Mississippi News
Mississippi abortion clinic asks to reopen
Mississippi’s just-closed abortion clinic asks state’s highest court to allow it to reopen
Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which was the state’s only abortion clinic before it was forced to close Thursday, is asking the Mississippi Supreme Court to allow it to reopen next week.
The request is based on the state Supreme Court’s 1998 decision that said the Mississippi Constitution provided women the right to an abortion. That decision has not been overturned and supersedes laws passed by the Legislature banning abortion in most instances, attorneys for the abortion clinic argue.
The petition filed Thursday with the Supreme Court comes on the heels of Tuesday’s ruling by Chancery Judge Debbra Halford of Franklin County refusing a request for a temporary restraining order allowing the clinic to remain open.
The filing before the Supreme Court noted that Halford opened the hearing on Tuesday with a prayer by a specially-appointed chaplain: โLord, we pray for the presence of your Holy Spirit in this courtroom today … We seek your truth, not our own. We seek your wisdom, not our own. Bless and inspire Judge Halford in her deliberations and judgments here today.โ
The abortion rights supporters are asking the Court to suspend two laws. Mississippi has a trigger law that went into effect based on the U.S. Supreme Court landmark ruling in late June overturning Roe v. Wade, which had recognized abortion rights in the U.S. Constitution.
Another law in Mississippi banning abortions after six weeks also went into effect as a result of the overturning of Roe.
โWe hope the Mississippi Supreme Court will abide by its prior ruling that the Mississippi Constitution protects the rights of women to make their own decisions in matters of child birth. But unfortunately, we live in a time when settled rules of law are being cast aside. We hope that doesn’t happen here,โ said Jackson attorney Rob McDuff, of the Mississippi Center for Justice, who is representing the clinic. The Center for Reproductive Rights also is representing the clinic.
McDuff argued before Halford that those laws would be trumped by the 1998 state Supreme Court ruling saying abortion rights were protected under the Mississippi Constitution. Only the state Supreme Court could reverse that opinion just as only the U.S. Supreme Court could reverse the Roe decision, McDuff argued Tuesday before Halford.
Halford rejected McDuff’s argument, refusing to grant the temporary restraining order because, she said, it was likely that the state Supreme Court would reverse the 1998 ruling.
In the filing before the Supreme Court, the clinic said Halford โabused her discretionโ by basing her ruling on what she believed the Supreme Court would do.
โThat reasoning is contrary to the rule of law and to this Court’s authority to have the final word on the meaning of the Mississippi Constitution,โ the filing said.
The office of Attorney General Lynn Fitch argued against suspending the enactment of the trigger law and the six-week ban. Fitch also filed the lawsuit โ Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization โ that led to the Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
Fitch’s office argued before Halford that the 1998 ruling by the state’s highest court was made based on the fact Roe was national law. Now that Roe has been overturned, the 1998 state Supreme Court ruling is no longer good law. But McDuff pointed out nowhere in the 1998 ruling was that connection made.
The trigger law bans all abortions except in cases where the life of the mother is at risk or in cases of law enforcement-reported rapes. The other law bans abortions after six weeks except in cases of medical emergencies.
โWe are simply asking the MS Supreme Court to uphold its own ruling. It would be a mistake to reverse decades of precedent and allow government and politics to override a woman’s right to make health decisions directly impacting her life,โ said Vangela Wade, chief executive officer of the Mississippi Center for Justice.
Vangela Wade is a Mississippi Today board member.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Sports Zone Saturday: A must-win weekend for Mississippi's college football teams
SUMMARY: College football is back in Mississippi for the 2024 season, with a lineup of exciting games this Saturday. The Sports Zone team will provide special coverage from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on WJTV 12 News. Notable matchups include No. 19 Ole Miss visiting Arkansas at 11:00 a.m. CT on ESPN, while Mississippi State celebrates Homecoming against UMass at 3:15 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. Jackson State hosts UAPB for their Homecoming game at 2:00 p.m. CT on ESPN+, and Alcorn State travels to face Alabama State at 4:00 p.m. CT on ESPN+. Southern Miss has a bye week.
The post Sports Zone Saturday: A must-win weekend for Mississippi's college football teams appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Danver’s celebrates forty seven years of continued success
SUMMARY: Danver’s restaurant in Tupelo, Mississippi, recently celebrated its 47th anniversary, maintaining a loyal customer base since its opening in 1977. General Manager Larry Wade, who started as a cook, emphasized the restaurant’s focus on consistency, quality, and customer service. Despite economic challenges, Danver’s has thrived due to its enduring values and community connections, which patrons appreciate. Regular customers, like Tom Robinson, value the reasonable prices and consistent quality. The restaurant aims to continue this legacy, looking forward to its 50th anniversary in three years as it remains a cherished community staple.
The post Danver’s celebrates forty seven years of continued success appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Creator Studio at MUW expands opportunities for students
SUMMARY: The new Creator Studio at the Mississippi University for Women aims to enhance student creativity by providing a dedicated space for video production, podcasting, and audio work. Located in Fant Memorial Library, the studio offers essential equipment and software, including lighting, microphones, and green screens. Dr. Bary Smith emphasizes that it enables students from various majors to bring their ideas to life without the burden of investing in expensive gear. Students can reserve the studio for projects, fostering valuable skills applicable across industries, particularly in effective communication and branding. Reservations can be made online or through the library.
The post Creator Studio at MUW expands opportunities for students appeared first on www.wcbi.com
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