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Judge clears way for North Carolina 12-week abortion ban to take effect, blocks one provision of law | CNN Politics

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Judge clears way for North Carolina 12-week abortion ban to take effect, blocks one provision of law | CNN Politics




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A federal judge will allow a ban on most abortions in North Carolina after 12 weeks of pregnancy to go into effect on Saturday but temporarily blocked one provision included in the law.

US District Court Judge Catherine Eagles on Friday issued a narrow temporary restraining order putting on hold a requirement for doctors to document the location of early pregnancies with ultrasound evidence before prescribing a medication abortion.

“Sometimes patients can get to us very early in their pregnancy. … Our standard practice is to evaluate the patient, make sure that medication abortion is reasonable and safe, and then go ahead and start the medication abortion process even if we cannot yet see the pregnancy because the pregnancy is so early,” explained Dr. Katherine Farris, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. “The way the law is written, it does not allow us to do that, and that is the piece that the judge enjoined – not whether or not we have to perform an ultrasound, but whether or not we have to see the pregnancy within the uterus before we can start the medication abortion process.”

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The order blocks that provision for two weeks, to allow for further review.

All of the other provisions will be allowed to take effect as scheduled. Eagles noted that the majority of the other measures raised in the lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers had been clarified by a bill signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday.

That legislation made significant changes to the sweeping abortion legislation – such as removing conflicting language that set a separate 10-week cut off for medication abortion and clarifications on laws on fetal homicide, doctor reporting requirements and rules surrounding residents who obtain abortions out of state.

Separately, court documents show that both plaintiff and defendant attorneys, as well as state lawmakers, agreed further to a stipulation that that the law will not penalize someone ” “who advises, procures, causes, or otherwise assists someone in obtaining a lawful out-of-state abortion.” For example, people cannot be arrested for driving a person who is past 12-weeks in pregnancy to obtain an abortion in another state where it is legal.

“Starting tomorrow, North Carolinians will no longer be able to access abortion after the 12th week of pregnancy, and they will be forced to endure medically unnecessary restrictions that make it harder to get the health care they need even before 12 weeks,” said Jenny Black, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.

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“Our legal challenge forced General Assembly leadership to clean up their mess of a bill, but we never should have had to sue to get clarity on how to comply with this law,” Black continued. “Planned Parenthood South Atlantic remains committed to providing abortion care to as many people as possible within the unjust and inhumane confines of this abortion ban, and we encourage anyone in need of abortion care to contact us as soon as possible for help navigating this new reality.”

As CNN previously reported, legal filings from attorneys representing Republican leadership appeared to confirm the amendment was written to address the Planned Parenthood lawsuit, which flagged multiple inconsistencies and potential constitutional violations in the original text of the abortion law, Senate Bill 20.

Cooper, a Democrat who vetoed the abortion law before the legislature’s Republican supermajority voted to override it last month, issued a statement on his decision to sign the bill containing the revisions.

“In addition to being dangerous for women, the rushed abortion ban was so poorly written that it is causing real uncertainty for doctors and other health care providers. This bill is important to clarify the rules and provide some certainty, however we will continue fighting on all fronts the Republican assault on women’s reproductive freedom,” said Cooper on Thursday.

Under current state law, which ends after Friday, abortions are legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

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The new law, effective Saturday, bans any licensed physician from performing surgical abortions after the 12th week of pregnancy. It provides limited exceptions in the case of rape and incest through 20 weeks of pregnancy or in the event of a “life-limiting anomaly” through 24 weeks.

Under the bill, the procedure could be performed by a physician if a doctor determines an abortion is necessary to avert a patient’s death – “not including psychological or emotional conditions.”

The new law prohibits health care providers who object to abortion “on moral, ethical, or religious grounds” from being required to participate in medical procedures that would result in an abortion.

It also creates several new reporting requirements, adds multiple in-person appointments and examinations by physicians seeking to prescribe or administer abortion-inducing drugs and will prohibit people within the state from mailing such drugs to a pregnant woman.

There are certain changes included in the abortion law that are not set to go into effect until October, such as possible clinic licensing regulations and a requirement that any abortion performed after 12 weeks for a patient with a qualified exception be done in a hospital.

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North Carolina

North Carolina man dons bear costume to scare off persistent real-life black bear: video

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North Carolina man dons bear costume to scare off persistent real-life black bear: video


A North Carolina man decided to take a more creative approach to tackling a persistent bear problem in his backyard by putting on a cartoony bear costume and, somehow, successfully scaring the unwelcome ursid away.

Video footage captured a man in Asheville, bravely approaching a ferocious-looking black bear in his own brown bear costume that more closely resembled a college mascot.

The man emerges from the side, attempting a mock prowl while slowly approaching the wild animal.

A man in North Carolina dressed up as a bear to scare off a black bear on his property. Rodney Clark via ViralHog
The costume more closely resembled something that would be used as a college mascot. Rodney Clark via ViralHog

With caution thrown into the wind, the costumed man kept inching forward bit by bit, even growling at the black bear.

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The black bear was successfully scared off. Rodney Clark via ViralHog
The black bear refused to leave without giving the man one last glare. Rodney Clark via ViralHog

Before he got too close, the black bear appeared to have been spooked. It scampered away, but not before pausing at the edge of the property to stare down his faux counterpart before giving up and making its way back into the woods.

The black bear had been spotted multiple times on the property, and the residents were fed up and decided to take matters into their own hands.

Bears tend to have seemingly erratic responses to challenges in their path.

In July, a black bear and her cub opted to tear a car to pieces in Connecticut when they somehow became trapped inside the vehicle.

Meanwhile, in New York, brown bears demonstrated a type of fearlessness that speaks against any sort of survival instinct as they pranced across a frozen pond.

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State of emergency declared as wildfires rage out of control in the Carolinas

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State of emergency declared as wildfires rage out of control in the Carolinas


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Hundreds of firefighters converged on a rural North Carolina county Monday to battle at least three blazes that have scorched almost 8 square miles, destroyed at least three homes and multiple other buildings and forced mandatory evacuations.

The fires come as much of western North Carolina remains in recovery mode from horrific flooding driven by Hurricane Helene six months ago.

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The two largest fires had burned more than 7 square miles in Polk County and were 0% contained late Sunday, the state Forest Service said. Both have been burning since Wednesday.

In recent weeks, large sections of North Carolina and South Carolina have been designated an “elevated fire risk” by the National Weather Service because of high winds, low humidity and a dearth of rainfall.

“Many areas across the state have seen fires this weekend. A statewide burning ban (is) in place. Do not burn outdoors at all!” the state emergency management agency warned in a social media post. Earlier the agency had urged people to quickly leave evacuation zones, saying visibility in those areas could be reduced, evacuation blocked − and residents “trapped, injured, or killed.”

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In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency to ensure firefighters have the resources needed to combat the Table Rock Fire in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“The statewide burning ban remains in effect as wildfire risks remain high across the state,” McMaster said in a statement. “Anyone who violates this ban can and will go to jail.”

By Sunday evening, the Table Rock Fire − which ignited Friday − grew to more than 1,300 acres with no containment.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission noted that the current estimate of acres burned includes “several hundred acres that were part of a burnout conducted by wildland firefighters to eliminate the fuels between evacuated residential areas and the many active wildfire fronts.”

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“The burnout, which remains in progress, is being deemed successful in removing said fuels,” the South Carolina Forestry Commission said.

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Three wildfires burn more than 3,300 acres in North and South Carolina

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Three wildfires burn more than 3,300 acres in North and South Carolina


Three major wildfires that broke out in one North Carolina county still recovering from Hurricane Helene have exploded to burn more than 3,000 acres combined as South Carolina’s governor declared an emergency in response to a growing wildfire in the Blue Ridge mountains.

The North Carolina department of public safety announced a mandatory evacuation starting at 8.20pm on Saturday for parts of Polk county in western North Carolina about 80 miles (129km) west of Charlotte.

“Visibility in area will be reduced and roads/evacuation routes can become blocked; if you do not leave now, you could be trapped, injured, or killed,” the agency said in a social media post.

The public safety department said a shelter had been established in Columbus, North Carolina.

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The two biggest wildfires in Polk county – the Black Cove fire, which has burned 2,076 acres, and the Deep Woods fire, which had burned 1,700 acres – were at zero containment, said Kellie Cannon, spokesperson for Polk county government. The Fish Hook fire, which scorched 1,713 acres, was 50% contained.

All are burning about 30 miles south-east of Ashville, according to the North Carolina forest service, in an area where Hurricane Helene swept through in September. The downed trees leftover from the hurricane, as well as low humidity and dry vegetation, are helping to fuel the fires which ignited last week, officials said.

“It’s not just the high winds, the low humidity, the steep terrain, but they’re also dealing with storm debris that’s blocking UTV trails, regular roads, and them just getting in on foot because we have so many trees down,” Cannon told CBS affiliate WSPA.

Dense smoke from the wildfires spurred a “code red” air quality alert for Polk county. The North Carolina forest service warned in a social media post that all residents should avoid prolonged exposure or heavy exertion outdoors.

Cannon said the residents of Polk county are “extremely resilient” after enduring Helene and the last round of wildfires earlier this month.

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North Carolina was under a statewide burn ban during the critical fire weather. The state’s forest service reminded residents that the ban is remaining in place until further notice.

The threat of wildfires was felt in neighboring South Carolina where Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Saturday as part of an effort to stop a blaze in Pickens county called the Table Rock fire that started on Friday night and quickly spread to 35 acres, McMaster said.

By Sunday, the South Carolina forestry commission was reporting that the fire had grown to 300 acres and was 0% contained.

“As this wildfire continues to spread, the State of Emergency allows us to mobilize resources quickly and ensure our firefighters have the support they need to protect lives and property,” McMaster said in a statement that reinforced a statewide outdoor burning ban issued on Friday by the South Carolina forestry commission.

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Local fire officials called for voluntary evacuations Saturday of some residents near Table Rock Mountain, the forestry commission said in a social media post.

The Pickens county sheriff’s office posted an update on Sunday saying that agencies are continuing to work to contain the fire, aided by a successful back burn process. Assistance from helicopters and air tankers would continue until sundown. Residents were advised that evacuations remained in effect and that Table Rock state park was closed until further notice.

The New Jersey forest fire service, meanwhile, has been battling a wildfire that broke out in the Wharton state forest on Saturday. The fire had consumed about 2.7 sq miles (7 sq km) as of early Sunday morning. Firefighters had contained about half of the blaze according to an 8am update on the service’s Facebook page.

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Emergency officials said they have evacuated two campgrounds in the park. Eighteen buildings were near the fire but the flames were moving away from them and no structures had been evacuated.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.



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