Some conservative Christians argue that empathy can be harmful when it supports actions or beliefs they consider sins, like abortion access and LGBTQ+ rights. Authors like Allie Beth Stuckey and Joe Rigney have written books arguing against certain forms of empathy from a Christian perspective. This idea has gained attention, especially among supporters of Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Some conservative Christians see empathy as potentially harmful when it backs actions they view as sinful.
Allie Beth Stuckey and Joe Rigney have both published books supporting this view.
The argument gained popularity during Donald Trump's presidency when empathy was seen as missing from certain policies.
Joe Rigney criticizes "untethered empathy," which he believes isn't connected to conservative biblical interpretations.
Historian Susan Lanzoni notes that empathy has historically been seen as positive but is now more criticized.
The idea of prioritizing family over the wider world is also discussed in religious terms by people like Vice President JD Vance.
Empathy, as a term, first appeared in English in 1908, derived from a German word.
The debate includes whether empathy is a core teaching of Jesus, as it involves caring for others.
An appeals court in New York has dismissed a large civil fraud penalty against Donald Trump related to accusations of inflating his wealth. The court found that the $515 million penalty was excessive and violated the Eighth Amendment, which deals with excessive fines. The decision leaves room for further appeals.
Key Facts
An appeals court in New York removed a civil fraud penalty against Donald Trump originally set at $515 million.
The penalty was based on claims that Trump exaggerated his wealth in financial documents sent to lenders and insurers.
The court found the penalty to be excessive and a violation of the Eighth Amendment, which protects against excessive fines.
The penalty also included restrictions on Trump and his sons from holding corporate leadership roles.
These restrictions were paused during the appeal process, and Trump posted a $175 million bond to temporarily halt payment.
New York Attorney General Letitia James initially brought the lawsuit, claiming Trump engaged in fraud.
Trump has denied the allegations, arguing that disclaimers on financial statements noted they were not audited and that lenders independently assessed the information.
The appeals court's decision allows for potential further appeals to the state's highest court.
Dr. James Dobson, a child psychologist known for founding the conservative Christian organization Focus on the Family, died at age 89. He was influential in American politics, particularly for his conservative views on family and social issues, and he continued to be active in media and advisory roles until his death.
Key Facts
James Dobson founded Focus on the Family in 1977.
At its peak, Focus on the Family had more than 1,000 employees.
Dobson was known for his stance against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
He served on Donald Trump's Evangelical Executive Advisory Board.
Dobson interviewed President Ronald Reagan and discussed family issues.
His radio show, Family Talk, reached over half a million listeners weekly.
Dobson was involved in a controversial interview with serial killer Ted Bundy in 1989.
He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Texas and California are both working on changing their congressional maps. Texas aims to add more seats that favor Republicans, while California is trying to counter this move by creating more seats for Democrats. The process in each state involves legislative approval and, in California's case, voter approval due to an independent commission.
Key Facts
Texas plans to add up to five new seats in Congress that favor Republicans.
Texas Republicans passed a new district map in the state House with an 88-52 vote.
California is planning a new map to create more Democrat-leaning seats.
California requires a two-thirds vote in the state legislature and a special election for voter approval.
Former President Donald Trump has influenced several states to pursue redistricting that could benefit Republicans.
Former President Barack Obama supported California's efforts to counter the Texas map.
Texas Democrats delayed the map approval by 15 days through a protest action.
The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed drawing district lines for partisan purposes.
Lyle and Erik Menendez, convicted in 1996 for the 1989 murders of their parents, are attending parole hearings this week. They became eligible for parole due to California's law for youth offenders. The final decision on their release will involve California's Governor, Gavin Newsom.
Key Facts
The Menendez brothers were convicted in 1996 for killing their parents in 1989.
They were sentenced to life in prison without parole initially.
Their sentences were reduced in May, allowing them to be eligible for parole.
Erik's parole hearing is on Thursday; Lyle's is on Friday.
Their lawyer presented new evidence supporting their claims of abuse by their father.
The California youthful offender law applies because they were under 26 at the time of the crime.
Governor Gavin Newsom will have the final say on their parole if approved by the parole board.
If parole is denied, they will have to wait 3 to 15 years for another hearing.
California plans to pass a new congressional map that favors Democrats, following a similar move by Texas to favor Republicans. Democrats in California need to pass the map with a supermajority and hold a special election for voter approval. This redistricting battle is part of a larger national struggle over congressional control.
Key Facts
California Democrats are set to pass a new congressional map to create five seats favorable to their party.
Texas recently approved a new map to create more seats leaning towards Republicans.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is leading the effort to counter Texas' redistricting.
Democrats in California must use a legislative supermajority to pass the map.
A special election is needed for California voters to approve the new map.
Former President Obama supports Newsom's redistricting efforts in California.
Redistricting control battles are ongoing in various states and could affect the U.S. House control.
Lucy Connolly, a woman from Northampton, was jailed for making a racially charged post online after a stabbing incident in Southport. She was sentenced to 31 months, required to serve 40% of this time in prison, and has now been released on licence.
Key Facts
Lucy Connolly posted a message online following a stabbing in Southport involving three girls.
The post included calls for mass deportation and urged violence towards hotels housing asylum seekers.
Connolly pleaded guilty to stirring racial hatred in September.
She received a 31-month prison sentence in October at Birmingham Crown Court.
She was required to serve 40% of her sentence in prison before being released.
Her husband serves on Northampton Town Council.
Connolly was released from HMP Peterborough.
The case raised issues about free speech and race-related posts online.
A group of Iranian students at the University of Texas at Austin asked the university to oppose President Trump's travel ban on Iran, but the university chose not to make a public statement against it. The students expressed concern about the impact of the ban on their education and the university's values.
Key Facts
Iranian students at the University of Texas at Austin requested the university to oppose Trump's travel ban on Iran.
The students sent a letter to the university's interim president in July 2023.
The university has not made public comments about the travel ban.
In 2023, 81 Iranian students were studying at the University of Texas at Austin.
Trump's travel ban affects citizens from 12 countries, including Iran.
Iranian students reported challenges in obtaining visas due to the ban.
More than 12,300 Iranian students studied in the US during the 2023-2024 academic year.
More than 750 federal health workers criticized Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for spreading misleading information, which they believe has led to harassment and violence against government employees. These employees sent a letter demanding Kennedy stop sharing inaccurate claims and requested a response by September 2. HHS stated that the safety and well-being of employees are a top priority for Kennedy.
Key Facts
Over 750 Health and Human Services (HHS) employees wrote a letter to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Congress.
They accused Kennedy of spreading misinformation that contributed to violence against government employees.
Kennedy has criticized the CDC, calling it corrupt and questioning vaccine safety.
Kennedy toured the CDC's Atlanta headquarters after a shooting incident on August 8 where a police officer was killed.
HHS said ensuring CDC employees' safety is a priority, and they dissociated themselves from linking public health reforms with the shooting.
Kennedy previously initiated workforce cuts at HHS, which have faced legal challenges.
Medical groups outside the federal government also oppose Kennedy's policies.
President Trump is pushing efforts to take action against those he views as his opponents by appointing key figures like Bill Pulte, Ed Martin, and Tulsi Gabbard. These individuals are using their positions to challenge past and current government officials and norms. Their actions are part of Trump's campaign to address what he considers the misuse of government power.
Key Facts
Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, is using social media to highlight allegations of fraud against Trump's opponents and has called for the resignation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
Ed Martin was appointed as the Justice Department's "weaponization czar" after his nomination as U.S. attorney failed. He has demoted prosecutors and investigated critics of Trump and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.
Tulsi Gabbard, as Director of National Intelligence, accused former Obama officials of conspiracy and revoked security clearances for dozens of officials.
Gabbard plans to cut the Office of the Director of National Intelligence's staff by 40%.
These actions are part of Trump's response to past investigations against him, including the Russia probe and his impeachments.
Trump’s White House says the actions aim to correct alleged past misconduct by the Biden administration.
Critics argue that these moves represent an ongoing campaign of revenge against Trump’s perceived adversaries.
Democratic Party officials are planning which state will hold the first vote in the 2028 presidential primary. Nevada, New Hampshire, and Michigan are the top contenders to replace Iowa as the initial state for the primary elections. The decision is significant because winning the first primary can help a candidate gain momentum in the race.
Key Facts
Democratic officials will discuss the 2028 primary state order in Minneapolis.
Nevada, New Hampshire, and Michigan are vying to be the first state in the 2028 Democratic primary.
Iowa traditionally started the primary process but lost its position due to issues in 2020.
Nevada's strengths include its diverse population and presence of union workers, but voter engagement is a concern.
New Hampshire voters are traditionally engaged, but the state's demographics lack diversity.
Michigan offers a diverse representation but is considered too large, potentially favoring wealthier candidates.
The Democratic National Committee now has 49 members on its Rules and Bylaws panel, up from 33.
Frank Caprio, a judge known for his kind and humorous approach, has passed away at the age of 88. He became popular on social media for his show "Caught in Providence," which showed his compassionate judgments. His family announced that he died from pancreatic cancer.
Key Facts
Frank Caprio was a US judge and social media star.
He was 88 years old at the time of his death.
He became famous for his show "Caught in Providence."
The show highlighted his compassion and humor in court.
His social media videos received billions of views.
Caprio's family announced he died from pancreatic cancer.
The announcement was made on Instagram to his 3.4 million followers.
Many kindergartners in the U.S. are missing a lot of school. This trend started during the pandemic, and it's a concern because missing school can affect young children's learning. A school district in California is trying to improve attendance by working closely with parents.
Key Facts
Kindergartners have high rates of missing school, which started during the pandemic.
A California school district is actively calling parents to encourage better attendance.
Chronically absent means missing 10% or more of the school year.
In California, over one-third of kindergartners were chronically absent last year.
Missing school can lead to struggles in reading and math by third grade.
Attendance Works is a nonprofit that studies the impact of school attendance.
Some parents may not realize how important regular attendance is due to post-pandemic challenges.
The Menendez brothers, Erik and Lyle, who were convicted of killing their parents 36 years ago, will have parole hearings starting on Thursday. A parole board in California will decide if they can be released from prison.
Key Facts
Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted of killing their parents.
The crime happened 36 years ago.
The parole hearings will last for two days.
The hearings will start on Thursday.
A California parole board will make the decision on their release.
The article discusses how aging affects people's bodies, minds, and relationships, often taking them by surprise, and how adult children can help their aging parents adjust. It highlights the challenges of age-related changes and the importance of understanding and supporting each other during this phase.
Key Facts
Aging can change a person's health, mental abilities, and relationships.
Society often focuses on staying young rather than facing the realities of aging.
Ageism, or discrimination based on age, can hinder understanding and acceptance of aging.
Older people may struggle with physical exercises to maintain health, as seen in the example of the author's mother.
Psychological adjustments are also required as people transition from careers and face changes in personal relationships.
Listening and understanding are crucial for adult children to support their aging parents.
Older individuals, like Arielou Marcy, find motivation and purpose through connections with family, friends, and pets.
Frank Caprio, known as the "nicest judge in the world," has passed away at the age of 88 due to pancreatic cancer. He became well-known through his TV show "Caught in Providence" where he showed kindness and humor in court. His family and fans remember him for his positive influence and encouragement to be kind.
Key Facts
Frank Caprio was a US judge and TV personality.
He died from pancreatic cancer at age 88.
His TV show "Caught in Providence" gained huge popularity for his compassionate approach in court.
The show's videos have billions of views online.
"Caught in Providence" was nominated for three Daytime Emmys.
Caprio's son thanked fans and encouraged spreading kindness.
Caprio was married for nearly 60 years and had a large family.
He shared his health battles on social media, asking for support.
President Trump ordered National Guard troops to patrol Washington, D.C., marking a significant change from usual practices because the city's National Guard reports directly to the president. The use of the National Guard in federal matters is not new, but Trump's move for crime control in D.C. differs from its typical deployment in emergencies or disasters.
Key Facts
President Trump deployed National Guard troops to patrol Washington, D.C.
The D.C. National Guard reports directly to the president because D.C. is not a state.
The National Guard can be activated by the president without a governor's consent.
The National Guard is typically used in emergencies like natural disasters or large-scale protests.
Trump used the National Guard in D.C. during 2020 protests over police brutality.
Deploying the National Guard solely to address crime rather than an emergency situation is unusual.
Historically, the U.S. has been cautious about military involvement in domestic affairs since the country's founding.
Presidents have deployed state militaries for federal matters since George Washington's era.
The article discusses the challenges faced by Anna Deutscher from Minnesota when her insurance denied coverage for her son's preventive hearing tests. Despite laws requiring preventive care coverage, Deutscher had to pay out of pocket and navigate the insurance appeals process. The article offers advice on how to handle such insurance denials.
Key Facts
Anna Deutscher's son, Beckham, has congenital CMV, necessitating regular hearing tests.
Insurance denied coverage for these preventive tests, costing the family about $350 each time.
Preventive care such as hearing tests is generally required to be covered by law.
Some insurance plans are exempt from these requirements due to being "grandfathered."
Insurance companies must provide reasons for coverage denials and outline steps for appeals.
The article provides tips on understanding policy coverage and filing appeals with insurance companies.
The article discusses the challenges faced by stateless people living in the United States. These individuals are not legally recognized as citizens by any country, making them vulnerable, especially during immigration crackdowns. The story focuses on Karina Ambartsoumian-Clough, who has co-founded a group advocating for the rights of stateless individuals.
Key Facts
Karina Ambartsoumian-Clough was born in Soviet Ukraine and came to the U.S. in 1996.
Her family could not register as citizens due to changes in nationality laws, leaving Karina stateless.
Stateless people are not recognized as citizens by any country.
In the U.S., about 218,000 people are estimated to be stateless or at risk of becoming stateless.
The Trump administration's immigration policies increase vulnerability for stateless individuals.
Karina helped start United Stateless, a group that supports stateless people's rights.
Detention and lack of recognition create significant challenges for stateless individuals.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has not provided data on stateless individuals in custody.
A new initiative by NPR and KFF Health News aims to assist people in the U.S. with difficulties they encounter in the healthcare system. They invite individuals to share their problems related to insurance, hospital processes, or cost disputes so that experts can help address these issues.
Key Facts
NPR and KFF Health News launched a Health Care Helpline.
The helpline assists people with understanding and navigating the U.S. healthcare system.
Common issues include pre-authorization delays, lack of in-network specialists, and cost disputes.
People can share their healthcare stories to get help from policy experts.
The initiative is designed to help people overcome obstacles to receiving good care.
