Louisiana
Louisiana legislature approves bill that would punish the possession of abortion pills without a prescription with hefty fines and jail time
Two abortion-inducing drugs could soon be reclassified as controlled and dangerous substances in Louisiana under a first-of-its-kind bill that received final legislative passage Thursday and is expected to be signed into law by the governor.
Supporters of the reclassification of mifepristone and misoprostol, commonly known as “abortion pills,” say it would protect expectant mothers from coerced abortions, though they cited only one example of that happening, in the state of Texas. Numerous doctors, meanwhile, have said it will make it harder for them to prescribe the medicines, which they also use for other important reproductive health care needs.
Passage of the bill comes as both abortion rights advocates and abortion opponents await a final decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on an effort to restrict access to mifepristone. The justices did not appear ready to limit access to the drug on the day they heard arguments.
The GOP-dominated Legislature’s push to reclassify mifepristone and misoprostol could possibly open the door for other Republican states with abortion bans that are seeking tighter restrictions on the drugs. Louisiana currently has a near-total abortion ban in place, applying both to surgical and medical abortions.
Current Louisiana law already requires a prescription for both drugs and makes it a crime to use them to induce an abortion, in most cases. The bill would make it harder to obtain the pills by placing them on the list of Schedule IV drugs under the state’s Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law.
The classification would require doctors to have a specific license to prescribe the drugs, and the drugs would have to be stored in certain facilities that in some cases could end up being located far from rural clinics. Knowingly possessing the drugs without a valid prescription would carry a punishment including hefty fines and jail time. Language in the bill appears to carve out protections for pregnant women who obtain the drug without a prescription for their own consumption.
More than 200 doctors in the state signed a letter to lawmakers warning that the measure could produce a “barrier to physicians’ ease of prescribing appropriate treatment” and cause unnecessary fear and confusion among both patients and doctors. The physicians warn that any delay to obtaining the drugs could lead to worsening outcomes in a state that has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.
“This goes too far. We have not properly vetted this with the health care community and I believe it’s going to lead to further harm down the road,” said Democratic Sen. Royce Duplessis, who voted against the measure. “There’s a reason we rank at the bottom in terms of maternal health outcomes, and this is why.”
The reclassification of the two drugs is contained in an amendment to a bill originating in the Senate that would create the crime of “coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud.” Lawmakers in the Senate unanimously supported the original legislation a month ago. Later, bill sponsor Sen. Thomas Pressly pushed for the amendment to reclassify the drugs.
Pressly said both the bill and the amendment were motivated by what happened to his sister Catherine Herring of Texas. In 2022, Herring’s husband slipped her seven misoprostol pills in an effort to induce an abortion without her knowledge or consent.
There have been several cases similar to Herring’s reported by news outlets over the past 15 years, though none of those cited were in Louisiana.
“The purpose of bringing this legislation is certainly not to prevent these drugs from being used for legitimate health care purposes,” Pressly said. “I am simply trying to put safeguards and guardrails in place to keep bad actors from getting these medications.”
The Senate voted 29-7, mainly along party lines, to pass the legislation. In the 39-person Senate there are only five women, all of whom voted in favor of the bill.
In addition to inducing abortions, mifepristone and misoprostol have other common uses, such as treating miscarriages, inducing labor and stopping hemorrhaging.
Mifepristone was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2000 after federal regulators deemed it safe and effective for ending early pregnancies. It’s used in combination with misoprostol, which the FDA has separately approved to treat stomach ulcers.
The drugs are not classified as controlled substances by the federal government because regulators do not view them as carrying a significant risk of misuse. The federal Controlled Substances Act restricts the use and distribution of prescription medications such as opioids, amphetamines, sleeping aids and other drugs that carry the risk of addiction and overdose.
Abortion opponents and conservative Republicans both inside and outside the state have applauded the Louisiana bill. Conversely, the move has been strongly criticized by Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, who in a social media post described it as “absolutely unconscionable.”
The Louisiana legislation now heads to the desk of conservative Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. The governor, who was backed by former President Donald Trump during last year’s gubernatorial election, has indicated his support for the measure, remarking in a recent post on X, “You know you’re doing something right when @KamalaHarris criticizes you.”
Landry’s office did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
A recent survey found that thousands of women in states with abortion bans or restrictions are receiving abortion pills in the mail from states that have laws protecting prescribers. The survey did not specify how many of those cases were in Louisiana.
Louisiana has a near-total abortion ban in place, which applies both to medical and surgical abortions. The only exceptions to the ban are if there is substantial risk of death or impairment to the mother if she continues the pregnancy or in the case of “medically futile” pregnancies, when the fetus has a fatal abnormality.
Currently, 14 states are enforcing bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions.
Louisiana
Two toddlers found unresponsive at swimming pool in Louisiana apartment complex
METAIRIE, La. (WVUE/Gray News) – Two toddler girls were found unresponsive at a community swimming pool at an apartment complex in Louisiana, according to authorities.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at the Lemon Tree Apartments in the Metairie suburbs.
Emergency dispatchers received a call about the unresponsive children shortly before 9:55 a.m. on Sunday.
Initial reports indicated a pair of 2-year-olds had fallen or jumped into a pool.
The sheriff’s office says deputies arrived on the scene and began CPR efforts.
After paramedics arrived to continue treatment, deputies formed a rolling blockade of intersections along Causeway Boulevard to accelerate the safe transport of the children the hospital.
The sheriff’s office said the children arrived at the hospital at 10:24 a.m., but there was no indication from authorities that they ever regained consciousness.
Authorities have not disclosed the children’s identities. WVUE reported it is confirmed the children are both young girls.
“Our initial investigation indicates that the victims were outside their apartment unit playing with siblings, before entering the gated common pool area,” JPSO spokesman Sgt. Brandon Veal said in a statement. “This investigation is in its early stages. The identity of the victims are being withheld at this time.”
Copyright 2024 WVUE via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
Louisiana
What Food Is the FDA Recalling in Louisiana?
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a recall of popular items due to concerns over Salmonella contamination.
When you eat food contaminated with Salmonella can really take a toll on your body. It triggers salmonellosis in which you can get stomach cramps, diarrhea, and fever. It would not make a pleasant time. Between 12 hours through 72 hours after eating something contaminated with Salmonella you’ll start experiencing these issues.
Some of the items sold at Sam’s stores and Costco stores are being elevated in their risk level according to Newsweek.
While most people feel terrible they will eventually recover, but for older adults, and those with compromised immune systems, it may require a hospital stay.
If you love cookies then you need to check your refrigerator to see if you have any of the following cookie dough and don’t use it:
Stores like Sam’s, Costco, Panera Bread and more have the following items that are being recalled:
Costco Chocolate Chunk Frozen Cookie Dough, Net Wt. 33lb (14.97kg)
1.6 oz dough pucks Member’s Mark Chocolate Chunk, Net Wt. 14.85lb (6.74kg)
144/1.65 oz dough pucks/case Panera Chocolate Chipper Cookie
Net Wt. 41.25 lb (18.71kg), 220/3 oz dough pucks/case Rise Baking Jumbo Chocolate Chunk
Net Wt. 37.5 lb (17.01 kg), 240/2.5 oz dough pucks/case Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie
Net Wt. 16.87 lb (7.65 kg), 600/0.45 oz dough pucks/case Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie
According to the FDA, they are recalling 30,000 cases of cookie dough to make sure no one consumes the products.
If you have any of the products above with the following lot codes, you should not consume them:
- 4109N1
- 4110N1
- 4106N3
- 4107N3
- 4108N3
- 4109N3
- 4110N3
- 4116N1
- 4117N1
- 4109N4
- 4110N4
- 4115N1
READ ON: See the States Where People Live the Longest
Read on to learn the average life expectancy in each state.
Gallery Credit: Hannah Lang
Louisiana
Try your hand at micro gardening this summer. And bid farewell to Miss Louisiana 2023 Makenzie Scroggs
Take on a new hobby this summer with micro-gardening, a great way to grow a cost-effective and adaptable garden in a small space. Check out a few helpful tips to growing vegetables in small spaces. For those that enjoy nature and hunting, find out where you can hunt alligators in northwest and south Louisiana.
Whether you decide to celebrate Dad with a hunting trip or his favorite restaurant, here are ways to celebrate Father’s Day. And Miss Louisiana 2023 says goodbye to the crown.
Explore Outdoors: Gardening and hunting
Although a garden may feel like an impossible task due to limited outdoor space, the power of containers and small space strategies can help, according to an LSU AG Center news release.
This type of gardening is known as micro gardening — a way to maximize limited spaces. By optimizing small areas through sustainable practices, it’s possible to grow food and flowers on balconies, kitchen counters, patios, porches, small yards and even rooftops. Enjoy fresh produce and beautiful flowers regardless of their lot size with these helpful tips.
Read more about micro-gardening Grow a cost-effective and adaptable garden in a small space
Where can you hunt alligators in south Louisiana?
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will begin the alligator lottery harvest Aug. 28 and will last until Nov. 2. According to the LDWF, 22 LDWF Wildlife Management Areas, 28 public lakes and one U.S. Army Corp of Engineers lake will be on this list of properties to conduct the lottery.
Learn about fees, locations, and more Where can you hunt alligators in south Louisiana? LDWF releases list of locations
Best Father’s Day
Is your dad fashionable? Artistic? Sporty? Or a Foodie? This Father’s Day, plan the perfect day to appreciate the father figure in your life, even a the last minute. With so many great places in Lafayette, Father’s Day weekend can be celebrated right in the area with some of these local inspired gifts, outings, and eateries for Dad.
Ways to celebrate Father’s Day Whether dad is a foodie, artistic, or sporty, here are ways to celebrate Father’s Day
Crowning the new Queen
Before the new Miss Louisiana was crowned Saturday night, outgoing Miss Louisiana 2023 Makenzie Scroggs reflected on her reign. Scroggs was crowned the 60th Miss Louisiana on June 18, 2023.
Following her crowning, she told The Times she planned to use her title as a tool to show that women can do anything they put their minds to. In the past year, Scroggs has traveled 25,000 miles across the state and has visited more than 25 schools talking about her program and confidence-building workshops.
Read more about Scroggs journey Miss Louisiana Makenzie Scroggs reflects as she gets ready to say goodbye to the crown
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