Virginia Supreme Court tosses out congressional map that favored Democrats

aerial view of virginia state capitol in richmond

The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday tossed out a congressional redistricting referendum passed by Virginia voters last month, striking a blow to Democrats hoping to gain a more favorable map and increase their number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The decision overturns voters’ approval of a new congressional map that would have given Democrats an advantage in 10 House districts, leaving just one safe Republican seat. Although both of Virginia’s U.S. senators are Democrats, its House delegation is split with six Democratic representatives and five Republicans.  “We hold that the legislative process employed to advance this proposal violated Article XII, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia,” the opinion says. The court found that the commonwealth had “submitted a proposed constitutional amendment to Virginia voters in an unprecedented manner that violated the intervening-election requirement.”  “This violation irreparably undermines the integrity of the resulting referendum vote and renders it null and void,” the court ruled. Under Virginia law, before a constitutional amendment can be put before the voters, it must be approved by the General Assembly twice, with an election for the House of Delegates between the two votes. In this case, the court noted, voting in the general election for the House of Delegates began on Sept. 19, 2025, and ended on Election Day, on Nov. 4, 2025. The General Assembly’s vote on proposing the redistricting amendment to Virginia voters took place on Oct. 31, and by then, about 40% — or more than 1.3 million Virginians — had already cast their ballots. The court determined that the redistricting amendment process in this case deprived those 1.3 million voters of their constitutionally protected “opportunity to elect the House of Delegates that will participate in the second legislative vote on the proposed amendment.” 

Source: Virginia Supreme Court tosses out congressional map that favored Democrats – CBS News

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9

Abortion Survivor; Michele’s Story

“My story began in the pre-Roe v. Wade era of 1962. As the youngest of seven children in a large, financially struggling family, my conception came at a particularly challenging time for…

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Supreme Court unanimously slaps down blue state targeting pro-life group

Supreme Court of the United States building

The Supreme Court unanimously sided with a group of faith-based pregnancy centers on Wednesday that challenged the New Jersey attorney general’s investigation into whether the centers misled donors and the public about steering women away from having abortions. The case was brought by First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, a group of five Christian-based facilities in New Jersey that provide various pre-natal services to women facing unplanned pregnancies. The Supreme Court found the state investigation violated the centers’ First Amendment rights, handing a victory to the pro-life movement, which had argued the probe rattled the centers’ donors. The opinion was narrow, finding that First Choice is now able to sue over the state investigation in federal court.

Source: Supreme Court unanimously slaps down blue state targeting pro-life group | Fox News

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
1 John 4:12

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Justice Sotomayor apologizes to Justice Kavanaugh for public criticism of immigration opinion

The U.S. Supreme Court building and American flag under a dramatic sunset sky.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a rare public apology Wednesday over what she called “inappropriate” remarks aimed at Justice Brett Kavanaugh for his vote last year to allow aggressive Trump administration immigration enforcement tactics, which critics had called racial profiling. “I had a colleague in that case who wrote, you know, these are only ‘temporary stops,’” Sotomayor said at the University of Kansas School of Law last week, referring to Kavanaugh’s concurring opinion in the case.

“This is from a man whose parents were professionals. And probably doesn’t really know any person who works by the hour.” While the Court’s majority did not formally explain its decision to lift a restraining order against the ICE strategy for targeting suspected unauthorized immigrants in California, Kavanaugh wrote separately to explain his view that “apparent ethnicity” could be a “relevant factor” in determining probable cause to detain a person. 

Source: Justice Sotomayor apologizes to Justice Kavanaugh for public criticism of immigration opinion – ABC News

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:13

California Fines Church $1.2 Million for Worship; Now the Supreme Court Must Decide if the Constitution Still Stands

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Advocates for Faith & Freedom, in partnership with the American Center for Law & Justice, has filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari asking the United States Supreme Court to overturn more than $1.2 million in fines imposed on Calvary Chapel San Jose and Pastor Mike McClure for the simple act of gathering to worship. This case stands as one of the clearest examples of government overreach against a church in modern American history. During COVID, California forced churches to close, restrict worship, and enforce mandates that violated Calvary Chapel’s sincerely held beliefs. At the very same time, the state allowed widespread exemptions for secular operations such as restaurants, athletic programs, and government offices.

Calvary Chapel chose obedience to Scripture over obedience to shifting political orders. The county retaliated with rapidly escalating fines that soared to $5,000 per day, ultimately exceeding $1.2 million, along with coercive demands for sworn compliance with orders later deemed unconstitutional. In addition to the $1,228,700 judgment, Santa Clara County is seeking $1,098,244 in attorneys’ fees and $45,753 in costs, which remain stayed pending appeal. If imposed, the total financial burden on Calvary Chapel would exceed $2.37 million – a staggering sum designed to punish a church for worshipping God during a crisis. The petition emphasizes that the Supreme Court has already ruled in Tandon v. Newsom that government cannot treat religious gatherings worse than comparable secular activities. California ignored that mandate and continued to target churches. “Government officials may not weaponize emergencies to suspend the First Amendment,” said Erin Mersino, Vice President and Chief of Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation for Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “California imposed some of the most aggressive restrictions on churches in the country, and this case is about ensuring the government never does this again.”

Source: California Fines Church $1.2 Million for Worship; Now the Supreme Court Must Decide if the Constitution Still Stands – Christian Newswire

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30

The Story of a Japanese Wallet; Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Japan wallet analogy draws conservative backlash

Open brown leather wallet showing card slots and stamped with HANDMADE IN ITALY.

Liberal Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson faced viral backlash from conservatives over a comment during oral arguments about birthright citizenship where she floated an analogy comparing the issue to stealing a wallet in Japan.  “I was thinking, you know, I’m a U.S. citizen and visiting Japan and what it means is that, you know, if I steal someone’s wallet in Japan, the Japanese authorities can arrest me and prosecute me,” Jackson said during Wednesday’s oral arguments centered on President Trump’s 2025 executive order advancing a narrower interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause.

“It’s allegiance, meaning, they can control you as a matter of law. I can also rely on them if my wallet is stolen to, you know, under Japanese law, go and prosecute the person who has stolen it. So there’s this relationship based on, even though I’m a temporary traveler, I’m just on vacation in Japan, I’m still locally owing allegiance in that sense. Is that the right way to think about it? And if so, doesn’t that explain why both temporary residents and undocumented people would have that kind of, quote-unquote, allegiance, just by virtue of being in the United States?”

Source: Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Japan wallet analogy draws conservative backlash | Fox News

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments.
Psalm 112:1

Supreme Court to hear arguments over Trump’s birthright citizenship order today

The U.S. Supreme Court building and American flag under a dramatic sunset sky.

Washington — The Supreme Court will convene for arguments Wednesday to consider the legality of President Trump’s executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship. The question in the case, known as Trump v. Barbara, is whether the president’s directive complies with the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause and federal immigration law enacted in 1952. Mr. Trump issued the executive order on the first day of his second term as part of his plans for a sweeping immigration crackdown, but it has not taken effect because of decisions from lower courts finding it is likely unlawful. The White House’s official schedule for Wednesday says Mr. Trump will personally attend the arguments, which, if he follows through, would make him the first sitting president on record to do so.

The president previously said he wanted to attend the oral arguments when the Supreme Court was considering a challenge to his sweeping tariffs in November, but later backed down, writing, “I do not want to distract from the importance of this Decision.” In the lead-up to arguments, Mr. Trump has taken to social media to defend his plan and attacked the courts as “stupid.” In a post to Truth Social in late February, the president claimed the Supreme Court “will find a way to come to the wrong conclusion” in the case.

Source: Supreme Court to hear arguments over Trump’s birthright citizenship order today – CBS News

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:11

No Kings protests returns

domestic sheep walking in enclosure in summer ranch

“No Kings” protests returning to cites around the US.

Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.
Deuteronomy 7:9

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Retired California teaching assistant Angel Barba has been a baby squirrel foster mom for the last seven years.  Source: Squirrel Foster Mom You Tube

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Supreme Court Seems Open To Taking Away Key Election Rule Beloved By Dems

paper with the words postal vote in a typewriter

The Supreme Court seemed open Monday to cracking down on states’ ability to accept mail-in ballots that arrive late. Several justices seemed concerned about the “slippery slope” of counting ballots received after Election Day, raising questions about who can receive ballots and how to address perceptions of fraud. “When do I know whether or not a choice is final?” Justice Clarence Thomas asked Missouri Solicitor General Scott Stewart.

Source: Supreme Court Seems Open To Taking Away Key Election Rule Beloved By Dems | CDN

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15

Supreme Court weighs whether to allow grace periods for mail ballots

a peron filling up a voting ballot

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments over a Mississippi law that allows counting late-arriving mail ballots after Election Day.

Source: Supreme Court weighs whether to allow grace periods for mail ballots | AP News

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:8

US Supreme Court blocks California privacy protections for transgender students

person holding a gavel

The U.S. Supreme Court blocked on Monday a series of California laws that can limit the sharing of information with parents about the gender identity of transgender public school students without the child’s permission, handing a victory to ‌Christian parents who challenged these protections.

Source: US Supreme Court blocks California privacy protections for transgender students

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
Luke 11:13

Under-the-Radar Important News Stories: April 9–16, 2026

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Lake Tahoe bear damages vehicle after becoming trapped inside

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Christian Persecution News Roundup: April 8–15, 2026

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Humanoid robot saves Warsaw from wild boars in viral video

A humanoid robot named Edward Warchocki can be seen chasing a group of wild boars out of Warsaw in a viral social media video. In the popular video, Warchocki can be seen running after wild boars who have congregated in his local community. Fitted with his own backpack, the robot chased the animals out of…

Walmart employee shot and killed in parking lot in West Virginia

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Minneapolis man dies days after being assaulted by his neighbor, police say

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Illegal Alien Charged With Assaulting Federal Officer

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Michigan Gov. Whitmer declares state of emergency for 32 counties following storms

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