Democrats look to ‘go on offense’ on abortion as Supreme Court weighs Roe v. Wade
WASHINGTON — As Democrats seek to turn the political tide less than one year out from the midterm elections, they are increasingly leaning into the volatile issue of abortion, with the Roe v. Wade decision hanging in the balance at the U.S. Supreme Court.
The high court heard oral arguments Wednesday to a challenge of a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks, which directly confronts the landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Justices could issue a decision on the case next summer, just months before the 2022 elections.
While the economy and coronavirus pandemic are currently at the forefront of voters’ minds, Democrats and their liberal allies say a complete or partial overturning of Roe v. Wade could fundamentally alter the political equation, giving them an opening to energize base voters — especially young women — and make inroads with swing suburban women.
As they wait for the Supreme Court to rule on the Mississippi law, in addition to a separate Texas law that bans most abortion after six weeks and allows private citizens to help enforce it, abortion rights advocates say they need to start sounding the alarm on the potential rollback of Roe v. Wade now to have an impact next November.
“As it becomes more inevitable and less hypothetical, this is going to be a huge force in the midterms,” said Kristin Ford, vice president for communication and research at NARAL Pro-Choice America. “We have work to do to have voters understand the gravity of the situation. Increasingly that will become very, very clear.”
—McClatchy Washington Bureau
60 Michigan schools close amid 'tidal wave' of copycat threats after Oxford High School shooting
PONTIAC, Mich. — Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard noted Thursday that at least 60 Michigan schools have closed amid copycat threats circulating following the Oxford High School shooting Tuesday and vowed to those making false claims "we will find you."
Bouchard said the authorities "anticipated a flood of false threats" and they are straining resources. The FBI and the Secret Service are joining in to help assess claims, he said.
"I don't know what's in people's minds to make them think that after a real tragedy it makes sense to make false threats," Bouchard said. "It is ridiculous that you're inflaming the fears and passion of parents and teachers and the community in the midst of a real tragedy."
Some think it's funny, others think it'll get them out of school, but Bouchard stressed, it's a crime.
"I'm confident (those making false claims) will be held accountable," he added. "If you're making threats, we're going to find you."
—The Detroit News
Maryland records more than 1,800 new COVID cases for first time since April
BALTIMORE — Maryland health officials reported more than 1,828 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, a mark not recorded since April 9.
Thursday’s tally marks three consecutive days of more than 1,000 new cases, health department data shows.
News of the increase in cases comes after Gov. Larry Hogan on Wednesday acknowledged climbing COVID-19 metrics, which he associated with the changing seasons. It also comes a week after Thanksgiving, when people traveled to see family and got together to celebrate.
Hogan urged residents to be responsible by getting vaccinated while scientists studied the threat of the emerging omicron variant.
“We’re beginning to see the anticipated seasonal uptick in some of our key health metrics, including our positivity rate, which has now increased to more than 5%,” the Republican governor said.
Indeed, the state’s average testing positivity rate reached 5.22% Wednesday, the highest mark since April 20, according to the health department.
Hogan reiterated the importance of getting vaccinated, including obtaining a booster shot to achieve maximum protection against COVID-19, a measure which dramatically reduces the possibility of serious illness or hospitalization. Roughly 76% of Maryland’s population has been at least partially vaccinated, and the state has administered over 1 million booster doses, according to health department data.
—The Baltimore Sun
Omicron could overtake delta in Europe in months, ECDC says
The omicron variant is spreading so quickly that it could account for more than half of COVID-19 cases in Europe in a few months, a key European health agency said on Thursday.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said its estimate was based on preliminary data from South Africa and the variant’s characteristics still need further study before drawing any firm conclusions.
Globally, there are at least 352 confirmed cases in 27 countries, including 70 cases in 13 European countries, according to public reports the ECDC compiled for its latest threat assessment. There is evidence of community or household spread, but there are still no reports of severe illnesses or deaths.
The agency said that travel restrictions applied to southern Africa should be reassessed regularly and the current measures may delay the variant’s spread in Europe “by two weeks, at most.”
—Bloomberg News
