Arizona’s Senate repealed a Civil War-era abortion ban.

Abortion Access

The Story

Arizona’s Senate repealed a Civil War-era abortion ban.

Civil War-era?

As in 1864. The near-total ban was called into question after the state Supreme Court revived it last month. Yesterday, Arizona lawmakers repealed the ban, with two Republican state senators breaking with their party to make it happen. The bill now heads to Gov. Katie Hobbs (D), who said she looks forward to signing it. This would clear the way for the state’s 2022 law banning the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with no exceptions for rape or incest. However, the repeal would not go into effect until 90 days after the Arizona legislature adjourns for the summer, which means the 1864 ban could still temporarily limit access. Meanwhile, the Sunshine State has an abortion update of its own.

Tell me more.

Florida's abortion ban went into effect yesterday, making it a felony to perform the procedure after six weeks of gestation. The law has exceptions for rape, incest, and human trafficking up to 15 weeks of pregnancy. Before the measure went into effect, the state had been a refuge for those seeking an abortion in the South after the Supremes overturned Roe v. Wade. More than 9,300 people went to Florida last year for the procedure, accounting for 11% of all abortions completed in the state, per data from the Guttmacher Institute. Now, those seeking an abortion in the Southeast could have to travel to North Carolina or Virginia.

theSkimm

As Arizona repealed an abortion law from a time when women couldn’t vote, Florida’s strict abortion ban went into place. Meanwhile, all eyes are on the Supremes’ mifepristone and emergency abortion care rulings, which are expected next month.

What’s not as dangerous as once thought...

Menopause hormone therapy. Back in 2002, researchers reportedly stopped part of a study focusing on postmenopausal women due to concerns that hormone use could cause an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, pulmonary embolism, and breast cancer. As a result, millions of women and doctors stayed away from the treatment. Now, a new health study has found that younger menopausal women, under the age of 60, can benefit from taking hormones for the short-term treatment of symptoms such as hot flashes or night sweats. Researchers still don’t recommend it for long-term use.

…Oh and speaking of health-related updates, yesterday Johnson & Johnson said it’s going to pay $6.5 billion over the next 25 years to settle thousands of pending lawsuits. Women sued the company, claiming its talc-based products caused ovarian cancer.

​​Stay on top of the latest health news by subscribing to Skimm Well.

What’s more consistent than your situationship…

Interest rates. The Federal Reserve once again kept interest rates at a 23-year high, as inflation remains stubborn. The move dashed hopes of a rate cut, which economists don’t expect until November. On the upside: The Fed did say the US economy is in pretty good shape, with the job market remaining strong and the unemployment rate low.

What’s waving a rainbow flag…

The United Methodist Church. Yesterday, it tossed its 40-year ban on LGBTQIA+ clergy. It comes after decades of controversy, with some in United Methodist even considering splitting into two separate churches over the issue. The church also reversed its ban on same-sex weddings.

What some parents are reportedly getting paid to do…

Drive their kids to school.

What unfortunately doesn’t come with Dug...

The “Up” Airbnb listing.

What costs more than overweight baggage fees…

Being an unruly passenger.

Brick Breaker meets word search in Spelltower, your new favorite game. For every word you find, letter tiles disappear. The fewer tiles left when you run out of words, the better your score. Try it.