California

A California city recently ruled that a church that owns a building downtown cannot use it for worship because the church's presence and use of the building could inhibit city growth.

Governor Newsom released new guidelines on Monday that will allow houses of worship of gather.

Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband of the U.S. Department of Justice issued a letter to the state of California on Tuesday warning Governor Newsom that his ban on in-person church services is likely unconstitutional.

Nearly 500 pastors are planning on reopening their churches by May 31 with or without permission from the governor.

A group of Southern California pastors sued Gov. Gavin Newsom as well as Riverside and San Bernardino county officials, claiming social distancing orders violate the First Amendment that protects their right to assemble. The suit seeks to block the state and county orders that don’t include churches among the essential infrastructure where people are allowed to meet in person.

A California county has banned churches from singing or using woodwind instruments in their online services during the COVID-19 pandemic unless the performances are done at the individual’s residence.

A bill introduced in California would allow children to have abortions and possibly receive transgender hormone treatments without their parent's permission.

A new California bill would prohibit retailers from separating boys and girls items in stores. The bill's goal is to celebrate gender neutrality.

Department of Health and Human Services officials informed the state of California that it is at risk for losing federal funding if it continues to require private health insurers to cover abortions.

A California mayor is standing behind his city's decision to add “In God We Trust” decals to the city’s police cars.