Arizona Republicans, who had previously supported stricter abortion restrictions, are now distancing themselves from a state Supreme Court ruling on a 160-year-old ban on nearly all abortions. Republican politicians like Kari Lake, David Schweikert, and Juan Ciscomani criticized the ruling, stating that abortion laws should be determined by individual states rather than legislated from the bench. The 1864 law that was upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court outlaws abortion from the moment of conception with exceptions to save the woman’s life. The ruling effectively undoes a more recent 15-week ban from 2022 and has faced backlash from various Republicans in the state.
Inflation remains a concern for Americans, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics is expected to report a 3.5% increase in March. The Federal Reserve is targeting a 2% inflation rate, but economists believe it will take time for inflation to subside. There are doubts about when and how interest rates will be cut this year. President Joe Biden has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, calling it a mistake, but has not indicated any significant changes in U.S. policy towards Israel. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the U.S. has seen no evidence of genocide in Israel’s military operations against Hamas in Gaza.
The prestigious Dana-Farber Institute has retracted seven studies over concerns of errors and image manipulation in its papers. The institute expressed commitment to accountability and transparency, and requested corrections in 31 papers. The retractions add to the ongoing debate about scientific integrity and reducing misconduct in research. The former assistant principal at a Virginia school where a 6-year-old student shot his teacher has been charged with child abuse. This comes more than a year after the incident, in which the teacher was shot and injured. The charges represent a new frontier in school gun-violence-related prosecution.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced new limits on “forever chemicals” in drinking water, which are estimated to prevent thousands of deaths and serious illnesses. The limits restrict six types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS or “forever chemicals.” Eleven states already have regulatory standards for PFAS in drinking water, and public water systems that do not monitor for PFAS will have three years to start under the new rules. In other political news, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas faces an impeachment probe, and Donald Trump’s trials continue in New York.
Overall, various states are facing challenges and controversies in abortion restrictions, scientific research integrity, gun violence in schools, inflation concerns, and environmental protection. Political figures are navigating complex issues related to abortion, international relations, and scientific ethics. It remains to be seen how these issues will impact policies, regulations, and public health in the future. All efforts are being made to address public concerns and maintain accountability in various sectors including healthcare, education, and environmental protection.
