CLARION LEDGER – “Here we go again.” Federal judge blocks Mississippi’s “heartbeat” abortion law.
U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves on Friday issued a strongly worded preliminary injunction blocking Mississippi’s “heartbeat” abortion law, that would have banned abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, when a fetal heartbeat is detected.
Reeves’ order will combine the lawsuit against Mississippi’s fetal heartbeat ban with an ongoing one against the state’s previous 15-week abortion ban.
“Here we go again,” Reeves wrote. “Mississippi has passed another law banning abortions prior to viability. The latest interpretation (Mississippi’s new law) bans abortions in Mississippi after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which is as early as 6 weeks.”
The Center for Reproductive Rights had filed a lawsuit challenging Mississippi’s latest abortion ban, which was set to become law July 1.
MS House Democrats praise ruling to block heartbeat law
We continue to uphold the right of women to make autonomous decisions regarding their own bodies. See our statement below regarding SB226. pic.twitter.com/tygJcsvnL9
— Mississippi House Democrats (@MSHouseDems) May 24, 2019
GEORGE COUNTY TIMES – Rep. McLeod, wife issue statements concerning arrest
Mrs. Michele McLeod, NP:
I would like to briefly address some of the recent events and the media coverage of them. First, Doug, and I, would like to express our deep gratitude to our friends and family who have been so supportive throughout this matter. We would also like to thank the community in general for their understanding and their support in this matter. We realize how very fortunate we are to have such family, friends and neighbors in this wonderful community and elsewhere. We are grateful for your thoughts and prayers while we continue serving the community and our local area residents.
As many of you are aware, I have devoted my life to the medical field in an effort to help others while Doug has been active in the community, has operated a local small business for many years and has now continued his service in the public sector by representing the great citizens of our area in the Legislature. We have been married for 35 years, and our love and appreciation for each other have seen us through the good and bad times.
Though we understand the media’s desire to immediately engage in speculative reporting in any matter such as this, the taking of things out of context has been surprising. We are not the people who have recently been displayed in certain stories. While Doug nor I claim to be perfect, the twisting of information has misrepresented me and the truth.
We intend to let the process work as designed, and we refuse to feed into the frenzy that has been initiated by the misleading reporting being done. We would ask that you reserve judgment and request that the you respect our family and our family’s privacy.
HATTIESBURG AMERICAN – Can Mississippi lawmaker McLeod be removed from office if he punched wife in drunken rage?
Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn said he has House legal staff researching how to remove Rep. Doug McLeod if it proves true McLeod punched his wife because she didn’t get undressed quickly enough for sex.
“My office is proactively dealing with this situation on many fronts,” Gunn said in a statement on Friday. “I have requested the House legal staff to research our options for action as this case unfolds. I have contacted the chairman of the House Ethics Committee and requested the committee to closely monitor this case and determine what steps need to be taken.
“Finally, if the allegations prove to be true, I have requested the House legal staff to research the correct process for the removal of the member if he does not voluntarily resign.”
A House spokesman said legislative rules do not appear to address removing a lawmaker from office and “right now, we don’t see anything crystal clear” and that no lawmaker in recent history has been removed. He noted that McLeod has not been found guilty or admitted guilt.
MANA endorses Taggart for AG
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
MANA Announces Endorsement of @Andy_Taggart for Attorney General
For details, see below.
For Immediate Release: pic.twitter.com/p2Wiz01WlH— MANA (Mississippi Assoc. of Nurse Anesthetists) (@MANA_CRNAs) May 24, 2019
Bryant, Palazzo attend Coast Memorial Day events
It was my absolute honor to attend Memorial Day events across the Gulf Coast. Today we honor the freedoms paid for through the sacrifices of so many brave men and women. #MemorialDay pic.twitter.com/6hUfso9XhZ
— Cong. Steven Palazzo (@CongPalazzo) May 27, 2019
CLARION LEDGER – Waller, Foster say they’ll show for Mississippi governor debate. But not Tate Reeves.
Two of the three Republicans in the governor’s race plan to attend the second debate of the campaign season, scheduled for next month at Southwest Mississippi Community College.
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves won’t attend the June 7 event in Summit. He also skipped the first debate, held in Starkville in April.
The free event will also feature Republican attorney general and secretary of state candidates debating or discussing their candidacy. It starts at 7 p.m. and is hosted by the Mississippi Federation of College Republicans and the Lincoln County Republican Women.
Gubernatorial candidates Bill Waller Jr., the former state Supreme Court justice, and state Rep. Robert Foster, R-Hernando, have said they will take the debate stage. A spokesman for Reeves said he would not.
“We weren’t able to make this event,” Reeves spokesman Parker Briden said in a statement. “We’re focused on going after the liberal policy ideas of the party of Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and Jim Hood — not our fellow Republicans.”
Congressman Guest speaks on tensions between US, Iran
‘America will defend itself – America has the best equipped, best trained military in the world,’ says @RepMichaelGuest to @AmiKaufman, on #US–#Iran tensions.
? More here: https://t.co/3rNzbdxxNO pic.twitter.com/R5gZlPptA8
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) May 24, 2019
Bryant attends WWII gala with Cheney, Lieberman
Last night I attended @WWIImuseum American Spirit Awards Gala. Event celebrates individuals whose work reflects the values & spirit of the greatest generation. Congratulations to former VP Cheney & former Sen. Lieberman on receiving 2019 Spirit Award. Honored to attend! pic.twitter.com/GHJl81oXhJ
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) May 24, 2019
Congressman Thompson comments on “doctored videos” following Pelosi incident
“Doctored videos like this are not only vile, partisan trash, they are a sad omen of what is to come in the 2020 election season.”
This week, we saw a dangerous trend in the spotlight: the spread of doctored videos meant to divide Americans.
Chairman Thompson’s statement below: pic.twitter.com/85f7SKi6di
— House Homeland Security Committee (@HomelandDems) May 26, 2019
WLOX – Biloxi mayor calls on other coastal mayors to meet, discuss impacts of Bonnet Carre spillway
Biloxi mayor Fofo Gilich has asked all Coast mayors to meet at the Biloxi Visitors Center Tuesday to discuss the negative impacts the Bonnet Carre spillway has had on the Mississippi Sound.
Mayor Gilich believes there should be a unified plan to be proactive in addressing what is becoming a more frequent release of freshwater into Coastal Mississippi waters.
The spillway is opened to relieve flooding ressure along the Mississippi. However, negative effects from the opening have already been spotted along the Gulf Coast. Over the weekend, residents spotted dead dolphins washed up on shore from Bay St. Louis to Biloxi.
Magnolia Tribune
