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Washington pharmacists prescribe abortion pills through new pilot program • Oklahoma Voice

Published

10 months ago

January 18, 2025

Washington pharmacists prescribe abortion pills through new pilot program • Oklahoma Voice

A Washington state-based nonprofit has launched a program training pharmacists to prescribe abortion medications via telehealth, a model that organizers hope other states will adopt to expand abortion access.

Abortion is broadly legal in Washington state up to the point of fetal viability, which is generally considered to be between 24 and 26 weeks of pregnancy. But Dr. Beth Rivin, president and CEO of nonprofit Uplift International, said there are still many individuals who face barriers to abortion access in Washington because of where they live, how much money they make and other factors. Those people can benefit most from having access to telehealth, Rivin said, and having pharmacists available helps increase that availability.

The nonprofit partnered with an online pharmacy called Honeybee Health to launch what they’re calling the Pharmacist Abortion Access Project. Ten pharmacists were recruited and trained to prescribe mifepristone and misoprostol, the standard U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medication abortion regimen, to patients in Washington up to 10 weeks’ gestation.

Rivin said the team created its training protocol with Dr. Sarah Prager, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington. The program also has a list of clinics where patients can be referred if any in-person follow-up care is necessary, including ultrasounds, blood tests or other exams.

“If (patients) had questions, the platform allowed for messaging between the pharmacist and the individual, and patients were followed up with at one week and four to five weeks after prescriptions were written,” Rivin said.

Over the past two years, anti-abortion groups have increasingly called for more state legislation targeting abortion drugs, alleging telemedicine for abortion pills is dangerous to a pregnant person’s health. Research has repeatedly shown that telehealth prescriptions are just as safe as in-person treatment, with one recent study showing 99.7% of patients out of a sample of 6,000 did not experience any serious complications. Similarly, 97.7% didn’t need any form of additional follow-up care.

“Research confirms that medication abortion can be prescribed through telehealth just as safely as in person, and it confirms that pharmacists can specifically prescribe medication abortion,” Rivin told States Newsroom. “The training they undergo through (the project) mirrors the training that other providers receive.”

The Heritage Foundation, the conservative group behind a set of policies known as Project 2025, has gathered several examples of abortion pills given to pregnant women without their consent. Using those examples, the organization recommends states ban telemedicine and mail-order abortion pills and strengthen or enact laws targeting abortion coercion. There have also been calls to use a dormant federal law called the Comstock Act to ban abortion pills from being sent by mail altogether.

Proof of residency not required to obtain pills by mail

By the end of the Washington pilot program, which took place between Oct. 31 and Nov. 26, 2024, the pharmacists successfully prescribed medication abortion to 43 people who were deemed eligible. To qualify, aside from the applicable medical protocol, the patient needed to be 18 or older and have a Washington address where the medication could be mailed. The recipient of the medication does not need to prove they are a Washington resident, but a valid Washington address must be provided. Washington has shield laws preventing states where abortion is illegal from investigating medical providers if a resident of that state obtains an abortion in Washington.

Following the success of the pilot, Uplift International said it plans to expand the program across Washington and explore pharmacists prescribing medication abortion in person from brick-and-mortar pharmacies.

Rivin said the hope is that the project paves the way for other states to implement the same model, especially as President-elect Donald Trump takes office and Republicans in Congress may eye more federal abortion restrictions.

“It is the first step toward mainstreaming pharmacists as prescribers of medication abortion in person,” Rivin said.

Don Downing, a clinical pharmacy professor emeritus at the University of Washington and co-director of the project, said Washington has one of the most progressive pharmacy laws in the country. State law has recognized pharmacists as health care providers since 1979, allowing them to prescribe many medications approved by the FDA.

Washington shares that progressive pharmacy law status with one of its border states, Idaho, where pharmacists can also prescribe medications for minor ailments such as cold sores and allergies, as well as drugs for treatment of illnesses such as flu and strep throat. Downing said Idaho’s pharmacy laws are actually even more progressive than Washington’s.

However, Idaho has an abortion policy that could hardly be more different. It is the only state in the Northwest with a near-total abortion ban, a civil enforcement law allowing family members to sue medical providers who perform an abortion, and a so-called “abortion trafficking” law making it a felony to take a minor to a state with legal abortion access without parental permission.

Ironically, Downing said the pilot team announced the project in Idaho during an annual pharmacy meeting held at a resort in Coeur d’Alene with pharmacists from Montana, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska.

“We presented the idea of pharmacists becoming much more involved in medication abortion access at that meeting, and it was surreal because Idaho at that time was just pouncing on women’s access to abortion,” Downing said.

Providing prescriptions via telehealth first was the priority, he said, because after conducting several listening sessions before launching the pilot, the consensus among women interviewed was that they preferred the privacy of an online experience.

“If you’re in a small town, if you go to the doctor’s office, you go to the school nurse, a pharmacy, there’s a good chance you’re going to see a neighbor, a relative, and someone is for sure going to ask you what you’re doing there today,” Downing said. “Women nationwide are increasingly saying, if I can get it online the same way we buy from Amazon, if I can do this without running into my aunt, so much the better.”

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Washington

New Washington Commanders stadium could hosts games at 2031 World Cup

Published

8 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

New Washington Commanders stadium could hosts games at 2031 World Cup

Washington, D.C., could host some World Cup games after all.

In 2031.

The still-to-be-built Washington Commanders stadium was among 14 U.S. sites listed as potential hosts for the women’s World Cup in 2031 in the bid book submitted Friday, Nov. 28, to FIFA by the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica. The four countries have the only bid for what will be an expanded, 48-team tournament, and FIFA will officially announce the host April 30, 2026.

FIFA also released the bid book for the 2035 tournament, a joint bid by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. That tournament also will be awarded in April.

The United States and Mexico are co-hosting the men’s World Cup with Canada next summer, and the 2031 tournament would make use of many of the same stadiums. But Charlotte, Denver, Minneapolis, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego and Washington, D.C., are also on the list of cities and stadiums for FIFA to evaluate as possible 2031 hosts.

Washington was famously snubbed when the final list of host cities for the men’s World Cup in 2026 was released, the omission blamed on the state of Northwest Stadium and the toxicity of then-Commanders owner Dan Snyder. But Snyder is gone, and new Commanders owner Josh Harris is planning a $3.7 billion stadium on the old RFK Stadium site.

Washington is also an epicenter for women’s soccer in the United States. The Washington Spirit played in the NWSL final for a second consecutive year last weekend, and Spirit owner Michele Kang has invested heavily in the game in the United States and Europe.

“Washington will use this platform to create safe places to play, elevate women in leadership, and ensure every girl can see herself in the game,” according to the description of Washington in the bid book.

Seattle, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and New York/New Jersey, all of which will hold games in 2026, are also listed as potential hosts. Mexico added Torreón to 2026 hosts Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.

Costa Rica and Jamaica identified one host city each, San José in Costa Rica and Kingston in Jamaica.

The tournament will be held in mid-June through late July, though specific dates were not given. The bid book also did not specify which countries would host which games. Given Costa Rica and Jamaica’s stadiums seat a maximum of 37,000, however, it’s likely the United States would host the latter knockout-round games, including the final.

In 2026, Mexico and Canada are hosting games through the round of 16. The quarterfinals, semifinals and final are all in the United States, with the final to be played at MetLife Stadium.

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Washington

Yates scores 25, Diallo adds 19 to lead Washington past Nevada 83-66 in Acrisure classic

Published

1 day ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

Yates scores 25, Diallo adds 19 to lead Washington past Nevada 83-66 in Acrisure classic

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — Wesley Yates III scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half after Zoom Diallo had 13 of his 19 in the first half and Washington beat Nevada 83-66 in the Acrisure Holiday Classic on Thursday.

The Huskies (5-1), who won their bracket in the same tournament last year, led by six at halftime and were up by 11 just past the midway point of the second when Yates scored eight points in 80 seconds for a 67-48 lead with 7:09 to go.

The Wolf Pack (5-2) got within 10 with 1:26 to play but JJ Mandaquit made four free throws and Quimari Peterson drilled a 3-pointer to wrap up a 7-0 finish.

Franck Kepnang added 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting for the Huskies, who ended a six-game losing streak to Nevada.

Tayshawn Comer scored 16 points to lead the Wolf Pack (5-2). Elijah Price added 12 with eight rebounds.

The Huskies shot 52% in the second half (13 of 25), including 6 of 8 on 3-pointers, and made 17 of 21 from the foul line.

Diallo helped Washington take a 34-28 lead at halftime. The Huskies had a 10-0 run through the middle of the half that included a three-point play and seven points from Diallo to lead 19-11,

Chuck Bailey III had a 3 that pulled Nevada into a tie at 20. Yates matched that shot and the Huskies kept the lead the rest of the way.

Up next

Washington plays Colorado for the championship on Friday.

Nevada plays San Francisco in the consolation game on Friday.

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National Guardsmen shot in Washington DC: What happened, who’s the suspect?

Published

2 days ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

National Guardsmen shot in Washington DC: What happened, who’s the suspect?

Two West Virginia National Guard members were critically wounded after being shot near the White House. Officials have described the attack as a “targeted shooting”.

United States President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as a “heinous assault” and “an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror”.

What happened in Washington, DC?

Police say a lone suspect opened fire on a National Guard member at about 2:15pm local time (19:15 GMT).

The suspect, who was also shot during the confrontation, was taken to a hospital for treatment and remains under police custody.

“It appears to be a lone gunman who raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard,” Jeffery Carroll, executive assistant chief, told reporters.

According to a CNN report, the suspect walked up to three National Guard members who appeared unaware of him until he opened fire. He shot one guard, then another, before standing over the first victim and appearing to attempt another shot. At that point, the third guardsman returned fire.

Trump was in Florida at the time of the incident.

Approximately 2,200 National Guard members have been deployed across the US capital, including 925 from the DC National Guard and more than 1,200 from other states.

Law enforcement officers secure the area after a shooting in downtown Washington, DC, November 26, 2025 [AFP]

What is the National Guard?

The National Guard is a reserve branch of the US military that can be called up during emergencies at home, such as natural disasters or civil unrest, and can also support missions overseas.

It consists of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard and has about 431,000 members, making it the second-largest military force in the country.

Each US state and territory, as well as Washington, DC, has its own National Guard units. These units answer both to state leaders and the federal government. This differs from the regular US military, whose active-duty members serve full-time under federal command.

Two soldiers wounded on Wednesday were members of West Virginia’s National Guard, Governor Patrick Morrisey said.

Last week, a federal judge ordered a temporary halt to Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, DC, ruling that the move was likely unlawful. Following the shooting, the Trump administration sought to have that decision overturned.

A member of the U.S. Secret Service stands guard in a cordoned-off area after two National Guard members — A member of the US Secret Service stands guard in a cordoned-off area after two National Guard members were shot near the White House, November 26, 2025 [Nathan Howard/Reuters]

Where did the shooting take place?

The shooting took place in Farragut Square – a tourist-heavy area located near a busy transit centre and the White House.

The area, where lampposts are wrapped in wreaths and bows for the holiday season, is flanked by fast-casual restaurants and a coffee shop, as well as two stops on the Washington metro system.

Who is the suspect?

Investigators have identified the suspect as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Lakanwal arrived in the US from Afghanistan in September 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome – a programme launched under the Joe Biden administration to resettle Afghans after the Taliban regained control following the US withdrawal.

“I can report tonight that based on the best available information, the Department of Homeland Security is confident that the suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan – a hellhole on Earth,” Trump said in a video message.

The suspect who shot our brave National Guardsmen is an Afghan national who was one of the many unvetted, mass paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome on September 8, 2021, under the Biden Administration.
I will not utter this depraved individual’s name.…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) November 27, 2025

What is Operation Allies Welcome?

Operation Allies Welcome was a US programme started in 2021 to help Afghans who fled their country after the Taliban took control. Many of these Afghans had worked with US troops as interpreters, drivers, or support staff and feared they could be targeted. Others, such as journalists and women’s rights activists, were also at risk.

Under the programme, tens of thousands of Afghans were transported to US military bases, where they underwent medical checks, received vaccinations, and completed immigration processing. They also underwent security screening before being relocated to communities across the country.

According to the Congressional Research Service, about 76,000 Afghans entered the US through the initiative, which lasted roughly a year. The programme later faced criticism from some Republicans who argued the vetting process was insufficient.

What’s next?

In response to the attack, Trump announced plans to expand deportation efforts and said his administration would re-examine Afghans who arrived after the Taliban takeover. “We must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan,” he said.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services said it is pausing the processing of all Afghan immigration requests “pending further review of security and vetting protocols.”

Separately, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that an additional 500 National Guard members, from a state yet to be named, would be sent to Washington, DC, to bolster security and reassure the public.

Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.
The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and…
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— USCIS (@USCIS) November 27, 2025

What have been the reactions?

In his statement, Trump said he was “determined to ensure that the animal who perpetrated this atrocity pays the steepest possible price”.

“We are not going to put up with these kinds of assaults on law and order by people who shouldn’t even be in our country,” he said.

President Trump delivers remarks on the horrific attack on the Great National Guard Warriors https://t.co/xDxRzJENU0
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 27, 2025

Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, a coalition that assists Afghans seeking to immigrate, said the organisation believes that the attacker should face “full accountability and prosecution”. But he warned that the incident should not be used to “demonise the Afghan community”.

Our statement regarding today’s horrific shooting.
Our hearts go out to the brave guardsmen attacked today.
We will not let the action of one deranged asshole be the excuse used to cause harm to an entire community of people. pic.twitter.com/LcMODaYEXD
— Shawn VanDiver (@shawnjvandiver) November 27, 2025

Former President Joe Biden said he and his wife, Jill, are “heartbroken” by the shooting.

“Violence of any kind is unacceptable, and we must all stand united against it. We are praying for the service members and their families,” Biden wrote on X.

Jill and I are heartbroken that two members of the National Guard were shot outside the White House. Violence of any kind is unacceptable, and we must all stand united against it. We are praying for the service members and their families.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 26, 2025

Former US President Barack Obama shared a post on social media condemning the attack, and saying, “Violence has no place in America.”

Violence has no place in America. Michelle and I are praying for the servicemembers shot in Washington, DC today, and send our love to their families as they enter this holiday season under the most tragic of circumstances.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 27, 2025

General Steven Nordhaus, the head of the National Guard, said he was returning to Washington, DC, from Guantanamo Bay, which he was visiting to spend Thanksgiving with US troops at the military base.

SEA Raines and I join our entire National Guard family in praying for the recovery of the two West Virginia National Guard heroes who were shot while protecting our Nation’s capital today. pic.twitter.com/iOj465v1Aa
— Gen. Steven Nordhaus (@ChiefNGB) November 26, 2025
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