
Arkansas governor signs near-total abortion ban
CNN
Arkansas on Tuesday became the first state in 2021 to enact a near-total abortion ban -- a bold step by abortion opponents seeking to renew challenges to the Supreme Court's landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized the procedure nationally.
The court, which now leans conservative, has shown it is open to considering abortion restrictions, a perceived opportunity that many anti-abortion advocates have pushed lawmakers to pursue. The Arkansas bill, SB6, bans providers from performing abortions "except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency," and makes no exceptions for instances of rape, incest or fetal anomalies. Those found to violate the law could face a fine of up to $100,000 and up to 10 years in prison.
5 things to know for March 16: War with Iran, Oscar winners, Travel chaos, Severe weather, US airmen
CNN’s 5 Things AM brings you the news you need to know every morning.

The retirement of Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin after nearly 30 years in office sparked an expensive three-way Democratic primary that has showcased the party’s divisions over how to confront President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and introduced pro-crypto forces as an influence seeking to shape the midterm elections. The contest is also setting up a test of Gov. JB Pritzker’s political clout in the state as he eyes a potential 2028 presidential bid.

Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson of former Cuban President Raúl Castro, appeared for the first time alongside Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel at two public events on Friday, raising questions, according to analysts, about his role in Cuba’s leadership as the island faces calls for regime change from the United States.










