WASHINGTON — A special House panel that was formed two years ago to investigate the practices of the abortion industry, specifically its business partnerships in transferring the remains of baby body parts, has called for federal defunding of the organization. The Select Panel on Infant Lives issued its 471-page final report on Wednesday, concluding that there indeed […]
WASHINGTON — A prominent professing atheist organization is asking President-elect Donald Trump to keep God out of this month’s inaugural ceremony by removing the Bible, prayer and the “so help me God” phrase of the oath from the event. The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) recently sent a letter to Trump to urge him […]
RICHMOND, Va. — The Democratic governor of Virginia has vowed to veto a 20-week abortion ban if it makes it to his desk this year. Gov. Terry McAuliffe told reporters that he believes that such laws would adversely affect the state’s image and would harm business in Virginia. “I can’t sit back and have that […]
CHICAGO — 2016 was one of the most violent years in history for residents of Chicago, as year-end figures show that there were 762 homicides and 3,550 shooting incidents—the highest murder level since 1996. “It’s no secret that the city of Chicago had its fair share of challenges in 2016,” Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson […]
(Associated Press) — An upscale New Jersey town violated anti-discrimination laws by insisting that a proposed mosque have more parking spaces than churches or synagogues because of its unique worship times and traditions, a federal judge has ruled. The ruling issued Saturday by U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp stated that Bernards Township violated the Religious […]
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that a woman’s wrongful death lawsuit against an OB/GYN accused of contributing to the death of her unborn child may proceed. It declared that unborn children are human beings whether or not at the point of viability and therefore are entitled to legal protection. “In light of […]
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Democratic Party has approved the creation of the first secular caucus in the state, a move partly designed to separate Church and State in the legislature. Utah has long been recognized as one of the most conservative states in the country due to the prevalence of Mormonism, but in […]
OIL CITY, Pa. — An atheist group in New Jersey is seeking the removal of a bench at a Pennsylvania park that is meant to honor veterans due to an inscription of a quote attributed to the state’s founder that mentions God. American Atheists (AA) recently sent a letter to the mayor of Oil City to […]
AUSTIN, Texas — A federal judge in Texas has halted a rule issued by the Obama administration that some believe might require doctors to aid patients who desire to undergo gender transition treatments—from hormone therapy to mastectomies—despite their convictions or belief that the procedure would not be beneficial for the person. “Plaintiffs will be forced […]
AUSTIN, Texas — The abortion and contraceptive giant Planned Parenthood filed for an emergency restraining order on Friday in an effort to stop officials in Texas from cutting the organization from the state Medicaid program. “Defendants’ unprecedented and indefensible actions show these terminations to be nothing more than a politically motivated witch hunt and the culmination […]