KFUO Radio News Break

In today's News:

Comfort dogs deploy for victims of wildfires

Lutheran Church Charities K-9 comfort dogs Aaron from St. John’s in Napa, Calif, Micah from Light of the Valley in Elk Grove, Calif., and Reuben from First Lutheran - Yuba City, Calif. and their ministry teams were invited by the principal and counselors from Foothill Adventist School in Angwin, Calif., which was destroyed by the Glass Fire. On Tuesday, the comfort dogs visited with children and staff at a new temporary location at Pacific Union College Elementary School in Angwin, their first day back at their interim school. The comfort dogs and their handlers worked with counselors to help children process a very difficult time. 

Court protects two Colorado churches 

Two Colorado churches and their pastors are currently protected from the state’s enforcement of capacity limits and face masks during worship services thanks to an order handed down by a federal judge on Oct. 15. This decision came following a lawsuit against federal and state officials for an array of religious freedom violations. Thomas More Society Special Counsel Rebecca Messall and Co-Counsel Brad Bergford, who are representing the congregations and their pastors, were pleased with the order. Denver Bible Church and its pastor, Robert Enyart, and Community Baptist Church and its pastor, Joey Rhoads, asked the court to enjoin enforcement of orders related to Colorado’s gubernatorially mandated capacity limits on worship services and face mask requirements. Currently, Colorado imposes capacity limits on houses of worship that are more severe than those that apply to other so-called critical businesses whose settings pose a similar risk of covid-19 transmission. The state also allows a variety of exceptions to its facial-covering requirement where it recognizes that removing a mask is necessary to carry out a particular activity. 

Administration continues its fight against global abortion 

President Donald Trump’s administration continued to push back against global abortion advocacy this week with a declaration proclaiming that “The preservation of human life and the strengthening of family” are foundational to society. The Independent reports United States leaders joined five other countries in signing the Geneva Consensus document last Thursday. The action sent a statement to The United Nations that the killing of unborn babies in abortions is not a “human right,” as the U.N. Declaration Of Human Rights claims, according to the report. The other countries that signed the declaration Were Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia and Uganda, the report states. This is not the first time the trump administration has fought for unborn babies’ rights at the U.N. In September, United States and Vatican representatives criticized the inclusion of language promoting “sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights,” including abortions, in a U.N. covid-19 response resolution. In August, U.S. Ambassador Andrew Bremberg also slammed the international agency for “perverting” human rights by advocating for the killing of unborn babies in abortions.

In today's News:

Oregon’s governor challenged for religious discrimination

Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing a private, religious K-12 Oregon school filed a lawsuit in federal court Friday against Gov. Katherine Brown to challenge her order threatening private schools with 30 days jail time and $1,250 fines for reopening in-person instruction, despite allowing public schools of identical size in the same county permission to resume in-person classes. After nearly two months of advising that Hermiston Christian School could provide in-person instruction to the 51 students enrolled in its K-12 program, Brown reversed course and, on July 29, ordered private schools in Umatilla County and elsewhere to remain closed while offering exemptions to public schools with 75 or fewer students. On the same day Brown extended the prohibition of in-person instruction to private schools, a spokesperson for the governor expressed a desire to prevent a “mass exodus” from public schools and emphasized that public schools could suffer a reduction in funding if students disenrolled to obtain education elsewhere. 

College changes its athletic policy 

Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire decided to rescind its transgender sports participation and inclusion policy as it was being investigated for Title IX violations, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights said Friday. The private university “will rescind its transgender participation and inclusion policy and will cease any and all practices related thereto,” Mario Diaz, general counsel for the DOE’s OCR, said in a letter Friday, noting that the university requested to resolve the matter before the investigation was completed. The OCR was investigating whether the university "denies female student-athletes equal athletic benefits and opportunities by permitting transgender athletes to participate in women’s intercollegiate athletic teams." A civil rights complaint had been filed against the university last year from the public policy organization Concerned Women for America. 

Court upholds safety requirements for abortion centers 

Abortion groups in Kentucky are challenging the life-saving 1998 law, claiming it imposes an “undue burden” on a woman’s right to abortion. Planned Parenthood and EMW Women’s Surgical Center have argued that they may have to close because they cannot meet the safety requirement, thus preventing women in Kentucky from getting abortions. According to Reason, the Sixth Circuit panel disagreed with the abortion groups’ argument and reversed a lower court ruling blocking the state from enforcing the law. In the majority opinion, Judge Joan Larsen wrote that the abortion facilities did not prove that they would be forced to close, The Hill reports. She pointed to a 90-day waiver in the law that allows abortion facilities to operate temporarily until they fulfill the safety requirement. Because of the ruling, Planned Parenthood and EMW, the only two abortion facilities in the state, will have to either enter agreements with local hospitals, apply for waivers or close.

In today's News:

Court rules hospital must continue life support 

The Supreme Court of Texas rejected the plea of Cook Children’s Medical Center to withdraw a ventilator and medical treatment from Baby Tinslee Lewis against her mother’s will. In August, the hospital urged the Supreme Court of Texas to overrule an extensive 150-page ruling from the Second Court of Appeals that deemed the 10-Day Rule likely unconstitutional, thereby granting Baby Tinslee temporary legal protection. Baby Tinslee’s case now returns to the District Court, which will consider these questions: are the rights of Baby Tinslee being violated? Should a hospital have unilateral authority to withdraw life-sustaining medical treatment from a patient against the will of the patient/surrogate? Do patients have any due process rights in these situations? Is the 10-Day Rule of the Texas Advance Directives unconstitutional? The failed petition by Cook Children’s asked the court for permission to withdraw the toddler’s life-sustaining treatment while the 10-Day Rule is argued in court. 

Facebook refuses pro-life ads 

Facebook is censoring an advertisement from a pro-life group that exposes Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for supporting abortions up to birth. The censorship comes days after Facebook censored a pro-life news story from Lifenews.com exposing how Harris tried to put pro-life advocates in prison for uncovering how Planned Parenthood sells the body parts of aborted babies. The national pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List is calling foul after Facebook banned two of its ads exposing Biden and Harris’ support for late-term abortion in the key battleground states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, based on a factually incorrect third-party “fact check” from The Dispatch. The fact check has been refuted because it falsely claims Biden and Harris do not support abortions up to birth funded at taxpayer expense. 

11-year-olds get free condoms in Vermont 

A new Vermont law, supported by the abortion chain Planned Parenthood, mandates that every middle and high school provide free condoms to students as young as 11. Fox News reports Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed the law Oct. 5 despite major concerns from parents and pro-lifers about sexual abuse of young children. According to Vermont law, sex with a child under 16 is statutory rape. Prior to age 16, state law recognizes that children are too young and immature to understand and consent to sex. This conflicts with the new law, which requires public middle and high schools where children as young as 11 attend to place free condoms “in locations that are safe and readily accessible to students, including the school nurse’s office.” 

Court rules for religious liberty in a university 

A federal court issued an order Friday that Requires Florida State University (FSU) to resume paying student Jack Denton his salary after unconstitutionally removing him from his position as student senate president for sharing his personal religious beliefs in private text conversations with other students. On behalf of Denton, Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed suit against FSU administrators and student senate officials after they repeatedly and unconstitutionally retaliated against him for sharing his personal religious beliefs with other students.

In today's News:

Colorado voters to decide on abortion limit 

Polling shows a close race for a Colorado ballot measure seeking to ban abortion after 22 weeks of pregnancy, and backers are “very optimistic” that with enough volunteers and community outreach they will succeed, even while abortion advocates have outraised pro-life campaigners by millions in the weeks leading to the election. Proposition 115 asks voters whether to ban abortion in the state after 22 weeks of pregnancy, except in cases where a mother’s life is threatened. A 9 News / Colorado politics survey of 1,021 registered likely voters found 42 percent of respondents said they are certain to vote yes on Prop 115, 45 percent said no, while 13 percent are uncertain, 9 news reported. If the ballot measure becomes law, doctors would face a three-year license suspension for performing or attempting to perform an abortion of an unborn child beyond 22-weeks of gestation. Women would not be charged with seeking or obtaining an abortion. 

Federal judge overturns 48-hour waiting period 

A federal judge on Wednesday ruled unconstitutional a mandatory 48-hour waiting period for women seeking abortion in Tennessee, which had been in effect since 2015. In the legal challenge brought by Planned Parenthood and the pro-abortion Center for Reproductive Rights, Judge Bernard Friedman wrote that most women are already certain about their decision to have an abortion when they go in for their first appointment. The judge cited testimony from abortion providers that abortion does not increase risk of negative psychological outcomes. He said the regulation placed an “undue burden” on women’s “right to abortion.” 

Abortion advocates want state to pay for abortion 

The abortion industry in Pennsylvania is suing to force taxpayers to pay for elective abortions through the state medical assistance program. On Wednesday, lawyers representing eight Pennsylvania abortion groups argued their case before the Commonwealth Court, WHYY reports. The Hyde Amendment prohibits federal taxpayer funding for abortions in Medicaid, with exceptions for rape, incest and threats to the mother’s life. However, some states do cover elective abortions in their state medical assistance programs. Currently, 16 do, but Pennsylvania is not one of them.  

Bishop disciplined for opposing same-sex marriage 

After refusing to conduct same-sex “marriages” in his diocese, William Love, the Episcopal bishop of Albany, New York, was found guilty of violating the “discipline of the church” and the canon law of the church. At the 2018 general convention, the Episcopal Church had made changes to the rites for same-sex “marriage” that were approved as a trial at the 2015 convention. In response to the recent decision, in which he was unanimously found guilty of “failing to abide by the discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church, and thus violating my ordination vows”, Love warned that the result of the case “will severely impact not only me and the ministry entrusted to me as bishop of Albany, but it will also seriously impact the life and ministry of the diocese.” The panel has yet to reconvene and announce what penalties Love will face.

In today's News:

Bolivian Lutherans respond to COVID-19

The South American nation of Bolivia has reported more than 138,000 cases of covid-19 to date, with more than 8,300 deaths. There are currently nearly 29,000 active cases of the coronavirus in the country. Early in March 2020, the government moved to close borders and enact quarantine measures throughout the country. Church services were restricted in Bolivia early on. The evangelical Christian Lutheran Church of Bolivia (Iglesia Cristiana Evangélica Luterana de Bolivia – ICEL) is working to support its members during the crisis, even as the virus affects some of its own members. In response to the pandemic, the ICEL moved quickly to provide online devotional resources for members. The church’s pastors, vicars and missionaries, have provided daily devotional videos via the church’s Facebook page, in both the Spanish and quiche languages. The church has also led a national study of Luther’s Small Catechism, which has been well-received. The church has provided support for Bolivians in practical ways too, including through the distribution of basic necessities. The church continues to look for additional ways to support people.

Senior apartments owner/manager investiigated

Secretary of Housing And Urban Development Dr. Ben Carson said the department is investigating a complaint against the owner and manager of senior apartments in Oklahoma for violating The Fair Housing Act by removing Bibles and other religious literature from their common areas. Wilhoit Properties, which manages the apartments and assisted-living homes owned by Vintage Housing, was accused of sending an email to their 116 assisted living facilities asking the managers to remove bibles and Christian literature from their libraries located in the common areas that were shared by all residents, Sapulpa Times reported. Wilhoit properties, which manages more than 200 properties in 16 states, allegedly removed the Bibles and Christian faith-based books without any warning to residents, who pay rent to use the common areas, according to the times, which said the Christian material was removed after a resident complained about angels being used as décor in the common area.

Officials won’t prosecute abortionists

A small group of state prosecutors and attorneys general announced yesterday that they will refuse to prosecute abortionists for killing unborn babies if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade and states criminalize abortion. ABC news reports 63 elected officials signed the joint statement, a project of the organization Fair and Just Prosecution, Including California Attorneys General Xavier Becerra, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison And Delaware Attorney General Kathleen Jennings.

Ban on dismemberment abortion overturned

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court Of Appeals struck down a Texas law on Tuesday that would have banned the use of “dismemberment abortion” procedures common in the second trimester. Enacted in 2017 but never enforced due to legal battles, the law bans the dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortion procedure, more commonly known as “dismemberment abortions,” because they tear a preborn baby apart in the womb. The judges voted 2-1 against the law. The ban “forces abortion providers to act contrary to their medical judgment and the best interest of their patient” by requiring them to instead use “dangerous” procedures that offer “no benefit to the woman, Judge James Dennis claimed in his majority opinion. Its “burdens substantially outweigh its benefits,” he claimed.

In today's News:

Lutheran hurricane relief continues 

Hurricane Delta followed nearly the same path through several coastal areas and states that Hurricane Laura did six weeks ago. In fact, they hit the shore 12 miles apart. The flooding, wind damage and power outages have again affected the same homes and businesses that have already experienced devastation. Kathy O’Day, Lutheran Church Charities director of disaster response, has been in close contact with Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator this week. He stated that The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) had opened three volunteer camps after Hurricane Laura in the Southern and Florida-Georgia Districts. Each of these camps had to shut down and teams had to evacuate with their equipment before Hurricane Delta came ashore. They are returning this week to reassess damages and continue assisting affected residents. Pastor Brashier has extended an invitation To Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response to the camp set up at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Frairhope, Ala., to offer chainsaw and heavy equipment assistance to those impacted on the gulf shores as soon as they can be available. 

Concordia University Chicago top rated 

Concordia University Chicago (CUC), River Forest, Ill., was recently named in Money Magazine’s “best colleges for your money” list. CUC was also named in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings as a “best regional university — Midwest “and listed for best value, best ethnic diversity, most economic diversity and as a top performer on social mobility among regional universities in the Midwest. In addition, CUC was nationally recognized by Lendedu for having one of the lowest student loan debt figures in the country for the class of 2019. 

Students for Life called ‘hate group’ 

A chapter of Students for Life was nearly prevented from forming, after the student government at the University of Northern Iowa branded them a “hate group,” according to a video of the Zoom meeting obtained by Young America’s Foundation (YAF). YAF reported that the student government had a virtual meeting to debate whether the Students for Life group should be given official recognition on campus. Ultimately, it refused to recognize the chapter, solely due to the group’s pro-life beliefs. “This is a hate group! This is hate speech,” Student Sen. Max Tensen said. “Approving this bill is the same thing as approving a white supremacist group,” another student added. But Students for Life still has hope, according to a statement the University of Iowa supplied to YAF, rebuking its student government. The university officially encouraged the chapter to appeal the student government’s decision, noting that the pro-life group had the full support of university administration.

In today's News:

Prayer banned at graduation ceremony 

A school district in Kentucky has agreed to stop presenting prayers at its graduation ceremonies following a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), a prominent atheist group advocating for a strict separation of church and state. According to a news release Thursday, Pikeville Independent School District's legal counsel recently told FFRF, “I have had the opportunity to review your attached letter and wanted to let you know that I have advised the principal to refrain from religious prayer at future graduations.” In July, FFRF sent Pikeville Independent Schools Superintendent David Trimble a letter on behalf of a “concerned citizen” who reported that the 2020 Pikeville High School graduation ceremony included three student-led prayers. 

Court rules church can gather for worship 

A district court has temporarily granted a request from a Washington, D.C., Southern Baptist church to gather for outdoor worship services that violate the city’s rules for public gatherings. Capitol Hill Baptist Church argued that the District of Columbia’s covid-19 restrictions had violated its Constitutional rights and was causing “irreparable harm” to its congregation. Judge Trevor McFadden, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, agreed in a Friday ruling. McFadden said the limitations are causing a “substantial burden” under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a law enacted in 1993 that aims to protect against government interference with religious beliefs. 

New York Governor sued 

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is violating religious liberty again, and two Catholic priests, two Catholic school students, and four Orthodox Jewish individuals are renewing an ongoing lawsuit against the head of New York State for imposing new, draconian restrictions on religious services, nearly four months after a federal judge enjoined Cuomo from treating houses of worship differently from exempted businesses and activities. The Thomas More Society filed an emergency amended complaint and motion for temporary restraining order on Friday in United States District Court for the Northern District of New York on behalf of the priests and individuals. The new filing shows that Cuomo and other state officials are now singling out religious gatherings for special burdens without showing any evidence that religious gatherings, and not countless other exempted gatherings and activities, are unique sources of spreading covid-19. The Thomas More Society’s new complaint shows that Cuomo expressly singled out religious gatherings as the reasons for his new restrictions, without any evidence showing that they are unique sources of viral spread. In his Friday news conference, Cuomo admitted the new regime “is most impactful on houses of worship,” and any impact on secular businesses is “not what this is about.”

In today's News:

Poll finds Americans say 'hands off' religion

First Liberty Institute sent to Sen. Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, the results of a nationwide poll from Mason Dixon Polling & Strategy this week revealing almost two-thirds of Americans believe judicial nominees should not be questioned about their religious beliefs as part of the confirmation process. First Liberty, the nation’s premier law firm dedicated exclusively to religious liberty, commissioned the poll. The poll, conducted by Mason Dixon of likely voters nationwide Oct. 5-7, suggests that 62 percent of respondents view a nominee’s religious beliefs as off limits to examination by the U.S. Senate. The Judiciary Committee’s hearings on the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court starts today. 

Prayer asked for Lutherans in Burkina Faso 

The International Lutheran Council (ILC) is urging prayer for Lutherans in Burkina Faso, as the church there struggles in the midst of widespread violence and terrorist attacks. The nation of Burkina Faso has faced multiple terrorist attacks over the past five years, with targets ranging from military and police, villages, markets, schools and churches. The United Nations reports that violence in the African nation has led to the displacement of more than one million people as of august 2020 — an increase of more than 453,000 since the beginning of 2020 and a dramatic change from early 2019 when there were 87,000 internally displaced people in the country. Members of the small Evangelical Lutheran Church in Burkina Faso (Église Évangélique Luthérienne du Burkina Faso – EELBF) have not escaped the growing violence. During the past three years, the EELBF has seen 12 of its members killed in terrorist attacks. Several others have disappeared and remain missing. Those wishing to support the work of the EELBF during the current crisis can donate via The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, which has supported work in Burkina Faso since 2000. Gifts should be designated for “mercy work.” 

California officials face suit 

One Catholic priest has had enough of Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s seemingly endless “state of emergency” and the constitutional violations incurred with the resultant lockdown. Attorneys from the Thomas More Society have filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court against Newsom and 19 other state, county and municipal officials on behalf of Father Trevor Burfitt. Submitted on sept. 29, the case charges each of the named parties with eight distinct violations of Burfitt’s rights under the constitution of California. Burfitt oversees mission churches in Kern, San Bernardino, San Diego and Los Angeles Counties, each of which has been severely restricted during Newsom’s seven-month lockdown of the state of California. These restrictions imposed and enforced by Newsom and the other named officials in the name of covid-19 have severely obstructed the rights of Burfitt and others throughout California, despite the guarantees promised in the state’s constitution. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief for the constitutional violations committed by Newsom and those under his authority throughout California.

In today's News:

Synod adopts a new budget 

In this year like no other, the setting of a budget for FY21 — was reached at last on Sept. 22 when the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod (LCMS) Board of Directors adopted an operating expenditure resolution of $59.6 million. By contrast, the FY20 budget, after adjustments for big “one-off” events — the Triennial Synod Convention and the LCMS youth gathering — was more than 16 percent higher at $69.3 million. Such a cautious approach to expenditures in FY21 was justified in consideration of major economic uncertainties in the current forecasting environment, not the least of which has been the impact of covid-19. 

Appeal for Nativity scene 

Liberty Counsel filed its reply brief to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals refuting the opinion by an Indiana federal judge who ruled against the Nativity scene display at the Jackson County Courthouse. Liberty Counsel represents Jackson County and oral argument is scheduled for Nov. 12. In addition to the Nativity scene, the annual holiday display also includes a large lighted Santa Claus, sleigh with reindeer and a group of Christmas carolers. The courthouse grounds are also decorated with many kinds of lights and other non-religious symbols of the holiday season. Judge Tanya Pratt previously ruled in favor of a plaintiff who does not live or work in the county and does not transact any business in the Jackson County Courthouse. This building no longer hosts court proceedings as they are now conducted in the new courthouse. The U.S. Supreme Court and numerous federal appeals courts have recognized that government entities may recognize Christmas as a holiday and may maintain Christmas displays that include both religious and secular symbols. 

Seminaries may enforce religious belief on students 

In a landmark decision with nationwide impact, a federal judge ruled that a seminary has the right to train students for ministry according to its sincere religious beliefs, free from government entanglement. Wednesday, in Maxon v. Fuller Theological Seminary, the Central District of California blocked claims by two individuals who sued Fuller Theological Seminary, arguing that federal law made it illegal for the seminary to dismiss them from its school of theology for violating its religious standards. Becket Law is defending the seminary, arguing that the government cannot control how religious schools train future ministers and other religious leaders. When students apply to Fuller Theological Seminary, they agree to faithfully follow the seminary’s religious standards throughout their training for ministry and other religious service. Like all their peers, the plaintiffs made that agreement. But after the seminary learned that the plaintiffs had violated the standards, the seminary dismissed them and refunded their costs for the classes they were unable to complete. The plaintiffs then sued. The judge dismissed the plaintiffs’ lawsuit, explaining: “It is well established . . . That courts should refrain from trolling through a person’s or institutions religious beliefs.”

In today's News:

LCMS helps Cambodian church

This summer, the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod (LCMS) partnered with the Cambodia Lutheran Church (CLC) and several other Lutheran organizations to assist local Cambodians suffering economic hardship as a result of covid-19. CLC pastors and church leaders delivered a month’s supply of basic food staples to more than 350 families during May, June and July. In the Asia region, Cambodia has been particularly hard hit by the economic downturn caused by the shutdown. Tourism, which provides countless jobs in the country, has plummeted. Many factories also are shuttered for now. The CLC recognized these challenges and organized to fill material needs while also connecting people to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rice, instant noodles, fish sauce, cooking oil, canned fish, soy sauce and soap were collected and sorted.

Netflix indicted for ‘Cuties’

A grand jury in Texas has indicted Netflix on a criminal charge of promoting “lewd” depictions of children for offering the film “Cuties” on its streaming service. Netflix has garnered controversy in recent months for its decision to carry the French film “Cuties,” which features 11-year-old girls dancing provocatively and simulating sex acts and has been compared to child porn. Texas State Rep. Matt Schaefer posted a photo on Twitter Tuesday of the first page of the indictment, made last month by a grand jury in Tyler County.

Abortion center injures two women

Two women seeking abortions at The Austin Women’s Health Center last month were transported by ambulance to South Austin Hospital in Austin, Texas, after both suffered uncontrolled hemorrhaging. According to 911 records obtained by Operation Rescue, the first incident took place on Sept. 2, 2020, when an abortion facility employee named “Julie” called 911 after a 28-year old woman suffered excessive vaginal bleeding after an abortion. The second medical emergency last month at the Austin Women’s Health Center occurred three weeks later, on Sept. 25, 2020, when a 25-year old woman hemorrhaged during a dilation and evacuation dismemberment abortion. Texas law limits abortions to 20 weeks or under, but the Austin Women’s Health Center offers abortions for “maternal and fetal indications,” which often allow a facility to bypass the 20-week limit for the “health of the mother.”

Doctor considered ‘dangerous’ performs abortions

In August, Arkansas abortionist 74-year-old Tom Tvedten had his medical license temporarily suspended after the Arkansas State Medical Board (ASMB) decided that his certification of an underage girl for a medical marijuana card presented such “gross negligence and ignorant malpractice” that he was determined to be a danger to the public. Now, pro-life watchdog group Operation Rescue reports that Tvedten will be allowed to continue committing abortions but has been deemed too dangerous to continue certifying medical marijuana cards.