The LOOP

The Monday Loop - August 10, 2026

HUNTER BIDEN GIVES UPDATE ON FATHER’S CANCER

Hunter Biden says former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has metastasized into his bones "and further," causing severe pain and leaving him debilitated in many respects. The 83-year-old nevertheless remains publicly active and is working on a memoir expected to release after the midterms.

SENATE DELAYS COLLEGE SPORTS BILL

The Senate adjourned for its August recess without voting on the Protect College Sports Act after an all-night session. Majority Leader John Thune put the bill on September’s calendar, leaving more time to address CatholicVote's warnings that its preemption language could jeopardize state protections for women’s sports.

SECOND FORMER NBA PLAYER DECLARES FOR THE WNBA DRAFT

Former NBA first-round pick and Minnesota Republican Senate candidate Royce White says he will join Enes Kanter Freedom in declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft in order to force the league to define “woman” in its entry criteria. White said he would sue for discrimination if he went undrafted and unsigned.

EL-SAYED DEFENDS TAX HIKES & HASAN PIKER TIES

Republican Mike Rogers holds a razor-thin lead over Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed in the RealClearPolitics average, but no survey has been taken since El-Sayed's primary victory. El-Sayed over the weekend acknowledged Medicare for All could raise middle-class taxes and refused to cut ties with Hasan Piker, calling the streamer’s notorious 9/11 remark “dumb” while leaving the door open to campaign with him again.

SOCIALIST HONG’S SURGE ALARMS WISCONSIN DEM ESTABLISHMENT

Democratic socialist state Rep. Francesca Hong is surging ahead of Tuesday’s primary, alarming centrists who fear she could squander a toss-up race against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany.

PARENT WATCHDOG BLOWS WHISTLE ON DEI PUSH FOR SCHOOL AI

The nation's most powerful teachers' unions want K-12 AI tools developed through an “equity lens,” injecting DEI principles into the classroom by a whole new route. Parents' rights group Defending Education flagged the effort early, however, giving families and education officials a chance to demand transparency before the technology becomes embedded in America’s schools.

RFK JR, FORMER FDA CHIEF UNITE AGAINST ULTRAPROCESSED FOOD

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former FDA Commissioner David Kessler disagree sharply on vaccines, but they have united against a federal loophole that lets food companies self-certify ingredients as safe. "Over the last 40 years, the United States has been exposed to something that our biology was never intended to handle," Kessler says: "Energy-dense, highly palatable, rapidly absorbable, ultraprocessed foods that have altered our metabolism and have resulted in the greatest increase in chronic disease in our history."

HOW TO MAKE THE HOLY HOUR FULTON SHEEN RECOMMENDED

Want to make a Holy Hour but aren't sure how? Archbishop Fulton Sheen's practical advice plus this minute-by-minute guide make it easy for beginners and fruitful for everyone. Automatic bulk discounts apply for a parish, chapel, OCIA class, Confirmation class, family, or friends. Order yours today and inspire others to pray! SALE PRICE TODAY

POPE LEO: ‘WAR ONLY BEGETS MORE WAR’

Following Sunday’s Angelus, Pope Leo XIV called for humanitarian corridors and an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, then mourned multiplying civilian deaths — including children — in Ukraine and Russia. “It is time to put an end to this vicious cycle of violence,” he said, urging both sides to cease attacks on civilian targets and choose diplomacy and dialogue.

‘CHURCH-FREE’ CALL ALARMS CHRISTIANS IN VIOLENCE-SCARRED INDIAN STATE

At a political event attended by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, speakers reportedly called for the state to be made “church-free” and demanded restrictions on people they labeled “infidels.”

LESSONS I’VE LEARNED FROM WEEDING

The time, attention to detail, and patience needed to cultivate a beautiful garden are just as necessary for cultivating a beautiful life. Ava Cilento reflects on the wisdom hidden in the humble work of weeding — and why worthwhile growth rarely happens all at once.

CATHOLIC 101

Strong emotions are not sins in themselves, and trying to “pray them away” can leave the real spiritual work undone. Here's a practical Catholic path for naming what we feel, pausing before reacting, and allowing grace to redirect our emotions toward virtue, charity, and spiritual freedom.

SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Lawrence was a Roman deacon entrusted with the Church’s alms and martyred under Emperor Valerian in 258. Tradition remembers him presenting the poor, widows, and orphans as the true treasures of the Church when Roman authorities demanded its wealth.

DAILY PSALM

"Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.” (Psalm 112)

DAILY READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

NEW EPISODE

Just steps from a busy Roman roadway lies an oasis of peace: the Abbey of the Three Fountains. Visit the site of St. Paul’s martyrdom and discover the Trappist monks who continue a centuries-old life of work and prayer. Check out the latest episode of Wander Italia, out now on Zeale. WATCH

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