The Florida Republicans who want to protect abortion
Sep 4, 2024
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Laura Meckler, a Washington Post journalist, discusses the rising trend of cellphone bans in schools due to mental health concerns. Laura Kusisto, a Wall Street Journal reporter, reveals how Florida Republicans are unexpectedly advocating for abortion rights amidst internal party conflicts. The duo also examines the alarming rise in youth football fatalities and the urgent calls for safety reforms, including potential helmet innovations. They touch on pressing global news and celebrate a remarkable young Paralympic athlete's achievements.
Republican women in Florida are pushing for changes to restrictive abortion laws, aligning their agenda with traditional Republican values of freedom.
In youth football, rising fatalities underscore the need for improved safety measures, emphasizing systemic changes to minimize head impacts during play.
Deep dives
Cell Phone Policy Changes in Schools
A significant shift is occurring regarding cell phone policies in schools across the United States, with several states implementing new restrictions that either ban or limit phone use during school hours. Florida led this trend by enacting a law banning student cell phone use during class and restricting access to social media on school Wi-Fi. As a result, at least seven of the country's largest school districts have adopted similar bans, with the driving force being concerns from teachers about classroom distractions. Surveys indicate that a majority of teachers and parents see cell phones as a major concern, prompting many districts to explore balanced approaches to phone use, allowing some flexibility during breaks.
Republican Women Push for Abortion Access in Florida
In Florida, a growing number of Republican women are advocating for changes to the state's recently enacted six-week abortion ban, driven by a desire to align their platform with what they consider traditional Republican values. Many of these women, who have been active in the party and held local offices, feel their party has strayed too far to the right on this issue and abandoned core principles such as freedom and limited government. Despite previous successes in supporting abortion access in red states, the upcoming measure in Florida presents a significant challenge, requiring 60% support to pass, which may necessitate bipartisan appeal. This complex landscape reveals a crisis within the Republican Party as leaders like Donald Trump struggle to establish a clear stance on abortion amid differing factions within the party.
Safety Concerns in Youth Football
The alarming trend of fatalities in youth football has come to the forefront, with multiple young players dying in August due to suspected heat strokes and traumatic head injuries. Parents, prompted by these tragedies, are advocating for enhanced safety measures, such as improved headgear like guardian caps designed to reduce the severity of impacts. Although the NFL has reported these caps may significantly lower concussion rates, skepticism remains regarding the effectiveness of such equipment without reducing the inherent risks of collisions in the sport. Experts emphasize that to truly protect players, the focus should shift towards minimizing head impacts during practices and games, highlighting a critical need for systemic changes in how football is played.
Laura Meckler of the Washington Post explains why cellphone bans are spreading in schools amid growing mental-health worries.
Longtime Republicans in Florida, Arizona, and other states are campaigning for abortion rights. The Wall Street Journal’s Laura Kusisto has details.
A string of recent deaths in youth football has renewed calls for reform. NBC reports.
The NFL has embraced a soft-shell helmet cover to protect players from concussions. CNN looks into what the science says about them.
In the campaign to vaccinate kids in Gaza against polio, the World Health Organization says efforts are exceeding early targets. The BBC has the story.
The U.S. Department of Justice charged six Hamas leaders over the October 7 attack. Reuters has more.
And the Wall Street Journal reports on the American teen who stunned himself — and the world — to win two Paralympic golds.
Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu
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