Daily Skimm: Abortion Pill, Mila Jackson, and Frank Ocean

Abortion Pills Pt. Who Knows

The Story

Mifepristone remains on the market...for now.

What’s the latest?

Yesterday, the Supreme Court delayed its decision on whether to remove the abortion pill from the market until tomorrow. Mifepristone has been in limbo since judges and courts issued conflicting rulings on the medication. The FDA approved mifepristone more than two decades ago to be used in combination with misoprostol to end pregnancies up to 10 weeks. It's been deemed safe for use by doctors and other health experts, but conservative groups have argued that the FDA approved the drug too quickly. Last week, a federal appeals court kept mifepristone on the market but rolled back some FDA regulatory updates to the abortion pill. Now, the Supreme Court's move to postpone its decision means women can still access mifepristone by mail. That’s not all that’s happening in the courts.

What else?

Yesterday, GenBioPro sued the FDA to keep its generic version of mifepristone on the market. It's the only manufacturer of the drug's generic version in the US, and the company makes the majority of mifepristone sold in the country. The FDA approved GenBioPro’s abortion pill in 2019 — so it would go out the window if the federal appeals court’s ruling stands. Now, the company's lawsuit is adding to the growing number of cases on access to abortion. GenBioPro argues the FDA cannot suspend approval of mifepristone without giving them their constitutional right to a hearing. The FDA has reportedly said it plans to comply with any court rulings.

theSkimm

A majority of Americans believe the abortion pill should be legal. But its future lies in the hands of a court that overturned Roe v. Wade — a decades-old precedent.

What else is happening in the courts…

Mila Jackson’s case. Today, the newborn’s parents are expected to fight for their right to get their baby girl back. Last month, authorities in Texas placed Mila in foster care. The state’s move came after a pediatrician alerted Child Protective Services that the newborn was being treated at home for jaundice instead of at a hospital. Jaundice is fairly common in newborns. The Mayo Clinic says mild cases can disappear on their own, but severe jaundice can pose the risk of brain damage. Mila’s parents, Temecia and Rodney, said they were already working with a midwife to treat their baby. However, their pediatrician insisted on Mila’s hospitalization and called CPS on the family when it didn’t happen. Now, the Jackson’s are only allowed to see their baby once a week. The case has prompted outrage with reproductive advocates and the parents saying they’re being discriminated against for choosing to work with a midwife. The pediatrician said he was abiding by state requirements and called CPS to help Mila “get the care that was medically necessary and needed.”

Where people are mourning…

Yemen. Yesterday, a stampede in the nation's capital left at least 78 people dead and dozens of others seriously injured. Eyewitnesses said hundreds of people were at a school in Sanaa, waiting to receive donations during the last days of Ramadan. Houthi fighters — who've been running the city since 2015 — reportedly shot into the air to control the crowd, striking an electrical wire that sparked an explosion. The series of events spooked the crowd, leading to the deadly stampede. Officials said they've arrested two organizers of the event, which reportedly wasn't coordinated with local authorities. Now, there's an investigation underway. The stampede happened right before the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.

Who’s extending the lesson plan…

Florida’s Board of Education. Yesterday, it approved the expansion of the Parental Rights in Education Act — which critics dubbed as the “Don’t Say Gay” law — to include all grades (K-12). Previously, the law only applied to kindergarten through third grade. The law does not allow educators to discuss sexual orientation or gender identity in the classroom. The update reportedly goes into effect one month after it goes through a procedural comment period. LGBTQIA+ advocates said the law is an “assault on freedom.” FL’s Education Commissioner said it’s meant to make sure educators “teach to the standards.”

…Oh and speaking of the LGBTQIA+ community, Twitter quietly rolled back a piece in its hateful conduct policy that banned users from misgendering and deadnaming transgender people.

Where people are concerned…

Elgin, Texas. Earlier this week, police arrested a man accused of shooting two cheerleaders in the city located about 25 miles east of Austin. This is one of many recent stories about shootings where the victims were mistakenly at the wrong place. One of the athletes, Heather Roth, said she accidentally got in the wrong car, thinking it was her own at a supermarket parking lot. Roth said she immediately went to her friend’s car before the man reportedly got out of his vehicle and approached them. Roth said she rolled down the window to apologize when he pulled out a gun and opened fire. Roth was grazed by a bullet and her teammate — identified by family and coaches as Payton Washington — was shot in the leg and back. Washington is reportedly in stable condition at a hospital. The suspect is facing a charge of deadly conduct, with more possibly pending.

Who’s opening up…

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA).

What’s about to reach the top...

India.

Who’s putting the mic down for now…

Frank Ocean.