Alabama voted on abortion. Trump declared a national emergency. It’s Ashley, and I’m ready to call it a day. Here’s what you need to know from Wednesday.

But first, breaking: President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency over threats to national security. The executive order didn’t call out any country directly, but China’s probably a good guess. 

A near-total ban on abortion signed into law

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a near-total abortion ban into law Wednesday, putting in place the nation’s most restrictive law. The approval came a day after 25 white male Republicans in the Alabama Senate voted to ban abortion at every stage of pregnancy unless the mother’s physical or mental health is in jeopardy. Performing an abortion would carry a sentence of life or 10 to 99 years in prison as a Class A felony. The ban comes less than a week after Georgia passed its own “fetal heartbeat” bill. The Alabama bill aims to make a legal challenge to Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that recognizes a woman’s constitutional right to abortion. But that’s easier said than done.

More on Alabama’s abortion bill:

  • What’s Alabama’s current law? The state outlaws abortion after 20 weeks into pregnancy unless to protect the women’s health or in cases of rape or incest. 
  • Does the new bill make exceptions for rape and incest? That’s a no.
  • So, what happens now? Abortion rights supporters have vowed to fight the measure. But if it isn’t challenged, the ban would take effect in November.

Dad pleads guilty. Son sues Georgetown. Georgetown plans to expel.

A student is suing Georgetown University after his dad’s part in the nationwide college admissions scandal. Adam Semprevivo, whose father pleaded guilty to paying $400,000 to have him admitted, sued the school in federal court Wednesday, arguing the university deprived him of due process and violated procedures outlined in the university’s honor system as it investigates his admissions into the school and considers discipline. But shortly after the student filed suit, Georgetown informed him and another student of its intent to expel them from the university. Semprevivo says he had no knowledge of his father’s payment.

Real quick 

Trump’s immigration plan – a likely play for 2020 – is coming

Trump plans to roll out his long-awaited immigration plan on Thursday, which White House officials (anonymously) acknowledged is largely designed to become a rallying point to unify Republicans ahead of the 2020 election. Developed by Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, the plan is designed to create a “merit-based” point system for those seeking to enter the U.S. after Trump’s arguments that highly skilled immigrants should be prioritized. It would also eliminate the current “visa lottery” system of legal immigration. The measure is, of course, certain to find pushback in Congress.

US to employees: Leave Iraq now

The State Department ordered all nonemergency employees in Iraq to leave the country immediately Wednesday amid escalating tensions with neighboring Iran. Meanwhile, the military put forces in Iraq on high alert. Navy Capt. Bill Urban said there were “possibly imminent threats to U.S. forces in Iraq,” but the No. 2 officer in the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS in Iraq had contradictory remarks over Iran’s threat. “There’s been no increased threat from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria,” British Maj. Gen. Christopher Ghika said Tuesday. Some experts wonder whether the White House hopes that an aggressive stance like it took with North Korea could lead to temporary concessions, allowing Trump to claim success.

16-year-old school shooter will be tried as an adult

A 16-year-old suspect in last week’s deadly shooting rampage at a suburban Denver school will be tried as an adult, prosecutors said Wednesday. Both suspects, ages 16 and 18, have been jailed since the May 7 assault at the STEM School Highlands Ranch that left one student dead and eight wounded. Their long list of charges include murder and attempted murder. Wednesday’s hearing took place hours before funeral services were held for teen hero Kendrick Castillo, a senior who was days away from graduating when he tackled the gunman who entered his classroom.

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