The LOOP
The Thursday Loop - January 8, 2026
ADMIN DEFENDS ICE AGENT'S FATAL SHOOTING OF CITIZEN
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a 37-year-old woman in south Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement operation yesterday. Trump administration officials swiftly defended the shooting as justified, stating the woman, who was operating a vehicle, had intended to run over the ICE agent.
HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE NEW FOOD PYRAMID
In a major overhaul of federal nutrition advice, the White House released new dietary guidelines Jan. 7 calling Americans to return to “real food,” more protein and healthy fats, and far fewer processed foods with high carbohydrate contents.
WHITE HOUSE LOOKS AT PROCURING GREENLAND
President Donald Trump’s administration is actively pushing to acquire Greenland from Denmark, citing the island’s strategic value in the Arctic amid growing threats from rivals, such as China and Russia. Officials "are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said this week, "and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal."
SPEAKER JOHNSON: WE WILL NOT ABANDON HYDE
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters yesterday that he and his party will not "change the standard that we’re not gonna use taxpayer funding for abortion." The comments came a day after Trump suggested the GOP be "flexible" about the Hyde Amendment, a routine attachment to new legislation that protects against tax dollars being put toward abortions.
THE THREE-POINT PLAN FOR VENEZUELA
Secretary of State Marco Rubio yesterday laid out a three-step plan for Venezuela: stabilize the country, open its energy sector to U.S. oil companies during a recovery phase, and transition political power. Here are the details.
RELIGIOUS ART AND THE REVIVAL OF RELIGION
A British art historian and former art dealer took note in a recent column of the rising interest in Catholicism among Gen Z and posed a provocative question: Is the interest because of the Catholic Church’s use of religious art?
VIRGINIA BISHOPS CALL ON CATHOLICS TO DEFEND LIFE
Thousands of pro-life advocates are expected to gather in Richmond Jan. 15 for the fifth annual Virginia Pro-Life Day, as the General Assembly begins its 2026 session and abortion advocates push for a constitutional amendment that would make abortion a protected “right” in Virginia.
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SATANISTS LOSE BID TO OVERTHROW INDIANA PRO-LIFE LAW
In a unanimous decision issued Jan. 6, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit dismissed a lawsuit filed by The Satanic Temple that challenged Indiana’s pro-life law, ruling that the group lacks the legal standing to bring the case.
POPE LEO APPOINTS NEW BISHOP OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
Pope Leo yesterday appointed Bishop John Bonnici, an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of New York since 2022, as the new bishop of the Diocese of Rochester, New York. Bishop Bonnici succeeds Bishop Salvatore Ronald Matano, who has served in the diocese since 2013.
AVOIDING WORKPLACE GOSSIP
Gossip can be a major vice of the workplace. You may find it difficult to avoid participating in it while also maintaining friendship with those gossiping. Here is some advice.
CATHOLIC 101
There's an important lesson in the example of St. Edmund Campion, who gave a public account of his faith in full knowledge that his words would be used against him. Here's what we can learn from "Campion's Brag."
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today the Church celebrates St. Apollinaris, a first-century martyr who was made bishop of Ravenna by St. Peter the Apostle. Apollinaris converted many with miracles and powerful preaching. He was beaten and exiled on several occasions, always returning to his city and his people. Tradition holds that after returning to Ravenna for the last time, he was dragged through the city, beaten cruelly, and finally died from his wounds.
DAILY PSALM
"Lord, every nation on earth will adore you." (Psalm 72)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
LOOPcast
What does President Trump actually want from Venezuela, and is Greenland next in line? We break down the strategic, economic, and geopolitical stakes behind the headlines. Meanwhile, priests in Charlotte are raising serious concerns and taking them directly to the Vatican. And finally, we reveal the truth behind a bizarre Hilton ICE scandal that exploded online. All this and more on the!
