THREAD: west virginia miscarriage law ignites
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WEST VIRGINIA Miscarriage LAW Ignites Fear: Women Warned to Call Police or Face Charges
— Women in West Virginia are being told to call the police if they have a miscarriage — or risk criminal charges. Raleigh County prosecutor Tom Truman says this step could protect women from being accused of breaking strict state abortion laws. His warning comes as new rules make it hard to tell the difference between a natural pregnancy loss and an illegal abortion.
Doctors say miscarriages and abortions can look almost the same. This makes it tough for police and medical staff to know what really happened. Many women now worry they could be treated like criminals after losing a pregnancy, even if it was natural.
The confusion is causing fear across West Virginia. Critics say these tough laws leave both patients and doctors guessing about what is legal when a pregnancy ends early.
Lawmakers are under pressure to clear up these rules fast. Until then, many women feel trapped in a system that punishes them during one of their hardest moments.
TENNESSEE DEFENDS GUN Rights: Powerful NEW LAW Shields Makers from Costly Lawsuits
— Tennessee lawmakers just passed a bold new bill, HB 873, to protect gun manufacturers and dealers. The law blocks most lawsuits against these businesses and stops foreign groups from suing Tennessee gun makers. It now waits for Governor Lee’s signature and would take effect July 1, 2025.
Gun Owners of America cheered the move. They said anti-gun activists want to sue the firearm industry out of business — but not in Tennessee. The law also punishes anyone who files a lawsuit that breaks these rules.
If someone files an unlawful lawsuit under HB 873, they must pay triple damages plus cover attorneys’ fees. Supporters say this proves Tennessee stands firmly with its firearms industry.
While over half the country already has similar laws, Tennessee’s version goes even further by adding tough financial penalties for frivolous lawsuits. Once signed by Governor Lee, these strong protections will be locked in for years ahead.
— Abortion Rates Rise Amid GOP Restrictions Despite stringent bans in many Republican-led states, abortion has seen a slight increase in prevalence, signaling ongoing legal and political battles ahead
— Man Charged with Manslaughter After Deadly Newcastle Explosion A 35-year-old man faces charges of manslaughter and cannabis production following a house blast that killed seven-year-old Archie York and Jason 'Jay’ Laws on October 16
UK’S ABORTION Law IGNITES Fiery Debate Over Free Speech and Safety
— A new law in England and Wales bans protests within 150 meters of abortion clinics, aiming to protect women from harassment. Similar measures have been enacted in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The law penalizes those obstructing or influencing individuals seeking abortion services, with offenders facing unlimited fines.
The legislation, part of the previous Conservative government’s Public Order Act, faced delays due to debates over silent prayer protests and a government change in July. The Crown Prosecution Service states that silent prayer near clinics may not always be criminal, leaving police to evaluate each situation individually. Anti-abortion groups argue this infringes on religious freedom, while pro-choice advocates claim such demonstrations can intimidate women entering clinics.
In March 2023, lawmakers rejected a proposal by some conservatives to allow silent prayer within buffer zones explicitly. This decision leaves room for legal challenges as both sides prepare for potential court battles over the interpretation of these rules. Crime and Policing Minister Diana Johnson expressed confidence that the new safeguards will help women feel safer accessing essential services without fear of intimidation or distress.
SUPREME COURT Decision Sparks Fury: Virginia Voter Purge Backed
— The Supreme Court’s conservative majority upheld Virginia’s voter registration purge on Wednesday. The state argues this action prevents non-citizens from voting. This decision aligns with Virginia’s Republican administration under Governor Glenn Youngkin.
A Virginian affected by the purge criticized it as “a very bad October surprise,” despite living in the state her entire life. The court’s ruling came over the dissent of its three liberal justices, highlighting a clear ideological divide.
The Supreme Court did not provide an explanation for its decision, which is common in emergency appeals. This move underscores ongoing debates about voter registration and election integrity across the nation.
NEBRASKA COURT Upholds Abortion And Gender Care BAN: Aclu Loses Fight
— Nebraska’s LB574, combining the Let Them Grow Act and Preborn Child Protection Act, was upheld by the state’s highest court. The bill initially faced a filibuster but was revised to include a ban on gender-affirming treatment for children. The ACLU sued, claiming it violated the single-subject rule, but the court disagreed.
Chief Justice Mike Heavican stated that both abortion and sex-change procedures fall under medical care, satisfying the single-subject requirement. He emphasized that as long as a bill has one general objective and its title reflects its content, it does not violate constitutional rules.
Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman dissented strongly, accusing the majority of hypocrisy based on a 2020 ruling against medical marijuana legalization for violating the same rule. ACLU attorney Matt Segal argued that abortion and transgender care were separate issues until combined out of necessity by legislators.
SUPREME COURT Shocker: Emergency Abortions Allowed in Idaho
— The Supreme Court is set to permit emergency abortions in Idaho when a pregnant patient’s health is at serious risk. A draft opinion briefly posted on the court’s website indicates a 6-3 vote to reinstate a lower court order allowing such procedures. Conservative Justices Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch dissented.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson noted that this decision does not resolve the core issues of Idaho’s strict abortion ban. She emphasized that today’s ruling is merely a delay, not a victory for pregnant patients in Idaho. The case will continue at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court and may return to the Supreme Court later.
The Supreme Court acknowledged an inadvertent posting of the document and stated that an official opinion would be issued “in due course.” This development leaves many key questions unanswered, prolonging uncertainty around Idaho’s abortion laws.
— US Supreme Court Upholds Access to Abortion Pill Mifepristone The US Supreme Court decision ensures continued availability of the abortion pill mifepristone, a key method for terminating pregnancies
— Supreme Court Examines State Abortion Ban Impact Post-Nationwide Overturn The Supreme Court is reviewing the effects of a state abortion ban following the overturn of the national right to abortion
— Tragic Sydney Attack Claims Lives: Mother Killed Trying to Save Injured Baby at Westfield Mall Ash Good, a mother, was among the six victims who lost their lives in the Sydney Westfield shopping mall attack while witnesses recount their efforts to aid her injured baby
TEXAS Supreme Court DISMISSES Abortion Challenge: Pregnant Woman with Fetal Anomaly Forced to Leave State
— Kate Cox, a pregnant woman from Texas, found herself in a dire situation when her unborn child was diagnosed with trisomy 18 — a fatal condition. With the state’s strict abortion ban in place, she had no choice but to leave Texas and seek an abortion elsewhere. This happened just before the Texas Supreme Court rejected her challenge against the stringent abortion legislation.
Cox spent nearly a week trying to get court approval for ending her pregnancy due to health risks and potential fertility issues in the future. However, Attorney General Ken Paxton argued that Cox didn’t provide enough evidence that her pregnancy complications were life-threatening.
Even after leaving Texas, Cox’s case was dismissed by the state Supreme Court. The court ruled that while Cox’s pregnancy complications were severe, they didn’t pose an immediate threat to her life as required by law for an exception.
The Center for Reproductive Rights represented Cox during this ordeal. They reported that she had been frequently visiting emergency rooms due to health concerns related to her pregnancy. However, they did not reveal where she eventually went for the procedure.
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TEENAGERS’ Guilty Plea in Las Vegas MANSLAUGHTER Sparks Outrage
— Four Las Vegas teenagers have pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the beating death of their classmate, Jonathan Lewis Jr. The plea deal, announced on September 4, 2024, prevents them from being tried as adults. The attack was captured on video and spread across social media, igniting debate about juvenile justice.
Initially charged with second-degree murder and conspiracy, the teens now await sentencing in a juvenile detention center. In Clark County, minors typically complete rehabilitation programs instead of serving traditional jail sentences. Brigid Duffy from the district attorney’s office emphasized the system’s focus on rehabilitation over retribution.
Defense attorney Robert Draskovich called the plea deal a “very fair resolution,” balancing accountability with potential for rehabilitation. However, Jonathan Lewis Jr.’s mother disagreed strongly, calling it an inadequate punishment for her son’s brutal killing. She labeled the outcome “disgusting,” reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the legal system’s response to this case.
This case underscores ongoing debates about how to handle serious crimes committed by juveniles within our justice system. Public opinion remains divided as discussions continue on balancing justice and rehabilitation while ensuring societal protection. With vivid memories of the attack video, calls for appropriate legal responses to juvenile crimes are more urgent than ever.
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