This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, January 4th, 2020.

Later in the program, we have the latest edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor - a segment where listeners pose questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community issues.

That’s coming up in today’s feature report.

Also in the next half hour, we report on a new state law that requires women to undergo an ultrasound before an abortion. That’s coming up in today’s headlines.

But first, your local headlines:

COVID-19 Deaths, Regulations, and Vaccinations

According to a WTIU News Report, last week Indiana reported more than double of the total deaths due to COVID-19 in April. The total death count for Indiana stands at 8 thousand one hundred and eleven, as of January 3rd. Four thousand seven hundred and twenty-one of these deaths were reported after Indiana moved into stage 5 of its reopening plan.

Governor Eric Holcomb continues to reopen services as he announced Indiana can once again offer non-emergency surgeries. Holcomb placed a halt on elective surgeries on December 16th and lifted the ban yesterday, January 3rd.

Nonetheless Hospitals are still focused on COVID-19 related healthcare. Indiana Hospitals are currently distributing vaccinations to frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents.

Indiana Department of Health chief medical officer reported the hospitals must verify the vaccine is being given to community members most in need. However, WTIU reported Weaver telling hospitals, “if they have any additional vaccines – whether it even be three – and they can’t find a health care provider at hand to put it into, that they go ahead and put the vaccine into people.”

There are no signs that a person can contract or spread COVID-19 from the vaccine.

New Ultrasound Law for Women Seeking Abortion

An Indiana Law went into effect on January 1st requiring any woman seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound before the operation. The law had been in limbo for the past four years.

The law was signed by former Indiana Governor Mike Pence in March of 2016. However, in

July of the same year, Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky sued stating the law would cause an undue burden on the woman seeking an abortion. The lawsuit argued the new provisions would force many women to make multiple lengthy trips or pay for overnight stay to get the abortion.

According to the Associated Press the suite stated, “Most women seeking abortions at Planned Parenthood’s clinics are low-income and cannot freely travel or afford to take time off from work.”

In an IndyStar report, CEO of Planned Parenthood, Chris Charbonneau stated the law, “is only meant to add another barrier in accessing abortion care." Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill stated, “argued it gives women time to reflect on a momentous life decision.”

The law was struck down in court in 2017 by Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, but Hill appealed the case on July 2nd where the US Supreme Court ordered the case to be reheard by the federal appeals court.

However, Planned Parenthood’s Fort Wayne clinic acquired an ultrasound machine weakening their legal argument and Planned Parenthood withdrew their lawsuit.

IndyStar quoted Charbonneau saying, “we are fortunately able to maintain the same level of access to patient care and comply with this medically unnecessary law as of January 2021. Therefore, we have dropped this lawsuit.”

Under the new law, an ultrasound must be performed 18 hours before the planned procedure, but Indiana law does allow women to opt out if they choose to sign a form stating they do not wish to see the ultrasound imaging or to hear the heartbeat.

Senator Mike Braun Joins Small Group of Republican Senators to Reject Electoral Votes

U.S.