LOOP: Walz under fire as $1B fraud scandal explodes

The LOOP MONDAY, DECEMBER 8 WALZ UNDER FIRE AS $1B FRAUD SCANDAL EXPLODES  A network of welfare-fraud cases tied to several Somali-run nonprofits stole more than $1 billion in taxpayer funds. The fraud spanned multiple state programs, including COVID aid, housing funds, and other social-service initiatives. The scale of the losses — along with allegations that political sensitivities delayed oversight — has intensified scrutiny of Gov. Tim Walz's management of the programs.

View in browser MONDAY, DECEMBER 8 WALZ UNDER FIRE AS $1B FRAUD SCANDAL EXPLODES  A network of welfare-fraud cases tied to several Somali-run nonprofits stole more than $1 billion in taxpayer funds. The fraud spanned multiple state programs, including COVID aid, housing funds, and other social-service initiatives. The scale of the losses — along with allegations that political sensitivities delayed oversight — has intensified scrutiny of Gov. Tim Walz's management of the programs.  READ TRAVEL BAN EXPANDING TO 30+ COUNTRIES  The Trump administration plans to expand its travel ban to more than 30 countries following the shooting of two National Guard members, according to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.  READ LORD OF THE RINGS HEADS BACK TO THEATERS  The extended Lord of the Rings trilogy is returning to theaters for Fellowship's 25th anniversary — a celebrated series that earned 17 Oscars and continues to resonate with many Catholics thanks to its Catholic creator, J.R.R. Tolkien.  READ MTG SAYS GOP TRASHED TRUMP IN PRIVATE  In a preview of her 60 Minutes interview, outgoing GOP House member Marjorie Taylor Greene says many of her Republican colleagues mocked Trump behind the scenes but flipped to full support the moment he won the 2024 primary.  READ  GOOGLE REVEALS 2025'S MOST-SEARCHED  Google's Year in Search reveals Charlie Kirk's tragic assassination as the No. 1 trending topic of 2025, followed by spikes in interest over Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters, the iPhone 17, the new pope, and the viral Labubu plush.  READ POPE LEO XIV URGES FAITHFUL TO 'BE A LIGHT OF HOPE'  During his Angelus address, the Pope said Advent's "luminous" spirituality invites the faithful to become small lights for Christ, trusting that His Kingdom will bring to fulfillment even what the world considers weak or hopeless.  READ VATICAN TAPS HOLLYWOOD ACTOR FOR ST. PETER DOC  The Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt is teaming with Vatican Media for a 2026 film exploring the tomb of the Apostle Peter, timed to the 400th anniversary of St. Peter's Basilica.  READ WORK WITH US!  CatholicVote is looking for passionate, mission-driven people to join our team. Could you be our next hire?  APPLY HERE   BETHLEHEM LIGHTS CHRISTMAS TREE FOR FIRST TIME SINCE GAZA WAR  After two years without public celebrations, the Christmas tree outside the Nativity Church was lit once again in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, following a recent ceasefire. The mayor noted that the celebration comes amid ongoing suffering in Gaza, including among its small Christian community.  READ 'UNDERPARENT' YOUR KIDS  Psychologist Darby Saxbe suggests that parents should ignore their children more often. Okay, not quite in those terms. But the concept is "mindful under parenting," in which parents don't hover over their children, constantly making them the center of attention. Children learn and internalize most deeply when observing adults. And this means you must primarily live your own life as you want them to live theirs. Here's what that looks like.  READ CATHOLIC HEROES  Here's the story of two great American Catholics: Julia Greeley from Colorado and Dorothy Day from New York, both recognized as Servants of God. Each of these women existed as a light that dispelled the darkness around her. They can inspire us to live as a light, and to remember that God's grace empowers ordinary people such as ourselves.  READ CATHOLIC 101  Pope Benedict XVI taught that Advent can feel like a season of darkness — a time when the "dark night of evil is still strong" and only the light of Christ can conquer it. While Lent is traditionally seen as the season of spiritual battle, many spiritual writers point out that Advent carries a similar call: watchfulness, repentance, and resistance to the powers of darkness as we wait for Christ.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Today the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception, the patronal feast of the United States. Declared a dogma in 1854, it teaches that Mary was preserved from original sin from the first moment of her conception so she could freely become the Mother of Christ and a model of holiness for all believers. She has been honored as America's patroness since 1846, embodied in the National Shrine in Washington, D.C.  READ DAILY PSALM  "Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous deeds." (Psalm 98)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ IN CASE YOU MISSED IT  Zeale is an app owned by Catholics, made for Catholics. Zeale goes public January 1 — but Champions+ members can start using it TODAY.  GET STARTED Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization., PO Box 3310, Carmel, IN 46082 (317) 669-6127 Unsubscribe Manage preferences