Wrapping up my week in the Midwest at St. Mary’s of Gotsyn, where my 2nd great-granduncle Fr. Florian was pastor 130 years ago. Picked up this 2nd grader’s artful Memorare prayer card after Mass—a nice reminder that our universal Church’s beauty spans generations. Happy Sunday!

Once I spot little Scouts selling popcorn, they’ve got me on lock. The sales struggle is real when most wish you were peddling cookies—I remember it all too well.

#BREAKING: UCLA again denies any responsibility for the rampant antisemitism it encouraged and facilitated by helping antisemitic agitators to ban Jewish students from large parts of campus last spring. becketlaw.org/case/frankel-v…

Remembering Red Grange’s five-touchdown game against Michigan 100 years ago today, this Illinois team has what it takes to hold their lead at the half! Grantland Rice, The Sportlight, N.Y. Herald Tribune, Oct. 24, 1924, at 16:

#BREAKING: A federal appeals court ruled 3-0 that California is violating the law by discriminating against religious parents and schools in its special-education programs. The Ninth Circuit’s ruling is here: becketnewsite.s3.amazonaws.com/20241028115150…

Apache Stronghold (Apache Stronghold) asked #SCOTUS to reject the federal government’s plans to destroy a sacred site where Apaches have held religious ceremonies for centuries. becketnewsite.s3.amazonaws.com/20241107093214…

Oak Flat "bears little resemblance to the churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples we regard as sacred space." But religious freedom "has never been about protecting only what is familiar or convenient." More from Robert P. George in First Things: firstthings.com/web-exclusives…

#BREAKING: The Supreme Court has just decided to hear a case that goes to the heart of church-state relationships in this country. becketnewsite.s3.amazonaws.com/20241213143319…

TODAY: The Radonis family and a Maine Catholic school were in a federal appeals court challenging a state law that excludes most faith-based schools from serving rural families through Maine’s tuition assistance program.

#BREAKING: The Supreme Court will hear a case that could protect notice and opt-out rights for parents in Montgomery County, Maryland. A diverse group of religious parents is asking the Court to restore their right to opt their children out of storybooks that push one-sided

Excited to share that my latest article, coauthored with Matthew Krauter, is forthcoming in the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. The Untold Story of the Proto-Smith Era: Justice O'Connor's Papers and the Court's Free Exercise Revolution. SSRN Link here, and comments welcome: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf…

After uncovering historical evidence with Free Exercise Clause implications in the Justice O’Connor papers, Stephanie Hall Barclay and Matthew Krauter explain its “immediate implications for current litigation, particularly Apache Stronghold v. United States.” More👇reason.com/volokh/2025/02…

66 members of Congress, 26 states, 35 members of the Maryland legislature, diverse faith groups, and legal scholars asked the Supreme Court yesterday to ensure that parents can opt their children out of storybooks that push one-sided ideology on gender and sexuality. Find

Pope Leo XIV meeting Pope John Paul II

BREAKING: A federal court just temporarily blocked the feds from giving an Indigenous sacred site, Oak Flat, to a Chinese-owned mining giant for destruction. The ruling comes as the Supreme Court is considering whether to hear an Apache group’s appeal to protect the site.

Very important new case:

BREAKING: In a 9-0 victory, the Supreme Court ruled that Wisconsin cannot discriminate against Catholic Charities Bureau’s care for the poor, the elderly, and the disabled.

BREAKING: The Supreme Court just ruled in favor of nuns fighting New York’s abortion mandate. The ruling orders New York courts to reconsider whether the state can force religious organizations to pay for abortions.

Victory for parents’ right to guide their children’s education! The Supreme Court just ruled 6-3 that parents have the right to opt their children out of storybooks that push one-sided ideology on gender and sexuality in violation of their religious beliefs.

This is a truly outrageous ruling. After 14 years of litigation, PA and NJ are still trying to force the Little Sisters of the Poor to violate their consciences and now a district court is signing off on it. When will the higher courts say "Enough is enough!"