REPRIEVE

MS Abortion Clinic Saved

Judge rules to keep doors open for now.

Mississippi has only one abortion clinic—and, for now, it's going to stay that way. A judge ruled Friday that the clinic could remain open after its existence was challenged by a new law that requires abortion doctors to have local-hospital admitting privileges. Since neither of the clinic's two doctors had those privileges, the clinic stood to close. Pro-choice advocates say the law is a barely concealed attempt to ban abortions entirely in the state. Republican Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, a supporter of the law, claimed the ruling "defend[s] this important measure," despite the fact that the clinic won't close. The battle will likely continue. Mississippi has the highest teen-pregnancy rate in the United States.