Many Missouri laws restricting abortion blocked again by state judge

Jefferson City, Mo. — A Missouri judge blocked many of the state's abortion restrictions Thursday, reimposing a preliminary injunction against them just a little over a month after the state's highest court had lifted a previous hold.

The order by Jackson County Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang said the abortion restrictions likely violate a state constitutional right to abortion approved by voters last year.

Planned Parenthood said the order clears the way for it to again provide procedural abortions in Missouri.