TMS WEEKLY DISPATCH 9/25/26
Closing arguments delivered in case where California seeks more than $25 million in fines and gag order on speech. Ruling expected within 90 days.
Welcome to the TMS Weekly Dispatch for September 25, 2026—with the latest news and updates from the front line, to keep you in-the-know on all things Thomas More Society.
NATIONAL HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATIONS AND NEW PLAINTIFFS JOIN FEDERAL LAWSUIT AGAINST ILLINOIS ASSISTED SUICIDE LAW: Five national or statewide religious health care associations and two new individual plaintiffs—together representing Catholic hospitals, health care facilities, and numerous physicians and nurses across Illinois— joined Thomas More Society’s ongoing lawsuit challenging the state’s assisted suicide law, adding their claims to an amended complaint filed just two days before the law took effect.
The new plaintiffs include the Illinois Catholic Health Association, the Christian Medical & Dental Associations, the Catholic Medical Association, the National Association of Catholic Nurses, and the Catholic Psychotherapy Association, along with Dr. William Crevier, a physician, and Carol Crevier, a soon-to-be advanced practice registered nurse. Together, the new organizational plaintiffs represent over 95% of Catholic health institutions in Illinois and more than 13,000 health care professionals nationwide who object to the law’s mandates on conscience grounds.
Read more here.
NORTH CAROLINA PARENTS DEMAND RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS AFTER WAKE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT HIRES TRANSGENDER TEACHER: A group of parents at Middle Creek Elementary School is demanding that the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) respect their families’ religious rights after the district recently hired a new music teacher—a biological male who presents as a transgender woman. When the parents asked for accommodations for their children regarding pronoun use and classroom discussion of gender and sexuality, the district refused. Now, representing these families, Thomas More Society attorneys have given WCPSS 15 days to provide written assurances protecting their rights, or face a lawsuit.
More details here.
TRIAL ENDS IN CALIFORNIA CASE SEEKING TO BANKRUPT PRO-LIFE MINISTRIES OVER ABORTION PILL REVERSAL SPEECH: Last week, Thomas More Society attorneys delivered closing arguments in People of the State of California v. Heartbeat International & RealOptions, defending Heartbeat International and RealOptions against a lawsuit brought by the California Attorney General, which seeks more than $25 million in fines against them and a permanent gag order on their speech about Abortion Pill Reversal.
The pro-life ministries say such a penalty would bankrupt them and strip free pregnancy help and health information from women across California and beyond. A decision is expected within 90 days.
Full press release here.
Watch Peter Breen break down the stakes on the OBservations Podcast with Dr. Christina Francis here.
