succeeds Cardinal Donald Wuerl, who was criticized for his handling of the clergy sex abuse scandal. READ |
| SAINT OF THE DAY Saint Rita of Cascia was a wife, widow, and mother before becoming an Augustinian nun. She seems to have done most of her ministry within the convent, yet counseled many lay people who came to the monastery. Rita was known for her austerity and charity, along with prayerfulness. READ |
| DAILY READINGS “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” (Ps 122:1) READ |
| HOPE The Diocese of Phoenix has 40 seminarians – double the number it had 8 years ago. READ |
