Coronavirus

Calif. County Tracked Church Members during COVID with Cell Phone Data: Court Documents

Calif. County Tracked Church Members during COVID with Cell Phone Data: Court Documents

A California county government used the location data on church members’ cell phones in 2020 and 2021 in order to determine if a high-profile congregation, Calvary Chapel, was violating pandemic health restrictions, according to court documents.

U.S. Energy Department, FBI Say COVID-19 Pandemic Likely Started with Lab Leak in China

U.S. Energy Department, FBI Say COVID-19 Pandemic Likely Started with Lab Leak in China

A new intelligence report from the U.S. Energy Department suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic began following a leak at a lab in Wuhan, China.

Energy Department Says Lab Leak Most Likely Origin of COVID-19 Pandemic

Energy Department Says Lab Leak Most Likely Origin of COVID-19 Pandemic

The US Energy Department (USED) has concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic origin was most likely a laboratory leak.

According to the Wall Street Journal, this conclusion “is the result of new intelligence and is significant because the agency has considerable scientific expertise and oversees a network of US national laboratories, some of which conduct advanced biological research.” However, people who have read the classified report add that the USED made its judgment with “low confidence” (which means that it is based on highly incomplete evidence).

1/3 of Americans Stopped Attending Church following the Pandemic: Survey

1/3 of Americans Stopped Attending Church following the Pandemic: Survey

According to a new American Enterprise Institute (AEI) survey, about a third of Americans have stopped attending church since the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

Healthcare Workers Fired over COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate to Recieve $10 Million in Settlement

Healthcare Workers Fired over COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate to Recieve $10 Million in Settlement

Last week, a federal judge approved a $10 million settlement for healthcare workers in Illinois who were fired for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine or denied a religious exemption from the shot.

Fraudulent Ministry Leaders Arrested for Using Millions in COVID-19 Relief Funds to Buy Mansion

Fraudulent Ministry Leaders Arrested for Using Millions in COVID-19 Relief Funds to Buy Mansion

Leaders of a fraudulent ministry are being charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and visa fraud after spending millions in COVID-19 pandemic relief funds for a down payment on a mansion in Central Florida.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Announces Grand Jury Investigation into Wrongdoing Regarding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Announces Grand Jury Investigation into Wrongdoing Regarding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines

Florida governor Ron DeSantis (R) is calling on the state’s Supreme Court to impanel a grand jury to investigate misconduct regarding COVID-19 vaccines.

California Supreme Court Denies City's Petition to Have Church Pay over $200,000 for Violating COVID-19 Restrictions

California Supreme Court Denies City's Petition to Have Church Pay over $200,000 for Violating COVID-19 Restrictions

The California Supreme Court denied a petition last week by Santa Clara County asking Calvary Chapel San Jose to pay $217,500 in fines for violating COVID-19 restrictions during the height of the pandemic.

Pew: Nearly 1 in 4 Countries Used Force on Religious Groups Defying COVID-19 Measures

Pew: Nearly 1 in 4 Countries Used Force on Religious Groups Defying COVID-19 Measures

A new Pew Research report finds that governments and police in nearly a quarter of 198 countries and territories used coercion on religious groups who refused to comply with COVID-19 worship restrictions.

Church Attendance Is at 85 Percent of Pre-Pandemic Levels, Poll Says: Many 'Have Not Returned'

Church Attendance Is at 85 Percent of Pre-Pandemic Levels, Poll Says: Many 'Have Not Returned'

The doors of American churches are open again, although their attendance numbers are not back to pre-pandemic levels, according to a new Lifeway Research survey.