In today’s News:
Planned Parenthood removed from Texas Medicaid
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that Texas can remove Planned Parenthood facilities from the state’s Medicaid program. Texas moved forward with cutting Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood in 2016 after the Center for Medical Progress released undercover videos showing Planned Parenthood staff appearing to participate in the illegal trafficking of aborted fetal body parts. After a years-long court battle, the 5th Circuit has overruled a lower court ruling and has sided with the state of Texas. The case may be headed to the Supreme Court.
Protection for female athletes
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit received friend-of-the-court briefs this week from female athletes, medical professionals, feminist groups, the United States and 14 states that all support Idaho’s “Fairness In Women’s Sports Act” and are asking the court to reverse a district court order that temporarily halted enforcement of the law. The district court’s hold on the law means female athletes must compete against males who identify as female while the lawsuit proceeds. Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys, representing two collegiate athletes who run track and cross-country at Idaho State University in Pocatello, are defending the law alongside the state of Idaho on appeal to the 9th circuit and filed their opening brief on Nov. 12.
Move to reopen religious schools
A religious liberty law firm and the Kentucky Attorney General have filed a lawsuit against Gov. Andy Breshear asking a court to block the implementation of his executive order banning religious schools from holding in-person learning. First Liberty Institute filed the lawsuit on behalf of Danville Christian Academy in the Eastern District of Kentucky Friday. Attorney general Daniel Cameron joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff. Citing a “potentially catastrophic surge in covid-19 cases,” Breshear issued an executive order Wednesday, which mandated all public and private elementary, middle and high schools to “cease in-person instruction and transition to remote or virtual instruction” beginning yesterday.
Governor urged to veto abortion amendment
Massachusetts pro-life leaders are urging people to call Gov. Charlie Baker and ask him to veto legislation that would legalize the killing of unborn babies up to birth. The pro-abortion amendment to the state budget passed the Massachusetts House and the Senate earlier this month. Among other things, it would expand late-term abortions, weaken protections from infanticide and allow young girls to abort their unborn babies without their parents’ knowledge or consent. Michael king of the Massachusetts family institute told One News Now that Baker can line-item veto the amendment and stop the radical pro-abortion expansion in their state.
