State of the States Greg Chafuen,
senior counsel for the legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, said the law “ensures that every person — regardless of their religious creed or political power — receives a fair hearing when government action burdens their freedom to live out their beliefs.”
WASHINGTON
MAYOR IN FLAP OVER FLAGS Newcastle Mayor Robert Clark clashed with an LGBTQ+ activist over the city’s decision to fly the POW/MIA flag. During a city council meeting, the activist, identified as Jen, claimed the decision to display the flag was a political stunt following the council’s rejection of flying a pride flag over city hall last year. Jen argued that the pride flag
represents a broader group of people than the POW/MIA flag. “This country was founded
because veterans lost their lives,” the mayor fired back. “Those 82,000 people who never came home will never have a chance to have a family or grow up, while you can fly your pride flag. They sacrificed their lives all over the world for America and for freedom around the world.”
WYOMING
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT PASSES Wyoming became the 29th state to enact a Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The legislation afirms
the right to practice one’s religion without government interference and provides a legal pathway for individuals to sue the government if their rights are violated. The law applies to all state
and local laws and regulations — even those already in effect.
House Bill 1005 requiring voter identification cards to include a photo of the
voter. Under the proposed bill, the Secretary of State Election Board would work with Service Oklahoma, a program that helps Oklahomans navigate government services, to provide a way for Oklahomans to receive a voter ID card at no cost.
The new cards would be VIRGINIA
‘QUEER BIBLE’ COLLEGE CLASS The University of Richmond is offering a new course, titled “Queer Bible,” which explores the intersection of queer theory, sexuality, and biblical texts. The course examines how
biblical interpretations can be “queered” to explore topics such as gender identity, queer hermeneutics, queer time, and queer pleasure. The class is taught by Rhiannon Graybill, a member of the university’s Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies Advisory Board. Graybill’s first book, Are We Not Men?, analyzed the “performance of masculinity by biblical prophets,” aiming to show that prophetic masculinity is a form of queer masculinity. Similar courses are being
offered at other universities and colleges across the country.
OKLAHOMA
BILL REQUIRES PHOTO OF VOTER The state House of Representatives has passed
required for all in-person and absentee voting. “By requiring a photo ID for all voters, we are securing the votes of all Oklahomans and enhancing transparency and accountability in our elections. I appreciate the support of my colleagues in the House as we work together to protect Oklahoma’s elections,” said Republican Jim Olsen, who filed the bill.
TEXAS PENNSYLVANIA
STUDENTS’ PHONES PUT ON HOLD A new bill would restrict K-12 students from using cellphones during school hours. Introduced by state
Republican Rep. Caroline Fairly, the legislation has gained bipartisan support. Fairly, the only Gen Z member in the House, said her experience growing up with smartphones gives her a unique understanding of their impact in the classroom. “When you see what is being pushed on social media and the distraction it causes, there is a need for our government to support educators,” she said. Students would place their phones in specialized pouches that they carry throughout the day, allowing parents to track their location. If the bill becomes law, it will take effect during the next school year.
STATE-LEVEL OBAMACARE BACKUP A package of four bills have passed in the state House of Representatives that would encode parts of the Affordable Care Act into state law. Sponsored by Democrat Rep. Dan Frankel of Allegheny, the package provides similar benefits to the ACA in the event it is struck down by the federal government. For example, one bill allows parents to keep their offspring on healthcare plans until they reach the age of 26. Another bill prohibits
insurance companies from putting a lifetime or annual limit on care. The package passed the House, with the support of 101 Democrats and at least 20 Republicans. It now goes to the state Senate, controlled by Republicans. Staff for Democrat Gov. Josh Shapiro says he will sign the bills if they reach his desk.
MAY 2025 | NEWSMAX 21 OHIO
2 ACCUSED OF SELLING GUNS TO CARTELS Two Cleveland men have been indicted for allegedly attempting to sell firearms to Mexican cartels. Yarquimedes Rodriguez Hilario and Adison Lopez- Ramirez face charges of conspiracy to trafic firearms and money laundering for running a gun traficking scheme between 2021 and 2023. According to court
documents, they tried to sell 90 rifles and one machine gun to federal oficials posing as cartel members. They could face up to 35 years in federal prison.
POW FLAG/PHOTO BY KATHY FEENEY©ISTOCK / BOOK/SHUTTERSTOCK AI GENERATOR
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
