Cecile Richards, former Planned Parenthood president and prominent feminist activist, passed away at age 67 from brain cancer. A lifelong advocate for reproductive rights, Richards remained politically active even after her diagnosis, actively campaigning for Democratic candidates and working to expand access to abortion after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Her career spanned decades of activism, including leadership roles at Planned Parenthood and co-founding Supermajority. Richards’ legacy is defined by her unwavering commitment to women’s health and reproductive freedom.
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The 2024 KFF Women’s Health Survey reveals that avoiding pregnancy is a top priority for nearly 70% of women of reproductive age, with 82% using contraception in the past year. A significant portion (20%) of uninsured women discontinued birth control due to cost, highlighting affordability concerns. The survey also found that social media influences contraceptive choices for some women, and access to emergency contraception remains a challenge for many. These findings underscore the importance of contraceptive access following the Dobbs decision.
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Texas’s decision to not examine maternal deaths in the years following the abortion ban is a deeply troubling development, raising serious questions about transparency and accountability. The refusal to investigate these deaths directly contradicts any claim of prioritizing the well-being of mothers. This lack of investigation suggests an intentional effort to avoid confronting the potential consequences of the restrictive abortion law.
This deliberate avoidance of data collection creates a concerning parallel to other situations where inconvenient truths have been ignored or suppressed. The comparison to the handling of COVID-19 data, where efforts were made to minimize the severity of the pandemic, is striking.… Continue reading
A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect from midnight tonight to 9 AM CST Friday for portions of central, east central, and northeast Missouri. Expect visibility of one quarter mile or less, which could create hazardous driving conditions. To stay safe, slow down, use your headlights, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
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Idaho, a state now known for its strict anti-abortion laws, has become a terrifying place for women facing complex pregnancies. One woman tearfully recounted her experience after being diagnosed with a nonviable pregnancy. Under the state’s total abortion ban, she was forced to carry the pregnancy to term despite knowing her baby would never survive.
The woman’s story highlights the devastating consequences of these extreme laws. She wasn’t alone in her struggle. Many women in Idaho are facing similar agonizing situations. Doctors are afraid to provide necessary care for fear of facing criminal charges, leaving women with no options but to suffer through pregnancies they know will end in the loss of their babies.… Continue reading
Avery Davis Bell, a geneticist living in Georgia, experienced a miscarriage at 18 weeks of pregnancy. Due to the state’s restrictive abortion laws, she was forced to wait 24 hours before receiving necessary medical care, despite her condition posing a serious risk to her health. This delay, mandated by Georgia law, caused significant emotional distress and prolonged her suffering. The law requires paperwork that acknowledges the presence of a heartbeat and potential risks of the procedure, even though the fetus could not survive outside the womb. Bell’s story highlights the tragic impact of restrictive abortion laws on women’s health and well-being, particularly in states with limited access to abortion care. These laws create unnecessary delays in care and force women to endure agonizing waits while facing medical emergencies, potentially leading to dangerous consequences.
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A pregnant teenager from Texas died after being turned away from emergency rooms multiple times, highlighting concerns about the loss of abortion rights in the US. Nevaeh Crain, 18, went to two emergency rooms but her abdominal pain was not addressed. When she was eventually diagnosed with sepsis, she was released after doctors confirmed her fetus’s heartbeat. Doctors in states with strict abortion laws are wary of providing care to pregnant women due to fear of legal repercussions. The consequences have proven harmful to women who require healthcare, often being moved between hospitals, which wastes crucial time.
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The issue of 200+ women facing criminal charges over pregnancy in the year after Dobbs is alarming and deeply disturbing. The fact that women who have experienced miscarriages are being accused of child abuse and locked up is beyond comprehension. Miscarriages are unfortunately common, and the idea that someone could weaponize such a devastating experience to incarcerate women is cruel and heartless.
One particular case in Oklahoma where a woman was charged with felony child neglect after her baby tested positive for marijuana at birth stands out. Despite having a doctor-approved state license to use medical marijuana during her pregnancy, prosecutors pursued the case using fetal personhood language.… Continue reading
As a woman in today’s society, it is disheartening to see the blatant disregard for women’s health and autonomy displayed by certain individuals, especially those associated with the MAGA movement. Calling birth control ‘poison’ and using derogatory terms like ‘females’ instead of women is not only disrespectful but also showcases a deep-rooted misogyny that continues to plague our society.
The idea that birth control, a medication that has been safely used for decades to help women regulate their periods, manage hormonal imbalances, and prevent unwanted pregnancies, is suddenly being labeled as poison is nothing short of absurd. As someone who has personally benefitted from the positive effects of birth control, I can attest to its importance in not only improving my health but also empowering me to make decisions about my own body.… Continue reading
reliving or remembering the pain and anguish of lost loved ones in similar circumstances due to archaic laws and political manipulation. The tragic and preventable death of Amber Nicole Thurman at the hands of the Georgia abortion ban sends shockwaves through the very core of our society.
We live in a world where politicians are more concerned with controlling women’s bodies than with saving lives. The Republican Party, who claims to be pro-life, is anything but when they are willing to sacrifice the lives of women like Amber in the name of their political ideologies. We must not forget that behind every statistic and headline is a human being, a mother, a daughter, a friend, whose life was cut short due to the callous disregard for women’s health and rights.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood