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Cardinal Donald Wuerl places ashes on the foreheads of Catholics during Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle Feb. 18, 2015 in Washington, DC.(Photo: Win McNamee, Getty Images)
1. American Catholics may not believe what you think
An unprecedented bit of research shows that USA Catholics' views may be a-changing. A trove of data out Wednesday from the Pew Research Center finds that the typical American Catholic doesn't find it sinful to use contraception or to live with a romantic partner outside of marriage. While nearly half of Catholics believe the church should not recognize the marriages of gay and lesbian couples, just as many think it should. The findings come as Pope Francis this week waded into one of the thorniest topics of his papacy: abortion.
2. Report ties about 51% of immigrant households to welfare
Immigrants are far more likely to use government welfare programs than the native-born population, according to a Center for Immigration Studies report released Wednesday. About 51% of immigrant-led households receive some kind of welfare benefit, compared to 30% for native-led households. The findings may fuel the ongoing debate on the presidential campaign trail. Trump's immigration proposal has sparked controversy within the 2016 Republican field. Former Gov. Jeb Bush called it "unrealistic," and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker fumbled on supporting ending birthright citizenship.
"The big problem this country has is being politically correct. I don't have time for political correctness." -Donald Trump<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: WKYC-TV/AP)
3. Planned Parenthood funding taken to federal court
Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast Inc., will ask a federal judge Wednesday to block an effort by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal to cut the health care provider out of the state's Medicaid program. The effort to terminate Planned Parenthood was launched following the release of a series of undercover videos by abortion opponents that have raised questions about clinic operations. The Justice Department weighed in Monday, saying that terminating the provider from the federally-subsidized Medicaid program would deny beneficiaries free choice to obtain medical care.
Anti-abortion sign is held aloft during a rally opposing federal funding for Planned Parenthood in front of the U.S. Capitol on July 28, 2015, in Washington, DC.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Olivier Douliery, Getty Images)
4. First hearing in case of Baltimore officers charged in Freddie Gray's death
Protests are expected outside the court house in Baltimore for the first hearing in the case of Freddie Gray, four months after six Baltimore police officers were charged in his death. Gray's death inspired daily protests and a riot erupted on the day of Gray's funeral. All six officers, including Edward Nero and Garrett Miller, are charged with second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment. Lt. Brian Rice, Sgt. Alicia White and Officer William Porter also face a manslaughter charge, while Officer Caesar Goodson faces the most serious charge of all: second-degree "depraved-heart" murder. A second hearing will be held Sept. 10 to determine if the trial, scheduled to start Oct. 13 should go forward in Baltimore or be moved outside the city.
This photo provided by the Baltimore Police Department on Friday, May 1, 2015 shows, top row from left, Caesar R. Goodson Jr., Garrett E. Miller and Edward M. Nero, and bottom row from left, William G. Porter, Brian W. Rice and Alicia D. White, the six police officers charged with felonies ranging from assault to murder in the death of Freddie Gray.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Baltimore Police Department via AP)
5. 'Mr. Robot' finale airs after it too-closely mirrored real life
USA Network will air the Season 1 finale of Mr. Robot on Wednesday, a week later than scheduled. The network postponed the show in the wake of the shooting murders of two Virginia journalists — Adam Ward and Alison Parker — on live television. In a statement, USA said the finale showed graphic scenes similar to what happened in Virginia. "Out of respect to the victims, their families and colleagues, and our viewers, we are postponing tonight's episode."
Rami Malek, left, and Christian Slater star in USA Network's 'Mr. Robot.'<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Virginia Sherwood, USA Network)
And, the essentials:
Weather: The calendar may say September but the weather will be like July for much of the country on Wednesday.
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The national weather forecast for Wednesday, September 2. Summer persists in meteorological fall with high temperatures and showers. VPC
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