Month: May 2026

The Supreme Court has stepped in—for now—to keep access to the abortion medication mifepristone largely unchanged across the United States.

On Monday, Justice Samuel Alito issued a short-term administrative pause blocking a lower court ruling that would have restricted how the drug is distributed nationwide. His order, which did not include an explanation, allows patients to continue receiving the medication through telehealth appointments and by mail—policies put in place by the Food and Drug Administration and made permanent in 2023. The temporary measure is set to expire at 5 p.m. on May 11, giving the full court time to decide whether to extend the pause while the legal battle plays out.

The case stems from a challenge brought by Louisiana, a state that bans abortion in nearly all circumstances. Officials there argue that federal regulators failed to properly evaluate safety concerns when they removed the requirement for patients to obtain the drug in person. A federal appeals court—the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals—sided with the state last week, issuing a sweeping order that would have immediately halted telehealth prescriptions and mail delivery of mifepristone nationwide.

That ruling prompted urgent appeals from the drug’s manufacturers, Danco Laboratories and GenBioPro, who warned the Supreme Court that the decision created widespread confusion. “The resulting chaos for patients, providers, pharmacies, and the drug-regulatory system is a quintessential irreparable harm that underscores the need for emergency relief from this Court,” lawyers for Danco wrote.

The companies argued that the abrupt shift left both patients and healthcare providers uncertain about what was allowed, potentially interrupting ongoing care. In a separate filing, GenBioPro said the lower court’s decision had “unleashed regulatory chaos” and could delay or block access to time-sensitive treatment—even in states where abortion remains legal.

Medication abortions account for roughly half of all abortions in the U.S., and mifepristone has been approved by the FDA since 2000. During the COVID-19 pandemic, regulators temporarily allowed the drug to be prescribed remotely; that flexibility was later made permanent after studies found it could be used safely without in-person visits. The dispute marks the second time in recent years that mifepristone has reached the Supreme Court. In 2024, the justices unanimously rejected a separate challenge, ruling that the groups bringing the case lacked legal standing.

This latest lawsuit focuses more narrowly on the federal government’s decision to expand access to the drug through telehealth and mail distribution—changes that have become increasingly significant since the court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade allowed states to impose sweeping abortion restrictions.

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Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalized after developing pneumonia, according to his spokesperson, Ted Goodman.  While the 81-year-old is now breathing without assistance, he remains in critical yet stable condition under close medical supervision.

Giuliani had first been reported hospitalized over the weekend, though details were initially limited. In a social media message, Goodman described him as “a fighter” and asked supporters to keep him in their thoughts.

Goodman said Giuliani’s illness was made more serious by a long-standing respiratory condition tied to his exposure during the September 11, 2001, attacks. “On September 11th, Mayor Giuliani ran toward the towers to help those in need, which later led to a diagnosis of restrictive airway disease,” Goodman explained. “This condition adds complications to any respiratory illness, and the virus quickly overwhelmed his body, requiring mechanical ventilation to maintain adequate oxygen and stabilize his condition.” He added that Giuliani has since improved and is surrounded by family and his primary doctor.

President Donald Trump also confirmed the hospitalization, praising Giuliani and calling him “a True Warrior, and the Best Mayor in the History of New York City, BY FAR.” The former mayor had appeared on his program, America’s Mayor Live, just days earlier from Florida, mentioning that his voice was strained after coughing.

Giuliani led New York City from 1994 through 2001 and became a nationally recognized figure for his leadership during the 9/11 attacks. After leaving office, he remained active in politics, including a 2008 presidential bid and later serving as a personal attorney to Trump. He played a central role in efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results, which led to his disbarment in New York and Washington, D.C., and significant legal and financial consequences.

In recent years, Giuliani has also faced health setbacks. In 2023, he was injured in a car accident in New Hampshire, suffering a spinal fracture along with other injuries after the vehicle he was riding in was struck from behind.

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Authorities in Covington, Kentucky, are asking for the public’s help in locating 22-year-old Murry “Alexis” Foust, a Northern Kentucky University student who has been missing since Monday, April 27.

According to the Covington Police Department, Foust was last spotted in the Latonia neighborhood. Investigators released surveillance images on Friday showing the student walking alone, wearing a dark jacket and T-shirt, loose patterned pants, black sneakers, and a yellow backpack. Police say these images are the most recent confirmed sighting, adding that they are still actively working the case. “Concerns for their safety have arisen, and your input could be crucial,” officials said.

Foust, who attends NKU’s School of the Arts, was reportedly on their way to class from the Over-the-Rhine area of Cincinnati around 5:30 p.m. that evening but never arrived. Friends have shared additional details as concern grows. One friend said Foust’s car was found parked about a block from their apartment in Latonia, while their cellphone was discovered inside the residence. A bag believed to belong to Foust was later located on NKU’s campus. Police have not publicly confirmed these specifics.

Loved ones say the disappearance is out of character and deeply troubling. “There is not a trace of Murry anywhere, and their friends, family, and one of my best friends, who is their partner, are all very worried,” a friend shared online. “At this point, it is crucial we begin spreading the word and searching for them.”

Another friend echoed that sentiment, describing the situation as shocking. “Murry wasn’t a person who seemed like they were at risk of just suddenly getting up and leaving. Just last week, they were messaging me about how we should trade more art because I wanted to buy a piece of work from their show, and instead of just money, they wanted art from me too. Because if you were a fan of them, they were a fan of you too,” they said. Friends also noted that Foust takes medication and has documented mental health conditions, heightening fears for their well-being.

Northern Kentucky University acknowledged the situation and said it is assisting authorities. “Our thoughts are with their family, friends and all those impacted,” the university said in a statement.

Foust is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, with brown eyes and shoulder-length black-dyed hair. They also have several tattoos, including a geometric striped design on the elbow, a ram skull on the upper arm, and an image of a crucified Jesus Christ on one shin.

Police urge anyone who may have information about Foust’s whereabouts to call 911 or 859-292-2234.

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A late-night gathering tied to prom festivities turned tragic early Sunday when gunfire broke out at a rental home on Indianapolis’ near north side, leaving one woman dead and three others injured.

Police say officers were first called to the 4000 block of North Park Avenue, near North College Avenue and 38th Street, shortly before 1 a.m. on May 3 after reports of shots fired. When they arrived, they found a woman suffering from gunshot wounds. She was transported to a nearby hospital but did not survive. Officials with the Marion County Coroner’s Office will determine her exact cause and manner of death.

Not long after, two additional victims arrived at Methodist Hospital with gunshot injuries. Investigators believe they were also wounded at the same location. Authorities said one of those victims is in critical condition, while the other is stable. A fourth person was hurt while attempting to flee the home.

Police believe the shooting happened during a post-prom party held at a short-term rental property, where a large crowd—many of them teenagers—had gathered. Witnesses estimated around 100 people attended, with cars lining the street and double-parked before the incident.

Security footage from a neighbor shows a white car driving down the street just before the gunfire begins, then reversing as more shots are heard. The home where the party took place was left riddled with bullet holes, with prom decorations still visible among evidence markers.

Across the street, Salome Mitchell described how a stray bullet tore through his home, passing through a window, a couch where his son usually sits, and into a wall before stopping at the back door.  He noted the house had only recently become a rental and hadn’t caused problems before, but he had concerns when he saw the size of the crowd forming that night.

Despite the violence, neighbors emphasized that the area is typically quiet and family-oriented, saying, “This is a great neighborhood. There’s great families, you know, I was telling my wife, you know, this is a one-off.”

Police have not released information about a suspect or motive. Anyone with details is asked to contact Detective Christopher Winter at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or via email at Christopher.Winter@indy.gov.

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