Louisiana can't wait for SCOTUS to overturn Roe

Plus, Boris Johnson's Conservatives lose local elections.

Louisiana lawmakers move to make abortion a homicide; Boris Johnson's Conservative party loses seats in local elections.   Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin. TOP NEWS Louisiana lawmakers advance a bill making abortion a homicide Francois Picard/AFP via Getty Images Louisiana lawmakers advanced a bill on Wednesday that gives constitutional rights to the unborn at the moment of fertilization and makes abortion a homicide. [Guardian / Martin Pengelly] The Abolition of Abortion in Louisiana Act passed committee 7-2 after a leaked draft opinion suggested the Supreme Court is likely to overturn Roe v. Wade. The legislation now heads to the state's House of Representatives for a vote. [NBC News / Tim Stelloh] Louisiana is one of 13 states with so-called trigger laws that immediately ban abortion if the Supreme Court overturns Roe. However, this bill's supporters argue that the $1,000 fine for abortion providers does not go far enough. [Washington Post / Caroline Kitchener] Until now, anti-abortion advocates have avoided pursuing criminal charges against a person who gets an abortion and have focused instead on punishing providers. The Louisiana bill marks a considerable escalation. [New York Times / Rick Rojas] Critics of the bill say it changes the definition of homicide and criminal battery to allow the state to charge a pregnant person who has an abortion at any stage. It would also make many forms of birth control and in vitro fertilization illegal. [Reuters / Gabriella Borter and Sharon Bernstein] A voting booth rebuke to UK's conservatives The UK Conservative Party lost hundreds of seats in local elections, dealing a blow to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government over recent scandals and dissatisfaction with the economy. [Reuters / Andrew Macaskill and Elizabeth Piper] With 75 percent of the British vote counted, the opposition Labour Party picked up 35 percent of seats to the Conservatives 30 percent — the biggest local election lead for Labour in a decade. Other opposition parties gained, too. [BBC] Conservatives have been under fire in recent weeks for a stalling economy. Voters were also angry over the "Partygate" scandal that saw Johnson fined for attending a party during Covid-19 lockdowns. The investigation is ongoing, with more fines possible for the prime minister. [Associated Press / Jill Lawless] Johnson acknowledged the "tough night" on Friday. The midterm election is considered a test of his popularity ahead of the general election in 2024. [Washington Post / Karla Adam and Amanda Ferguson] MISCELLANEOUS This week, a GOP candidate accused of murdering his wife won a primary election from jail. [HuffPost / Lee Moran] Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said a gas leak caused an explosion that killed at least nine people and injured dozens at a Havana Hotel on Friday. [NBC] On Thursday, the FDA limited emergency authorization of the J&J vaccine to people 18 or older who lack access to other vaccines or who otherwise would not get vaccinated. [CNN / Katherine Dillinger] Deforestation in the Amazon hit record levels in April, losing an area equivalent to the size of 1,400 football fields. [Al Jazeera] Support our journalism   Reader contributions help keep Vox and newsletters like Sentences free for all. Support our work with a one-time gift today. Give CROSSWORD OF THE DAY What's a four-letter word for "clinches"? Solve today's new Vox crossword puzzle, and stay tuned for more puzzles coming out Monday through Saturday. VERBATIM "We cannot wait on the Supreme Court." [Republican Louisiana state Rep. Danny McCormick, on lawmakers' new abortion criminalization proposals / Reuters] LISTEN TO THIS A cure for sickle cell? Scientists have developed a long-sought treatment — perhaps even a cure — for sickle cell anemia. But getting it to patients might be an even bigger challenge.       Listen now   ▶ Read more from Vox The massive, unregulated source of plastic pollution you've probably never heard of One of Multiverse of Madness's 2 credits scenes is a huge casting announcement This is what we need to invent to fight climate change Abortion has been treated as a fringe issue by Democrats for decades. This is the result. The owl did it, and other reasons true crime fans love The Staircase This email was sent to vox@quicklydone.com. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe. If you value Vox's unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution.   View our Privacy Notice and our Terms of Service.   Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.