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Abortion law goes to federal appeals court

NPR
The law, which passed during a 2013 special session of the Texas Legislature, was the topic of many protests at the capitol in opposition to, and in support of, the measure.

A federal appeals court today will review the recently passed Texas law regulating abortion providers.

A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans is set to hear arguments over a ruling declaring parts of the 2013 law unconstitutional.

A coalition of Texas abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, has sued to block two provisions. One requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges near where the abortion is performed. The other restricts how doctors administer abortion-inducing drugs.

U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ruled on Oct. 28 that the admitting-privileges provision lacked medical justification. However, on Oct. 31, the 5th Circuit overruled Yeakel and brought the law's admitting-privileges requirement into effect immediately. The plaintiffs petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to suspend the law until the 5th Circuit could review the case in January, but on Nov. 19, the Supreme Court refused to block the law.

Mark Haslett has served at KETR since 2013. Since then, the station's news operation has enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards.