NEWS OF THE DAY
Abortion law: Lawyers with the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights filed a lawsuit Friday in Atlanta challenging a new Georgia law that effectively bans abortions about six weeks into a pregnancy. The suit asks a judge to prevent the law from taking effect and to declare it unconstitutional. If it’s not blocked, the law is set to take effect Jan. 1. The lawsuit is the latest effort by abortion providers and advocacy groups to challenge a wave of restrictive abortion laws passed in conservative states. Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio have passed bills similar to Georgia’s that bar abortion once there’s a detectable fetal heartbeat.
Plane crash: A singleengine plane crashed into a North Carolina home, killing the pilot and one person inside the house, authorities said. A second person in the home was seriously hurt. The plane went down shortly before midnight Thursday in Hope Mills, according to the State Highway Patrol. Aerial images from news helicopters show nearly half of the home’s roof smashed in and debris scattered around the residential lot. The home is less than 5 miles from the Fayetteville Regional Airport. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Train derailment: A freight train derailed Friday in an international tunnel connecting Michigan and Canada. Port Huron City manager James Freed said the wreck involved as many as 40 of the train’s cars and caused “significant damage” to the track. It was not clear when the tunnel would reopen. No injuries were reported. The train was headed into Michigan at the time of the derailment. The tunnel beneath the St. Clair River connects Port Huron to Sarnia, Ontario, and is operated by Canadian National Railway. Freed says trains were being rerouted to a crossing in Detroit.
Helicopter deaths: A medical helicopter crashed Friday at Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport in Minnesota, killing a nurse and pilot and injuring a crew member. No patients were on board when the helicopter crashed about 1 a.m., according to a statement from North Memorial Health, of Robbinsdale, the hospital that owns the chopper. Conditions were foggy when the AgustaWestland A109 helicopter went down inside a fenced area at the airport, said airport director Steve Wright. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Kennedy estate: The Martha’s Vineyard estate of former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is on the market for $65 million. Red Gate Farm in Aquinnah on the Massachusetts island was a sheep farm and hunting cabin when Kennedy Onassis bought it in 1979. She added a fivebedroom main residence and a guest house. The estate, which includes more than a mile of private beachfront, has been maintained by Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of Kennedy Onassis and President John F. Kennedy. Caroline Kennedy said the estate was a perfect expression of her mother's “romantic and adventurous spirit,” and she hopes “a new family will treasure this place as we have for three generations.”