Alabama’s Governor has signed a bill into law aimed at protecting IVF patients and hospitals from prosecution following a near-three week pause in treatments. And—why New York is deploying hundreds of National Guard members to city subways. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Alabama enacts IVF protections following Supreme Court embryo decision
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey enacted legislation safeguarding in vitro fertilization (IVF) practices, following a controversial state Supreme Court decision that classified frozen embryos as children. This landmark ruling had previously led hospitals to suspend IVF treatments, fearing potential criminal prosecution.
The legislation, which was expedited through the state legislature and signed by the governor late Wednesday, comes in response to urgent calls for the state to address the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision. This decision had permitted couples to pursue wrongful death lawsuits if their frozen embryos were mishandled and destroyed at fertility clinics.
Under the new law, fertility patients, doctors, and hospitals are provided with legal protections, ensuring they “cannot be held criminally responsible if an embryo is destroyed.” Furthermore, the legislation stipulates that any civil damages awarded in such cases will be limited to the cost of one IVF cycle.
Following this significant development, some clinics in Alabama have announced that IVF treatments, which had been halted for two weeks, might resume as soon as today or Friday.
President Biden to deliver State of the Union address
President Joe Biden is slated to deliver his annual State of the Union address to the nation tonight, before a joint session of Congress this evening. The address is anticipated to cover key issues such as the economy, immigration, and the ongoing foreign conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
In tonight’s speech, Biden is expected to present his argument for re-election, leveraging one of his largest audiences ahead of the general election in November. The address follows closely on the heels of Super Tuesday, which has seemingly paved the way for a potential rematch between Biden and Trump in the upcoming presidential race.
Viewers can tune in to watch the State of the Union, which begins at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
Armorer on ‘Rust’ movie set found guilty of involuntary manslaughter
A jury has convicted Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the movie “Rust,” of involuntary manslaughter in the October 2021 shooting death of the film’s cinematographer. The incident, which involved actor Alec Baldwin allegedly firing a prop gun, has led to Gutierrez-Reed facing up to 18 months in prison.
Following the verdict, Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney announced plans to appeal the decision. Baldwin, who has consistently denied pulling the trigger in the fatal accident, is slated to stand trial in July and has entered a plea of not guilty.
Three people killed in first fatal Houthi attack on ships in the Red Sea
U.S. officials have reported a deadly attack by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. The missile strike on a cargo ship resulted in the deaths of three crew members, the first fatalities in a series of Houthi assaults on shipping in the Red Sea.
The strike targeted the Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned True Confidence, escalating tensions along a vital maritime route crucial for global shipping. Despite ongoing U.S. airstrikes against the Houthis, their aggressive actions persist, including the recent commandeering of a $50 million Kuwaiti crude oil cargo for Chevron Corp.
The U.S. Central Command reported the ship was hit by an anti-ship ballistic missile from Yemen, causing significant damage and injuring another four crew members.
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree stated the attacks aim to lift the “siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
National Guard deployed to New York City subways to combat crime
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the deployment of hundreds of National Guard members to New York City’s subways in response to a surge in violent assaults. The New York Police Department has reported an alarming increase in such incidents within the transit system.
In an effort to enhance passenger safety, a combined force of one thousand National Guardsmen and state police will be stationed throughout the subway network. These security personnel will focus on monitoring the city’s busiest stations and will conduct bag checks to search for weapons.
Addressing the recent violence, Governor Hochul stated, “These brazen, heinous attacks on our subway system will not be tolerated. So today, in the wake of these latest attacks, I’m unveiling a five-point plan to rid our subways of people who commit crimes and protect all New Yorkers.”
Oakland Athletics unveil new Las Vegas stadium designs
The Oakland Athletics are set to dramatically alter the Las Vegas skyline with their new $1.5 billion stadium, drawing inspiration from the iconic Sydney Opera House. The team and their design partners revealed plans for the ambitious project this week, signaling a new era for the city and the franchise.
Scheduled to replace the 67-year-old Tropicana Las Vegas by 2028, the 33,000-seat domed stadium will boast an outfield glass window offering panoramic views of the Strip, alongside the installation of the largest video board in Major League Baseball, measuring 18,000 square feet.
A’s owner John Fisher highlighted the decision to incorporate a non-retractable roof, emphasizing the stadium’s versatility for hosting a wide range of events throughout the year. The project’s hefty $1.5 billion price tag includes $380 million in public financing, with construction slated to begin next year.