Gavin Newsom

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Jason Berry gets overdue recognition; David Von Drehle looks at next month's California recall election; and volcanic eruptions in Iceland.

California's Catholic bishops "remain committed to the complete resumption of indoor worship in a responsible and safe manner," said an April 13 statement.

Experts and advocates warn that disabled people and communities of color in the U.S. are being left out of the early distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, even though the virus has disproportionately harmed them.

The Supreme Court, once again siding with houses of worship opposed to pandemic-related restrictions, ordered lower federal courts in Colorado and New Jersey Dec. 15 to reexamine state-imposed indoor worship restrictions.

The diocese is challenging Cuomo's order on religious freedom grounds. COVID-19 cases have surged nationwide in November, leading to new restrictions on businesses.

After a federal appeals court rejected its motion for an emergency injunction against California Gov. Gavin Newsom's COVID-19 restrictions on indoor worship, a Pasadena-based apostolic Christian church filed a brief Oct. 5 for that court to consider the "full merits" of a preliminary injunction.

Thousands of hospitality workers are urging California Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a bill ensuring that those laid off due to the pandemic will be able to return to their jobs when the positions become available. The workers are organizing with the help of Unite Here Local 11, a union that represents 30,000 workers in Southern California and Arizona.

While state orders have forced some Catholic dioceses to abandon their more assertive approach to reopening schools, other dioceses are using the divergence from online public schools as a marketing point.