Governor Kathy Hochul is taking steps to protect abortion rights in New York state by signing a package of bills today.
It seems more likely than ever that Roe v. Wade will be overturned following a leak of a draft opinion last month.
Pope Francis will not preside over the Corpus Christi Mass or procession this week.
Currents News Staff
Meet Darrina Carter: mother of four, law enforcement spouse, regular person. That is – until she spots a deal.
“Got my coupon right here. So I’m gonna get two of these,” said Darrina. “So for the two toothpastes I paid $4.58, right here. And then when I paid for it, I end up getting $4.00 of points back. So with the $4 of points, I decided to get Friday night dinner for the kids. These were buy one get one free. ”
Things have changed. How to create an extreme couponer in 2022? Take one mom and add inflation.
“I can tell by having the same budget that I had before all of this, I would get less,” Darrina said. “It seems like the bags were getting smaller and smaller every time. Milk has gone up tremendously. Just because I’m the sole person who does all the grocery shopping, I can tell.”
The economy is changing the way some people think about money.
“I wouldn’t stop,” Darrina said. “Just seeing, this is proof that you don’t know what’s going to happen, you don’t know what’s coming up.”
Currents News Staff and Melissa Enaje
PROSPECT HEIGHTS – In response to the upcoming ruling, which may affect the status of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law new measures that would elevate the state into an abortion safe haven for locals and out-of-state abortion seekers.
“Make no mistake, this is not just an attack on reproductive health and freedom,” Gov. Hochul said during a June 13 press conference, “it’s an attack on the very values that make New York what it is. And that’s why with a stroke of a pen, I will say: Not here. Not in New York. Not Ever.”
The New York State Catholic Conference called the governor’s new abortion-related measures, including the task force that will be “created to study the impact” of pro-life pregnancy centers, harassment.
“This package of bills seeks to encourage abortion tourism,” the Catholic Conference said in a statement, “rather than helping women and children who may be in need. New York should stop presenting abortion as the best and only option for struggling women and harassing any pro-life pregnancy center that may help women keep their babies.”
The signing comes after both houses of legislature passed bills strengthening not only the right to abortion care in the state, but transgender care for patients.
The six bills passed by the legislature include:
In May, Hochul and state Democrats doubled down their efforts on abortion rights after the controversial leak of a document from the Supreme Court on the Roe v. Wade decision. Hochul pledged that the state would invest $35 million to support abortion providers across New York while New York Attorney General Letitia James pushed for $50 million for a Reproductive Freedom and Equity Program, a total of $85 million, both to be funded through state health department grants.
“The women of New York will never be subjugated to government mandated pregnancies,” Gov. Hochul said, “because that’s what will ensue if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court.”
The New York Bishops have pledged that “regardless of what the Court decides” they are taking on a “renewed pastoral effort” for expectant women facing unplanned pregnancies as well as those in need of services to carry their baby to term.
They launched a new pregnancy resources page, Help for Moms, where women can find services available to them. They’re also calling on Catholics and elected officials to work towards a New York that is more supportive of women in crisis pregnancies.
“Any woman — regardless of age, religious belief or affiliation, marital status or immigration status — who is pregnant and in need, can come to the Catholic Church and we will give you the services and supports you need to carry your baby to term, regardless of your ability to pay,” bishops said in the statement.
Furthermore, we will not abandon you and your baby after delivery, but, rather, we will see to it that you have the resources that you and your child both need and deserve. No one will be turned away from life-affirming care. If you have had an abortion that you regret, whether recently or in the distant past, please come to us as well, so that we may offer you services to help you to heal.”
Currents News Staff
Senators who support the new bipartisan framework for gun safety legislation say they’re hopeful a bill created from it could pass. It addresses issues like mental health, school safety, and illegal gun purchases.
Ten Republican senators say they support it – and that’s enough to override a filibuster.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is complimenting the negotiators. but, the gun control framework isn’t a bill yet. Delaware Senator Chris Coons helped negotiate the plan. He says language around gun shows might need extra attention, as well as straw purchases. Those are when a person illegally buys a firearm for someone else.
“There are provisions that will be tricky,” said Sen. Coons. “I am cautiously optimistic that we can get this passed out of the Senate in about the next two weeks before early July.”
Now, some gun control advocates are expressing cautious optimism.
“This is substantially more than we’ve seen in decades from Congress,” said Parkland Shooting Survivor David Hogg. “Is this everything I want? Definitely not, but it is something.”
Most Reverend Bishop Robert J. Brennan’s Homily from Monday’s Mass on 6/13/22.
It was another weekend of gun violence in America with multiple deadly shootings across the country.
The continued violence only serves to strengthen the plea of protesters, who marched for change in hundreds of cities across the country.
In Chicago at least 21 people were shot, seven of them killed.
In neighboring Indiana, a mass shooting at a nightclub in Gary left two dead and four injured over the weekend.
In Denver, police are searching for someone who shot six people, two fatally, at a house party early Sunday morning.
And in Kentucky, five teenagers were shot Saturday night near a pedestrian bridge in Louisville next to waterfront park.
There have been 266 mass shootings just this year, according to the gun violence archive.
Thousands took to the streets nationwide for the March for Our Lives rallies protesting gun violence.
The Diocese of Brooklyn welcomed three new priests after Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated his first ordination Mass in the diocese.
Pope Francis postpones a trip to Africa — because of health reasons.
The Supreme Court — edging closer to a decision over whether to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Students are dancing at a Catholic Academy in Queens — all to help a fellow classmate.
Currents News Staff
Police are searching the home of a California man charged with attempted murder after he told police he wanted to kill a Supreme Court Justice and then kill himself, he said, to give his life purpose.
He told authorities he was upset over the leak of a draft ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and the possibility that the court could loosen gun laws.
Authorities say 26-year-old Nicholas Roske went to Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s Maryland home with a gun, zip ties and other tools, but after seeing two Deputy Marshals outside, he called 911 on himself.
Attorney General Merrick Garland says the Justice Department will not tolerate this behavior.
“Threats of violence and actual violence against the justices of course strike at the heart of our democracy,” said AG Garland.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin says Congress is now ready to approve a bill extending security to the immediate family members of justices.
“What happened this week with Justice Kavanaugh is a reminder that we live in a dangerous place,” said Durbin, “and these people are vulnerable and we should protect them.”
Republicans are blasting the delay. House Democrats want to expand the Senate bill to cover clerks and staff too. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promises action soon.
“We had hoped that we could do it today,” said Pelosi, “but we will certainly do it next week.”
This all comes as the Jan.6 hearings began Thursday and Washington gears up for a potentially volatile June. That’s when major Supreme Court decisions, large-scale protests, and more tours at the Capitol will converge in an already heightened threat environment.
Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger is ramping up security, while DC Police are activating their riot cops throughout the month. A major concern: the pending abortion ruling. Intelligence analysts warn of potential threats toward lawmakers, Supreme Court Justices, abortion providers, and religious groups. The threats are coming from both sides of the abortion debate.
“I am worried about the violence,” said Manger. “I’m worried about the lone actor coming in and doing something dangerous.”
Protests related to abortion and gun laws could bring thousands of people to Washington. Sources say capitol police are now adding overtime shifts.
“The focus is really on the protests that are going on the court,” said Manger. “The protests that are going on at the homes of the Justices. I understand that the tension could very quickly turn to, you know, to the Capitol.”
Currents News Staff
It’s a story that might make you say “Yeah Right” because no one is rowing across the ocean! But it’s true!
Two men from Ireland are planning to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. They’re starting in NewYork on the Hudson River and heading back home to Galway.
Before they embark on their journey, Damian Browne and Fergus Farrell joined Currents News to talk about their trek and why they’re raising money along the way.
They’re accepting donations that will go to four different charities. You can find out more and make a donation by heading to their website: projectempower.ie – just click on “donate” when you get there.
Gearing up for trouble with abortion on the docket. Capital police say a storm is coming.
While the gun control debate rages — will a reform package finally pass through the Senate?
Could the baby formula crisis have been avoided?
Brewing beer is their blood but its closing time for monks in Massachusetts.