(BOISE, Idaho) — A bill that seeks to prevent most abortions from occurring in Idaho has just passed in the state legislature and is heading to the governor’s desk.
The bill is the first in the country to be modeled after the recent law passed in Texas that bans abortions after six weeks, before many women know they’re pregnant.
Idaho’s bill prohibits abortions after six weeks and allows the father, grandparents, siblings, uncles or aunts of the fetus to sue a medical provider who performs the procedure.
Family members can sue for a minimum of $20,000 within four years of an abortion. While a rapist wouldn’t be allowed to sue, their family members could.
The state House of Representatives passed the bill Monday night 51-14, almost exclusively along party lines, after the state Senate passed the bill earlier this month.
“This bill makes sure that the people of Idaho can stand up for our values and do everything in our power to prevent the wanton destruction of innocent human life,” state Rep. Steven Harris, a Republican and the bill’s sponsor, said in a statement following the vote.
The bill is now heading to Republican Gov. Brad Little’s desk to await his signature.
Little signed a similar “fetal heartbeat” bill into law last year that bans abortions after a fetus’ heartbeat is detected, and he is expected to sign this one as well.
The governor’s office did not reply to ABC News’ request for comment.
There are a few differences between the Idaho bill and the Texas law.
Both allow for exceptions in the case of a medical emergency, but the Texas law does not allow for exceptions in cases of rape or incest whereas the Idaho bill does allow for such exceptions.
However, women who want an abortion under those exceptions are required to file a police report and show it to the medical provider before the abortion.
Another difference between the two pieces of legislation is that the Idaho bill only allows for certain family members of the fetus to sue the medical provider who performed the abortion, but the Texas law allows almost any private citizen to sue any Texas doctor who performs an abortion, intends to perform an abortion or helps a woman receive an abortion.
Kim Clark, senior attorney at Legal Voice — a non-profit organization advocating for the legal rights of women, girls and LGBTQ people in the Northwest — said this could lead to women in abusive relationships being further harassed by their partners.
“This essentially makes the state complicit in intimate partner violence,” Clark told ABC News. “Allowing a member of the person’s family to bring a claim, that could include an abuser where the survivor hasn’t reported the assault.”
She continued, “When women are unable to access abortion care, rates of homicide or harm to other children can skyrocket.”
A November 2021 study from Tulane University in New Orleans found more pregnant women die by homicide every year than other pregnancy-related causes.
Compared to non-pregnant women of the same age, pregnant women were 16% more likely to die by homicide, the study found.
Chelsea Gaona-Lincoln, the Idaho programs manager for Legal Voice, said she doesn’t think lawmakers are trying to prevent unwanted pregnancies, pointing out that the Idaho House on Monday night also voted down a bill that would allow women to receive a six-month maximum supply of contraceptive prescriptions, up from three months.
“The same body voted down a contraception bill that would allow women to get birth control for up to six months,” she told ABC News. “They don’t really care about preventing unwanted pregnancies. This is about political control.”
Following Dolly Parton‘s surprising withdrawal from consideration for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Monday, at least one famous producer seems to be stepping up to the plate to help her achieve her dreams of making a rock album.
In her statement, the country icon said she didn’t feel she’d “earned the right” to be in the Rock Hall, but went on to say, “This has…inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock ‘n’ roll album at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do!”
Steve Albini, whose production work includes albums by Nirvana, Pixies, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, The Breeders, PJ Harvey, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Laura Jane Grace, Urge Overkill and countless others, responded to Dolly’s statement. He wrote in a Twitter message, “Dolly Parton do you like analog recording.”
Fans were excited at the prospect of Albini being involved with the project, with one writing, “Album of the year potential. Please make this happen.” Another wrote, “oh god an albini produced dolly album is everything i could ever hope for.”
Still another wrote, “I’m ready to pre-order all formats including the in-studio making-of documentary on 4K.”
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Lovers of the great outdoors have a friend in Carole King.
The legendary singer/songwriter is in Washington, D.C., to speak as a witness at a congressional hearing on Wednesday, March 16, focusing on wildfire response that also will feature testimony from U.S. Forest Service officials, as well as environmental experts and advocates.
The hearing, which will be overseen by California Congressman Ro Khanna, Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Environment, will look at ways for the federal government to improve its wildfire preparation measures, while discussing the toll wildfires are taking in recent years as they have increased in severity due to such factors as drought, global warming and other issues.
King is a longtime Idaho resident and land conservation advocate who has worked for decades with scientists, environmental supporters and organizations to promote the preservation of the wilderness and biodiversity in the ecosystem of the northern Rocky Mountains.
The hearing, which is titled “Fighting Fire with Fire: Evaluating the Role of Forest Management in Reducing Catastrophic Wildfires,” will take place at 10 a.m. ET. The event will be livestreamed on the Committee on Oversight and Reform’s website and YouTube channel.
King posted a photo on her Facebook page of her with some other environmental advocates in Washington, D.C., in advance of the hearing.
Jimmie Allen and Mickey Guyton are among the many artists taking part in a new documentary chronicling country music through the perspective of Black artists.
Directed by Joshua Kissi, For Love & Country will feature performances and interviews from the new generation of Black artists helping to shape country music as they share their personal stories.
“There are certain barriers that are there. One way to always get past it is great music,” Jimmie remarks in the trailer.
“We deserve to be here. Our dreams are valid,” adds Mickey.
Breland, currently in the top five on country radio as a collaborator on Dierks Bentley‘s “Beers on Me” says, “I just knew that there was a lane that was open and if the lane is open for one, then it’s open for everybody.”
Blanco Brown, hit songwriter Shy Carter, Brittney Spencer — who recently made her ACM Awards debut performing “These Boots Are Made For Walkin'” with Brothers Osborne — and Grammy nominees Allison Russell and Valerie June are among the other artists who appear in the doc.
For Love & Country premieres on Amazon Music and Prime Video on April 7.
(NEW YORK) — Russian forces are continuing their attempted push through Ukraine from multiple directions, while Ukrainians, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are putting up “stiff resistance,” according to U.S. officials.
The attack began Feb. 24, when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation.”
Russian forces moving from neighboring Belarus toward Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, have advanced closer to the city center in recent days despite the resistance, coming within about 9 miles as of Friday.
Russia has been met by sanctions from the United States, Canada and countries throughout Europe, targeting the Russian economy as well as Putin himself.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Mar 15, 1:42 pm
Refugee numbers reach 3 million
Over 3 million refugees have now fled Ukraine, according to Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Over 1.5 million of those refugees are children, according to UNICEF spokesperson James Elder.
Mar 15, 1:26 pm
Thousands of civilians evacuate Mariupol during pause in attacks
A pause in Russian attacks on the besieged city of Mariupol has allowed for about 2,000 private vehicles to evacuate civilians on Tuesday, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereschuk said.
This is in addition to the 160 private vehicles that evacuated residents during a lull on Monday.
Russian attacks impeded previous efforts to get civilians out and to allow for humanitarian supplies to be brought in. The Mariupol City Council reported Sunday that 2,187 residents had been killed since the start of the invasion. Vereschuk said last week that the city was “beyond a humanitarian disaster,” with most roads destroyed, little communication with the outside and no power, gas or heat.
Mar 15, 1:14 pm
NATO leaders to meet March 24
NATO leaders will meet on March 24 to address the Russian invasion, NATO’s “strong support for Ukraine, and further strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg tweeted.
-ABC News’ Conor Finnegan
Mar 15, 1:06 pm
Russian TV anti-war protester fined and released
Anti-war protester Marina Ovsyannikova has been fined and released after crashing a Russian state news broadcast.
She told reporters she was interrogated for more than 14 hours and said she’d provide more comments on Wednesday.
-ABC News’ Patrick Reevell
Mar 15, 12:16 pm
Fox News cameraman killed in Ukraine
Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski has been killed in Ukraine, according to Fox News.
Zakrzewski, 55, was newsgathering with correspondent Benjamin Hall on Monday in Horenka, outside of Kyiv, when their vehicle was hit by incoming fire, the network said.
Hall was injured and hospitalized in unknown condition.
“Pierre jumped in to help out with all sorts of roles in the field – photographer, engineer, editor and producer and he did it all under immense pressure and with tremendous skill,” a statement from Fox News PR said. “He was a professional, he was a journalist, and he was a friend. We here at the Fox News Channel want to offer our deepest condolences to Pierre’s wife, Michelle, and his entire family.”
Mar 15, 11:34 am
US, EU, UK expand sanctions targeting Russia
The European Union Council on Tuesday imposed a fourth package of economic and individual sanctions, including restricting the export of luxury goods to Russia and banning new investments in Russia’s energy sector.
Sanctions also target “key oligarchs, lobbyist and propagandists pushing the Kremlin’s narrative on the situation in Ukraine,” the Council said in a statement.
“The aim of the sanctions is that President Putin stops this inhuman and senseless war,” Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in a statement.
The United Kingdom is expanding sanctions targeting over 300 people including former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and oligarchs with an estimated worth of more than $94 billion.
The U.S. is also expanding sanctions, including against Russian Ministry of Defense officials.
The State Department is also implementing a new visa ban policy against Russian officials who have “cracked down on Russian citizens who have taken to the streets to protest their government’s brutal campaign in Ukraine” and “are responsible for suppressing dissent in occupied areas of Ukraine.”
In retaliation for sanctions from the U.S., Russia’s foreign ministry has announced personal sanctions against President Joe Biden and many top administration officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The sanctions also target Biden’s son, Hunter, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
-ABC News’ Christine Theodorou, Tanya Stukalova, Patrick Reevell and Conor Finnegan
Mar 15, 7:51 am
Two killed in strike on Kyiv neighborhood
Two people were killed on Tuesday morning after Russian forces shelled residential areas in Kyiv, officials said.
The sound of large explosions echoed across Kyiv before dawn from what Ukrainian authorities said were artillery strikes. The shelling ignited a huge fire and a frantic rescue effort in the Svyatoshyn neighborhood.
Shockwaves from an explosion also damaged the entry to a downtown subway station that has been used as a bomb shelter. City authorities tweeted an image of the blown-out facade, saying trains would no longer stop at the station.
Mar 15, 5:51 am
Residents protest in Russian-occupied cities: UK military
Residents of Kherson, Melitopol and Berdyansk, cities occupied by Russian forces, have held “multiple” demonstrations protesting the occupation, the U.K. Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.
Protests in Kherson came as Russia may be making plans for a “referendum” to legitimize the region as a Russian-backed “breakaway republic,” similar to Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea, the Ministry said.
“Further protests were reported in the city yesterday with Russian forces reportedly firing warning shots in an attempt to disperse peaceful protesters,” the Ministry said.
Russia is likely to “make further attempts to subvert Ukrainian democracy,” the update said.
“Russia has reportedly installed its own mayor in Melitopol following the alleged abduction of his predecessor on Friday 11 March,” the update said. “Subsequently, the Mayor of Dniprorudne has also reportedly been abducted by Russian forces.”
Mar 14, 9:56 pm
Latest talks with Russia went ‘pretty good,’ will continue tomorrow, Zelenskyy says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy updated the status of negotiations with Russia in his latest address Monday, saying the latest talks went “pretty good” and will continue tomorrow.
Zelenskyy also addressed Russian troops, telling them they would be treated “decently” should they surrender.
“On behalf of the Ukrainian people, I give you a chance — chance to survive,” Zelenskyy said. “You surrender to our forces, we will treat you the way people are supposed to be treated. As people, decently.”
Zelenskyy also thanked the producer at a Russian state news channel who appeared on camera behind an anchor and held up an anti-war sign. She was later arrested.
“I am grateful to those Russians who do not stop trying to convey the truth,” he said. “To those who fight disinformation and tell the truth, real facts to their friends and loved ones. And personally to the woman who entered the studio of Channel One with a poster against the war.”
A collection of guitars and other instruments and memorabilia belonging to Rush‘s Alex Lifeson will be up for bid at a May 22 auction held at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City.
The sale, hosted by Julien’s Auctions, will feature over 100 artifacts, including more than 60 guitars.
Perhaps the main highlight of the auction is the custom-built 1976 Gibson ES-355TD electric guitar known as “Whitie,” which was Lifeson’s main guitar from 1976 until 2015. Alex played “Whitie” on all of Rush’s albums, from 1977’s A Farewell to Kings through 1996’s Test for Echo. It also was one of his preferred touring instruments. It’s estimated to fetch between $200,000 and $300,000.
Another notable guitar being sold is a 1980 custom-built Hentor Sportscaster electric model that Lifeson used to record many classic Rush songs, including 1981’s “Limelight.” It’s estimated to sell for between $100,000 and $200,000.
Others instruments up for bid include a 1981 Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion electric guitar played on the 1981 Moving Pictures tour; a 1971 Jose Ramirez acoustic guitar used on all of Rush’s classical-style recordings starting with the band’s 1978 album, Hemispheres; a 1976 Gibson Dove acoustic that Alex used to write “Closer to the Heart” and other tunes from 1977’s A Farewell to Kings album; and a 1970 Gibson Les Paul electric model that Lifeson played on most of the band’s albums and tours during the mid-to-late 1970s. All of these guitars are estimated to bring between $100,000 and $200,000.
The Lifeson auction is part of Julien’s Auctions’ next “Musical Icons” sale, scheduled for May 20-22. Bidding will take place in person and online at JuliensLive.com.
Former President Barack Obama will headline and narrate Our Great National Parks, a documentary from Netflix celebrating the protected splendor of the country, which debuts April 13.
In an eye-popping new trailer for the five-part series, Mr. Obama celebrates the “journey of the natural wonders of our shared birthright,” highlighting its curious creatures and their habitats, and how both they can help humanity as more than just eye candy for HD TVs.
“When humanity started to protect these wild places,” the former president says, “we did not realize how important they would become. They’re a haven for endangered species, and a hot bed for scientific research.”
Our Great National Parks isn’t the first time Obama showcased these protected, precious environments. When he was in office, he helped celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service by starring in a virtual reality video set at Yosemite. The 11-minute-long, immersive film called Through the Ages celebrated both the agency and its efforts to preserve our national parks.
(NEW YORK) — In a digital age, children have access to around-the-clock news coverage of frightened refugees, gunfire and talk of a nuclear attack.
Many American parents are wondering how media coverage of the war in Ukraine may be impacting their children.
“We tend to believe that children are not aware of what’s happening, but in fact they are,” said Dr. Stephenie Howard, a licensed clinical social worker and assistant professor at Norfolk State University.
“They’re always listening. They pick up on bits and pieces of information and they’re left to put the pieces together by themselves, which can be worse,” she added.
Although the events in Ukraine are a continent away, children in the U.S. might experience vicarious trauma, which happens when people are impacted by someone else’s adversity even if they do not directly experience it themselves. Children may also misinterpret public crises often in ways that are unexpected.
“Kids will hear about these things. Their fears and worries may be distortions of the reality … and when there’s this much coverage, they might think there’s a war in their own city,” Dr. David Schonfeld, director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, told Good Morning America.
Below are five steps parents can take to help children navigate turbulent times.
1. Initiate the conversation.
Experts agree that families should feel empowered to ask about their child’s understanding of an event, correct misinformation and provide reassurance.
Schonfeld, who recently published an article for the American Academy of Pediatrics on this subject, recommends starting the conversation as soon as children are old enough to talk.
“It may very well be a one- or two-minute conversation with a 6-year-old where you say, ‘Did you hear anything about the fact that in the country far away from here called Ukraine, there’s a war?” Schonfeld said.
Added Dr. Micki Burns, a licensed psychologist and chief clinical officer at Judi’s House, an organization that provides grief counseling for children and families: “Come into that conversation and allow your child to drive the direction that it goes in… and allow them to teach us what’s going to be most helpful to them.”
When talking to your child, focus on active listening. There is often a tendency to try to “fix” scary situations, but it is important to avoid providing false promises. Give developmentally appropriate answers to their questions and remind them that you will help keep them safe.
2. Monitor for signs of stress or anxiety.
Children at different ages may process scary events on the news in different ways. Some may show changes in appetite, sleeping habits, or seem withdrawn. Dr. Kimberly Clinebell, a child and adolescent psychiatrist with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Western Psychiatric Hospital, adds that young child may even regress.
If you notice concerning changes in your child’s behavior, talk to their pediatrician as they can often help explore these behaviors and connect your child to mental health providers.
3. Check in with your own emotional well-being.
“The first thing for all parents in all situations is to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself. I know it’s such a cliché but … put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you go to help your children,” said Burns.
Self-care can look like many things, like taking a break from news coverage.
“I just tell people if you’re watching, viewing, listening to or reading [the news] and you’re not feeling reassured and you’re not learning practical new information, then unplug,” said Schonfeld.
Reducing exposure to graphic videos and images can be protective for both you and your child.
4. Model compassionate behavior.
It is also critical for parents to recognize that wartime can bring about misunderstandings and prejudices surrounding different groups of people. Many Americans have family in Russia and Ukraine.
“There’s a tendency for us to say things which are really discriminatory because we think it’s safe among friends. But we really don’t know all of the history of all of our friends and acquaintances,” said Schonfeld.
He recommends modeling kind words, especially during tense times.
5. Identify practical ways to help with the crisis abroad.
Lastly, watching conflict unfold on TV can make kids feel helpless.
“Try to think of ways to make a positive impact in the world, whether that’s with Ukraine or some other way that they feel like their passions and their skills could be put to good use,” said Dr. Maria Rahmandar, an adolescent medicine professor at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
Sophia Gauthier, MD, is a pediatric resident physician at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia as well as a contributor to the ABC News Medical Unit.
(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden will to travel to Brussels next week to meet with NATO leaders in his first visit to Europe since Russian President Vladimir Putin began his violent invasion of Ukraine, the White House announced Tuesday.
At the show of unity on March 24, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, Biden will “reaffirm our ironclad commitment to our NATO allies.”
His trip follows the prime ministers of Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic heading to Kyiv on Tuesday, as shelling continues there, in a show of support to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy despite the danger on the ground.
Just before the White House announcement, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg tweeted, “I have convened an extraordinary Summit on 24 March at #NATO HQ. We will address #Russia’s invasion of #Ukraine, our strong support for Ukraine, and further strengthening NATO’s deterrence & defence. At this critical time, North America & Europe must continue to stand together.”
Biden will also join a scheduled European Council summit “to discuss our shared concerns about Ukraine, including transatlantic efforts to impose economic costs on Russia, provide humanitarian support to those affected by the violence and address other challenges related to the conflict,” Psaki said.
The goal of Biden’s trip to Brussels will be to meet “face-to-face” with his European counterparts to assess Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, she said.
“We’ve been incredibly aligned to date. That doesn’t happen by accident,” she said. “The president’s a big believer in face-to-face diplomacy. So, it’s an opportunity to do exactly that.”
She added that the NATO meeting is the “real focus right now,” and wouldn’t say if Biden will be making additional stops in Poland or to meet with refugees.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
(BALTIMORE) — A loaded 1,095-foot cargo ship remained stuck Tuesday morning in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, presenting Coast Guard officials with what they described as a “logistical challenge” to free the vessel without polluting the environment.
The container vessel, named Ever Forward, ran aground Sunday night after leaving Baltimore, Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Lehmann, a spokesman for the Coast Guard’s Mid-Atlantic district, told ABC News Tuesday morning.
Lehmann said the ship is stuck in about 23-feet of water but is not blocking traffic in the bay’s deep-water channel.
“It’s a pretty big logistical challenge,” Lehmann said about freeing the ship.
Lehmann said a Coast Guard environmental team boarded the ship to make an assessment of its condition and determine how to safely get it towed off what is believed to be a sandbar without polluting the water or causing harm to the crew.
“We’re making sure all boxes are checked,” said Lehmann, adding that a timeline has not yet been established on when an attempt to free the vessel will be made.
Lehmann said no one was injured and no pollution has been detected as a result of the mishap.
He said the Coast Guard was notified of the incident around 9 p.m. Sunday. The vessel was headed to Norfolk, Virginia.
Coast Guard officials said the ship was apparently traveling outside the deep-water channel when it got hung up.
Lehmann said the ship is believed to be owned by Evergreen Marine Corp., noting the company’s name on the side of the vessel. Evergreen Marine, based in Taiwan, is also the owner of a cargo ship Ever Given, which got stuck in Egypt’s Suez Canal in March 2021, blocking the world-famous waterway for six days and causing massive delays in global shipping.
ABC News has reached out to Evergreen Marine Corp. for comment but has received no immediate response.
