What to know about abortion rulings, bills and campaigns as the US marks Roe anniversary

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling on Jan. 22, 1973, the time around the anniversary has always been marked by rallies, protests and political pledges. This time, after the 2022 ruling that overturned the nationwide right to abortion that Roe provided, there’s a flurry of activity as state policy gets decided by … Read more

Abortion fight puts Vice President Harris at the center of the 2024 election campaign

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris is taking center stage in the Democrats’ renewed push for abortion rights during this year’s election and she will mark the 51st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling on Monday in Wisconsin. It will be the first in a series of events hosted by Harris, and it comes … Read more

Democrats believe abortion will motivate voters in 2024. Will it be enough?

WASHINGTON — When Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump said recently that he was “proud” to have a hand in overturning the abortion protections enshrined in Roe v. Wade, Democratic pollster Celinda Lake took it as a political gift, thinking to herself, “Oh my God, we just won the election.” It may not be that simple, … Read more

Some New Hampshire residents want better answers from the 2024 candidates on the opioid crisis

ROCHESTER, N.H. — Kristina Amyot’s life has drastically improved since the last New Hampshire primary, but she isn’t confident the current candidates will help others achieve the same success. Amyot, 36, spent more than half her life struggling with addiction, mainly to heroin, before joining Hope on Haven Hill, a comprehensive program for pregnant women … Read more

Secrecy surrounding the defense secretary’s hospitalization has put the White House on the defensive

WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s administration pledged from Day One to restore truth and transparency to the federal government — but now it’s facing a maelstrom of criticism and credibility questions after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization was kept secret for days, even from the White House. The controversy has prompted a … Read more

‘Obamacare’ sign-ups surge to 20 million, days before open enrollment closes

WASHINGTON — Some 20 million people have signed up for health insurance this year through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, a record-breaking figure. President Joe Biden will likely proclaim those results regularly on the campaign trail for months to come as former President Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner, vows to dismantle the Obama-era program. The … Read more

Austin is released from hospital after complications from prostate cancer surgery he kept secret

WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released from the hospital Monday, after spending two weeks there to treat complications from surgery for prostate cancer he kept secret from senior Biden administration leaders and staff for weeks. He will be working from home as he recovers, and his doctors said he “progressed … Read more

Republicans push back on Biden plan to axe federal funds for anti-abortion counseling centers

WASHINGTON — In a new twist to the fight over abortion access, congressional Republicans are trying to block a Biden administration spending rule that they say will cut off millions of dollars to anti-abortion counseling centers. The rule would prohibit states from sending federal funds earmarked for needy Americans to so-called “crisis pregnancy centers,” which … Read more

Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy show no link with suicide, FDA says

A preliminary review of side effects from popular drugs used to treat diabetes and obesity shows no link with suicidal thoughts or actions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday. But the agency also said officials cannot definitively rule out that “a small risk may exist” and that they’ll continue to look into reports … Read more

President Joe Biden’s record age, 81, is an ‘asset,’ first lady Jill Biden says

WASHINGTON — First lady Jill Biden says her husband’s age is an “asset,” as President Joe Biden — at 81 already the oldest American leader in history — faces persistent questions from voters about his decision to seek another term. In an interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” released Thursday, Jill Biden responded to those concerned … Read more