California

Republican Groups File Suit Against California Governor, Claiming His Vote-By-Mail Executive Order is Unlawful

Republican groups filed a lawsuit against California Governor Gavin Newsom Sunday, challenging his executive order that all state registered voters can vote by mail in November’s General Election, CBS news reports. The Republican National Party, the National Republican Congressional Committee and the California Republican Party launched the case in the District Court for Eastern California, claiming that Newsom’s order was issued in “a direct usurpation of the legislature’s authority.”

Justice Department says California Restrictions on Churches are Unfair

The Justice Department has told California Gov. Gavin Newsom that his current COVID-19 order prohibiting worship services amounts to “unequal treatment of faith communities,” the Washington Examiner reports. In a letter sent Tuesday by the Department’s Civil Rights Division, the governor was told it is apparently unfair that church should be closed when “non-essential” businesses have opened in phase two of California’s Reopening Plan.

Planned Parenthood must return $80 million it received in COVID-19 loans for small businesses

Thirty-seven Planned Parenthood affiliates received a total of $80 million in loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) intended to help small businesses in the COVID-19 pandemic, Fox News has reported exclusively. The federal government now says the abortion provider must pay back the money it received. Explaining its position, the government said Planned Parenthood is a federation of affiliates with over 500 employees and should have known it does not qualify for small business aid.

U.S. Churches Defy Coronavirus Bans On Indoor Worship

Churches across the United States are planning to defy bans on indoor worship and will open for in-person services this Sunday, May 17, Worthy News learned. The move is part of the “Peaceably Gather Sunday” initiative in which congregations seek a balance between safety against the coronavirus and worshipping without restrictions.

Western US May Be Facing a Megadrought

A study published in the Science journal last month warns that the Western US may be headed for one of the worst megadroughts in the region for 1200 years, Time reports. Although they had some rain in 2019, Western states have been dealing with an ongoing drought since 2000.

Federal Judge upholds California ban on church service gatherings

California Gov. Newsom’s executive order banning in-person church services during the COVID-19 pandemic has been upheld by a federal judge, the Washington Examiner reports. The Cross Culture Christian Center near Sacramento had filed a lawsuit stating the governor’s lockdown order violated their First Amendment right to free assembly.

High Number of Background Checks for Firearms Purchase in April

The FBI recorded 2.9 million background checks for the purchase of firearms in the month of April, the Washington Examiner reported. Under US federal law, all gun distributors must run background checks with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to ascertain buyers have no criminal record preventing them from owning a gun.

California federal judge says churches cannot hold in-person services during pandemic

A California federal judge determined Wednesday that churches in the state are prohibited from holding in-person services during the coronavirus pandemic, the Los Angeles Times reports. The case was brought by three Southern California churches who argued that the state’s lockdown rules were a violation of the First Amendment and the right to freedom of religion and assembly.

Planned Parenthood California supporting bill to block health insurance companies from informing parents about their child’s abortion or transgender treatment

Planned Parenthood of California is supporting a bill that would prevent health insurance companies from giving parents information about “sensitive” medical procedures received by young adult or minor children listed on their same policy. “Sensitive services” would include abortions and certain transgender treatments and sex-change operations, among various others. The California Family Council (CFC) has advised concerned residents to contact the office of Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D), who is sponsoring the bill.

Increased sales of the Bible during coronavirus pandemic

Major Christian publishing companies have reported increased sales of the Bible during the coronavirus pandemic. The increase is reportedly similar to that observed after the September 11 terror attacks in 2001.

US rushes to build makeshift hospitals as coronavirus death toll rises

The US government rushed to set up make-shift hospitals on Tuesday as over 850 people died from coronavirus, the highest number in a single day. Hundreds of hospitals are being built close to major cities to help local health care systems struggling at maximum capacity and beyond, Reuters reported.

President Trump signs $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package

President Donald Trump signed a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill Friday just hours after it passed in the House, making law out of a package that will send billions of dollars directly to Americans and provide hundreds of billions more for businesses, health care systems and others impacted by the pandemic that has crippled the economy.

Worthy Christian News