skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Pope Visit Inspires Calls for Immigrant, Refugee Rights in TN

play audio
Play

Wednesday, September 23, 2015   

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Pope Francis' historic visit to the United States is prompting action among Tennesseans to speak out in favor of the pontiff's support of immigrants.

Faith communities across Tennessee will hold vigils today to celebrate the pope's arrival and his request that churches open their doors to refugees. Eben Cathey, spokesman for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said the pope has an opportunity to advance immigration reform in this country.

"He has an amazing platform to push for dignity and respect for immigrant families and for changes to our immigration system that will respect our American values," Cathey said.

Francis on Thursday will be the first pope in history to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress. In it, he is expected to challenge Congress on immigrant issues and ask lawmakers to open America's doors to struggling immigrants, versus creating policies to make it more difficult to find a path to citizenship.

At least six Republican candidates for president are Roman Catholic. At a time when much of their discussion has centered around immigration issues, Cathey said, he hopes the pope's visit will inspire solidarity and remove partisan politics from the discussion.

"There are faith communities across the nation that support comprehensive immigration reform," he said, "so it's time for Congress to stop senseless and inhumane treatment of immigrant families and pass a bill that's going to grant immigrant families a path to citizenship."

Three members of the Women's Committee with Cathey's organization marched to Washington from Pennsylvania with other immigrant women from across the country, to speak out in support of Francis' message of dignity and respect for all immigrants.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

play sound

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021