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California 'lawfare' case against pro-lifers first brought by Kamala Harris ends after nine years

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California 'lawfare' case against pro-lifers first brought by Kamala Harris ends after nine years

California authorities on Tuesday announced an end to their nearly decade-long criminal prosecution of an independent journalist and an anti-abortion activist who secretly recorded videos showing Planned Parenthood allegedly selling aborted fetal tissue.

The pair at the center of the legal fight, founder of the Center for Medical Progress David Daleiden and journalist Sandra Merritt, agreed to a “no-contest” plea deal on a single charge, resulting in no fines or prison sentences. California prosecutors had at one point pursued up to 15 felony counts in a case Daleiden said was politically motivated “lawfare.”

“My case is the first and only one that was ever criminally charged by the state attorney general’s office, and it was because of Planned Parenthood’s demand to cover up the information that was on those video recordings about how they’re using partial birth abortions to sell late-term aborted baby body parts at their taxpayer funded mega clinics across the state of California and across the country,” Daleiden told Fox News Digital in an interview on Tuesday. 

“I’m no expert, but I definitely think that the election has something to do with it,” Daleiden said when asked why he thinks prosecutors dropped the charges all these years later. Daleiden dubbed the litigation “lawfare,” in a post on X.

TRANS INMATE’S LAWSUIT CHALLENGES TRUMP ‘TWO-SEXES’ ORDER CUTTING OFF TAX MONEY FOR GENDER THERAPY

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Founder of Center for Medical Progress, David Daleiden, and pro-life journalist Sandra Merritt had their California case dropped with no prison time or fines on Monday. The pair secretly recorded videos showing Planned Parenthood allegedly selling aborted fetal tissue. (Getty Images)

In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, California State Attorney General Rob Bonta said, “While the Trump Administration is issuing pardons to individuals convicted of harming reproductive health clinics and providers, my office is securing criminal convictions to ensure that Californians can exercise their constitutional rights to reproductive healthcare.”

“We will not hesitate to continue taking action against those who threaten access to abortion care — whether by recording confidential conversations or other means,” he said.

Daleiden and Merritt’s plea agreement requires no contact with victims, no public identification of them, and compliance with all laws, including restrictions on recording, according to Bonta’s office.

 “[T]his entire case was an exercise in grotesquely political weaponization of government.” – pro-life activist David Daleiden

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As the then-California Attorney General, Kamala Harris initiated an investigation into Daleiden’s Center for Medical Progress, focusing on the legality of their undercover methods and a narrow application of the state’s eavesdropping law following the release of undercover footage. In 2016, a Texas grand jury indicted Daleiden and Merritt on felony charges related to the creation of fake IDs and offering to purchase fetal tissue. These charges, however, were later dismissed. 

In April 2016, under then-AG Harris, California authorities raided Daleiden’s home for evidence, prompting questions about her relationship with Planned Parenthood, which has donated to her campaigns and many other Democrats. 

Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate months later and resigned as state attorney general in January 2017.

In 2017, California prosecutors under Harris’ successor Xavier Becerra charged Daleiden and Merritt with 15 felony counts, including criminal conspiracy and invasion of privacy, for recording individuals without consent.

“They pursued this case viciously for nine years, because it was such a priority for national Planned Parenthood,” Daleiden said. “But ultimately, it’s a totally weaponized political prosecution. They’re totally wrong on the facts and the law of undercover video reporting in California, all the conversations that me and my team recorded were in public areas where other people could overhear.”

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“For the Attorney General’s Office of California to come this far after nine years, and essentially walk away with nothing… just shows this entire case was an exercise in grotesquely political weaponization of government.”

STATE AGS WARN RETAIL GIANT COSTCO FOR DOUBLING DOWN ON ‘DISCRIMINATORY’ DEI

photo montage, planned parenthood, Kamala Harris, and DNC 2024 sign

Planned Parenthood is sending a bus to the DNC. (Getty Images)

When the recordings were released, Planned Parenthood maintained it strictly donates the specimens, charging only for transportation and storage costs. 

Some of the videos were recorded in 2015 during meetings between Daleiden’s operatives, posing as representatives of a fetal tissue procurement company, and various Planned Parenthood staff members. The hours-long footage published online showed conversations in which Planned Parenthood providers and executives appeared to negotiate prices for fetal tissue and discuss under-the-table procedures for obtaining it.

Merritt was involved in the undercover operation as one of the key figures behind the release of the footage alongside Daleiden. 

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“Sandra Merritt did nothing wrong,” Merritt’s attorneys at the Christian law firm Liberty Counsel said in a statement Monday. “She did the right thing by exposing the depravity of the abortion industry.”

According to a 2015 Guardian report, Planned Parenthood stopped accepting reimbursements for its fetal tissue donation program following state and federal probes after Daleiden’s undercover videos.

TRUMP’S ‘TWO SEXES’ EXECUTIVE ORDER COMES ON HEELS OF SCOTUS ACCEPTING ANOTHER CHALLENGE TO LGBT AGENDA

Abortion clinic procedure room 2 sign

North Dakota’s previous restrictions on abortion were challenged in court by what was formerly state’s only abortion clinic. Pictured is an abortion clinic in Idaho. (Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday, “to end the use of federal taxpayer dollars to fund or promote elective abortion,” reinforcing the Hyde Amendment. As a result, organizations like Planned Parenthood, which provide abortion services, may face funding challenges depending on how the organization receives its funds for elective abortions. 

According to a blog post by the organization’s political action fund, “60% of Planned Parenthood patients rely on public health programs like Medicaid and Title X.”

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Harris and Planned Parenthood for comment. 

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Montana

Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for Jan. 30, 2025

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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 30, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 30 drawing

09-13-18-23-40, Lucky Ball: 04

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 30 drawing

11-14-24-28, Bonus: 06

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Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
  • Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
  • Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

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Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Nevada

No. 1 Coronado boys basketball edges Liberty — PHOTOS

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No. 1 Coronado boys basketball edges Liberty — PHOTOS


Coronado’s boys basketball team, No. 1 in the Review-Journal’s Class 5A rankings, held off Liberty for a 62-59 home win Thursday night.

Coronado (10-9, 8-0 5A Southern League League) next hosts Sierra Vista at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Liberty (11-8, 5-2) hosts Foothill at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Reporter Jeff Wollard can be reached at jwollard@reviewjournal.com.

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New Mexico

New Mexico hosts San Diego State after Cumber’s 23-point game

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New Mexico hosts San Diego State after Cumber’s 23-point game


Associated Press

San Diego State Aztecs (15-7, 4-5 MWC) at New Mexico Lobos (13-9, 6-3 MWC)

Albuquerque, New Mexico; Saturday, 4 p.m. EST

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BOTTOM LINE: New Mexico hosts San Diego State after Viane Cumber scored 23 points in New Mexico’s 89-80 loss to the Boise State Broncos.

The Lobos are 9-6 in home games. New Mexico ranks second in the MWC with 15.0 assists per game led by Alyssa Hargrove averaging 3.9.

The Aztecs are 4-5 in MWC play. San Diego State is fifth in the MWC with 9.5 offensive rebounds per game led by Cali Clark averaging 3.3.

New Mexico averages 7.5 made 3-pointers per game, 1.8 more made shots than the 5.7 per game San Diego State gives up. San Diego State has shot at a 42.7% clip from the field this season, 2.2 percentage points above the 40.5% shooting opponents of New Mexico have averaged.

The matchup Saturday is the first meeting this season for the two teams in conference play.

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TOP PERFORMERS: Hargrove is averaging 8.6 points, 3.9 assists and 2.2 steals for the Lobos. Cumber is averaging 18.0 points over the last 10 games.

Adryana Quezada is averaging 11 points and 5.9 rebounds for the Aztecs. Natalia Martinez is averaging 1.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Lobos: 6-4, averaging 74.5 points, 32.8 rebounds, 14.4 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.5 points per game.

Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 65.4 points, 29.6 rebounds, 12.3 assists, 5.8 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 43.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.0 points.

___

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.




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