Good afternoon, Tucson. We hope you enjoy our new look. Here’s your news roundup for April 11, 2024.
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🌵 The Arizona Supreme Court revived an 1864 law that bans abortions.
In a 4-2 ruling, the court said that the state’s 15-week abortion ban, passed in 2022, does not overrule a total abortion ban passed in 1864. The law’s only exception to the ban is when the mother’s life is in danger. It punishes doctors who perform abortions with two to five years in prison. The ban will not go into effect for at least two weeks to allow for potential additional legal challenges.
🌵 The ruling prompted protests and strong reactions from elected officials.
People protested in downtown Tucson. Governor Hobbs reiterated that a 2023 executive order prevents county attorneys from prosecuting offenders. Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Tucson on Friday for an abortion-related campaign event. An attempt by Arizona House Democrats to open discussions on repealing the 1864 law was quickly overruled by Republicans.
- Arizona Daily Star: Photos: People protest in Downtown Tucson after the Arizona Supreme Court’s near-total ban on abortion
- AZPM: Shouts of ‘Shame! Shame!’ erupt in Arizona House as fight over abortion ban engulfs lawmakers
🌵 A newly passed bipartisan bill aims to crack down on negligent Arizona assisted living facilities.
This bill will make it easier to report unsafe or abusive conditions, increase fines, prevent facilities from transferring their license while fines are pending, and allow legal claims after a facility shuts down.
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🌵 The man who killed Isabel Celis received a second life sentence.
Christopher Clements was sentenced after being found guilty in February of killing six-year-old Celis, who went missing from her Tucson home in 2012. Clements was already serving a life sentence for the 2014 killing of 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez.
🌵 Lastly, Tucson public transit will remain free until at least June 2025.
Mayor Romero and the city council had previously indicated they would support keeping buses, street cars, and public transit vans free, although options are still being considered for how to pay for it. Tucson transit became free during the pandemic in 2020.