THURSDAY, JANUARY 11

OHIO HOUSE VOTES TO OVERRIDE DeWINE VETO The Ohio House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to override Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s controversial veto of HB 68, which protects minors from being subjected to so-called “gender-affirming care.” The override passed in a 65-28 party-line vote and now heads for a final vote in the state Senate, where Republicans enjoy a 26-7 majority. READ

CHRISTIE DROPS OUT OF 2024 RACE Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced on Wednesday that he is suspending his campaign for president after failing to gain enough traction in New Hampshire, where he had staked his entire operation. Christie’s campaign centered around attacking former President Donald Trump. READ

FAUCI DENIES SCHOOL CLOSURES HURT KIDS Dr. Anthony Fauci reportedly told members of Congress Tuesday that he is “not convinced” children suffered learning loss as a result of COVID school closures. Rep. Michael Cloud, R-TX, said that according to Fauci, the effects of school lockdowns on children are “still really open for discussion.” READ

BIDEN HHS TARGETS DOCTOR WHO BLEW WHISTLE ON ‘TRANS’ CLINIC The Biden administration is investigating a Texas doctor for exposing his former hospital’s secret and illicit continuation of “transgender” procedures on minors. “For me, it’s obvious that this is a political investigation in order to prevent this from happening at other hospitals that might be lying to the public about the existence of their programs,” said Dr. Eithan Haim. READ

LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE NATIONAL PARENTS’ RIGHTS LEGISLATION Two senators and a congresswoman on Wednesday introduced twin bills that seek to codify the “right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children as a fundamental right.” The bills state: “The nature of the parent-child relationship endows parents with the primary responsibility and obligation to care for their child.” READ

ADMIN TIES LGBTQ TO AGRICULTURE GRANTS FOR POOR COUNTRIES The Biden administration’s Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a memo stating that it plans to use “LGBTQI+ nondiscrimination” as a condition for international grants to farmers. “[USDA] intends to cultivate the transgender ideology on a global scale using international farm-aid programs,” Daily Signal Chief News Correspondent Fred Lucas wrote Tuesday. READ

FEDERAL COURT SAYS ‘NO’ TO ADMIN APPLIANCE REGULATION A federal court on Monday hindered the latest attempt by the Biden administration’s Department of Energy (DOE) to regulate household appliances. “In 2022, the [DOE] tightened the regulatory regime surrounding America’s dishwashers and laundry machines,” the ruling stated. “The Department’s actions were arbitrary and capricious.” READ

LOOPcast Cardinal Sarah dispels the Fiducia fog, and the Catholic left throws a fit. William Penn will stay in Philly (and on the Quaker Oats can), while NYC ejects kids from school to make room for… migrants? And Tom explains why Gen Z is yelling all the time. Let’s go. LISTEN

POPE FRANCIS PRAISES EUROPEAN MARXIST GROUP Pope Francis on Wednesday told the Socialist/Marxist-Christian coalition DIALOP: “Don’t back off, don’t give up, and don’t stop dreaming of a better world.” He added: “Instead of rigid approaches that divide, let us cultivate, with open hearts, discussion and listening.” READ

CHINA TRIES TO INTIMIDATE JIMMY LAI ASSOCIATE China’s communist government listed British religious freedom expert Benedict Rogers as a “collaborator” with Catholic human rights activist and journalist Jimmy Lai, presenting texts between the two as “evidence” during the latter’s trial in Hong Kong. “Being named in the proceedings against Mr Lai will never silence me – indeed, it only makes me more determined to redouble my efforts to fight for his freedom,” Rogers responded. READ

A WOMAN'S CALL TO LOVE While the Catholic Church champions a woman’s sacred call to marriage and motherhood, to say all women are meant to become wives and have children is to miss the heart of a woman’s purpose. Edith Stein was a very unusual woman for her times: a working woman with a doctorate degree in the early 1900s. She wrote extensively on femininity, contributing extensively to Catholicism’s understanding of a woman’s fundamental calling. READ

CATHOLIC 101 You may have noticed something different about the priest’s vestments this week: they are no longer white but green instead. This color change signifies that we are no longer in the Christmas Season but have entered into Ordinary Time. Don’t let the word ordinary fool you, this season is anything but humdrum. READ

SAINT OF THE DAY Born in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey), St. Theodosius made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where he was inspired to live as a hermit. Soon others joined him, and he became first an abbot and then the patriarch of Jerusalem. Theodosius continued to work for his monks and his people till the end of his days, going to claim his eternal reward at the ripe old age of 105. READ