Missouri's anti-abortion bill, wild weather, Nipsey Hussle's song: 5 things you need to know Friday
Missouri to weigh passage of anti-abortion bill
Lawmakers in Missouri could make their state the latest to pass a strict anti-abortion law Friday. State senators on Thursday passed legislation that would prohibit nearly all abortions as early as eight weeks into a pregnancy except in cases of medical emergency. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. The measure now heads to the House, which easily passed an earlier version in February. Once approved, it will head to Republican Gov. Mike Parson, who has indicated he will sign it. Missouri's move to curtail access to abortion follows similar actions in Alabama and other states that are designed to challenge Roe v. Wade at the Supreme Court – even though experts say the court's justices are not eager to overturn the landmark case that legalized abortion nationwide.
Wild weather on the way: Storms to threaten up to 18 states
In the central U.S., Friday will be the first day of a multi-day severe storm outbreak, which will continue into early next week. Damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes and heavy rainfall are all expected. The storms will threaten almost 1 million square miles of 18 states in coming days as the tumultuous spring weather sweeps the nation. "Tornado Alley is certainly about to wake up," AccuWeather extreme meteorologist Reed Timmer said. In the West, a storm more typical of winter will bring everything from rain and thunderstorms to wind and mountain snow Friday and into the weekend. In the Sierra, "total snow accumulations of 12 to 18 inches, with localized amounts up to 35 inches, are expected," the National Weather Service said.
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Pete Buttigieg heads to Iowa for campaign events
South Bend, Ind., Mayor and 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg will be in Iowa on Friday attending campaign events in the city of Adel and the state capital of Des Moines. This is his second visit to Iowa since announcing his candidacy in April. Buttigieg has been more aggressive in his attacks of President Donald Trump in recent appearances. During a speech in Chicago on Thursday, Buttigieg, a former Navy officer, offered sharp criticism about the Trump administration's tough talk against Iran saying, "This is not a game. This is not a show." Last weekend during a speech to gay rights activists, Buttigieg criticized Trump for his use of "white identity politics." Trump has repeatedly mocked Buttigieg, making fun of his name and deriding the mayor as Mad Magazine's Alfred E. Neuman. But on Thursday Trump passed on insulting Buttigieg for campaigning with his husband, Chasten. Instead, Trump called it "absolutely fine" and said he had "no problem with it whatsoever."
DJ Khaled to release song with Nipsey Hussle, donating proceeds to slain rapper's kids
DJ Khaled announced on Twitter this week that he will release a single with the late Nipsey Hussle called "Higher" and will donate all proceeds to Hussle's kids – Emani, 10, and Kross, his 2-year-old son with actress Lauren London. "Higher" will be featured on Khaled's new album, "Father of Asahd," which drops Friday. Khaled also revealed that he and Hussle filmed a music video for "Higher" just days before Hussle was gunned down in Los Angeles on March 31. The song also features John Legend, who described filming visuals for the single shortly before Hussle's death.
What a view! Take a walk across the Gatlinburg SkyBridge
The Gatlinburg SkyBridge, which claims to be the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, opens for visitors Friday in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Folks with a fear of heights should think twice: The nearly 700-feet-long bridge soars 150 feet over the valley below and includes glass-floor panels in the middle of the span to let intrepid visitors look down. SkyBridge is located at 765 Parkway in the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Missouri's anti-abortion bill, wild weather, Nipsey Hussle's song: 5 things you need to know Friday
