Rise Right

July 17th, 2026 - Happy feast of Ss. Alexis, Jadwiga & Pope Leo IV! Air raid sirens have been activated in Bahrain after Iran’s army reportedly claimed it had targeted U.S. helicopters and reconnaissance aircraft at Sakhir airbase in Bahrain. Vice President JD Vance warned Republicans that merely denouncing socialism is not enough: Young Americans need a real path to ownership, economic security, and the American dream. He called for a Christian economic alternative. In an address to the nation last night, President Trump announced the declassification of intelligence he says reveals that Chinese intelligence services carried out the "largest compromise of election data in history," acquiring 220 million U.S. voter files, and that U.S. officials suppressed that information from him and Congress. Mothers who changed their minds after taking mifepristone are testifying against California, assisting the pro-life groups that helped save their babies through abortion-pill reversal. Indiana Republican Gov. Mike Braun ordered the state to end race- and sex-based preferences in government contracting after Attorney General Todd Rokita deemed the program unconstitutional. NPR named Sister Maura Smith an “Unsung Hero” after a former student recalled how the Catholic high school principal confronted hospital staff who dismissed her stroke as drug use, then stayed beside her and prayed the Rosary. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

July 16th, 2026 - Happy feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel! Vice President JD Vance told Joe Rogan yesterday that a “discreet, extremely well-funded” campaign tied to elements of Israel’s government is attacking him “obsessively” and trying to derail negotiations with Iran. President Donald Trump on Wednesday endorsed MyPillow founder Mike Lindell for Minnesota governor. The House Judiciary Committee advanced legislation allowing people harmed by “gender-transition” procedures performed on them as minors to sue the doctors, clinics, and hospitals involved. The bill is named for Catholic detransitioner Chloe Cole, who was subjected to hormones and a double mastectomy as a child. Two new studies found that one in three young Snapchat users encounters unsafe content or messages at least weekly, including sexual material, graphic violence, self-harm content, bullying, and unwanted contact from strangers. A federal judge blocked Michigan from enforcing provisions that could force pro-life organizations to hire employees who oppose their mission and provide health insurance covering abortions. A Florida congressional candidate and former U.S. Marine, William Upham, is facing backlash after posting a video calling President Donald Trump "the Antichrist" and saying the president "must be killed." Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe just signed a law that allows first-degree murder charges against anyone who kills a child left alive after a botched abortion procedure. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

July 15th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Bonaventure! The United Nations condemned the renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East yesterday, warning that closing the Strait of Hormuz again would harm human rights in that region and beyond. Senate Democrats yesterday blocked a $1.15 trillion defense bill yesterday, objecting to the Iran War, the record price tag, and provisions that would deepen America's military, intelligence, and technology ties to Israel. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the administration will use sanctions, visa restrictions, and diplomatic pressure to dismantle the International Criminal Court “brick by brick, if necessary,” arguing it claims authority over Americans despite the U.S. never ratifying its founding treaty. A new ballot initiative that will reach Idaho voters in November would establish a broad right to “reproductive freedom,” allowing abortion up to "fetal viability" and afterward in medical emergencies. British counterterrorism police say the killing of former Conservative minister and Catholic convert Ann Widdecombe was clearly targeted, though investigators have not yet admitted a motive. Supreme Court justices are seeking more protection, and described the increase in threats during testimony before Congress.  Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

July 14th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha! In a letter that President Trump sent Congress on Friday, he formally acknowledged that he had resumed the active strikes on Iran that administration officials had previously said had been suspended. The US blockade on Iran will resume later today. Carolina Republican Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham's younger sister, to serve the remaining months of his term. President Trump said he had recommended the move as "a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!" Sen. Jim Banks introduced legislation that would rein in the automatic granting of U.S. citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants and foreign nationals who enter the nation for so-called "birth tourism." The Society of St. Pius X filed a formal appeal of the Vatican decree declaring its July 1 episcopal consecrations a schismatic act. San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileoné called for wider access to the Traditional Latin Mass and more reverent Novus Ordo liturgies following the SSPX schism, while urging Catholics to pray for renewed dialogue with Rome. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to make it easier for people to get compensated for injuries that came from COVID-19 vaccines, and the department is crafting a list of the injuries that people could use to seek compensation. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

July 13th, 2026 - Happy feasts of Emperor St. Henry II & St. Mildred! Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died Saturday after a sudden cardiovascular emergency. Condolences and tributes continue to be issued. Actor Sam Neill, renowned for roles including in the blockbuster film “Jurassic Park”, also passed away suddenly over the weekend, at the age of 78. U.S. forces launched another round of strikes against Iran Sunday, after Saturday's bombardment hit roughly 140 targets in retaliation for an attack on a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran answered with missile and drone attacks on Gulf nations hosting U.S. forces. Israeli media claims “A Western intelligence service intercepted a plot to assassinate President Trump during his visit to the NATO summit in Turkey and alerted U.S. authorities, prompting Trump to switch his return aircraft back to the U.S.” Pope Leo XIV warned after Sunday's Angelus that "the winds of war are blowing once again" across the Middle East, Ukraine, and elsewhere. The Holy Father urged the world not to lose hope and renewed his appeal for dialogue and diplomacy as the only path to a just and lasting peace. Armed Israeli settlers detained Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and his delegation during a West Bank fact-finding visit, surrounding their van with American-made rifles. Khanna said Israeli soldiers initially sided with the masked gunmen before police intervened, deepening tensions between the Netanyahu government and Washington. Republican Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell said Sunday that a fall linked to his post-polio condition left him unconscious and hospitalized, and that he later developed pneumonia. McConnell said he is not ready to return to the Senate floor, and doesn’t know when he will be. British police arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of murder of Conservative lawmaker Ann Widdecombe, a prominent Catholic convert and outspoken defender of Church teaching. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

July 10th, 2026 - Happy feast of the Seven Holy Brothers! California’s case against pro-life abortion pill reversal groups came under scrutiny yesterday after the state’s lead expert admitted he could not say the Abortion Pill Reversal does not work or that it is unsafe. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin about efforts to reach a negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine war, days after one of Russia’s largest combined attacks on Kyiv. The Little Sisters of the Poor asked a federal appeals court to restore their exemption from the Obama-era contraceptive mandate, saying the requirement threatens their ministry to the elderly poor and dying. The Trump administration's Federal Trade Commission and five states reached a settlement with John Deere over alleged unfair repair restrictions, requiring the company to give farmers and independent stores access to repair tools and software. A federal appeals court let Florida continue its lawsuit accusing the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical groups of misleading families about subjecting kids to “transgender” drugs and medical procedures. Andy Burnham has all but succeeded in his attempt to become British prime minister without a contest by winning the support of 322 MPs. He is just one short of the 323 needed before it is mathematically impossible for a rival to run against him. If no one else enters the contest, Burnham will be declared Labour leader next week before taking office as prime minister on 20 July. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

July 9th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Veronica Giuliani, the Martyrs of Gorkum and the Franciscan Martyrs of China! The U.S. military struck roughly 90 targets in Iran on Wednesday, widening a fast-moving exchange after the end of the ceasefire. U.S. officials said the strikes were aimed at Iranian military sites tied to missile, drone and maritime threats after attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Fourteen women harmed by abortion drugs urged Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to settle a lawsuit challenging mail-order abortion pills. In a letter addressed to Blanche, the women joined a growing chorus of pro-life leaders pushing the Trump administration to stop defending Biden-era policies allowing chemical abortion by telehealth and mail. The Trump administration launched a major new probe into H-1B visa fraud and abuse, with Vance saying the Department of Labor is issuing subpoenas into foreign fraudsters accused of exploiting laborers, faking applications, and displacing American workers. Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) finally suspended his campaign yesterday after scores of fellow Democrats called him to step down due to sexual assault allegations. He denied all accusations, attributing his decision to total withdrawal of support by his party. Video testimony from Lance Twiggs, the former homosexual lover of suspected Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson, will be played in court this morning as a weeklong preliminary hearing nears its end. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

July 8th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Elizabeth of Portugal! Rep. Chris Smith introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning China’s new “ethnic unity” law, warning that it gives Beijing legal cover for forced assimilation and religious repression at home and abroad. A federal judge blocked the Justice Department’s subpoena seeking names and personal contact information for every person who worked during the 2020 election in Georgia’s Fulton County. A district judge has ruled that the January 6th pipe bomber is not protected by President Trump’s pardons. President Trump said early this morning that he considers the ceasefire with Iran to be “over”, telling reporters that the agreement had become a “waste of time.” Three commercial vessels were struck by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz between Monday and Tuesday. And U.S. Central Command said yesterday that American forces had begun launching strikes against Iran in response. The preliminary hearing against Tyler Robinson continued yesterday, with new evidence being presented to the public, showing the DNA evidence of Tyler on items at the sniper perch from which he is accused of shooting Charlie Kirk, and video evidence of him on campus. The US has condemned the disappearance of Bishop Juan Abelardo Mata by authorities in Nicaragua. An unconditional release has been demanded, while Senator Rick Scott has demanded that proof be provided that the bishop is still alive. Legal counsel for the Little Sisters of the Poor delivered oral arguments to a federal appellate court yesterday as the Catholic religious society continued its 15-year legal battle over contraception mandates. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

July 7th, 2026 - Happy feast of Ss. Cyril & Methodius! Federal Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood have now resumed after a one-year defunding provision expired, drawing sharp criticism from pro-life groups. Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner denied a rape allegation reported by POLITICO. Nonetheless, reports suggest he is considering dropping out of the race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. President Donald Trump marked the launch of Trump Accounts by ringing the NYSE and Nasdaq opening bells from the Oval Office, beginning a federal savings program that gives eligible children investment accounts. A Vatican meeting of bishops in October will focus on divorce and separation, it has been revealed, and may center on Amoris Laetitia. Several U.S. bishops have now urged Catholics to pray for unity and avoid SSPX parishes after the Vatican declared the society schismatic over its illicit episcopal ordinations. The mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina, is weighing whether to impose a curfew for minors following a series of shootings and chaotic events over the Independence Day weekend, in which several fights broke out and nine people were shot amid a series of teen takeovers across the country. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

July 6th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Maria Goretti! Pope Leo XIV made an unscheduled and unprecedented Fourth of July visit to U.S. Ambassador Brian Burch's residence in Rome, sharing a classic American meal before closing the evening singing "God Bless America" together in the garden. The US Navy has announced the passing of an airman who went missing after a helicopter crash in the Arabian Sea. NPR has issued a retraction, now stating that Justice Samuel Alito has NOT announced his retirement, despite their brief announcement that he had. Pope Leo XIV sent a video message to mark the July 5 conclusion of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. He also highlighted America's "largely unknown" Catholic heritage, pointing to a Mass celebrated by Spanish explorers in St. Augustine, Florida in 1583 as evidence that the U.S. was "imbued with a sense of faith that recognizes God's sovereignty even before its formal establishment." Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last year, is due in court today for a week-long preliminary hearing that will determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence to move the case toward trial. Minnesota’s Board of Pardons granted clemency to a pedophile in order to prevent his deportation by ICE. A young English man, Cody Harper, went viral over the weekend as a video showed him being assaulted by a group of black men before being arrested by British police. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

July 3rd, 2026 - Happy Independence Day (Observed)! Sarah and Jake discuss St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, filial piety, patriotism, and American Catholicism. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

July 2nd, 2026 - Happy feast of the Visitation! The Holy See has responded to the SSPX consecrations with a clear formal message, declaring all their ministers to be schismatic. Hours after the Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship and struck down President Donald Trump's executive order seeking to limit it, the Department of Justice directed federal prosecutors to prioritize investigations and prosecutions of fraudulent birth tourism schemes. Jessica Gorman testified before a House Judiciary subcommittee Monday, urging lawmakers to end sanctuary policies she said enabled the March murder of her 18-year-old daughter, Sheridan, a Loyola University Chicago freshman who was fatally shot while walking along the Chicago lakefront. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit against several Colorado janitorial firms, accusing them of excluding qualified American and non-Hispanic applicants from at least 2016 to 2022. Indirect U.S.-Iran negotiations mediated by Qatar and Pakistan concluded yesterday with both sides citing progress on implementing last month's ceasefire, but disagreeing over whether they'd agreed to release part of Iran's roughly $6 billion in frozen assets. Capt. Brandon Jones-Adams pleaded guilty at his June 24 court-martial to intentionally killing an unborn child after secretly placing the abortion drug mifepristone in the drink of his pregnant then-girlfriend, causing her to miscarry at 13 weeks. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

July 1st, 2026 - Happy feast of the Precious Blood! The Superior General of the SSPX responded to Pope Leo’s letter within hours yesterday, signaling his intent to move ahead and his request that Pope Leo approve the consecrations. The consecrations then took place without papal approval in the early hours of this morning. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 yesterday that states may reserve women's and girls' sports for only females under the 14th Amendment and Title IX, upholding laws in Idaho and West Virginia and setting a precedent for similar laws in 27 states. The Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump's executive order that would have required at least one parent to be a citizen or lawful permanent resident. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the Trump administration is restoring the Presidential Fitness Test, with schools nationwide set to begin administering it this fall. It was first introduced under President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s and was phased out under Obama. Terrorists in Nigeria have kidnapped women and children from a school in a Christian town. Please pray for their safe return. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Payne granted the Department of Justice's (DOJ) motion for a preliminary injunction in its lawsuit challenging Virginia's new Mask/Identity statute. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 30th, 2026 - Happy feasts of St. Paul & the Roman Martyrs! Luigi Mangione’s federal trial has been officially pushed back until January 2027. The Supreme Court declined yesterday to hear President Trump's appeal of a $5 million civil judgment against him after a 2023 federal jury found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll. The U.S. committed $150 million in humanitarian assistance and deployed search-and-rescue teams to Venezuela following twin earthquakes that killed more than 1,700 people, while Pope Leo XIV authorized an emergency Vatican donation and Catholic Relief Services mobilized through the Caritas Venezuela network. President Donald Trump said yesterday that U.S. envoys will meet with Iranian representatives in Doha today, calling it a meeting Iran had "requested" — though Tehran denied asking for direct talks. Pope Leo XIV sent a letter to the SSPX Superior General, pleading with the society to halt the consecrations. Bishop Robert Barron warned yesterday that Americans should not be complacent about the growing political success of self-described socialists and communists, arguing that communism is fundamentally hostile to religion. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 29th, 2026 - Happy feast of Ss. Peter & Paul! Former national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty to one count of retaining national defense information, admitting misconduct after an indictment accused him of keeping and transmitting highly sensitive material after leaving the White House. Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement for a limited Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon, closing out four days of U.S.-mediated negotiations at the State Department. The U.S. and Iran agreed yesterday to stop attacking each other and plan to meet Tuesday in Qatar to address the Strait of Hormuz dispute. The reported pause follows a weekend of renewed strikes that strained the 11-day-old ceasefire, after Iran attacked a commercial oil tanker. President Donald Trump has selected Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security Lance Schroyer to be the next Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director, citing his experience locking up “the worst of the worst.” The largest fire in the U.S., the Cottonwood Fire, now stretches more than 144 square miles and remains 0% contained. On Saturday, six states, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah, underwent Red Flag Warnings for dangerous weather conditions after the fire continued growing overnight. After Mid Vermont Christian School forfeited a girls' basketball game against a team with a male player, Vermont barred the school from its state-funded tuition program and athletic league. The official death toll following twin earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 1,450 people, but tens of thousands still remain unaccounted for. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 26th, 2026 - Happy feast of Ss. John & Paul, Vigilius of Trent, and Josemaria Escrivá! The Supreme Court handed the Trump administration two major immigration victories yesterday, clearing the way for officials to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Haiti and Syria and upholding the government’s authority to turn back some asylum seekers before they physically reach U.S. soil. A federal judge in Massachusetts yesterday struck down key portions of President Donald Trump's executive order seeking to create a federal voter eligibility database. Vice President JD Vance said talks with Iran have already produced breakthroughs, including a direct communication channel between CENTCOM and the Iranian military to avert future conflicts. A landmark First Amendment case over abortion pill reversal opened for trial in the California Superior Court this week. The state is seeking nearly $20 million in penalties against Heartbeat International, a pro-life nonprofit that operates crisis pregnancy centers. Venezuela's health ministry has raised the earthquake death toll to at least 235. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar of Israel is requesting the Israeli Government to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. Several Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses are urging the faithful to contact lawmakers and oppose H.B. 2632, legislation they say would jeopardize access to Catholic education for thousands of students.  Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 25th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. William the Abbot! At least 164 have been killed and hundreds more injured after two significant earthquakes struck Venezuela, collapsing multiple buildings and causing widespread damage in the capital, Caracas, and elsewhere. The casualty toll is expected to rise. Multiple countries have pledged aid, including the US, Israel, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Chile. A federal judge yesterday blocked key provisions of President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at tightening federal election rules, including a directive requiring voters to provide documentation proving U.S. citizenship when they register to vote. In its final act before leaving Washington, D.C. for an over two-week break, the Senate rejected Democrats’ attempt to rein in Trump’s war powers in Iran as talks continue between Iran and the U.S. to hammer out a long-term peace deal. Trump yesterday canceled a planned signing ceremony for a major bipartisan housing affordability bill, saying he would delay action on the measure until the Senate passes the SAVE Act. After years of growing support for LGBT issues, a recent Gallup poll shows U.S. public opinion has shifted modestly in the other direction. The head of the U.S. Postal Service testified yesterday that USPS will not deliver mail-in ballots in states that refuse to hand over voter rolls tied to absentee ballot distribution in keeping with an election integrity order from President Donald Trump. The Priestly Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) has issued an open letter to Pope Leo XIV and the College of Cardinals accompanied by a 28-page profession of faith, just days before the society plans to consecrate new bishops without the Holy See’s permission. Dominion voting systems agreed to drop a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit against Mike Lindell (the MyPillow guy), for his claims that Dominion machines enabled the stealing of the 2020 election. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 24th, 2026 - Happy feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist! Multiple socialist candidates endorsed by Zohran Mamdani won their Democrat primaries in New York last night, among them Claire Valdez, who has called for a Trans Bill of Rights, national rent control, and unlimited refugees. The Department of Health and Human Services is preparing to terminate $67 million in teen pregnancy prevention grants due to a department review. The Trump administration saw two immigration enforcement victories yesterday: The Supreme Court ruled that green card holders can lose their admission status based on pending criminal charges and the D.C. Circuit cleared the way for nationwide expedited removal of noncitizens. A United Nations inquiry accused Israeli authorities and security forces of deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza, concluding that the alleged conduct amounted to genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The Vatican Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments told the president of the German Bishops’ Conference that laypeople may not, even in exceptional circumstances, give the homily during Mass. Controversy recently erupted after Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, former head of the John Paul II Institute on Marriage and Family Life, said that the changes he made during his tenure aimed to start a “profound reform” of the idea of natural law. Pete Hegseth has requested General CD Donahue, the top U.S. Army officer in Europe, to resign. Donahue will reportedly resign today. Donahue has been critical of the lack of U.S. assistance to Ukraine; he was the last U.S. soldier to depart Afghanistan in 2021. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 23rd, 2026 - Happy St. John's Eve and the feast of St. Giuseppe Cafasso! Major League Baseball appears to be backtracking regarding the San Francisco Giants players who wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night caps. The players will not face discipline. Federal Judge Sparkle Sooknanan yesterday blocked the Trump administration’s creation of a citizen database to ensure no noncitizens could vote in U.S. elections. Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem (Theophilos III) arrived in Gaza yesterday for a pastoral visit. Cardinal Pizzaballa spoke of “the pastoral responsibility of the Churches of Jerusalem toward the local churches and toward the whole population of Gaza”. Bishop Daniel Thomas of the U.S. Bishops' pro-life committee marked the fourth anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade yesterday by warning that the pro-life victory "risks being undone by the massive influx of abortion pills" that federal law continues to allow under the Trump administration. Pope Leo XIV sent a message to participants in the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Summer Youth Conferences, telling young people that true joy and peace will not be found in “doom scrolling”.  Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 22nd, 2026 - Happy feast of Ss. Alban, John Fisher and Thomas More! Pakistan and Qatar, the two countries mediating talks between the U.S. and Iran, announced that the nations have formed an oversight committee and agreed to a “roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days”. Tickets for the Sept. 24 beatification Mass of Ven. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen are available this week. The number of countries experiencing high or very high levels of religious social hostility increased for the third consecutive year, according to a new report released by the Pew Research Center. British PM Kier Starmer announced his resignation. He hopes a replacement Labour leader can be chosen and appointed by the end of the summer. The Labour Party’s National Executive Committee will open nominations on July 9th. The DOJ is challenging a New York law in court, which mandates long-term care facilities to house transgenders based on so-called “gender identity.” Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 19th, 2026 - Happy feasts of Ss. Romuald & Juliana Falconieri! President Donald Trump yesterday renewed his call for peace across the Middle East, urging all parties to uphold ongoing negotiations as Israel moved to deepen its military presence inside southern Lebanon. Israel has carried out dozens of airstrikes on Lebanon in the past few hours, with one Israeli minister declaring: “For each tear an Israeli mother sheds, a thousand Lebanese mothers must cry. All of Lebanon must burn.” Vice President JD Vance warned Israeli critics of the U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement yesterday, saying President Donald Trump is "the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time." Pope Leo approved updated governing rules for the Vatican's child protection commission, replacing the original 2015 statutes with new measures meant to strengthen safety, boost accountability, and better integrate the body into the broader Roman Curia. The Department of Justice warned Major League Baseball (MLB) that it may have violated federal civil rights law by threatening to discipline San Francisco Giants pitchers who wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night caps. The Archdiocese of San Francisco issued a statement backing the three Giants pitchers who wrote a Genesis reference on their rainbow Pride Night caps, saying athletes "should not be asked to check their faith at the clubhouse door." Kaiser Permanente has agreed to implement corrective measures to resolve religious discrimination charges surrounding their denying of religious exemptions to employees who refused the COVID-19 vaccine. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 18th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Ephrem the Syrian! President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance signed a preliminary U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding while attending the Group of Seven summit in France, the White House announced, even as Israel signaled it would not abide by key provisions calling for an end to military operations in Lebanon. The Holy Father has praised the upcoming agreement, stating, “I welcome with satisfaction the agreement reached between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, which is to be signed on Friday, as an encouraging outcome of patient dialogue and negotiation.” Archbishop Hubertus van Megen touched down in Berlin this week to begin his new assignment as the apostolic nuncio to Germany – pray for him! A Louisiana teenager and her baby survived after she was given abortion drugs without her consent and delivered the child at 23 weeks gestation. A Christian high school student who honored Charlie Kirk with a Bible verse on a boulder used to share messages on campus has been officially exonerated after a legal battle over free speech and religious expression. More details are still emerging over the planned attack at the UFC event that President Trump and others are attending. The conspirators allegedly planned to deploy drones armed with explosives in and around the UFC Freedom 250 event before shooting at those fleeing. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 17th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Botulph! Pope Leo said yesterday he may still attempt once more to convince the leadership of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) to reverse course on the illicit episcopal ordinations that the Vatican has said would result in excommunication. An independent British inquiry released a 219-page report yesterday, concluding that organized networks of predominantly Pakistani Muslim men sexually exploited as many as 250,000 girls and women across the United Kingdom over several decades while police, social workers, and politicians repeatedly failed to intervene or suppressed evidence of abuse. Jeremy Clarkson, a British television legend and the former face of “Top Gear”, has revealed a prostate cancer diagnosis, saying the cancer is aggressive, but was caught early, and treatment begins soon. Major League Baseball (MLB) told three San Francisco Giants pitchers they had violated uniform rules after they wrote Bible verses on their "Pride Night" caps during a June 12 game. The Trump Administration is continuing to increase sanctions on Cuba, which is being felt by those who live on the island.  Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 16th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Lutgardis! 8 Americans were reported killed yesterday after an Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff for a test flight from Edwards Air Force Base in California. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Please pray for the repose of those killed. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz restated yesterday that the nation would not withdraw its troops from land Israel has captured in Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu also stated in an address that the Trump administration’s deal with Iran is President Donald Trump’s “decision” and not Israel's. Trump is reportedly pressuring Israel strongly to withdraw from Lebanon by Friday. A large-scale Russian missile and drone attack struck Kyiv early June 15, damaging the historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery complex and killing at least five people in the Ukrainian capital, Ukrainian officials said. Pope Leo’s brother, Louis Prevost, was spotted chatting with Vice President JD Vance during Trump’s UFC event at the White House. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance discussed their family’s Mass attendance practices ahead of the release of Vance’s memoir, explaining that having a priest celebrate Mass at their home is “one of the rare privileges of this life.” The FBI and its law enforcement partners disrupted an alleged plot targeting this weekend’s UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington, DC. Five people were in custody as of yesterday, and investigators identified 23 people as part of a potential network of plotters. The alleged plan involved using explosive-laden drones to hit buildings near the event, force a mass evacuation and steer crowds toward a pre-staged sniper team. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 15th, 2026 - Happy feasts of Ss. Vitus, Germaine Cousin & Bernard! After the Trump administration announced it was hours away from finalizing the Iran deal to end hostilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered strikes on Beirut, Lebanon, a move Trump decried for nearly scuttling the effort to end the war. Trump said he was "very angry" that Netanyahu struck Lebanon, accusing the Israeli leader of having no discretion or judgment. The U.S. and Iran have officially come to an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and cease hostilities as they continue negotiations throughout today. Vice President JD Vance told "CBS Sunday Morning" that he expects the President to be "very supportive" of whatever Vance and second lady Usha Vance decide regarding a potential presidential run. The Scottish girls who became famous online for wielding a knife and hatchet, one of whom came to be known as ‘Sophie Of Dundee’ were vindicated in court, when their aggressors were formally convicted. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 12th, 2026 - Happy feast of the Sacred Heart, along with Pope St. Leo III! President Trump canceled his proposed strikes against Iran, citing progress on a Memorandum of Understanding that is expected to be signed on Sunday. Details include cessation of hostilities, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s commitment to not seek nuclear armament. The White House issued a presidential message yesterday supporting the U.S. bishops’ consecration of the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the consecration event, new papal nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Caccia struck a tone of support and friendship with the US bishops, which many noted was markedly different from the previous nuncio’s often antagonistic relationship with American prelates. Cardinal Raymond Burke will be celebrating Mass for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and enthroning the Sacred Heart at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe today at 5PM Eastern Time There will be a livestream, if you would like to watch and pray along. In a shocking announcement that included reports of serial child abuse, DHS announced that they have found some of the unaccompanied children who were lost by the Biden Administration. Supporters of Karmelo Anthony, who was just convicted in the murder of Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet, have been threatening jurors with violence. Jacksonville police are investigating videos showing assaults of those who look like jurors.  Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 11th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Barnabas! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who donated and helped us reach full funding in our Spring Appeal. U.S. Central Command yesterday evening announced it had renewed bombings against Iran, calling the strikes "self-defense" in response to the downing two days earlier of a U.S. Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump signed the Secure America Act into law, approving almost $70 billion in funding to bolster U.S. immigration enforcement and deportation operations through the end of fiscal year 2029. During his apostolic journey in Spain, Pope Leo yesterday prayed the Rosary at a 1,000-year-old Benedictine monastery and visited with inmates at a penitentiary. Protests continue in Belfast after the attempted beheading by an immigrant. A water cannon was deployed on a crowd of 200 yesterday. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 10th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Margaret of Scotland! We're in the home stretch of our Spring Appeal - "Lord, Save my Loved Ones". Just $33,000 left to raise, so we're fundraising on the air for one more day! As soon as we hit our goal, we'll be back to regular programming. To donate, call 1-877-711-8500 or visit RiseRight.org. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 9th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Columba! “I call the shots,” Trump said Sunday. “Bibi does not.” Trump added yesterday that he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “you better be very careful what you do, because you could be left alone facing Iran very soon.” Pope Leo received a nearly ten-minute standing ovation at the Spanish Parliament after telling lawmakers to protect human life from conception until natural death. He added, “The moral greatness of a nation is manifested, above all, in its capacity to accompany, protect and love those lives that are most fragile.” Federal authorities have uncovered a sophisticated cross-border tunnel stretching nearly 2,000 feet from Mexico into California. Two crew members from a U.S. Army Apache helicopter were rescued by American forces after the chopper went down near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters. The Soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is under investigation. In a shocking incident caught on video, a Somalian attempted a beheading on the streets of Belfast last night before being tackled by police. The victim was hospitalized with serious injuries. Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, met with Trump at the White House and urged him to protect the Christians and Muslims of the Holy Land. The meeting came amid growing concerns stemming from radical settler activity in the region, restrictions on worship, and pressure on ancient Christian communities across the Middle East.  Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 8th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. William of York! Bishop Afonso of the Diocese of Quelimane, Mozambique, a country in southeastern Africa, was fatally shot in the chest in the early hours of the morning on Saturday at his episcopal residence. The Church in Mozambique is left "in a state of shock." The Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on targets in western and central Iran last night, hours after Iran launched a wave of ballistic missiles at northern Israel, with explosions reported in Tehran, Tabriz, and Isfahan. President Trump has called for a ceasefire between the two countries in response. Vice President JD Vance recently condemned the murder of a British university student Henry Nowak, citing the incident to criticize European immigration policies. Xavier Becerra, who served as Health and Human Services Secretary under President Joe Biden, will now advance to the November general election to replace California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. The State Department announced more than $240 million in humanitarian assistance to Catholic Relief Services this weekend, with U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch making the announcement in Rome alongside senior officials. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 5th, 2026 - Happy First Friday and feast of St. Boniface! President Donald Trump yesterday dismissed the House’s advancement of a resolution to limit his power to order continued military actions against Iran, calling lawmakers “unpatriotic”. A motion to attach the SAVE America Act to the BR conciliation bill has failed. Four Republican Senators dissented: Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, and Thom Tillis. Hezbollah rejected a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese government on June 4, insisting that any agreement must include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. An appeals court in Canada has rejected a request by the Congregation of St. Basil to dismiss a lawsuit against the congregation and its prominent member Fr. Thomas Rosica. YouTuber Jesse Ridgway announced that he and his wife aborted their unborn child after learning the baby had Down syndrome. The post was widely condemned by Catholics and conservatives. Ahead of its 250th anniversary, the U.S. will receive a blessing following a Eucharist procession in Washington, D.C., on June 5. The 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) began in St. Augustine, Florida, in late May and has since been traveling by van up the East Coast. President Donald Trump has unveiled a $700 million federal infrastructure package to modernize domestic coal plants and build the nation’s first new coal-fired facilities in over a decade. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 4th, 2026 - Happy feasts of Corpus Christi and St. Francis Caracciolo! Israel and Lebanon agreed yesterday to implement a U.S.-brokered ceasefire framework, contingent on Hezbollah ending its attacks. Iran simultaneously warned that renewed Israeli strikes on Beirut could trigger a “full-scale resumption” of the broader regional war. Speaking to the association of Catholic Colleges and Universities from the U.S., Pope Leo XIV said Catholic education offers an answer to the modern “fragmentation of knowledge.” Washington Archbishop Cardinal Robert McElroy just removed Monsignor Stephen Rossetti as an exorcist for the archdiocese after the priest publicly warned that many supposed UFO incidents are actually demonic activity. NIH Researchers have been Charged After Allegedly Smuggling Monkeypox Vials Into United States. President Trump is expected to announce today that his administration will put about $700 million towards bolstering the U.S. coal industry. Protests continue in England in the wake of Henry Nowak’s death. Questions have been raised about the policing at these protests, with one video appearing to show an officer repeatedly kicking a man in the head. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 3rd, 2026 - Happy feast of the Ugandan Martyrs! The Supreme Court ruled last night that Alabama lawmakers can revert to a GOP-backed congressional map in the upcoming midterm elections – striking down a federal court panel order that blocked the map. President Donald Trump reportedly called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “crazy” and blamed his aggression against neighboring countries for growing global hatred of Israel, according to Axios. The Wall Street Journal later confirmed and expanded on the leaked conversation. Israel has appointed a new Mossad Director, Belarus-born Roman Gofman. He has previously written a document stating that Israel should establish a military government in the Gaza Strip, and has criticized the IDF's reluctance to send ground forces into Gaza. After a May 31 fire damaged the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Memphis, Tennessee, police say they are now investigating the incident for possible arson. The FBI said yesterday that 35 people had been charged for narcotics and firearms offenses stemming from a yearlong federal operation in West Virginia while also unveiling a new nationwide summer crime-fighting initiative. Kash Patel announced, “We’re just getting started.” President Trump has rescheduled the White House Correspondent’s Dinner, despite the last assassination attempt against him. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 2nd, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Elmo! Comedian Bill Cosby was denied his request for a new trial over his claim that the $60 million that he was ordered to pay to his rape victim was “excessive.” Vickrum Digwa has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of Henry Nowak. Henry’s family is still requesting an investigation into the officers who arrested him instead of treating him as a dying victim. Pope Leo XIV has appointed Maria Montserrat Alvarado, President and Chief Operating Officer of EWTN News, as Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication. The appointment will take effect Nov. 1, 2026. The Trump administration is abandoning the $1.8 billion fund that was intended to compensate people who were targeted by government "weaponization" under previous administrations, following a federal court order blocking the program. The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is less than 10 days away from falling to its lowest level since August 1983, according to a top analyst. President Donald Trump said yesterday that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to stop fighting and that U.S. talks with Iran were still ongoing, despite Tehran saying earlier it had suspended negotiations over Israel’s new offensive in Lebanon. The Vatican released an English-language audiobook of Pope Leo's first encyclical yesterday. The audiobook version of Magnifica Humanitas runs about five and a half hours in total. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

June 1st, 2026 - Happy feasts of St. Justin Martyr and St. John Baptist Scalabrini! Major evacuations are underway in southern Beirut as Israel ramps up military actions in Lebanon. The U.S. and Iran have traded strikes while the “ceasefire” officially continues. A potential peace deal is still reportedly in the works, with President Trump still holding off on a final decision. The Washington Nationals president of baseball operations Jason Sinnarajah, himself Catholic, apologized to Catholics during Friday night pregame coverage, stating that the team is "not anti-Catholic" and "horrified by the comments" caught on undercover video. President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV's meeting with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Saturday, writing in a Truth Social post that "someone should explain to the Pope" that the mayor is "useless" and that "Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon!" A federal judge temporarily halted the Trump administration's $1.78 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" from transferring money to victims of government “weaponization.” Pope Leo XIV welcomed representatives of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal to the Vatican, encouraging members to place their spiritual gifts at the service of the whole Church and urging them to pursue communion, charity, and mission rather than "self-promotion, or the pursuit of power or personal prestige." Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 29th, 2026 - Happy feasts of St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi and Pope St. Paul VI! California State Assembly passed the so-called ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ which will put journalists at civil risk for investigating fraud. A federal judge yesterday allowed President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to create federal voter lists and tighten rules for mail-in voting to remain in place for now, rejecting a request from Democrats to block the order. CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt has sent formal letters to the Washington Nationals and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division demanding answers over alleged religious discrimination against Catholic pitcher Trevor Williams. The Justice Department launched a criminal investigation into whether E. Jean Carroll committed perjury during litigation against President Donald Trump. A man has been charged with burglary and arson after authorities say he broke into a Catholic elementary school in Springfield, Missouri, damaged religious items, and set a fire inside the building. A 320-foot rocket built by Jeff Bezos-owned company Blue Origin exploded at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during a "hotfire test" around 9 p.m. yesterday. Pope Leo warned yesterday not to water down Christianity in an attempt to evangelize.  Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 28th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury! Today we welcome our first-ever guest: Fr. David LiPuma, pastor and rector of Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica in Lackawanna, NY. We discuss Venerable Nelson Baker, the history of the Basilica, and the anniversary celebrations happening this weekend. Pope Leo XIV is inviting Catholics around the world to join him in praying a rosary for peace on May 30. The Holy Father is set to pray the rosary live from the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens at 7 p.m. Rome time. During a White House cabinet meeting yesterday, President Donald Trump said he feels confident the U.S. and Iran can arrive at a deal to end hostilities, but also threatened new acts of war if there is any backtracking on nuclear restrictions or the opening of the Hormuz Strait. During his meeting with state attorneys general, Vice President JD Vance revealed that his task force on fraud had discovered billions of taxpayer dollars had been lost to waste and criminal scams. During his General Audience yesterday, speaking about the Second Vatican Council document on liturgy, Pope Leo XIV called on clergy to maintain respect for the texts and regulations of the liturgy when celebrating Mass. The Trump administration has ordered federal prosecutors at the Department of Justice to avoid pursuing any criminal investigations into Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 27th, 2026 - Happy feast of Ss. Bede the Venerable and Augustine of Canterbury! Reports claim that the U.S.-Iran peace deal is complete except for signatures. The Trump cabinet is holding a meeting at the White House today. Israel continues strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The SCOTUS opted not to hear Florida’s petition regarding Washington and California giving illegal aliens commercial driving licenses. Justices Alito and Thomas dissented. A senior Washington Nationals executive was caught on hidden camera admitting that he had blackballed pitcher Trevor Williams from team social media content because of his Catholic faith. Texas voters overwhelmingly chose Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. The Priestly Society of Saint Pius X announced the names of four priests set to be ordained bishops July 1 without papal approval, weeks after the Vatican warned their ordinations would constitute a schismatic act. Planned Parenthood has launched a new program in Washington state and Hawaii that allows women to obtain chemical abortion drugs before becoming pregnant. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 26th, 2026 - Happy Pentecost Tuesday and feast of St. Philip Neri! Pope Leo released his encyclical on AI yesterday, and it has already received both praise and condemnations. President Donald Trump said over the weekend that a peace deal with Iran, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, had been "largely negotiated," though he said the naval blockade on Iranian ports would remain in place until an agreement is certified and signed. The gunman killed in an exchange of fire with Secret Service agents outside the White House this weekend was identified as Nasire Best, who was 21 years old. Washington state's foster care department agreed to a permanent injunction barring it from denying licenses to families based on their religious beliefs on marriage and gender. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 25th, 2026 - Please join Jake and Sarah in discussing the history and meaning of Memorial Day in the United States, the importance of praying for the dead, Catholic teaching on Purgatory, and praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary for the souls of those who gave their lives for their country. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 22nd, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Rita! President Trump has again stated he will speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. A US President has not directly spoken to a Taiwanese President, at least to the public's knowledge, since 1979, when the US and China established diplomatic relations and officially recognized Beijing as the only legal government of China. Federal officials announced sweeping new Medicaid fraud charges in Minnesota yesterday, accusing 15 defendants of such schemes. Aimee Bock, the “mastermind” behind the massive Feeding Our Future case, received the longest sentence yet connected to that fraud investigation, totaling 41 years. The House of Representatives has cancelled their vote on the war powers, which would stop new strikes on Iran, as they lack the votes to pass. The House has now failed 4 votes on the war powers resolution. The Largest US energy company, Exxon Mobil, is in talks with the Venezuelan government to reacquire oil production rights in Venezuela, after being kicked out of Venezuela almost 20 years ago. More than 3,000 Catholics gathered in Bell-view, Washington, for the ASCEND Eucharistic Revival, an event the organization described as one of the “largest gatherings of Pacific Northwest Catholics in decades.” Vice President JD Vance yesterday attended Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer’s “Catholic Connections” gathering, where the Catholic VP reportedly shared his personal faith testimony and discussed how the faith informs his approach to governing. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 21st, 2026 - Happy feast of the Mexican Martyrs! Federal prosecutors yesterday announced charges against 94-year-old former Cuban President Raúl Castro for the 1996 downing of two civilian planes operated by Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue. In a letter to Congress, a coalition of 60 pro-life organizations across the U.S. urged lawmakers to extend a moratorium that protects taxpayer funds from being used for Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. That moratorium is set to expire on July 4th. Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed laws protecting doctors' right to refuse care that violates their conscience and expanding free speech and religious freedom protections for public school students. Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming encyclical on artificial intelligence (AI), new data from Gallup shows that seven in 10 Americans do not approve of building AI data centers in their local area. Israeli National Security Minister caused international outrage over footage that he posted on social media, showing the mistreatment of detainees. Elon Musk has expressed an interest in starting a lawsuit over the death and neglect of a young Englishman, Henry Nowak.  Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 20th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Bernardine of Siena! Justices Charlie Bethel and Sarah Hawkins Warren were both reelected to the Georgia Supreme Court yesterday despite substantial Democratic and abortion-industry efforts to unseat them. The future of Georgia’s law protecting unborn children after six weeks hinged on the outcome. The Senate advanced a measure that would require President Donald Trump to end U.S. military actions against Iran unless Congress authorizes them. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, an outspoken critic of Trump’s handling of the Epstein files and recent foreign policy decisions, was defeated yesterday in the most expensive House primary in American history. Israeli settlers reportedly torched fields, attempted to burn a school, and tried to set homes on fire with families inside across at least nine West Bank locations the night of May 18, while Israeli military forces blocked fire trucks from reaching the scenes. A Colorado district judge ordered a coroner to release an unredacted autopsy report of a teen who died in 2025 of complications from a second-trimester abortion, a legal victory that pro-life groups have touted as a win for transparency surrounding abortions. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 19th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Peter Celestine! Israel has issued evacuation orders for parts of Lebanon, due to their resumption of operations against Hezbollah following ceasefire violations. A New York judge blocked some items found in Luigi Mangione's backpack from being used as evidence in the murder case of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson. That includes including the magazine, cellphone, passport, wallet and computer chip. President Donald Trump said yesterday that he has postponed a planned U.S. military strike against Iran after Gulf leaders urged more time for negotiations. He also ordered that it remain prepared for a possible “full, large scale assault” on short notice if negotiations fail. The Education Department will now let eligible students use federal Pell Grant funds for trade and tech training programs. Two teenage gunmen opened fire at a mosque in San Diego yesterday, killing three men before fleeing the scene and dying of apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds a few blocks away. A rule in New York prohibiting concealed carry unless business owners posted signs permitting it has been ruled unconstitutional. Vandals beheaded a Sacred Heart of Jesus statue outside a Catholic church on New York’s Long Island, and police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. Please consider making prayers of reparation. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 18th, 2026 - Happy feast of Ss. Felix of Cantalice and Pope John I! Vladimir Putin is set to visit President Xi this week, just days after President Trump’s visit. Tens of thousands of right-wing Brits protested on the streets of London in a "Unite the Kingdom” rally. Sen. Bill Cassidy lost his Louisiana Republican primary Saturday to Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow, becoming the first elected GOP senator to lose renomination since 2012 — five years after he voted to convict Trump in his impeachment trial. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has returned to his radio program after being hospitalized with viral pneumonia. Celebrating World Communications Day, Pope Leo XIV called on Catholics to resist forms of communication that undermine the truth and dignity of the human person. Ukraine killed at least four people and downed more than 1,000 drones across Russia in its largest overnight attack on Moscow in more than a year, as President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed retaliation for Russia's heaviest strike on Kyiv since the war began. Lawmakers heard testimony detailing allegations that prisoners of conscience and religious minorities in China are being systematically targeted for forced organ harvesting. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 15th, 2026 - Happy feasts of St. Isidore, St. Dymphna, and St. John Baptist de la Salle! U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks is resigning effective immediately, reported Fox News. “It’s just time... I feel like I got the ship back on course from the least secure disastrous chaotic border to the most secure border this country has ever seen.” Fr. James Martin has been revealed as the mastermind behind the controversial synod Study Group No 9. The abortion drug mifepristone is once again available via remote prescribing, due to the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday. President Trump and President Xi reportedly had a good meeting, but there has been no mention of changes regarding Jimmy Lai. A new federal probe has been examining whether taxpayer dollars fund child gender transitions. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is suing an Oregon-based construction company for allegedly allowing Mexican employees to harass their American coworkers and firing an American worker after he complained of the treatment. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 14th, 2026 - Happy feast of the Ascension! Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 13th, 2026 - Happy feast of Our Lady of Fatima! President Donald Trump said yesterday that Americans’ financial struggles are not a consideration in his approach to negotiations over the Iran war. He made the remark hours after new inflation data showed consumer prices rising to the highest inflation rate in three years. The Israeli military said that it sentenced two soldiers to military jail after one was photographed placing a cigarette in the mouth of a Virgin Mary statue in Debel, a predominantly Christian village in southern Lebanon. President Donald Trump announced six federal judicial nominees May 11, including two conservative district judges he appointed during his first term, for seats on federal appeals courts. A protestant pastor was convicted by a Northern Ireland Court For holding an open-air Christian service. The U.S. bishops release a video from Archbishop Sample and resources for consecrating the nation to the Sacred Heart this June. The Vatican has reaffirmed that the SSPX will excommunicate themselves this summer if they proceed with consecrating bishops without a papal mandate. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 12th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Pancras! President Donald Trump is weighing the reinstatement of Project Freedom – as well as a potential renewal of military strikes – after Iran rejected a U.S.-backed proposal that would have opened the Strait of Hormuz and ended hostilities for a 30-day negotiation period. Pakistan has begun helping Iran shield and shelter its military aircraft following the ceasefire with the US, according to reports. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito yesterday extended a temporary stay on a federal appeals court ruling that would have reinstated restrictions on the abortion drug mifepristone, keeping nationwide access by mail in place until Thursday. The Trump administration proposed a new rule that would allow employers to offer in-vitro fertilization (IVF) directly to workers through a new category of health coverage exempt from some Affordable Care Act requirements. Cole Tomas Allen, who stands accused of attempting to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, pleaded not guilty yesterday to all federal charges. In the UK: Three Labour MPs quit as ministerial aides and called for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign. Calls for his resignation continue to increase following the election over the weekend. The EU will invite a delegation of the Taliban to discuss immigration. This would mark the first step in the European Union formally recognizing the Taliban as Afghanistan's legitimate government.  Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org

May 11th, 2026 - Happy feast of St. Gangolf of Burgundy! President Donald Trump said yesterday he plans to reject Iran's response to the latest U.S.-backed peace proposal, after waiting 10 days for the country to reply. Trump told Axios, "I don't like their letter. It's inappropriate," and later called it "TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!" in a Truth Social post. President Trump also expressed hope for an end in sight for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, after this weekend saw a three-day ceasefire between the two countries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told 60 Minutes this weekend that he has told the Trump administration that he plans to end American military aid to Israel and wishes for the process to begin now. More than 100 lawmakers across both major parties have sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to demand Chinese leader Xi Jinping release Hong Kong media tycoon and Catholic Jimmy Lai. On Mother’s Day, the Trump Administration released a new website to help pregnant mothers find pregnancy care centers. Passengers from the Hantavirus-stricken cruise ship have now disembarked and returned to their home countries. One French passenger and one from the US tested positive after being evacuated from the vessel in the Canary Islands. Rise Right is a live morning program hosted by Sarah Cain & Jakob Martin Kraft, designed to help Catholics begin their day grounded in faith, clarity, and peace. The goal is simple: help listeners start their day well. Stay rooted in prayer, informed about the world, and able to face each day with joy and reason. RiseRight.org