Via New York Times 20 min ago..
A federal judge in Austin, Tex., blocked a stringent new rule on Friday that would have forced more than half of the state’s remaining abortion clinics to close, the latest in a string of court decisions that have at least temporarily kept abortion clinics across the South from being shuttered.
cont..
The rule “is unconstitutional because it imposes an undue burden on the right of women throughout Texas to seek a pre-viability abortion,” Judge Yeakel wrote.
Texas officials immediately vowed to appeal the decision, while abortion-rights advocates were elated.
(some) good news for women in Texas today.
WAPO:
The ruling drew immediate praise from abortion rights advocates, who have logged a series of courtroom victories recently in their effort to block a wave of state laws severely restricting access to the procedure.
“The court has made clear that women’s well-being is not advanced by laws attacking access to essential health care, and that rights protected by the U.S. Constitution may not be denied through laws that make them impossible to exercise,”
(**new update) Louisiana restrictions to get ruled on
this weekend:
A federal judge will rule before Monday on a request to block enforcement of Louisiana's new, restrictive abortion law while a lawsuit seeking to overturn it remains in court, attorneys for both sides said Friday.
The law, which requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, is scheduled to go into effect Monday.
cont..
The law, backed by Gov. Bobby Jindal and passed overwhelmingly by lawmakers, was pushed by anti-abortion supporters who said it was aimed at protecting a woman's health by ensuring access to proper care if they have complications from the procedure. It requires every doctor providing an abortion to have active admitting privileges at a hospital not more than 30 miles from where the abortion is performed. The hospital must provide obstetrical or gynecological health care services.
The law's opponents contend the restrictions are medically unnecessary and designed to limit access to abortion.