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Republican Gov. Nikki Haley signed legislation Wednesday that immediately outlaws most abortions in South Carolina at 20 weeks beyond fertilization. The only exceptions are if the mother’s life is in jeopardy or a doctor determines the fetus can’t survive outside the womb. Doctors face up to $10,000 in fines and 3 years in prison for each violation; prison time is mandatory on a third conviction. (Adcox, 5/25)

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on Wednesday signed a bill to ban nearly all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The legislation, which offers exceptions only to women whose lives are threatened or if their fetus would not survive outside the womb, is considered the cornerstone of the anti-abortion movement's policy agenda in 2016. (Ferris, 5/25)

Republican South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley on Wednesday signed into law a bill banning most abortions after 19 weeks of pregnancy unless the mother's life is at risk, a spokesperson told Reuters on Wednesday. (McCleod, 5/25)

A 2012 Georgia law banning abortions after 20 weeks quietly took effect nearly six months ago with no fanfare or resistance — until lawyers for three obstetricians who had challenged the measure realized what had happened. Now those lawyers, who say they never got notice that their challenge was dismissed and therefore didn’t appeal in time, want the law suspended again while they continue their fight. (Brumback, 5/25)

Some public schools are starting summer vacation several days early. Others are contemplating a four-day week to cut costs. And more than 200 teachers in Oklahoma City were handed pink slips in March. But instead of addressing a burgeoning budget crisis that threatens public education and other critical state services, Oklahoma lawmakers have been busy debating proposals to criminalize abortion, police students’ access to public bathrooms and impeach President Obama. (Ross, 5/25)

Coercing a woman to have an abortion would be a crime under a bill that is headed to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature. The state Senate, on a 26-11 mostly party-line vote, gave final approval to the bill Tuesday, making it a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $5,000, unless the person charged is the father of the unborn child, in which case the fine would grow to $10,000. (Gray, 5/25)

Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri announced plans Wednesday to merge with the abortion provider's central Oklahoma affiliate in July and open a new Oklahoma City clinic, even as political leaders in the three states seek to cut off Medicaid funding. Laura McQuade, the Kansas and Mid-Missouri affiliate's president and CEO, said the merger is designed to create a regional health care "powerhouse" and isn't a response to attempts by legislators and governors in the three states to prevent public funds from going to Planned Parenthood. (5/25)

Cecile Richards, the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, visited New Orleans Wednesday (May 25) to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new $4.5 million, 8,000-square-foot clinic on South Claiborne Avenue. The clinic, which is expected to open and accept patients in June, has been the focus of several bills in the 2016 session of the Louisiana Legislature aimed at preventing it from providing abortions and, ultimately, shutting it down. One such bill, which is on the desk of Gov. John Bel Edwards, would prevent public funding for abortion clinics. Edwards said he intends to sign it. (Webster, 5/25)