Colorado Politics

Judge orders Utah not to block Planned Parenthood funding

A judge is ordering the state of Utah not to stop funding its Planned Parenthood branch over advocacy for legal abortion or unproven allegations against the national organization.

The move comes after an appeals court decided a defunding order from Utah Gov. Gary Herbert was likely an unconstitutional political move designed to punish the group because it provides abortions.

The prohibition signed Sunday by U.S. District Judge Dee Benson in Salt Lake City will be in effect as a court battle over the governor’s order plays out.

Herbert, a Republican, cut off cash for sexually transmitted disease and sex education programs amid a backlash following the release of secretly recorded videos showing out-of-state employees discussing fetal tissue from abortions. Herbert said he was offended by the callousness of the discussion shown on the videos.

Several states have moved to strip Planned Parenthood of contracts and federal money, and the organization has sued in states like Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana. Most court decisions in other states have allowed money to keep flowing

Investigations have since cleared Planned Parenthood of wrongdoing.


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Affordable Care Act rates to climb 7 percent in Wyoming

Health insurance rates for Wyoming residents under the federal Affordable Care Act are set to climb an average of 7 percent next year, state and industry officials say. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming is the only company offering insurance under the program in the state and currently insures nearly 24,000 people. Company official Wendy Curran said Thursday the […]

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Santa Fe Airport's removal of prairie dogs draws fire

Santa Fe Municipal Airport officials’ removal of prairie dogs is drawing scrutiny from some wildlife advocates. That’s because the filling of prairie dog holes also is hurting the burrowing owl population. Airport manager Cameron Humphres says prairie dogs attract birds of prey like burrowing owls, and both cause problems at the airport. Humphres says planes […]


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