Pope Leo XIV has confirmed his commitment to welcoming LGBTQ members into the Catholic Church. His remarks come days before a planned Holy Year pilgrimage to Vatican City. Leo said he intends to continue Pope Francis’ policy of inclusion. Francis previously allowed priests to bless same-sex couples but did not alter Catholic teaching that homosexual acts are “disordered.” (Story URL)
The Powerball jackpot has surged to $1.1 billion after no grand prize winner was found in Saturday’s drawing. The prize now ranks as the fifth largest in Powerball history. Winners can choose a lump-sum cash option of $498.4 million before taxes. Saturday’s winning numbers were 3, 18, 22, 27 and 33, with a Powerball of 17 and a Power Play multiplier of 3. (Story URL)
Preliminary Census Bureau data show more than 1.2 million immigrants left the U.S. labor force between January and July. The analysis, conducted by the Pew Research Center, includes both legal residents and those in the country illegally. Immigrants make up nearly 20% of American workers, accounting for 45% of farming, fishing and forestry jobs, 30% of construction, and 24% of service work. (Story URL)
The National Hurricane Center reports that Tropical Storm Kiko is expected to intensify into a hurricane by Tuesday. The storm developed Sunday, becoming the eleventh named system in the Eastern North Pacific this season. The storm was positioned about 1,990 miles west-southwest of Baja California’s southern tip and moving west at 8 miles per hour. Forecasters predict Kiko will strengthen quickly. (Story URL)
An 11-year-old boy has died after being shot while playing a “ding dong ditch” prank in Houston. The boy, whose identity has not been released, was with friends late Saturday night when he rang a doorbell and ran away. A witness saw the boy flee the property before he was struck by gunfire. Authorities detained and questioned a man from the home where the shooting occurred, but he was released. (Story URL)
