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State leaders divided on KY Supreme Court decision on abortion

Governor Andy Beshear during Team Kentucky update 08/18/22
Gov. Andy Beshear youtube
Governor Andy Beshear during Team Kentucky update 08/18/22

Abortion will continue to be illegal for the time being in Kentucky. The State Supreme Court denied a request for emergency relief for the only two abortion providers in the commonwealth.

Now abortion rights advocates must wait until after the court case which begins in mid-November.

During a press conference Thursday, Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, expressed his disappointment in the court’s decision.

“I think the Kentucky Supreme Court has left in place one the of the most extremist laws across the United States. It bans options for everyone, meaning that victims of rape and incest have absolutely no options.”

The Governor believes he is not alone on this position.

“It means a victim of incest, when you see young girls, 10, 11, 12, violated by a family member has no options, I think that’s wrong, and I think a majority of Kentuckians agree with me.”

Oral arguments are scheduled in the Kentucky Supreme Court on the appeal of the temporary injunction for mid-November.

In a release, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Republican, said “We are pleased with this victory for life and the rule of law and will continue to prepare for the arguments the Court has scheduled.”

The arguments will happen after Kentuckians vote on a constitutional amendment that would determine if abortions rights can be protected by the state constitution. That vote is on November 8th.

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Stan Ingold is WEKU's News Director. He has worked in public broadcasting for 18 years, starting at Morehead State Public Radio before spending the past 10 years at Alabama Public Radio. Stan has been honored with numerous journalism awards for his public radio reporting.
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