Guilty of abetting abortion, Polish woman vows to fight on
March 24, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The way Justyna Wydrzyńska sees it, Ania was a victim of domestic violence just like she was. Another child and she’d be trapped. It was 2020. The pandemic lockdowns. Everyone worried that Poland’s borders might close, halting travel and postal services.
Abortion-rights supporters prevail in New Hampshire House
March 23, 2023 GMTCONCORD, N.H. (AP) — In a victory for abortion-rights supporters, the Republican-led but closely divided New Hampshire House on Thursday rejected multiple bills to further restrict abortion access while also approving legislation to protect it.
Feds: Woman charged in Wyoming clinic fire opposes abortion
March 23, 2023 GMTCHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A woman accused of setting fire last year to a Wyoming abortion clinic that was under construction told investigators that she opposes abortion and was experiencing anxiety and nightmares over the facility opening, authorities say in court documents.
Mississippi senator kills initiative plan, minus abortion
March 23, 2023 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi residents will continue being unable to bypass lawmakers and put policy proposals on statewide ballots because a key senator killed a plan Thursday to create a new initiative process.
Kansas lawmakers near approval of ‘born alive’ abortion bill
March 23, 2023 GMTTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas proposal based on the claim that providers leave infants to die after they're born during certain types of abortions is nearing legislative approval, as Republicans pursue limited anti-abortion measures following a decisive statewide vote last year protecting abortion rights.
New Hawaii law expands abortion access, protects providers
March 23, 2023 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii's governor on Wednesday signed legislation expanding access to abortion and putting into law recent executive orders protecting local health care providers from prosecution by out-of-state authorities.
Arrest made in fire at planned Wyoming abortion clinic
March 23, 2023 GMTCHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A woman was arrested on charges of setting fire to a building in Wyoming that was being renovated to house the state’s only full-service abortion clinic, authorities said Wednesday, hours after a judge temporarily blocked a ban on abortion that went into effect a few days ago.
Judge halts Wyoming abortion ban days after it took effect
March 23, 2023 GMTCHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Abortion will again be legal in Wyoming — at least for now — after a judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked a ban that took effect a few days earlier.
A hectic week for abortion policy with laws and lawsuits
March 23, 2023 GMTNine months after the U.S. Supreme Court ended a nationwide right to an abortion, the landscape is far from settled, with lawmakers considering broader bans or stronger protections and legal challenges popping up nationwide.
Mississippi initiative proposal, minus abortion, in limbo
March 22, 2023 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Senate leaders are not saying whether they will support a new initiative process that would allow voters to put proposed state laws — but nothing dealing with abortion — on the ballot.
Oklahoma court OK’s abortion to preserve mother’s life
March 22, 2023 GMTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A divided Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned a portion of the state’s near total ban on abortion, ruling women have a right to abortion when pregnancy risks their health, not just in a medical emergency.
Lawsuit seeks to block abortion pill ban in Wyoming
March 22, 2023 GMTCHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Abortion-rights supporters filed an amended lawsuit Tuesday seeking to block Wyoming's new abortion pill ban from taking effect.
A group hoping to open what would be the state's second clinic offering abortions filed the amended lawsuit days after Republican Gov.
Evers pushes to repeal abortion ban ahead of court election
March 21, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and his fellow Democrats worked Tuesday to keep the spotlight on abortion ahead of next month's state Supreme Court election, resurrecting a bill that would repeal the state's 1849 ban on the practice.
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates clash over abortion, maps
March 21, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — The liberal candidate for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court didn't back down from her support for abortion rights or her belief that the state's Republican-drawn legislative maps are unfair during a debate Tuesday in which her GOP-backed opponent accused her of being “bought and paid for” by Democrats.
New law puts Wyoming at forefront of abortion pill bans
March 21, 2023 GMTCHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming has pushed to the front of state efforts to prohibit the most common type of abortion by instituting the nation’s first explicit ban on pills that terminate pregnancies.
Minnesota moving to fortify state status as abortion refuge
March 21, 2023 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota is moving to fortify its status as a refuge for patients from restrictive states who travel to the state to seek abortions — and to protect providers who serve them.
Tennessee House OKs narrow abortion exemption bill
March 21, 2023 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's GOP-dominant House on Monday advanced legislation that would add a narrow exemption to the state's strict abortion ban, despite concerns raised by Democrats and medical experts that the bill does not go far enough to protect doctors and pregnant patients.
Trump silent on abortion as 2024 campaign pushes forward
March 20, 2023 GMTDAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — No elected Republican has done more to restrict abortion rights in the U.S. than Donald Trump.
But in the early days of the 2024 presidential contest, no Republican has worked harder to avoid the issue than the former president.
New Mexico Legislature passes sweeping tax-relief plan
March 19, 2023 GMTSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's Legislature passed a $1.1 billion tax relief package Saturday at the close of its annual session as lawmakers tapped a financial windfall from oil production in efforts to break through entrenched cycles of poverty with tax refunds to working families with children, reduced tax rates and increased incentives for private industry.
Wyoming governor signs measure prohibiting abortion pills
March 18, 2023 GMTWyoming Gov. Mark Gordon has signed into law the nation's first explicit ban on abortion pills since they became the predominant choice for abortion in the U.S. in recent years.
Gordon, a Republican, signed the bill Friday night while allowing a separate measure restricting abortion to become law without his signature.
New Mexico passes bill to safeguard abortion providers
March 18, 2023 GMTSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico legislators raced against the clock Friday to advance hard-fought proposals aimed at safeguarding abortion access, delivering tax relief and reducing gun violence in the final hours of a 60-day legislative session.
Vermont Senate passes bill to protect abortion providers
March 17, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Senate on Friday passed a bill that aims to protect health care workers from disciplinary action for providing abortions and gender-affirming health care, and change insurance premium charges related to such care.
California bill to protect doctors who mail abortion pills
March 17, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Doctors in California who mail abortion pills to people in other states would be protected from prosecution under a new bill announced Friday in the state Legislature.
The bill would not let California extradite doctors who are facing charges in another state for providing abortion medication.
Nevada mulls enshrining abortion rights in its constitution
March 17, 2023 GMTCARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro introduced a constitutional amendment Thursday that — over more than three years — could enshrine existing abortion rights in the state constitution, which would offer the highest level of state protection.
New Mexico gov. signs bill overriding local abortion bans
March 16, 2023 GMTSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's governor signed an abortion-rights bill Thursday that overrides local ordinances aimed at limiting access to abortion procedures and medications.
Reproductive health clinics in New Mexico offer abortion procedures to patients from states, including Texas, with strict abortion bans.
Abortion ban injunction upheld by N. Dakota Supreme Court
March 16, 2023 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a state abortion ban will remain blocked while a lawsuit over its constitutionality proceeds.
Utah bans abortion clinics in wave of post-Roe restrictions
March 16, 2023 GMTSALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Abortion clinics in Utah could be banned from operating under a law signed by the state’s Republican governor, setting off a rush of confusion among clinics, hospitals and prospective patients in the deeply conservative state.
Long-used US abortion pill under threat in Texas lawsuit
March 16, 2023 GMTAMARILLO, Texas (AP) — A federal judge in Texas raised questions Wednesday about a Christian group's effort to overturn the decades-old U.S. approval of a leading abortion drug, in a case that could threaten the country's most common method for ending pregnancies.
Here is what’s at stake in abortion medication case
March 16, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit that poses a threat to the nationwide availability of a leading abortion medication. The hearing comes as a conservative Christian group seeks to reverse federal approval of the drug mifepristone.
Tennessee GOP advance new narrow abortion exemption bill
March 15, 2023 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Republican lawmakers on Wednesday took another swing at adding a narrow exemption to one of the strictest abortion bans in the United States.
Texas judge in abortion pill case is a conservative favorite
March 15, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A Texas judge hearing a case that could throw into jeopardy access to the nation's most common method of abortion is a former attorney for a Christian legal group who critics say is being sought out by conservative litigants because they believe he’ll be sympathetic to their causes.
Medication abortions are under fire: Here’s how they work
March 15, 2023 GMTMedication abortions became the preferred method for ending pregnancy in the U.S. even before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. They usually involve taking two prescription medicines days apart — at home or in a clinic.
What will happen if medication abortion challenge succeeds?
March 15, 2023 GMTMedication abortions in the United States usually involve two different drugs.
In the latest effort to limit abortion access, opponents of the procedure are seeking to ban one of those medications.
Wisconsin Republicans propose abortion ban exceptions
March 15, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans who control the Wisconsin Legislature unveiled a bill Wednesday that would create rape and incest exceptions to the state’s 1849 abortion ban and clarify when abortions that protect the health of the mother would be allowed.
Arkansas lawmakers OK anti-abortion monument at Capitol
March 14, 2023 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A monument marking the number of abortions performed in Arkansas before Roe v.
Abortion pill access case: Judge wants ‘less advertisement’
March 14, 2023 GMTAMARILLO, Texas (AP) — A federal judge overseeing a high-stakes case that could threaten access to medication abortion across the nation asked lawyers for the “courtesy” of not publicizing upcoming arguments, according to a court record released Tuesday that reveals new details of a move experts say is outside the norm for the U.S.
Polish activist convicted for helping obtain abortion pills
March 14, 2023 GMTWARSAW, Poland (AP) — A Warsaw court on Tuesday convicted a women's rights activist for helping a victim of domestic violence access abortion pills in Poland, and sentenced her to eight months of community service.
Attack lines broaden beyond abortion in Wisconsin court race
March 14, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-backed candidate in Wisconsin's high-stakes race for state Supreme Court accused his liberal opponent Tuesday of slandering him in a barrage of television ads that initially focused on his views on abortion, but have widened to take on his past work for Republicans and other topics.
Ohio Supreme Court to review block of near-ban on abortion
March 14, 2023 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to review a county judge’s order that is blocking enforcement of the state's near-ban on abortions, and to consider whether the clinics challenging the law have legal standing to do so.
Florida abortion ban could have impact beyond the state
March 10, 2023 GMTTALLAHASSE, Fla. (AP) — Less than a year after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, an expected GOP presidential contender, signed a ban on abortions after the 15-week mark of pregnancy, he’s showing support for an even stricter ban introduced this week by state lawmakers.
Utah governor says he plans to sign abortion clinic ban
March 4, 2023 GMTSALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Friday that he plans to sign a measure that would effectively ban abortion clinics from operating in the state, meaning hospitals will soon be the only places where they can be provided in the state.
The implications of Walgreens’ decision on abortion pills
March 3, 2023 GMTWalgreens says it will not start selling an abortion pill in 20 states that had warned of legal consequences if it did so.
The drugstore chain’s announcement Thursday signals that access to mifepristone may not expand as broadly as federal regulators intended in January, when they finalized a rule change allowing more pharmacies to provide the pill.
Abortion clinics crossing state borders not always welcome
March 3, 2023 GMTBRISTOL, Va. (AP) — The pastors smiled as they held the doors open, grabbing the hands of those who walked by and urging many to keep praying and to keep showing up. Some responded with a hug. A few grimaced as they squeezed past.
Walgreens won’t sell abortion pill by mail in 20 states
March 3, 2023 GMTDEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Walgreens on Thursday said it won't sell an abortion pill by mail in 20 conservative-led states.
The statement comes after attorneys general in 20 states last month warned Walgreens and CVS that they could face legal consequences if they sell abortion pills by mail in those states.
Utah lawmakers advance abortion clinic ban over protests
March 3, 2023 GMTSALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Lawmakers advanced a measure to limit where people can get abortions in Utah, banning abortion clinics and effectively requiring they only be provided in hospitals. After passing through the state Senate on a party-line vote Thursday, it will return to the state House of Representatives for voting on minor amendments and then head to the desk of Gov.
Obstetrician appeals decision over Arizona abortion law
March 2, 2023 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — The medical director of anti-abortion pregnancy centers in metro Phoenix has asked the Arizona Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision that concluded abortion doctors couldn’t be prosecuted under a pre-statehood law that bans the procedure in nearly all cases.
Ohio AG approves language in abortion protection petition
March 2, 2023 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Attorney General’s Office approved summary language Thursday in a petition to enshrine abortion rights in Ohio’s state constitution, advancing the closely watched amendment to its next step.
Abortion opponents seek smaller changes in Kansas after vote
March 2, 2023 GMTTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Seven months after a decisive statewide vote affirmed abortion rights in Kansas, the Republican-controlled Legislature’s annual session in some ways looks a lot like previous ones, with multiple anti-abortion proposals.
Wisconsin court candidate won’t hear Democrats’ lawsuits
March 1, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Democrats' choice in a high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court race said Wednesday that she would not hear cases brought by the Wisconsin Democratic Party because it has donated $2.5 million to her campaign.
Anti-abortion allies change tactics after post-Roe defeats
March 1, 2023 GMTHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republicans and their anti-abortion allies, who suffered a series of defeats in ballot questions in states across the political spectrum last year, are changing tactics as new legislative sessions and the new election season start.
Mississippi could renew initiatives but ban them on abortion
March 1, 2023 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi residents might get back the ability to enact public policy through statewide ballot initiatives, but people would be banned from using the process to change abortion laws.
N. Carolina House Republicans talk privately on abortion
February 28, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina House Republicans met privately Tuesday to discuss where they stand on additional abortion restrictions, according to the chamber's top official.
But Speaker Tim Moore cautioned against expecting quick movement within the General Assembly among Republicans interested in narrowing further when abortions are permitted in the state.
Protestant Council of Rwanda bars abortions in its clinics
February 28, 2023 GMTKIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — The Protestant Council of Rwanda has directed all health facilities run by its members to stop carrying out all abortions, further limiting access to the procedure in the largely Christian nation of 13 million people.
Lawmakers: Tennessee AG has legal concerns over abortion ban
February 27, 2023 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Lawmakers say Tennessee's top legal chief has voiced concerns about the legality of the state's abortion law, adding an extra layer of urgency among some Republicans to insert exemptions into one of the strictest bans in the country.
Work for anti-abortion group issue in Wisconsin court race
February 27, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-backed candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court provided legal advice to one of the state's leading anti-abortion groups, work that Wisconsin Right to Life and Dan Kelly have not detailed but that is being used against Kelly by his liberal opponent.
White House braces for ruling on abortion pill’s fate
February 24, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is preparing for a worst-case scenario if a conservative federal judge rules in favor of a lawsuit seeking to restrict access to one of the two drugs typically used to induce a medicated abortion.
New Mexico bills safeguard abortion, gender-affirming care
February 23, 2023 GMTSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico legislative panel advanced a bill to protect abortion providers and patients from out-of-state interference, prosecution or extradition attempts, as Democratic leaders seek to shore up existing rights to abortion access for residents as well as visitors from states with bans on the procedure.
Bill seeks to add rape, incest exceptions to Ky abortion ban
February 23, 2023 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's near-total abortion ban would be relaxed to allow exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest under a bill introduced Wednesday by a prominent lawmaker, who stopped short of predicting how his Republican colleagues will react to his proposal.
Missouri lawmakers try to strengthen abortion ban
February 22, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Legislation considered Wednesday in a Missouri state Senate committee would bolster the state’s abortion ban.
Republican Sen. Mike Moon’s measure would add a line to the Missouri Constitution that says: “Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion.”
Debate on abortion access turns to Wisconsin high court race
February 22, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — National groups on both sides of the abortion fight on Wednesday pledged significant spending in the race for a pivotal seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, tossing the perennial battleground state into the spotlight of the searing debate over abortion access.
Doctors urge NC lawmakers to oppose new abortion limits
February 22, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — More than 1,000 health care providers across North Carolina have signed a letter urging lawmakers to oppose any additional abortion restrictions beyond the current 20-week limit, which some say already restricts their ability to care for patients.
Protasiewicz, Kelly advance in Wisconsin high court primary
February 22, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — A liberal Milwaukee judge and a conservative former state Supreme Court justice won Tuesday’s primary to face off in a pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race that will determine majority control with major issues looming.
Mississippi House passes ‘Pregnancy Resource’ tax credits
February 22, 2023 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi House passed a bill Tuesday to expand tax credits for women and families after a law that banned most abortions went into effect last year.
The legislation, called the "Pregnancy Resource Act, passed in a bipartisan 104-8 vote.
NC GOP lawmakers seek to defend abortion pill restrictions
February 21, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican legislative leaders asked on Tuesday to participate in litigation to defend state restrictions on dispensing abortion pills because Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein has made clear he won't.
Abortion rights groups submit 2023 ballot measure in Ohio
February 21, 2023 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Two groups advocating for abortion rights submitted fall ballot language Tuesday for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing Ohioans' access to abortion, an effort that opponents have vowed to fight.
Democratic governors form alliance on abortion rights
February 21, 2023 GMTDemocratic governors in 20 states are launching a network intended to strengthen abortion access in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision nixing a woman’s constitutional right to end a pregnancy and instead shifting regulatory powers over the procedure to state governments.
Abortion among major issues at stake in Wisconsin court race
February 19, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — A conservative tilt on the Wisconsin Supreme Court has given Republicans victories on voting restrictions, gerrymandered legislative districts and other high-stakes cases in recent years.
White House criticizes Youngkin over menstrual tracking bill
February 18, 2023 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The White House rebuked Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin this week for supporting state lawmakers' rejection of a bill that that would have prohibited police from issuing search warrants for digitized data about women’s menstrual cycles.
Montana lawmaker: There’s a religious right to abortion
February 18, 2023 GMTHELENA, Mont. (AP) — Abortion rights groups are challenging abortion bans in some states by arguing the bans — supported by certain religious principles — violate the religious rights of people with different beliefs.
Kentucky high court lets near-total abortion ban continue
February 16, 2023 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Abortion access in Kentucky remained virtually shut off Thursday after the state's highest court refused to halt a near-total ban that has largely been in place since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Spain approves menstrual leave, teen abortion and trans laws
February 16, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — The Spanish parliament on Thursday approved legislation expanding abortion and transgender rights for teenagers, while making Spain the first country in Europe that will entitle workers to paid menstrual leave.
S. Carolina House passes abortion ban; no sign of budging
February 16, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — For the second time since the U.S. Supreme Court ended federal abortion protections, the South Carolina House has passed a near-total abortion ban — and shows no sign of budging.
Bill raising abortion to homicide draws Republican pushback
February 15, 2023 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Newly filed legislation allowing illegal abortions to be prosecuted as homicides drew a quick pushback Wednesday from the state's anti-abortion attorney general, who warned it would wrongly subject Kentucky women to charges for terminating pregnancies.
Tennessee advances bill to narrowly loosen abortion ban
February 15, 2023 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s GOP-dominant Statehouse on Tuesday took a first step toward loosening one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, advancing a narrow exemption bill over threats from anti-abortion advocates that doing so would come with political retribution.
Post-Roe, Native Americans face even more abortion hurdles
February 14, 2023 GMTA few months after South Dakota banned abortion last year, April Matson drove more than nine hours to take a friend to a Colorado clinic to get the procedure.
The trip brought back difficult memories of Matson’s own abortion at the same clinic in 2016.
North Carolina AG won’t defend abortion pill restrictions
February 14, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein won't defend state restrictions on dispensing abortion pills that are being challenged in a lawsuit and instead will argue the restrictions are preempted by federal regulations protecting access to the pills, Stein's office said Monday.
Nebraska considers medical conscientious objection bill
February 10, 2023 GMTLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are following the path of other conservative states in considering a bill that would allow medical providers, facilities and insurers to cite their religious, ethical or moral beliefs in denying some medical treatments.
Abortion pill could be pulled off market by Texas lawsuit
February 10, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A Texas lawsuit with a key deadline this month is posing a threat to the nationwide availability of medication abortion, which now accounts for the majority of abortions in the U.S.
Florida backs off athlete menstrual data, but debate lingers
February 10, 2023 GMTFlorida has backed off its effort to force athletes to give their high schools information about their menstrual cycles after the debate sparked opposition nationwide, and now, the state is facing questions about whether the plan was based on politics or policy.
South Carolina Senate passes new abortion ban after ruling
February 9, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Senate passed an abortion ban on Thursday in the Republican-led chamber's latest quest to craft a law that passes constitutional muster, but differences with a stricter proposal from the House could derail the effort once again.