Mississippi is the latest state to put a restriction on abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy.
The bill is connected to a medical research study showing that a baby definitively feels pain at the 20th week of gestation, halfway through the length of a full-term pregnancy. The Mississippi law refers specifically to that research as the basis for the bill.
The law provides an exemption after 20 weeks if the woman’s life is in danger or if the baby has significant deformities that it would not survive outside the womb at full term.
“Today is an important day for protecting the unborn and the health and safety of women in Mississippi,” Governor Phil Bryant said in a statement.
Other states passing similar laws are Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
Pro-abortionist were critical of the bill saying it did not provide enough exemptions for women such as in the case of incest.
Mississippi legislators have passed a bill that would protect the freedom of religion for Christians and other people of faith.
The law would allow people of faith to challenge state actions that put substantial burden on the free exercise of their religion.
“State action or an action by any person based on state action shall not burden a person’s right to exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability,” reads the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, SB 2681.
The bill passed the house and senate on the same day. The House approved the bill 79-43 while the Senate voted 37-14.
Senator Gary Jackson said that those opposing the bill claiming it would open the door to discrimination were just yelling loudly to try and frighten people because they did not have a good argument to stand in the way of protecting religious freedom.
A Mississippi pastor is giving all credit to God that none of his youth members were killed when the floor beneath them collapsed during a worship service.
The second floor of an activity center at the Freedom Baptist Church in Myrick, Mississippi collapsed last night during a youth worship service. At least 70 students fell through the collapsed floor when it gave way.
“We heard a huge rumble and the floor collapsed and people came with it,” Tori Hodge, 18, told a local newspaper. “Everybody heard it. The floor started crumbling and waving. People started falling through the ceiling, just like you’d see in a movie.”
At least 35 students were injured including one that was taken to the hospital after she struck her head. Emergency personnel said that most of the students suffered cuts and bruises although a few were suspected to have broken bones.
Pastor Tommy Davis said it was only by God’s hand that none of the students were seriously injured or killed.
“God’s hand was certainly taking care of the kids who were in that building,” Pastor Davis told a local newspaper.
The top two made it back-to-back-to-back.
Mississippi and Utah finished first and second for the third consecutive year in Gallup’s annual survey of the most religious states in the United States. The survey has been conducted annually since 2008.
Vermont and its neighboring New England states continue to rank near the bottom.
Mississippi reported that 61 percent of residents classified themselves as “very religious” meaning they consider religion to be an important part of their lives. They also attend a worship service at least once a week, many more than once. Utah is close behind with 60 percent. Alabama was third followed by Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.
Vermont was the least religious with 22 percent of residents saying they were “very religious.” Vermont was followed by New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and western state Oregon.
The poll showed the number of “very religious” Americans was up slightly at 41.4 percent while the number of “nonreligious” fell to 29.4, the lowest of any previous survey.
As temperatures increase for the summer, scientists are noting an increase in ticks infected with Lyme disease. They have also released a study that shows an increase in Lyme disease rates in 21 states.
“There is a lot of different theories of Lyme disease increasing because of warming temperatures,” said Dr. Liza Whalen. Continue reading →
Tornadic storms ripped through Mississippi Sunday evening injuring at least 16 people. No deaths have been reported but two of the injured are described to be in critical condition.
A tornado that struck Hattiesburg has caused major damage. Mayor Johnny DuPree said there was a blessing to the storm striking on Sunday night. Continue reading →
Tornadoes ripped through four states on Tuesday night and Wednesday, killing at least two people, as an Arctic cold front clashed with warm air to produce severe weather over a wide swath of the nation. Continue reading →
Mississippi is working to close the state’s only remaining abortion clinic since it can’t meet new standards. Otherwise, the state’s clinic has a rather sordid history. Continue reading →
Unlike Hurricane Katrina which rushed through New Orleans and Louisiana, the remnants of Hurricane Isaac have stalled sending over two feet of rain that has flooded the areas around New Orleans.
The upgraded levee system put in place after Hurricane Katrina spared the city itself of flooding but surrounding towns are under several feet of water. Continue reading →
Over two feet of rain has fallen over New Orleans and Louisiana as the remnants of Hurricane Isaac move very slowly to the north. The continual heavy rain is causing massive flooding issues including threatening to cause a dam to fail.
An immediate evacuation of Kentwood, Louisiana was issued just before 2pm on Thursday due to the possible failure of the Lake Tangipahoa Dam. The dam is located just across the Mississippi/Louisiana border in McComb, Mississippi. Mayor Whitney Rawlings said it was a 50/50 chance the dam would fail. Continue reading →