(CNN) — The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether religious affiliated entities like Catholic Charities should be exempt from state unemployment taxes, taking up its first major religion case in more than a year. The Catholic Charities Bureau in Wisconsin told the high court that the state’s labor department violated the First Amendment when it declined its request for an exemption from the unemployment taxes. A decision from the conservative Supreme Court could have widespread implications if it sweeps in other types of taxes and religiously affiliated entities, such as hospitals and universities. Forty-seven states and the federal government include exemptions from unemployment taxes for organizations operated for religious purposes, according to Catholic Charities. “If the petitioners get their way, there’s going to potentially be a fallout in these other areas,” said Patrick Elliott, legal director of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which filed a brief opposing Catholic Charities in state court. Wisconsin’s highest court sided with the state in March, ruling that because Catholic Charities didn’t proselytize or participate in traditional religious activities, it didn’t qualify for the religious exemption from the taxes. “Wisconsin’s rule is both absurd and harmful,” the organization, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, told the Supreme Court in its appeal. “The rule takes away resources that would otherwise be used to help the poor and the needy.” Catholic Charities is the social ministry arm of the Diocese of Superior, a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church. The case also involves four “sub-entities” that mainly provide services to the disabled. Wisconsin officials countered that Catholic Charities has participated in the state’s unemployment insurance program since 1972. People who benefit from the programs, the state said, “receive no religious training or orientation.” Employees need not ascribe to any faith. The Supreme Court confronted similar questions in the early 1980s , but it resolved a pair of cases without reaching the underlying First Amendment questions. Since then, the court’s conservatives have expanded protections for religious groups in a series of cases. In 2022, the court struck down a Maine prohibition against using public money for some students to attend schools that offer religious instruction. Two years earlier, a 5-4 majority ruled that a Montana scholarship program could not exclude religious schools . The-CNN-Wire TM & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.Virgo Daily Horoscope Today, Nov 26, 2024 predicts professional growthYour Secret Weapon This Holiday Shopping Season Could Be... ChatGPT?
Maj. Colin DeVault's 39 years of leadership and service to the Salvation Army — including the last two and a half years in Manchester — will wind down when he officially retires in January. But his mission won't fade. It will pivot, when he and his wife Brenda, co-captains of the Queen City's corps, relocate to Delaware where DeVault grew up. "We were 19 when we started this work and we're 66. We're tired. We still have great vision for the work and ministry of the Army," said Devault, wearing a uniform decorated for his service, including two medals for being a mentor to young people who later became officers in the Salvation Army. That includes his daughter, who is a Salvation Army lieutenant in Keene. In retirement, he'll conduct Biblical research and write after earning a Doctor of Theology degree in 2022. He'll sing and play the trombone with the Pendel Band and Singers, based in Delaware and Pennsylvania. It's not a new engagement. Performing with this Salvation Army band for 19 years took him to Argentina, South Africa, U.S. Virgin Islands and the Rose Bowl parade on New Year's Day 2001. His departure is bittersweet. But it's also a well-earned transition. DeVault has served the Christian charity where its work has been needed most, he said, including in Dover, Delaware, Houlton, Maine, Mexico City, Mexico, New York City, Rochester and Buffalo, New York, seven cities in Pennsylvania, and Manchester, where he arrived in June 2022. It's been a physical and spiritual trek and the journey has engendered perspective. In an interview Monday, DeVault talked about the Corp's mission and outreach today, the changing culture in which it operates, the enormous need it serves, and how the Corp differs from other charities. "Our care of the whole person is what makes the difference. We're not just a church, we're more than that. We're not just an agency, we're more than that. It's the dual sense that makes the biggest difference," said DeVault. "One of the old (Salvation Army) slogans was 'Heart to God and hand to man.' It's that dual mission of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs in his name without discrimination" — regardless of background or religious beliefs. Piloting a Christian organization in New England, which is more secular than other areas of the country, has been challenging, he said. But the 160-year organization founded in England in 1865 has a relevant role in a present-day world that is increasingly irreligious, without grounding or a personal belief in God. The Manchester Corp's outreach to children through its Kids' Cafe, Teen Night and summer day camp includes youngsters raised in the Muslim faith, he said. "Many of our children are Muslim. It wouldn't be the hope of these families that they become Christian." But they're happy to send them, he said, "because they know that they're loved here, and it gives them a brighter future." "The real answer for kids," he said, "is to love and accept them. That happens no matter if they have a cellphone in their hand or technology all around them. That happens if you love and respect them and care for them." Since September, Teen Night on Fridays has included 79 teens. Kids' Cafe, which provides an evening meal, safe space and activities during the week, has served 132 children, mostly . Over the summer, 67 youngsters participated in the Salvation Army's seven-week summer day camp. Many come from generations of the same family. A large percentage of others experience chaos, instability or emptiness at home, without regular meals or grownups to turn to. Over time, needs among the elderly have also ballooned. "Our world is a much more desperate world. There's very little hope, and very little hope among young people. It's as if they're not sure that they have a future, so what does it really matter what I do today? I think the elderly feel desperate in the sense that what they've worked for their whole lives is not enough in this present world. The needs are significantly more than we could imagine." The Salvation Army depends on donations to the Santa Fund to do its work in the inner city and greater Manchester, including Bedford, DeVault said. "I don't think our role will ever change. The work and the ministry will not change. Our DNA is to be in the very worst set of circumstances and draw on God's resources. The fact that we live in a desperate world is exactly the world that God is calling the Salvation Army to" help. "We won't shy away from the need."Destiny 2 Players Discover New Solo Game-Breaking Glitch That Instantly Melts Bosses - TheGamePost
Supreme Court says it will review if Catholic Charities is exempt from labor taxes in a major church-state caseShoals Technologies Group, Inc. ( NASDAQ:SHLS – Get Free Report )’s share price shot up 2.2% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $5.56 and last traded at $5.56. 2,800,571 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 44% from the average session volume of 4,967,093 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.44. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have recently weighed in on SHLS. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on Shoals Technologies Group from $10.00 to $9.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Piper Sandler lowered their price target on shares of Shoals Technologies Group from $10.00 to $8.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Shoals Technologies Group in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. They set a “hold” rating and a $5.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $11.00 target price on shares of Shoals Technologies Group in a research note on Friday, September 6th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating and set a $12.00 price target on shares of Shoals Technologies Group in a research note on Tuesday, September 17th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $10.64. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on SHLS Shoals Technologies Group Price Performance Shoals Technologies Group ( NASDAQ:SHLS – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 12th. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.10 by ($0.02). Shoals Technologies Group had a net margin of 7.78% and a return on equity of 9.83%. The business had revenue of $102.20 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $98.86 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.16 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 23.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. will post 0.29 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at Shoals Technologies Group In other news, CEO Brandon Moss purchased 22,300 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 21st. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $4.55 per share, for a total transaction of $101,465.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 593,700 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,701,335. The trade was a 3.90 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . Insiders have sold 6,460 shares of company stock worth $30,271 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Shoals Technologies Group Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of SHLS. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ grew its holdings in shares of Shoals Technologies Group by 146.9% in the 2nd quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ now owns 157,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $980,000 after buying an additional 93,400 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in Shoals Technologies Group by 14.6% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,107,404 shares of the company’s stock valued at $73,533,000 after acquiring an additional 1,666,691 shares during the period. Point72 Europe London LLP bought a new stake in shares of Shoals Technologies Group in the third quarter worth about $1,461,000. Handelsbanken Fonder AB raised its position in shares of Shoals Technologies Group by 34.2% during the third quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 2,711,603 shares of the company’s stock worth $15,212,000 after purchasing an additional 690,344 shares during the period. Finally, Erste Asset Management GmbH bought a new position in shares of Shoals Technologies Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $20,191,000. About Shoals Technologies Group ( Get Free Report ) Shoals Technologies Group, Inc provides electrical balance of system (EBOS) solutions and components for solar, battery energy, and electric vehicle (EV) charging applications in the United States and internationally. The company designs, manufactures, and sells system solutions for both homerun and combine-as-you-go wiring architectures, as well as offers technical support services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Shoals Technologies Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shoals Technologies Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
GoPro Inc. stock underperforms Monday when compared to competitors despite daily gains
US Imposes New Sanctions on Dozens of Russian Financial Institutions
Some quotations from Jimmy Carter: We have a tendency to exalt ourselves and to dwell on the weaknesses and mistakes of others. I have come to realize that in every person there is something fine and pure and noble, along with a desire for self-fulfillment. Political and religious leaders must attempt to provide a society within which these human attributes can be nurtured and enhanced. — from 1975 book “Why Not the Best?” Our government can express the highest common ideals of human beings — if we demand of government true standards of excellence. At this Bicentennial time of introspection and concern, we must demand such standards. — “Why Not the Best?” I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry. — “Why Not the Best?” Christ said, “I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.” I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it. But that doesn’t mean that I condemn someone who not only looks on a woman with lust but who leaves his wife and shacks up with somebody out of wedlock. — Interview, November 1976 Playboy. This inauguration ceremony marks a new beginning, a new dedication within our Government, and a new spirit among us all. A President may sense and proclaim that new spirit, but only a people can provide it. — Inaugural address, January 1977. It’s clear that the true problems of our nation are much deeper — deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation and recession. ... All the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America. ... It is a crisis of confidence. — So-called “malaise” speech, July 1979. But we know that democracy is always an unfinished creation. Each generation must renew its foundations. Each generation must rediscover the meaning of this hallowed vision in the light of its own modern challenges. For this generation, ours, life is nuclear survival; liberty is human rights; the pursuit of happiness is a planet whose resources are devoted to the physical and spiritual nourishment of its inhabitants. — Farewell Address, January 1981. We appreciate the past. We are grateful for the present and we’re looking forward to the future with great anticipation and commitment. — October 1986, at the dedication of the Carter Presidential Library and Museum. War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn to live together in peace by killing each other’s children. — December 2002, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Fundamentalists have become increasingly influential in both religion and government, and have managed to change the nuances and subtleties of historic debate into black-and-white rigidities and the personal derogation of those who dare to disagree. ... The influence of these various trends poses a threat to many of our nation’s historic customs and moral commitments, both in government and in houses of worship. — From 2005 book “Our Endangered Values.” I think that this breakthrough by Barack Obama has been remarkable. When he made his speech (on race) a few months ago in Philadelphia, I wept. I sat in front of the television and cried, because I saw that as the most enlightening and transforming analysis of racism and a potential end of it that I ever saw in my life. — August 2008, commenting on then-Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy. I think it’s based on racism. There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president. ... No matter who he is or how much we disagree with his policies, the president should be treated with respect. — September 2009, reacting to Rep. Joe Wilson’s shout of “You lie!” during a speech to Congress by President Barack Obama. I’m still determined to outlive the last guinea worm. — 2010, on The Carter Center’s work to eradicate guinea worm disease. You know how much I raised to run against Gerald Ford? Zero. You know how much I raised to run against Ronald Reagan? Zero. You know how much will be raised this year by all presidential, Senate and House campaigns? $6 billion. That’s 6,000 millions. — September 2012, reacting to the 2010 “Citizens United” U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting unlimited third-party political spending. I have become convinced that the most serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge is the deprivation and abuse of women and girls, largely caused by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare, unfortunately following the example set during my lifetime by the United States. — From 2014 book “A Call to Action.” I don’t think there’s any doubt now that the NSA or other agencies monitor or record almost every telephone call made in the United States, including cellphones, and I presume email as well. We’ve gone a long way down the road of violating Americans’ basic civil rights, as far as privacy is concerned. — March 2014, commenting on U.S. intelligence monitoring after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks We accept self-congratulations about the wonderful 50th anniversary – which is wonderful – but we feel like Lyndon Johnson did it and we don’t have to do anything anymore. — April 2014, commenting on racial inequality during a celebration of the Civil Rights Act’s 40th anniversary. I had a very challenging question at Emory (University) the other night: “How would you describe the United States of America today in one word?” And I didn’t know what to say for a few moments, but I finally said, “Searching.” I think the country in which we live is still searching for what it ought to be, and what it can be, and I’m not sure we’re making much progress right at this moment. — October 2014 during a celebration of his 90th birthday. The life we have now is the best of all. We have an expanding and harmonious family, a rich life in our church and the Plains community, and a diversity of projects at The Carter Center that is adventurous and exciting. Rosalynn and I have visited more than 145 countries, and both of us are as active as we have ever been. We are blessed with good health and look to the future with eagerness and confidence, but are prepared for inevitable adversity when it comes. — From 2015 book, “A Full Life.”Giants WR Malik Nabers (toe) active vs. Colts