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Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Kentucky’s New Abortion Law

Lisa Gillespie

Afederal judge in Kentucky has temporarily stalled the enforcement of a new abortion law being challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union.

The legislation signed into law by Gov. Matt Bevin bans a common second trimester abortion procedure known as “dilation and evacuation.” The procedure was used in 537 of 3,312 abortions done in Kentucky in 2016, according to state statistics. During legislative debates, the bill’s supporters called the procedure “gruesome.”

The ACLU of Kentucky sought the injunction in a suit this week, saying it would force women to go out of state to obtain the procedure.

The EMW Surgical Center in Louisville is Kentucky’s only remaining licensed abortion provider.

This story has been updated.

Rick has been a member of the WFPL News team since 2001 and has covered numerous beats and events over the years. Most recently he’s been tracking the Indiana General Assembly and the region’s passion for sports, especially college basketball.
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