Abortion providers and rights groups sue Oklahoma over COVID-19 related suspension

Abortion rights groups announced a lawsuit on Monday against top Oklahoma officials challenging an order Gov. Kevin Stitt issued last week that placed a moratorium on most abortions in the state.

In a press release on Monday evening, state and national abortion rights groups and providers announced they filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order, and eventually a permanent injunction to stop the state from enforcing the governor’s order. The federal lawsuit, which was filed in the Western District of Oklahoma, argues the state’s order effectively bans abortion care in the state.

The Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood Federation of America filed the lawsuit, which was brought on behalf of Trust Women Oklahoma City, Dr. Larry Burns, who is the medical director of a Norman abortion clinic, and Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood of the Great Plains.

The two-week suspension of nonessential and elective procedures, which Stitt on Friday clarified also applied to abortions, was enacted in an effort to reserve hospital resources and protective gear needed to handle an expected influx of COVID-19 patients. Stitt said the ban did not extend to abortions in which the mother’s life was in danger.

Read more: https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/abortion-providers-and-rights-groups-sue-oklahoma-over-covid-19-related-suspension/

NFL team owners vote to expand playoffs to 14 teams

The NFL is gearing up for a normal season and playoffs — with two additional wild-card teams in the Super Bowl chase.

NFL team owners voted Tuesday to expand the playoffs by one team in each conference for a total of 14 next season as they continue to plan for the 2020 season to begin on time.

During a conference call to discuss league business after the annual meetings were canceled due to the new coronavirus, the owners also awarded one of those extra games to CBS and one to NBC. Three-fourths of the 32 owners needed to approve the change, and the vote was unanimous, football operations chief Troy Vincent said.

As for opening the season on Sept. 10 as scheduled, NFL lead counsel Jeff Pash said: “All of our focus has been on a normal traditional season, starting on time, playing before fans in our regular stadiums and going through our full 16-game regular season and a full playoffs.”

Read more: https://oklahoman.com/article/feed/10038936/nfl-team-owners-vote-to-expand-playoffs-by-two-teams

Gov. Stitt orders restrictions to travelers from six states

Gov. Kevin Stitt on Sunday announced that anyone coming to Oklahoma from six known "hot spots" — New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Louisiana or the state of Washington — must self-quarantine for 14 days.

https://oklahoman.com/multimedia/video/6000000013518/coronavirus-in-oklahoma-gov-stitt-orders-restrictions-to-travelers-from-six-states

College cities miss students, especially for Census

At the same time people are worried about the coronavirus, cities are also worried about the Census.

Particularly cities with colleges, since thousands of students have likely gone home after classes across the state have gone online-only to help combat the virus’s spread. But the more people that the U.S. Census Bureau officially counts in a city’s population, the more federal funds the city is eligible for during the following decade.

“We’re definitely concerned, especially for the college-aged in our town,” said Heather Sayler, planning director for Bowling Green.

The census occurs once every 10 years and attempts to count every person living in the United States. The data it collects is the basis for a number of programs and services, including distribution of annual federal funds — such as for disaster relief and public health emergencies — and number of congressional seats.

Read more: https://www.toledoblade.com/local/education/2020/03/31/cities-worry-about-census-during-coronavirus-pandemic-toledo-lucas-county/stories/20200331120

Minimum Wage Ballot Issue Group Sues Over Coronavirus Restrictions And Filing Deadline

Backers of a planned fall ballot issue seeking to raise the minimum wage in Ohio to $13 by 2025 have filed a lawsuit, saying Gov. Mike DeWine’s coronavirus restrictions have halted their effort. The group says it wants more time and lowered requirements.

The group has until July 1 to submit around 442,000 valid signatures.

It stopped gathering signatures around March 15, when DeWine closed bars and made restaurants carry out only. But the requirements are in the Ohio constitution.

James Hayes with Raise the Wage Ohio said the closing of Ohio's polling places just hours before the primary both hurt their effort, but also showed that unusual decisions can be made. And he said the rights of those who want to vote on this issue need to be protected.

Read more: https://www.statenews.org/post/minimum-wage-ballot-issue-group-sues-over-coronavirus-restrictions-and-filing-deadline

Jimmy Kimmel's Quarantine Monologue - Trump Tribute & Last-Minute April Fools' Pranks

Jimmy Kimmel's Quarantine Monologue - Trump Ratings & The Lion Tiger King