Christopher Vondracek

Pope Francis continues to forgo a face mask in public

Pope Francis continues to forgo a face mask in public appearances, frustrating some Catholic officials as coronavirus cases surge in Europe.

November 6, 2020

Donald Trump evangelical support slipped in Michigan

With small margins in a few swing states likely to decide the election, some of Mr. Trump's opponents say the small erosion in evangelical support after 2016 could have played a critical role in the result.

November 5, 2020

5 states vote in favor of marijuana measures

Has the U.S. reached the tipping point on legalizing marijuana?

November 4, 2020

Colleges dropping ACT, SAT scores

The COVID-19 pandemic is claiming another victim in higher education: standardized testing.

November 3, 2020

National Endowment for Humanities bestows grants to repair statues damaged during riots

The National Endowment for Humanities is providing $120,000 to repair statues that were damaged in this summer's rioting against racial injustice, insisting that their survival is key to youngsters' understanding of American history.

November 2, 2020

Catholics unsettled over political views of priests, nuns

A debate is roiling the Catholic Church over the role clergy and nuns play in partisan politics ahead of Tuesday's elections.

October 29, 2020

Gavin Newsom: California to issue new COVID-19 guidance before holidays, amid criticism

California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state will "very, very shortly" issue a new COVID-19 guidance ahead of Thanksgiving and Christmas, pushing back on critics who have suggested the state is planning on hindering the holidays during the pandemic.

October 28, 2020

Trump officials tout religious liberty successes

Trump administration officials warned Tuesday of COVID-19 restrictions overriding religious liberty at home and overseas, marking International Religious Freedom Day.

October 27, 2020

Sean Feucht, praise singer, brings protest tour to D.C.

Sean Feucht, a California-based Christian singer, is expected to draw thousands to the National Mall on Sunday, even as the District clamps down on gatherings of more than 50 people.

October 23, 2020

U.S. joins global declaration disavowing abortion as ‘human right’

The U.S. joined 31 other nations Thursday in signing a declaration that says there is "no international right to abortion."

October 22, 2020

Education Department survey shows sex assault reports at schools on rise

Reports of sexual assaults at primary and secondary public schools across the U.S. jumped by 55% in 2017-2018 from the previous two years, according to new Education Department data.

October 21, 2020

Pope endorses same-sex civil unions in new documentary film

Pope Francis calls for civil unions for same-sex couples in a new documentary that premiered Wednesday in Rome.

October 21, 2020

Department of Health and Human Services touts revised policies for religious visits at hospitals

Federal civil rights attorneys announced Tuesday the resolution of religious discrimination complaints that were filed after hospital systems in Maryland and Virginia were accused of denying Catholic priests access to perform sacramental rites during the coronavirus pandemic.

October 20, 2020

Evangelicals, Catholics split on support for Trump

A significant split has emerged in President Trump's religious electorate, with White evangelical voters backing the president amid growing dissatisfaction from Catholic and mainline Protestant voters, according to two new national surveys.

October 19, 2020

Christian school sues Oregon Gov. Kate Brown over reopening policy

A Christian school has sued Oregon Gov. Kate Brown over a policy that allows small public schools -- but not religious ones -- to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic, saying the policy violates its religious liberty.

October 19, 2020

Education Department eases colleges’ rules on reporting crimes

An Education Department agency has eased requirements for colleges to report crimes that occur on or near their campuses, ending some Obama-era strictures.

October 14, 2020

Colleges consider cuts because of budget constraints wrought by pandemic

Private and public colleges across the country are considering cuts to payrolls, staff and academic programs due to budget constraints and enrollment declines wrought by the coronavirus pandemic.

October 13, 2020

Florida State University must pay ex-student leader in ouster for religious views, judge says

A federal judge has ruled that Florida State University must pay the salary of a former campus Senate president who was ousted over his religious views.

October 12, 2020

Climactic week for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia

A Russian judge on Friday imposed an eight-year suspended prison sentence for a 24-year-old Jehovah's Witness and a seven-year suspended sentence for his 27-year-old wife, capping a week that marked some relief amid continued persecution for the faith in Russia.

October 9, 2020