ABORTION laws in question (Shutterstock).

A Civil War-era law banning nearly all abortions has been revived in Arizona.

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the law – passed before Arizona became a state – was in effect since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Under the 1864 law, there are no exceptions for rape or incest; abortions would be allowed only if the mother’s life is in jeopardy.

The court’s decision opens the possibility that doctors who perform abortions might be criminally prosecuted and – if convicted – sent to prison for two to five years.

Tuesday’s ruling comes at a time when abortion has become a national issue again; former president Donald Trump this week urged fellow Republicans to not pursue a national abortion ban, which could be politically unpopular.

A move is underway to place before Arizona voters a proposed constitutional amendment to create a right to abortion.

Teen labor law vetoed in Wisconsin

A bill which would have allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to work without parental permission or a state permit was vetoed by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Edwards.

The legislation – supported by Republicans and opposed by Democrats – was promoted as a way to add workers at a time when there’s a labor shortage in the state. But Democrats – including Edwards – are opposed on the grounds that it opens up young people to possible abuse and dangerous working conditions without the oversight of parents or regulatory agencies.

Republicans don’t have enough votes in the state legislature to overturn Edward’s veto. Under a previous governor, the work permit requirement for 16-and 17-year-olds was eliminated.

Seized weapons go to Ukraine

UKRAINE getting weapons seized from militants (Shutterstock).

Weapons seized from Iran to support its Houthi rebels in Yemen will instead be going to Ukraine to fight Russians.

The U.S. Justice Department announced on Tuesday it had transferred over 5,000 AK-47 automatic rifles, sniper rifles and other firearms, along with a half-million rounds of ammunition to the Ukrainian military last week.

The U.S. Central Command seized the weapons and ammunition from four boats on their way to Yemen from Iran. American naval forces are on patrol there in the Arabian Sea as Houthis have been attacking both commercial and military ships as a gesture of support for the Hamas rebels fighting in Israel.

EPA cracks down on toxic emissions

The federal Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday issued new regulations requiring that over 200 chemical plans reduce toxic emissions believed to contribute to cancer.

An estimated 104,000 people live near plants which make synthetic materials. Cancer risks to them are higher than in the general population.

Toxic emissions are believed by the EPA to increase the risk of developing lymphoma and leukemia as well as cancer of the breast and liver.

The plants most likely to be affected include those in Texas and Louisiana. The goal is to reduce those emissions by 96 percent.

Weather: Not done with rain yet

The forecast for our West Orange County is for sunny skies on Wednesday, but it won’t last. Wednesday’s daytime high of 80 and overnight low of 53 will give way to partly cloudy skies on Thursday and Friday with highs dipping from 79 to 70. By Saturday the rain will return with a high of 63.

Great Thoughts

“It is an easy thing for someone whose foot is outside of calamity to give advice and rebuke the sufferer.”

– Aeschylus in “Prometheus Bound.”