The LOOP

The Friday Loop - September 18, 2026

EPA TO INVESTIGATE ABORTION DRUGS IN AMERICA’S DRINKING WATER

The Environmental Protection Agency will analyze drinking water for more than 1,400 chemicals, including abortion drugs, contraceptives, and hormones sometimes used in gender “transition” treatments. Students for Life hailed the move as a “victory for common sense” that responds to the “thousands of Americans worried about the levels of fertility-crushing pharmaceuticals in the water.”

EXCLUSIVE: FEDERAL TAX CREDIT COULD MARK ‘GOLDEN AGE’ FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Catholic education is uniquely poised to transform society, and the Education Freedom Tax Credit taking effect January 2027 could be instrumental in supporting it, according to the CEO of the Catholic Education Fund. The tax credit “is one of the most important things that's ever happened for Catholic education,” he told Zeale News, “because it's basically a federal voucher.”

REPORT: DEMOCRAT-ALIGNED FUNDRAISING MACHINE IS RIFE WITH FRAUD

The Democratic Party-aligned fundraising giant ActBlue likely committed widespread fraud and knowingly accepted donations from foreign sources, a bombshell congressional report concluded. Supervisors instructed employees to ignore clear red flags and even retaliated against whistleblowers.

CHILD POVERTY HIT RECORD LOW IN 2025

The U.S. child poverty rate fell to a record low 13.4% in 2025, while overall poverty neared historic lows and inflation-adjusted median household income reached a record high, according to new Census Bureau data.

TRUMP ADMIN TOUTS 250 FAITH VICTORIES

The White House highlighted 250 actions it says demonstrate that Trump is “the most pro-faith, pro-life, and pro-religious liberty president in American history,” including religious freedom protections, conscience safeguards, and efforts to investigate anti-Catholic bias under the Biden administration.

DEMOCRATS TRY TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM ‘TRANSGENDER’ RHETORIC

With midterm elections on the horizon, some Democrats are pivoting away from their party’s radical adherence to transgender ideology and voicing support for a broadly popular measure to protect girls’ and women’s sports. CatholicVote’s Joshua Mercer warned voters not to “be deceived by these last-minute fake conversions.”

ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP WITHDRAWS AWARD TO MUSLIM CLERIC WHO PRAISED BIN LADEN

The Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury has withdrawn an interfaith award she presented to a Pakistani Muslim cleric after reports revealed that he had previously praised Osama bin Laden, an honor made all the more controversial because it was presented on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

AD: 2 NEW CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S BOOKS OUT NOW

Help little hearts grow in virtue with two new Catholic children’s books. Avery learns to face worry with faith, while Aria discovers the quiet courage to speak up with love. Beautifully illustrated stories help families talk about faith, peace, truth, and kindness. LEARN MORE

US BISHOPS FORM AI TASK FORCE, TAKE SAFEGUARDS PUSH TO CAPITOL HILL

Artificial intelligence is reshaping daily life, and Catholic leaders are pressing for human oversight and protections against misuse. Their new task force follows talks with technology companies and a congressional push for stronger safeguards.

POPE LEO NAMES US BISHOPS’ MIGRATION CHAIR TO LEAD ILLINOIS DIOCESE

Bishop Brendan Cahill, who has led the Diocese of Victoria, Texas, for more than a decade and holds a national role in the Church’s ministry to migrants, will be a “wonderful gift” to the faithful in Joliet, Illinois, according to his new post’s predecessor.

HOLISTIC EATING FOR THE BUSY WOMAN

Exercise and healthy eating are two sides of the same coin. In this exclusive interview with Zeale Lifestyle, Brittany Pearson, founder of Healthy Catholic Moms, offers encouragement and resources for busy women who want to achieve realistic and maintainable wellness goals.

CATHOLIC 101

The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a short, simple prayer recited using Rosary beads, but the graces that flow from this prayer can be life-changing. A Catholic evangelist explains how the prayer changed his relationship with Our Lord.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Today, the Church celebrates the "flying friar," St. Joseph of Cupertino. He faced many struggles on his path to the priesthood, but through prayer and perseverance, he continued following the Lord.

TODAY'S PSALM

"Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.” (Psalm 17)

TODAY'S READINGS

Today's Mass readings.

NEW SHOW

Join Steve Cortes on a visit to his hometown of Chicago, where an independent school called Hope Academy is providing an alternative for children who might otherwise be lost to Chicago’s rampant crime and failing public schools. Check out the first episode of our newest series Cortes Investigates, out now on Zeale. WATCH

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