Midday Roundup: Lands' End apologizes for praising abortion advocate

Unacceptable affiliation. Lands’ End has apologized for featuring Gloria Steinem, the feminist leader and abortion supporter, in an article in its spring catalog. The article portrayed Steinem as an American legend and interviewed her about women’s equality. The mail-order clothing company, which sells student uniforms to many private and parochial schools, also had an option for customers to buy a tote bag in support of the ERA Coalition Fund For Women’s Equality. After customers threatened to boycott on social media, the company removed the article and the tote bag from its website, Forbes reported. “It was never our intention to raise a divisive political or religious issue, so when some of our customers saw the recent promotion that way, we heard them,” Lands End said on its Facebook page. “We sincerely apologize for any offense.”

Not interested. Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval said thanks, but no thanks to the White House yesterday. President Barack Obama was reportedly considering nominating Sandoval, a Republican, to the U.S. Supreme Court to replace the late Antonin Scalia. The move would have put pressure on the GOP-controlled Senate to consider the nomination. But in a statement to the White House yesterday, Sandoval said although he was humbled and grateful to be mentioned for the court, “I do not wish to be considered at this time.” The president maintains he will nominate a successor to Scalia on the ideologically divided court. Senate Republicans say they won’t consider a replacement until a new president nominates someone in 2017.

Sacked. The University of Missouri has fired controversial assistant communications professor Melissa Click, who was caught on tape twice engaging in disruptive activity on campus. In November, she was charged with misdemeanor assault for pushing a student reporter and potentially inciting violence during a student protest. Last month, another tape surfaced showing Click cursing at police officers attempting to keep student protesters away from a homecoming parade in October. That was apparently the last straw for the university’s Board of Curators, which fired Click yesterday. Chairwoman Pam Henrickson said Click had a right to express her views on campus, but not to interfere with the rights of others, encourage physical intimidation, or interfere with law enforcement.

Conscience call. The Archdiocese of St. Louis is urging Roman Catholics to reevaluate ties to the Girl Scouts. Archbishop Robert Carlson wants church members to consider alternatives to the Girl Scouts due to the organization’s support for abortion, transgender rights, and homosexuality. Brian Miller, director of the Catholic Youth Apostolate in St. Louis, said the church has problems with what the scouting organization is teaching young girls. But Bonnie Barczykowski, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, said the archdiocese’s decision will not change her organization.

Notable retirement. U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., announced Thursday he will not seek re-election in November. Salmon first served in the House in the 1990s and unsuccessfully ran for Arizona governor in 2002. He was re-elected to the House in 2012. The 58-year-old Republican said he wants to spend more time with his family. Salmon was a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, the group of conservative lawmakers that pushed for the resignation of former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. Salmon’s congressional district in the Phoenix suburbs is heavily Republican and is expected to remain in GOP control in the fall elections.

WORLD Radio’s Kristen Eicher and Jim Henry and The Associated Press contributed to this report.