Jonah Hicap
Georgia governor rejects bill to protect religious leaders who oppose gay marriage
Republican Gov. Nathan Deal of Georgia, who is a Southern Baptist, has criticized a bill that would protect ministers, clerics or religious leaders from being compelled to solemnize same-sex marriage in the state, saying it is unChristian.
Phoenix City council brings back prayer to public meetings â but limited to fire, police chaplains
The Phoenix City Council in Arizona voted Wednesday to bring back prayer during public meetings a month they scrapped the tradition to prevent Satanists from speaking at the regular event.
Texas schools approve measure requiring student athletes to present birth certificate to determine their gender
Public school superintendents in Texas approved a measure that requires student athletes to present their birth certificate to determine their gender.
Indiana lawmakers pass bill to ban abortions based on race, sex or genetic abnormality of foetus
Indiana's House has passed a bill that would ban abortions for reasons based on the foetus' race, sex or genetic abnormality.
West Virginia's Senate, House override Governor Tomblin's veto of bill banning dismemberment abortion
West Virginia's Senate and House successfully overrode on Thursday the veto of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin of a bill that would ban dismemberment abortions in the state.
Iowa Senate passes bill protecting transgenders from hate crimes
The Iowa Senate passed a bill that would protect transgenders from hate crimes in the state.
U.S. court affirms church's right to fire and hire employees based on religious beliefs
A Missouri court has issued a ruling backing a Catholic diocese's decision to fire employees because of violating religious beliefs.
Ex-missionary sentenced to 40 years in prison for abusing kids in Kenya, says he doesn't 'fear God's judgment'
A former missionary will serve up to 40 years in prison after he was found guilty by a U.S. federal court of sexually abusing children at an orphanage in Kenya.
'Miracle' in Idaho: Pastor shot 6 times in the back after praying for Ted Cruz on his way to recovery, says family
The pastor in Idaho who was shot six times in the back, and suffered a collapsed lung is on his way to recovery and his family described it as a miracle.
New York City mayor signs order allowing transgenders to use city-owned facilities
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed an executive order that allows transgenders to use City-owned facilities that correspond to their gender identity.
Alabama Supreme Court dismisses suit vs. same-sex marriage but slams U.S. Supreme Court ruling as 'immoral'
The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition to stop same-sex marriage in the state but issued a lengthy opinion that severely criticized the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on Obergefell v. Hodges as "immoral" and "lawless."
California pro-LGBT bill aims to impose travel ban to 21 states that have religious freedom laws
An assemblyman in California has introduced two bills including one that would discriminate by banning travel to 21 states that have Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) laws that are seen as against LGBTs.
Bill to make abortion murder in the first degree filed by Oklahoma state senator
A state senator in Oklahoma has introduced a bill that makes abortion a crime.
Pennsylvania pastor, mayor lead volunteers in feeding the homeless every Friday
Every Friday night in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a group of volunteers led by a pastor provides meals to the homeless.
South Dakota's Republican governor vetoes bathroom bill that seeks to protect privacy of students in school
Republican South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard vetoed a bathroom bill that lawmakers said would protect the privacy of students at school.
Washington Supreme Court agrees to hear case of Christian florist who was slapped with anti-discrimination suit
The Washington Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to hear the cause of Christian florist who was found by a court in February last year to have violated the state's anti-discrimination law for refusing to sell flowers to a same-sex couple for their wedding.