(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.In the last broadcast of ‘Whoever sends’ the América Televisión entertainment program, María Pía Copello starred in a moment as emotional as it was moving when she confirmed that her eldest son, Samuel Dyer Copello he would finish his school years and go to study outside the country. The announcement not only surprised viewers, but also overwhelmed the host with feelings, who burst into tears in the middle of the live program. This emotional event was shared by Copello with his set colleagues, including Carlos Vilchez who when asking about her son’s graduation, unleashed the sincere reaction of the presenter. Without a doubt, a moment that marked the broadcast and that reflected the vulnerability and love of a mother. María Pía Copello breaks down when confirming sad news about her eldest son The program ‘Whoever sends’ became the scene of an unexpected emotional scene when María Pía Copello could not contain her tears when talking about the departure of her eldest son, Samuel Dyer Copello who completes his secondary studies and is getting ready to continue his higher education abroad. The host, known both for her role on television and for her presence on social networks, shared her feeling of joy mixed with sadness at seeing her son take an important step in his life. The conversation began when Carlos Vilchez María Pía’s partner on the program, surprised her with a direct question about the end of Samuel’s studies. “Has your baby finished school today? The last school bell because now the hardest part is coming,” commented Vílchez, alluding to the fact that the school years had come to an end. That’s when Maria Pia Copello He expressed his emotion in a very sincere way. “Oh, how heavy! I don’t want to cry, I’m very sensitive about that. For the first time, I’m going through what you, Anna Carina, had to experience at some point, with Mica, who finished school and it’s the hardest part “The parents are going to understand me perfectly,” he commented through tears, referring to his sister. Anna Carina Copello who was also present on the program. María Pía’s words reflected the sadness of a mother who sees her son grow up and become independent, which can be both a source of pride and unease. Copello’s testimony was even more significant when accompanied by the words of his sister, Anna Carina, who showed an attitude of support in the face of Copello’s obvious emotion. Maria Pia . “I have mixed feelings, because I am happy because he is fulfilling his achievements, but sad because he is no longer going to be with us,” added the host, referring to the duality of emotions that accompany the departure of a child. Join our entertainment channel
Hochul eyes ambitious agenda, legislative battles in 2025
NEW YORK — I’ll get you, my pretty! And your little pygmy hippo, too! Forgive us the shameless attempt to link the fantasy hit to the delightful . But, hear us out — there’s something the two have in common as the year draws to a close. Escapism. Whether we found it on the yellow brick road, or in videos from a Thailand zoo, or perhaps in , we gravitated toward fantasy and feel-good pop culture moments this year. There were new trends, as always. became a thing, as did And for some inexplicable reason, we became obsessed with celebrity lookalike contests. There were breakups — Bennifer is, again, — and reunions: Oasis, please try to stay together for the tour. Yet some things stayed, remarkably, the same: and kept on breaking records and making history. So, after a year where much changed but some things held steady, here’s our annual, very selective trip down pop culture memory lane: Lily Gladstone poses in the press room Jan. 7 with the award for best performance by an actress in a motion picture, drama for "Killers of the Flower Moon" at the 81st Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. It starts as from a beloved “Sesame Street” figure: “ is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” The answers hint at something deeper and more worrisome. “Not great, Elmo. Not great,” says one milder reply. Doing much better is the viral phenomenon called which makes its awards season debut at the But perhaps the comes from neither film: , first Indigenous winner of best actress in a drama for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” begins her remarks in the language of her tribe, Blackfeet Nation. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) kisses Taylor Swift on Feb. 11 after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime during the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game in Las Vegas. Valentine’s Day — a perfect time to settle into a sweet love saga via TikTok. Only that’s not quite what we get with “Who TF Did I Marry?,” ’s depressing, fascinating, 50-part account of her disastrous marriage with a man who lied about absolutely everything. Meanwhile, if you're looking for a single week that encapsulates peak , try this: she begins with the Grammys in Los Angeles (becoming the first artist to win album of the year four times AND announcing a new album), then heads to Tokyo for four tour dates, then jets back just in time for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas — where she shares a with boyfriend on the field of victory. Ryan Gosling performs the song "I'm Just Ken" from the movie "Barbie" on March 10 during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. “What was I made for?” sings at channeling . And what was made for? Not entirely clear — but it's clear was made to play him. His singalong version of is one of the most entertaining Oscar musical moments in years. Still, Christopher Nolan's prevails, a rare case of the top prize going to a blockbuster studio film. Will it happen again in 2025? and sure hope so; as presenters, they make a sly reference to their upcoming juggernaut, Speaking of marketing, people are obsessed with that bizarre popcorn bucket. Beyonce And carves her space in country music with “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” which will make her the first Black woman to top the Billboard country chart. Taylor Swift performs June 21 at Wembley Stadium in London as part of her Eras Tour. Tennis, anyone? The game’s been around for centuries, but it’s having a cultural moment right now, helped mightily by the sweaty romance triangle starring and (40-love? More like 40-sex.) Elsewhere, a new era dawns: At midnight, drops then drops another 15 songs two hours later. The fascinating and disturbing the story of a struggling comedian’s extended encounter with a stalker, debuts on Netflix. Ben Affleck, left, and Jennifer Lopez arrive Feb. 13 at the premiere of "This Is Me ... Now: A Love Story" at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It’s time — or as it's known in 2024, another early marketing moment for and make fashion waves on the carpet and then musical ones at dinner, with a soulful performance of “When You Believe.” If the “Wicked” tour is in full force, another one stops in its tracks: amid reports of both poor ticket sales and trouble in her marriage to . It’s been an eventful year for J.Lo, who's released an album and movie called — both reflections on her renewed love with Affleck. Welcome to ! releases her , with its lime green cover, and launches a thousand memes. Collins Dictionary defines “brat,” as “characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.” At the celeb-heavy shows in London, we see shaking it off, which is either charming or cringe, you decide. Even better: and tux and performs for one night. At another stadium across the pond, infielder with his cheery number “OMG.” Stephen Nedoroscik is introduced June 29 at the United States Gymnastics Olympic Trials in Minneapolis. Bonjour, it’s time! In Paris! An audacious opening ceremony along the Seine is punctuated by perched on the , singing her heart out — in the rain, too. over a scene critics feel mocks Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” (organizers say it does not). Olympic stars are born — including French swimming superstar , rugby player , and bespectacled “Pommel Horse Guy” gymnast who nets two bronze medals and comparisons to Clark Kent. Baby pigmy hippo Moo Deng plays with a zookeeper Sept. 19 in the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand. Also capturing hearts: yep, born this month. Her name means “bouncy pork.” Australia's Rachael Gunn, known as B-Girl Raygun, competes Aug. 9 during the Round Robin Battle at the breaking competition at La Concorde Urban Park at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. This is them ... now: After two decades, two engagements and two weddings, J.Lo files for divorce. One union dissolves, another returns: a reunion tour. Everyone seems to want to get in on TikToker 's act — even the Back at the Olympics, in the new sport of breaking, we meet arguably neither demure nor mindful with her “kangaroo” move. Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani brings his dog Decoy to the mound Aug. 28 before Decoy delivered the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles in Los Angeles. Cute animal alert: perky pooch does in his Major League Baseball debut. Chappell Roan performs "Good Luck, Babe" on Sept. 11 during the MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. One of the year’s biggest breakout artists, withdraws from a music festival after speaking out about frightening fan interactions. And more on the price of fame: In an excruciating moment, the franchise’s first Asian American lead, is forced to sit through a painful viewing of her proposal to her chosen suitor, after tearfully explaining how he’d later dumped her over the phone. Tran is keeping busy though — she’s announced as part of the new “Dancing with the Stars” lineup. Also on the list: rugby player Maher, and Pommel Horse Guy! Also, , Online fandom, meanwhile, is shaken when and celebrity stan accounts post tearful farewells, revealing to many across the globe that their favorite accounts are run by Brazilians. Miles Mitchell, 21, wins of the Timothee Chalamet lookalike contest Oct. 27 near Washington Square Park in New York. “Dune” Chalamets! “Wonka” Chalamets! Thousands gather in Manhattan for a lookalike contest, and things really get interesting when He doesn’t enter the contest, though, and with his mustache, he may not even have won. The trend continues with contests for and — in a very Washington version — Kennedy scion , who's been gathering a following with some interesting social media posts. New York Liberty Kennedy Burke dances with the mascot, Ellie the Elephant, during an Oct. 24 ceremony after a parade in honor of the Liberty's WNBA basketball championship at City Hall in New York. Turning to basketball, who’s that dancing with ? Why it’s , the now-viral mascot. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, right, appears Nov. 2 with Maya Rudolph on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" in New York. does a pretty good laugh on “Saturday Night Live,” but you know who does it better? herself. The Democratic candidate three days before the U.S. presidential election, following in the footsteps of , and others. Elsewhere in television, Bravo announces that the Emmy-nominated reality show that has lived through countless scandals, is entirely recasting its 12th season — apart from namesake . As for , she doesn't have her own TV series yet, but our favorite pygmy hippo is generating . And THAT brings us back to ... Ariana Grande, left, and Cynthia Erivo pose for photographers Nov. 11 prior to the premiere of "Wicked" at Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City. Director ’s emerald-hued fantasy remains very very popular, to quote one of its buzzy show tunes, dancing through life and defying gravity at the multiplex. Moviegoers and, in a veritable tidal wave, which beckons us back to the seas of Oceania. Once again, 2024 seems to be telling us: Give people some whimsy, a place to escape, maybe some catchy tunes — and no one knows how far they’ll go. The stories and images that defined 2024. Searching for something? From queries about U.S. politics to cricket in India, Wikipedia has become a source of information for millions of people across the globe. From the Paris Olympics to the Super Bowl. From Simone Biles to Shohei Ohtani. And, of course, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. These are the sp... AP photographers assembled a visual catalog of our civilization as life in 2024 hurtled directly at us at every speed and in every imaginable ... In 2024, photographers captured glimpses of humanity, ranging from a deeply divisive presidential election, to hurricanes and fires that ravag... Associated Press photographers captured voters with raw emotions of joy, excitement, contemplation or sorrow. See entertainment's biggest moments in 2024, through the lens of Associated Press photographers. It beat five other finalists: demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore. News anchors, politicians and other public figures in the U.S. struggled with these words the most this year. Is it any surprise Merriam-Webster's word of the year is "polarization"? Here are the other words that rounded out the top 10 for 2024. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Modern spacecraft depend primarily on software technology, and the growth of networked and AI-enabled technologies has heightened the risk of cyberattacks orchestrated by state actors and individual hackers. In 2022, the SpaceX Starlink satellite system was targeted, according to Elon Musk at attack by Russia, and last year, the U.S. government issued a warning that both Chinese and Russian spies were targeting the space technologies of companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. The consequences of malicious cyber activities could include "loss of the control of space vehicles," according to William Russell, director of contracting and national security acquisitions at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. In the race to conquer the cosmos, the greatest challenge to space exploration might be the vastness of the unknown, but that distance from planet Earth isn't dissuading the invisible hands of cybercriminals aiming to sabotage missions from thousands of miles below. Spacecraft, satellites, and space-based systems all face cybersecurity threats that are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dangerous. With interconnected technologies controlling everything from navigation to anti-ballistic missiles, a security breach could have catastrophic consequences. "There are unique constraints to operating in space where you do not have physical access to spacecraft for repairs or updates after launch," said William Russell, director of contracting and national security acquisitions at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. "The consequences of malicious cyber activities include loss of mission data, decreased lifespan or capability of space systems or constellations, or the control of space vehicles." Critical space infrastructure is susceptible to threats across three key segments: in space, on the ground segment and within the communication links between the two. A break in one can be a cascading failure for all, said Wayne Lonstein, co-founder and CEO at VFT Solutions, and co-author of Cyber-Human Systems, Space Technologies, and Threats. "In many ways, the threats to critical infrastructure on Earth can cause vulnerabilities in space," Lonstein said. "Internet, power, spoofing and so many other vectors that can cause havoc in space," he added. The integration of artificial intelligence into space projects has heightened the risk of sophisticated cyber attacks orchestrated by state actors and individual hackers. AI integration into space exploration allows more decision-making with less human oversight. For example, NASA is using AI to target scientific specimens for planetary rovers. However, reduced human oversight could make these missions more prone to unexplained and potentially calamitous cyberattacks, said Sylvester Kaczmarek, chief technology officer at OrbiSky Systems, which specializes in the integration of AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and edge computing in aerospace applications. Data poisoning, where attackers feed corrupted data to AI models, is one example of what could go wrong, Kaczmarek said. Another threat, he said, is model inversion, where adversaries reverse-engineer AI models to extract sensitive information, potentially compromising mission integrity. If compromised, AI systems could be used to interfere with or take control of strategically important national space missions. "AI systems may be susceptible to unique types of cyberattacks, such as adversarial attacks, where malicious inputs are designed to deceive the AI into making incorrect decisions or predictions," Lonstein said. AI could also enable adversaries to "carry out sophisticated espionage or sabotage operations against space systems, potentially altering mission parameters or stealing sensitive information," he added. Worse yet, AI can be weaponized — used to develop advanced space-based weapons or counter-space technologies that could disrupt or destroy satellites and other space assets. The U.S. government is tightening up the integrity and security of AI systems in space. The 2023 Cyberspace Solarium Commission report stressed the importance of designating outer space as a critical infrastructure sector, urging enhanced cybersecurity protocols for satellite operators. Lonstein recommends rigorous testing of AI systems in simulated space conditions before deployment, and redundancy as a way to safeguard against an unexpected breach. "Implement redundant systems to ensure that if one AI component fails, others can take over, thus maintaining mission integrity and functionality," he said. Use of strict access controls, authentication, and error correction mechanisms can further ensure that AI systems operate with accurate information. There are reactive measures for when even these defenses have been breached, through the design of AI systems with fail-safe mechanisms that can revert to a "safe state" or "default mode" in the event of a malfunction or unexpected behavior, Lonstein said. Manual override is important, too. "Ensure that ground control can manually override or intervene in AI decision- making, when necessary, providing an additional layer of safety," he added. The rivalry between the U.S. and China includes the new battleground of space. As both nations ramp up their space ambitions and militarized capabilities beyond Earth's atmosphere, the threat of cyberattacks targeting critical orbital assets has become an increasingly pressing concern. "The competition between the U.S. and China, with Russia as a secondary player, heightens the risk of cyberattacks as these nations seek to gain technological superiority," Kaczmarek said. Though they don't garner as much attention in the mainstream press as consumer, crypto or even nation-state hacks against key U.S. private and government infrastructure on the ground, notable cyberattacks have targeted critical space-based technologies in recent years. With the U.S., China, Russia and India intensifying their push for space dominance, the stakes have never been higher. There were repeated cyberattacks this year on Japan's space agency JAXA. In 2022, there were hacks on SpaceX's Starlink satellite system , which Elon Musk attributed to Russia after the satellites were supplied to Ukraine. In August 2023, the U.S. government issued a warning that Russian and Chinese spies were aiming to steal sensitive technology and data from U.S. space companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin. China has been implicated in numerous cyber-espionage campaigns dating back as far as a decade, such as the 2014 breach of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather systems, jeopardizing space-based environmental monitoring. "Nations like China and Russia target U.S. space assets to disrupt operations or steal intellectual property, potentially leading to compromised missions and a loss of technological edge," Kaczmarek said. Space-based systems increasingly support critical infrastructure back on Earth, and any cyberattacks on these systems could undermine national security and economic interests. Last year, the U.S. government let hackers break into a government satellite as a way to test vulnerabilities that could be exploited by the Chinese. That came amid growing concerns at the highest levels of the government that China is attempting to "deny, exploit or hijack" enemy satellites — revelations that became public in the leak of classified documents by U.S. Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira in 2023. "The ongoing space race and the associated technologies will continue to be impacted by Viasat-like cyberattacks," said GAO's Russell, referring to a 2022 cyberattack against the satellite company attributed by U.S. and U.K. intelligence to Russia as part of its war against Ukraine. Private companies and the government will need to use all the cybersecurity tools at their disposal, including encryption, intrusion detection systems, and collaboration with government agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency for intelligence sharing and coordinated defense. "These collaborations can also involve developing cybersecurity frameworks specifically tailored to space systems," Kaczmarek said. At the same time, Silicon Valley-based tech companies have been making rapid advancements in the field of cybersecurity, including those designed to secure space technologies. Companies like Microsoft , Amazon , Google , and Nvidia are increasingly being enlisted by the U.S. Space Force and Department of Defense for their specialized resources and advanced cyber capabilities. Notably, Microsoft is a founding member of the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center and has been an active participant since its formation several years ago. "Microsoft has partnered with the U.S. Space Force to support their growth as a fully digital service , bringing the latest technologies to ensure Space Force Guardians are prepared for space-based conflicts," said a Microsoft spokesperson via email. As part of the $19.8 million contract , Microsoft provides its Azure cloud computing infrastructure, simulations, augmented reality, and data management tools to support and secure a wide range of Space Force missions. "Microsoft is playing a key role in defending against cyber threats in space," the spokesperson wrote. Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services and defense contractor General Dynamics also offer cloud infrastructure for storing and processing vast amounts of data generated by satellites and space missions. Nvidia 's powerful GPUs can be used for processing and analyzing satellite imagery and data. According to Lonstein, the chipmaker's AI chips can enhance image processing, anomaly detection, and predictive analytics for space missions. But there is a limit to reliance on technology in space operations as a safety benefit rather than added layer of risk. "High dependency on automated systems can lead to catastrophic failures if those systems malfunction or encounter unexpected scenarios," Lonstein said. A single point of failure could compromise the entire mission. Moreover, extensive use of technology could be detrimental to human operators' skills and knowledge, which might atrophy if not regularly exercised. "This could lead to challenges in manual operation during emergencies or system failures," Lonstein added.Connor Kasin took to the ice for a hockey game that was being held to raise money for a charity that helps parents cope with the loss of a child. Little did the New York teen know his parents would be in that tragic group before the night was out. The 17-year-old Massapequa High School senior “experienced a sudden medical event” on Nov. 30 and later died at a hospital. “It is heartbreaking to report that Connor did not survive. His passing is devastating to the Massapequa community, and we offer our deepest condolences to Connor’s family and friends,” a letter from his school to students said, according to cable station . We join the rest of the hockey community in mourning the passing of Connor Kasin, a New York high school hockey player. — B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) Nassau police said “medics and officers responded to the Town of Oyster Bay Skating Center ...for a 17-year-old male who had lost consciousness on the ice during an intermission of a hockey game.” Police said those in attendance worked to Kasin until first responders arrived. Kasin was playing in a charity game in memory of Sabrina Navaretta of nearby Syosset, New York, who died last year in a car accident, according to the . A in Navaretta’s name raises scholarship money and helps whose children have died. The cause of Kasin’s collapse was not known as late as his Dec. 6 funeral, according to . “He was an incredible child, an incredible hockey player, and just by today, you can see how wonderful he was. It hits hard when ... you see these kids walking around in these jerseys,” Lisa Stella, a family friend, said. “He taught everyone a lot of things — how to be kind, how to be a good person,” Nicholas Stella, among the teammates wearing their hockey jerseys at the funeral, said. A New York high school hockey player has tragically died suddenly after suffering a “sudden medical event” in the middle of a game, leaving onlookers horrified. Connor Kasin was just 17 years old when he died. — TheTexasOne (@TexasRepublic71) “Connor was very close with everyone. He was a great person, and it definitely is going to take a toll on the community,” classmate Reilly Cereghino said. A priest who spoke at the funeral recalled Kasin as a positive force in the world. “We can look at this young man, Connor, at his life and say, anybody you speak to [said] he walked into a room with kindness, his smile lit up the room,” Rev. Joseph Fitzgerald said. His mother said the comments of her son’s friends were one of the few things to which she could cling in her . “I always knew he was a great kid, but it’s so great ... to hear others say it,” Mary Kasin said. We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. .