Cheryl Wetzstein
Articles by Cheryl Wetzstein
Two more toddlers die in hot car — on Father’s Day — bringing annual total to 7
At least five children have perished in hot cars in June, including two on Father's Day, says an advocacy group that tracks the tragic issue. Published June 22, 2015
Texas abortion case still waiting at Supreme Court
Texas abortion clinics are waiting to hear if the Supreme Court will step in and block an abortion law set to take place July 1. Published June 22, 2015
Iowa court clears way for telemedicine abortions
An Iowa rule blocking "webcam" abortions has been struck down as unconstitutional by the state's highest court. Published June 19, 2015
TV sitcoms’ working-class fathers depicted as ‘bumbling,’ ‘incapable,’ study finds
An analysis of 13 fathers in 12 recent TV sitcoms and their 699 interactions with their minor children showed that working-class fathers continued to be depicted less positively than middle-class fathers, said study author Jessica Troilo, assistant professor of child development and family studies at West Virginia University. Published June 18, 2015
Fatherhood changes men for the better: study
What has marriage and fatherhood meant to a young Michigan man? Simply put, an end to the days of self-amusement and the start of a life of purpose and fulfillment. Published June 18, 2015
Arizona church wins outdoor sign case in Supreme Court
In separate free-speech rulings Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled against an Arizona town's sign code, which was used to punish a small, local church, but in favor of Texas officials who refused to issue a license plate bearing a Confederate flag. Published June 18, 2015
U.S. fertility rate on rise, as teen birthrate declines
America's overall fertility rate ticked up for the first time in seven years, while its teen birthrate fell to its latest historic low in 2014, the federal government said Wednesday. Published June 17, 2015
N.C. abortion-ultrasound law dead as Supreme Court denies review
North Carolina abortion doctors will not have to show and describe a fetal ultrasound image to a pregnant woman before she has an abortion. Supreme Court Monday declined to review ruling striking down the law. Published June 15, 2015
Michigan law OKs faith-based adoption refusals
Private, faith-based agencies in Michigan will now be able to place needy children with foster and adoptive families without compromising their religious beliefs, according to a set of laws signed Thursday by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. Published June 11, 2015
Texas abortion providers ask court to stay ruling while they appeal to Supreme Court
Texas abortion providers have asked a federal appellate court to stay its ruling upholding the state's law regulating abortions while they appeal it to the Supreme Court. Published June 11, 2015
NC House approves gay marriage opt-out bill for judges, court workers
A supermajority of the North Carolina House members Thursday approved a bill that will let county court officials decline to participate in gay marriages if they have religious objections to it. Published June 11, 2015
Georgia mother who self-aborted 22-week-old fetus released from jail
In a case that attracted national attention, a Georgia prosecutor on Wednesday dropped murder charges against a woman who swallowed abortion-inducing pills and then delivered a 51/2-month-gestating child who lived for about 30 minutes, adding fuel to the debate over laws and regulations limiting abortion rights enacted by several states and in the House of Representatives. Published June 10, 2015
Religious delegation with PICO speaks with Pope Francis’ advisers in Rome
Faith leaders involved with the social justice movement visited in the Vatican this week to make sure their concerns are brought up at a major Catholic assembly on families later this year. On Wednesday, the U.S. bishops approved a statement on race relations. Published June 9, 2015
$1M Sunhak Peace Prize names first two winners
The president of an Pacific island nation under siege by the sea and an Indian fisheries scientist whose work is helping to feed the world's poor are the first winners of the $1 million Sunhak Peace Prize awarded Monday in Washington. Published June 8, 2015
Sarah Brown, teen pregnancy fighter, leaves lofty legacy of success
Sarah S. Brown, who has spent the past two decades battling the "intractable" social problem of teen pregnancy, is retiring in an unusual place: on top. Published June 7, 2015
New anti-trafficking law faces billion-dollar global challenge
The nation's new anti-human trafficking law, which was enacted with broad bipartisan support, must contend with a global industry reaping billions of dollars from enslaved men, women and children. Published June 4, 2015
Fewer men having their first child out of wedlock: study
Fewer men had their first-born child out-of-wedlock in the 2000s, compared to the two previous decades, a new federal report said on Thursday. Published June 4, 2015
Morals gauge still finds adultery, polygamy, cloning, suicide unacceptable
Adultery, human cloning, polygamy and suicide are all still "morally unacceptable" to most American adults, says a Gallup poll. Published June 3, 2015
Reform Jews urge Boy Scouts to admit gays, transgenders
A leader in Reform Judaism has asked the Boy Scouts of America to change its national policy to include gay adults -- as well as transgender youth. Published June 3, 2015
Religious educators seek protection from government if gay marriage legalized
Leaders of religious schools who believe in traditional marriage told a Wednesday press conference led by Sen. Mike Lee, Utah Republican, that they must be shielded from government retaliation if gay marriage is nationalized. Published June 3, 2015