travel bans ny state

Travel limited on NYS Thruway, I-81 due to winter storm; Hochul declares state of emergency

• Updated: Nov. 17, 2022, 6:19 p.m. |
• Published: Nov. 17, 2022, 7:15 a.m.

Tractor trailers use the NYS Thruway in Montezuma during a winter storm in this 2015 file photo.

• Geoff Herbert | [email protected]

Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency as the New York State Department of Transportation is limiting travel on some Upstate New York highways due to the winter storm Thursday.

Up to 3 feet of snow is possible in the Buffalo area and up 2 feet could fall around Watertown with snowfall rates of three inches per hour, Hochul’s office said . Hazardous travel conditions and local power outages are likely due to the combination of snow, ice and wind in the forecast.

“Parts of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, Central New York and the North Country are about to get their first snowstorm of the season, which means we need everyone in these impacted regions to be ready for dangerous travel conditions,” Hochul said. “My team and I are deploying emergency response assets ahead of the storm, remain in constant contact with local officials, and are laser focused on the forecast. New Yorkers should remain vigilant ahead of the storm and avoid any unnecessary travel during these hazardous conditions.”

The governor also urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel in the Buffalo and Watertown areas starting Thursday evening through Friday. The New York State Thruway will be closed to commercial traffic in both directions from exit 46 (Rochester - Corning - I-390) to the Pennsylvania border starting Thursday at 4 p.m.

“Heavy, drifting snow with significant accumulations is expected,” New York State Police warned.

The NYS DOT also implemented a full commercial vehicle ban at the following locations beginning Thursday at 4 p.m.:

• Interstate 190 - Route 62 to I-90
• Interstate 290 - full length
• Interstate 990 - full length
• Route 33 - full length
• Route 219 - Route 39 to I-90
• Route 400 - full length
• Buffalo Skyway Route 5 - full length
• I-81 - Exit 33 to Canadian border - trucks use right lane only

Lake Effect Snow Warning and Winter Storm Watches are in effect through Sunday evening for several counties in the Western New York, Finger Lakes, Central New York and North Country regions. Traffic and travel conditions will be available by calling 511, visiting 511NY.org or on the free 511NY mobile app.

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By Aya Elamroussi , Travis Caldwell , Aditi Sangal , Adrienne Vogt , Leinz Vales , Tori B. Powell and Matt Meyer , CNN

New York governor declares state of emergency

CNN's Rob Frehse

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency and issued a traffic ban on part of Interstate 90 that begins Friday at 6 a.m. due to the incoming storm's expected brutality.

On Thursday, Hochul highlighted the quick changes in temperature and dangerous commute New Yorkers will face, adding that there will be a "full traffic ban on the 1-90 from Exit 56 to the Pennsylvania line" beginning tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. as well.

“The vacillation in weather, it’s going to be dropping drastically, over 35 degrees in some parts of our state, extremely low wind chills and we’ll have standing water and snow and dangerous road conditions,” Hochul said at a press conference. 

She also said New Yorkers should expect blizzard conditions and 1 to 3 feet of snow in some parts of the state.

The governor pointed to the importance of the state’s storm response, including the 2,000 snowplows being deployed, 24-7 operation centers established and the 7,500 prepositioned utility workers across the state.

"Even before the first limb falls, we’re ready to handle this, so we’re preparing for that,” Hochul said.

Blizzard conditions are possible for multiple days in Buffalo, according to National Weather Service

A blizzard warning will take effect at 7 a.m. ET Friday for Buffalo, New York, and surrounding communities, where feet of snow and 70 mph wind gusts are likely, according to the National Weather Service.

The combination of the snow associated with the bomb cyclone, very heavy lake-effect snow and the high winds will lead to the deteriorating conditions. 

“Travel will be extremely difficult to impossible at times,” the weather service said . 

Snowfall totals of 1 to 3 feet are expected in the city and snowbelts south of the city. The blizzard conditions are possible for multiple days. 

“Very strong winds are expected to continue Friday night and Saturday with wind-driven heavy lake effect snows northeast of the Lakes. Heavy lake snows will last through at least Christmas Day, possibly lingering into the first part of next week,” the weather service said.

Extreme wind and flash-freezing conditions expected to wreak havoc across Ohio throughout Christmas weekend 

From CNN’s Hannah Sarisohn 

Ohio will face a “unique and dangerous” situation throughout Christmas weekend as flash freezing conditions will start Thursday night and continue early Friday morning, Gov. Mike DeWine said.  

“We do face a crisis today,” DeWine said at a storm safety news briefing Thursday afternoon. “This is going to impact all the citizens of Ohio. Every county, from one end of the state to the other.” 

DeWine said extreme temperatures will be close to zero Thursday night, adding that the entire state will be hit with flash freezing conditions by 4 a.m. ET Friday. 

“When Ohioans get up tomorrow morning, the roads are going to be very, very dangerous and very, very difficult, DeWine said. “Flash freezing will occur very quickly. Roads will become dangerous very quickly. The obvious recommendation to everyone is to stay home. There is significant danger that could come from driving off the road.” 

DeWine acknowledged that people are expecting to travel over the Christmas holiday to be with loved ones, but he urged the public to be careful. 

“Understand these are unique circumstances, DeWine said. "We all have an urge to be with family and friends, but use common sense."

Ohio Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Sima Merick said she’s not only concerned about flash freezing, but also falling temperatures and extreme wind chills, which are expected to last through Christmas Day. 

Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks said 3,000 people and 1,600 snowplows are ready to work in 12-hour shifts until the storm is over.  

Cold, wind, ice and snow: Here's what you need to know about the winter storm

A winter storm crossing the US is causing treacherous conditions on roadways, extensive flight delays and drastic temperature drops. Here's the latest:

Travel hazards : Officials in many states have urged residents to stay off the roads or exercise caution in the face of extreme weather.

• Interstate 90 between South Dakota's largest cities has been closed due to "blizzard-like conditions" and stuck or stranded vehicles, according to transportation officials. Interstate 29 was also shut down in the state between Sioux Falls and the North Dakota border.
• Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said that residents can expect roads to be dangerous to travel on, with ice and strong wind gusts expected.

Flight delays and cancellations : During a busy holiday travel week, airlines have canceled over   2,100 US flights as of 3:30 p.m. ET on Thursday and proactively canceled more than 1,000 flights on Friday, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware. There are more than 5,700 delays across the US on Thursday as of 3:30 p.m. ET.

Bone-chilling cold and wind : Wind chill alerts now cover around 150 million Americans, or nearly half of the US population , according to a data analysis from the CNN Weather team.

Casper, Wyoming set a record low of -42 degrees Thursday morning. A record-low temperature of -20 degrees was registered for Pullman, Washington, which was 44 degrees below its average low of 24 degrees , according to the National Weather Service in Spokane. 

Meanwhile, much of northern Florida  is under  a wind chill advisory, while central Florida  is under  a freeze watch and hard freeze watch.

Crown Point on the Oregon coast is experiencing very strong wind gusts, with the National Weather Service in Portland saying a gust of 86 mph caused a corresponding wind chill of -14 degrees. The weather service said it "would not be surprised" to record a gust of up to 100 mph.

"Not our typical storm" : Buffalo, New York — which is no stranger to snow — has declared a state of emergency as it anticipates the storm. A blizzard warning will go into effect at 7 a.m. Friday.

Forecasters anticipate strong, steady winds with gusts of up to 70 mph. One to 3 feet of snow is expected in the city of Buffalo and the favored snow belts south of the city, according to the weather service. Blizzard conditions could last several days, making travel extremely difficult or impossible at times.

Nearly half of the US population is now under wind chill alerts

From CNN's Dave Hennen

Wind chill alerts stretch from coast to coast and cover around 150 million Americans, or nearly half of the US population, according to a data analysis from the CNN Weather Team. All but just a handful of states in the US are impacted by the alerts that stretch continuously from the US/Canadian border to the US/Mexican border.

Wind chills overnight dropped 70 degrees below zero in parts of Montana and Wyoming — a number rarely seen in the US. Current wind chills are between 40 to 50 degrees below zero through much of the Northern Plains and are below zero as far south as Dallas and much of north Texas. 

The amount of the population impacted   will likely grow even higher as the Arctic front moves through the East tomorrow. Plummeting temperatures and dangerous wind chills are likely to continue through Christmas Eve and Christmas day across the eastern two-thirds of the country.

Wisconsin governor declares energy emergency due to winter weather conditions

From CNN's Raja Razek

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive order Thursday declaring an energy emergency in the state due to winter weather conditions, according to a  news release from the governor's office.  

"Due to the below-average temperatures, accumulating and blowing snow throughout the state, deliveries of liquid fuels for home heating shipped by truck, barge, and particularly rail, are limited," the release read. "Additionally, since Wisconsin had several weather-related power outages recently, and more could occur from this weather event due to downed trees and ice on lines, eliminating barriers for energy emergency responders is essential, especially for out-of-state line workers."

In the event of power outages, the order would allow for swift delivery of fuel products and streamlined restoration efforts, according to the release. 

"According to the Public Service Commission’s Office of Energy Innovation, multiple liquid fuel terminals across the state have reported limited product supplies for distribution, and utilities indicated the potential for mutual aid response from out of state," the release read. 

Winter weather causing major disruptions to holiday travel at US airports as flight cancellations top 2,000

From CNN's Greg Wallace, Paul P. Murphy and Carol Alvarado 

Snow, rain, ice, wind and frigid temperatures are disrupting air travel plans across the country.

Airlines canceled over 2,100 US flights by 3 p.m. ET on Thursday and proactively canceled more than 1,000 flights on Friday, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware.

Delays were even more extensive, with more than 5,500 on Thursday as of 3 p.m. ET.

The impact is felt hardest in Chicago and Denver, where around a quarter of arrivals and departures – hundreds of flights at each airport – were canceled on Thursday, FlightAware data show.

At Chicago’s O’Hare, snow and ice is causing delays averaging 159 minutes — almost three hours — according to a notice from the Federal Aviation Administration.   

Temperatures at the airport are nearing freezing as the storm is beginning to settle into the greater Chicago area.

The FAA said departing aircraft at Dallas Love, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver and Minneapolis airports require a spraying of de-icing fluid for safe travel.

In the busy New York area, the FAA warned Newark flights should expect delays due to visibility issues.

The region’s three main airports are all warning travelers that today's rain and the incoming winter weather front may disrupt their travels.

For those whose flights are still scheduled to fly, the Transportation Security Administration is recommending that passengers arrive at the airport earlier than usual. 

Reagan National Airport’s TSA Federal Security Director John Busch told reporters that all airports “expect to be busier this holiday season than we've been in several years coming out of the pandemic. We've already seen some of our busiest days, yesterday and today and we expect maybe Friday (the) 30th ahead of the New Year's holiday can be also a very busy day.”

But Busch added TSA is “very well prepared to handle additional volume and throughput for our security checkpoints.”

More than 1,000 Friday flights are already canceled

From CNN's Greg Wallace

Flight cancellations are racking up quickly for tomorrow. 

Airlines have canceled more than 1,000 US flights scheduled for Friday, according to FlightAware. Thursday’s cancellation figure is approaching 2,000 as of 2:45 p.m. ET.

Thursday cancellations were highest at the Chicago and Denver airports, according to the FlightAware data.

Friday’s cancellations are currently highest in Detroit, followed by New York’s LaGuardia Airport as the storm impacts move east. 

More than 5,300 flights have been delayed on Thursday, according to FlightAware data. 

A guide to stay safe and warm through the winter storm

From CNN's Jacqueline Howard

When winter storms force us to brace for freezing rain, wind, sleet and snow, lives can be in danger. Here are some steps you can take to keep yourself and others safe when extreme cold strikes.

When staying indoors: During cold temperatures or a winter storm, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these  tips .

• Make sure any infants younger than 1 year old are not sleeping in cold rooms and have adequate warm clothing, such as footed pajamas, one-piece wearable blankets or sleep sacks. Remove any pillows or other soft bedding from a baby’s crib, since they pose the risk of smothering or sudden infant death syndrome.
• If you have friends or neighbors older than 65, check on them frequently to ensure that their homes are adequately heated.
• Leave water taps slightly open to prevent freezing pipes.
• Eat well-balanced meals to stay warm.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine, because they can cause your body to lose heat more rapidly.

“Never using generators, gas or charcoal grills, camp stoves, or similar devices inside your home, in basements, in garages, or near windows,” the CDC says. “The fumes are deadly.”

Using the stove for heat is not safe, the CDC warns; instead, use extra blankets, sleeping bags or coats. A well-maintained fireplace or a portable space heater may be a safe alternative.

When venturing outdoors: The CDC and National Weather Service have some recommendations:

• Dress warmly with hats, scarves and mittens and by wearing layers.
• Avoid walking on ice and avoid getting wet.
• If you have to shovel snow or do other outdoor work, take your time and work slowly. If you have older neighbors, offer to help shovel their walkways or driveways.
• Avoid traveling on ice-covered roads if possible.
• If you are stranded outdoors, it is safest to stay in your vehicle.
• Try to  keep pets indoors  during cold weather, but if they go outside, thoroughly wipe their legs and underbelly free of snow when returning indoors. Never let your dog off leash on snow or ice.

Other things to remember: An important risk-reducing measure hinges on wardrobe.

• Dress in layers: Put on more than one pair of gloves and then a mitten on top of that. The layers trap air and keep you warm.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothes
• If you get wet, take off wet clothes. They make things colder. Boots should be waterproof.
• Avoid too many cocktails in cold weather. It impairs mental awareness, limiting your ability to recognize symptoms of significant cold exposure. Alcohol also causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing heat loss.

CNN’s Dave Hennen and Jamie Gumbrecht contributed to this report.

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Update: Some travel ban lifted in Erie County, caution urged in Niagara County

Jan. 14—The travel ban for passenger and commercial vehicles in Erie County has been lifted in Grand Island, Tonawanda, Amherst, Clarence and Newstead.

Central Erie County and many Southtowns will remain under a full travel ban until further notice, and the Thruway remains closed to commercial traffic between Exit 46 and the Pennsylvania State Line. Drivers are advised to stay off the roads and avoid unnecessary travel.

There are no travel restrictions in Niagara County, with emergency officials urging drivers to use caution. "There are places in the county that got very little snow but others that got quite a bit. Plows from the various agencies are out trying to clean up what we have seen so far," a message from the Niagara County Emergency Services Facebook read late Sunday morning.

New Yorkers in Western New York are being urged to stay home throughout the duration of the storm. Travel in impacted areas could be dangerous at times throughout the evening due to blizzard-like conditions.

"Our crews have been working around the clock to keep the roads clear and New Yorkers safe, and I am grateful that the vast majority of New Yorkers heeded our ban and stayed off the road," Gov. Kathy Hochul said. "As conditions are improving int eh north towns we are lifting the travel ban there, but if you do not have to travel today, stay home and let our crews continue to work. If you are in central Erie County and much of the Southtowns, continue to stay home."

Currently, there are 25,569 outages statewide, including 18,518 outages in the Mid-Hudson region, 90 in Western New York and 42 in the North Country. Utility crews have kept up with the level of power outages incurred to date, and remain on standby to restore any additional power outages if and when they occur.

The travel ban was lifted Sunday morning in the Towns of Collins, North Collins, Concord, Sardinia, Colden and Holland, as well as in the Villages of North Collins and Springville.

Heavy lake effect snow will continue off the eastern shores of both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario throughout Sunday, with snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches possible, as well as thundersnow in the heaviest parts of the bands. Winds will begin out of the southwest Sunday morning gusting at 35-40 mph and will increase to 40-50 mph this afternoon.

Tonight, snowfall rates are expected to remain at 2 to3 inches per hour in the heaviest bands, but wind gusts will diminish to 30 mph. In Western New York, the band is expected to oscillate near or just south of Buffalo for most of the night, while in the North Country, the band is expected to oscillate between the central Tug Hill plateau and Watertown. For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website at https://alerts.weather.gov .

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Black Ice Threat Looms for Tri-State: Get Real-Time Transit Updates Here

The powerful storm is expected to complicate transit with ice and more. here's the latest info, by nbc new york staff • published december 23, 2022 • updated on december 23, 2022 at 4:58 pm.

A rapidly intensifying winter storm that prompted a state of emergency from New York's governor flooded roads, downed trees and turned air travel into an abject nightmare -- and now the flash freeze threat looms strong.

No matter where you're going, you'll likely encounter delays or cancellations via road, rail, air or even sidewalk. We've got you covered with all the latest need-to-know transit information directly from the sources.

Remember to scroll down to find the latest update from your relevant agency, as transit situations can evolve quickly.

Get Tri-state area news and weather forecasts to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York newsletters.

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Historic winter storm drenches ny, nj; now arctic blast brings life-threatening cold.

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Travel Ban: State Of Emergency Issued For Half Of New York, What Counties?

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Over half of New York State is under a State of Emergency including most of the Hudson Valley. Travel bans are in place. What does this mean for your hometown?

On Monday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency for more than three dozen counties in New York.

State Of Emergency For Capital Region, Central New York, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley and North Country Regions

Governor Kathy Hochul today deployed additional assets and personnel to several regions expected to be impacted by a significant snowstorm beginning Monday night and continuing through Wednesday.

"Widespread areas of the Capital Region, Central New York, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley and North Country Regions could see up two feet of snow during this time period. Higher elevations in the Capital and Mid-Hudson regions, where the most accumulations of snow are expected, could receive up to three feet of snow by Wednesday morning. The Western New York and Finger Lakes regions may see up to 8 inches or more of snow by Wednesday," Hochul's office stated in a press release.

The State Of Emergency was issued so Hochul can deploy more assets and people to the areas hit hardest by the storm.

State Of Emergency For Albany, Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Yates counties

The State Of Emergency started at 8 p.m. on Monday. It includes Albany, Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, and Yates counties.

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"New Yorkers should prepare now for a multi-day event that will bring up to three feet of snow in certain parts of the Capital Region and Mid-Hudson region," Hochul said. "State agencies spent the weekend preparing emergency response assets, my team is in constant contact with local officials, and we have activated the National Guard to assist with emergency response. This storm will create hazardous road conditions through Wednesday morning, and I encourage New Yorkers in impacted regions to stay home and avoid any unnecessary travel to allow plow crews to do their job."

Some Vechiles Banned On I-87, I-84, I-88, I-81, Route 17 In New York

The New York State Thruway has banned all tandem and empty tractor-trailers from I-87 exit 17 (Newburgh - Scranton - I-84) to I-90 exit 36 (Watertown - Binghamton- I-81) and the length of the Berkshire Spur (I-87 exit 21B to the Massachusetts border).

New York State Police and NYSDOT also issued the following commercial vehicle restrictions:

• I-84: Full length. No tandem or empty tractor trailers
• I-88: Full Length. No tandem or empty tractor trailers
• I-87 (Northway): Albany To Plattsburgh: No tandem or empty tractor trailers
• I-90: I-87 to Berkshire Spur: No tandem or empty tractor trailers
• I-81: PA Line to Syracuse:  "Trucks Use Right Lane" advisory
• Route 17: Middletown to Binghamton:  "Trucks Use Right Lane" advisory

’36-Hour’ Nor’easter Barrels Down On Hudson Valley, New York State

A last-minute forecast change means many parts of the Hudson Valley are going to see more snow than originally expected.

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Update April 12, 2024

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'Freedom to Learn' protesters push back on book bans, restrictions on Black history

WASHINGTON, DC ‒ Congressional lawmakers, national civil rights leaders and other activists plan to rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court Friday to push back against efforts to ban some books and restrict lessons about Black history and other social issues.

The effort is part of the “Freedom to Learn” campaign, a national movement to combat those restrictions and what activists call misinformation about Black history and critical race theory. Organizers tout the rally as a day of action.

“It was designed to expand our freedom to learn to make sure that we are pushing back against the work that is trying to ban our books, trying to ban the teaching of our history,’’ said Karsonya Wise Whitehead,  special projects manager for the African American Policy Forum, a think tank focused on social and racial justice issues. “It was designed to make sure that if they are teaching history ‒ history includes everybody's story.”

Protesters plan to march from the Library of Congress a couple of blocks to the front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

“We're taking our demands for the protection of the freedom to learn straight to where the people are right now making decisions about the future of this country,’’ said Wise Whitehead.

The effort comes as more states and jurisdictions, including school boards, adopt measures that restrict some teachings of Black history and ban more books, many focused on race and sexual identity.

Dozens of states, including Texas and Oklahoma, have adopted or proposed measures that limit how Black history is taught or that restrict the use of some books. Proponents argue some books are offensive and that key parts of Black history are already taught in schools.

Supporters of so-called ‘’anti-woke’’ laws said such measures protect against teaching divisive issues and blaming current generations for past injustices such as slavery. Republicans have particularly attacked critical race theory, calling it “woke indoctrination.”

Digging deeper: Is new AP African American Studies course too woke? We attended class to find out.

Critical race theory is an academic framework that argues the legacy of slavery shapes systemic racism in existence today.

Jonathan Butcher, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, said school boards and policymakers should be able to determine what should be taught in schools.

“I'm not arguing that we omit important topics,” Butcher said in an earlier interview. "I think it should be done in age-appropriate ways.”

By last fall, legislation to limit the teaching of "divisive" concepts or critical race theory in public schools and/or higher education institutions had been introduced in at least 21 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Reading further: Black history 'Underground Railroad' forms across US after increase of book bans

The African American Policy Forum will host a Critical Race Theory summer school in New York to provide a week of training on issues, including advocacy, education and political engagement.

Friday's rally will “serve as a gateway into Freedom Summer 2024 leading into the critical election season,’’ said Wise Whitehead, also a professor of communications and African American Studies at Loyola University in Maryland. Sixty years ago, during the initial Freedom Summer, hundreds of mostly college students joined local activists in Mississippi to register Black citizens to vote.

Other groups and organizations, including Black museums, have also launched efforts to counter book bans and history lesson restrictions. Some Black churches in Florida provided toolkits to help faith leaders teach Black history.

The American Library Association also launched its Unite Against Book Bans campaign. There were 1,247 attempts last year to censor library materials and services, according to the association.

Later Friday afternoon, local partners of the African American Policy Forum will host a banned book giveaway at a community center in the Bronx, New York. Organizers are also calling on faith leaders to participate in “Freedom Sundays’’ where they will urge churchgoers to register to vote and cast their ballots.

“There’s no time more important than where are right now,’’ Wise Whitehead said. “If we don't put the pressure on right now, not waiting until November, put the pressure on now to make sure that people are as well informed as possible about what is at stake at this moment ‒ which we believe is the future of democracy. That is what we're fighting for.”

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How six-week abortion bans went from fringe to reality.

Even opponents of abortion saw such curbs as too controversial just over a decade ago. Times have changed.

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By Jess Bidgood

Just over a decade ago, six-week abortion bans were seen as too radical even by many members of the anti-abortion movement, who worried they carried too much political and legal risk.

On Wednesday, Florida became the latest state to put one into effect.

The law, which was signed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, cuts off access to the procedure before many women even know they are pregnant, leaving millions of women in the South hundreds of miles from a clinic offering abortion.

The ban represents another victory for the true believers of the anti-abortion movement that seek sharp curbs on the procedure. But when such a ban was first introduced, mainstream abortion opponents who preferred gradually chipping away at abortion rights felt such restrictions could backfire and undermine their broader goals.

My colleague Elizabeth Dias covers religion and is the author, with Lisa Lerer, of a forthcoming book about the fall of Roe v. Wade. I asked her how the six-week ban moved from the fringe to the mainstream — and why those early warnings from anti-abortion allies might be coming true now. Our conversation was edited for length and clarity.

When did the concept of six-week abortion bans first emerge?

The Florida law didn’t just come out of nowhere — it’s related to a push that began more than a decade ago, in Ohio. There, in 2011, an evangelical activist, Janet Porter, began to advocate for a bill that would ban abortion when a fetal “heartbeat” is detectable, about six or eight weeks into a pregnancy.

That was during former President Barack Obama’s first term, a time when the Tea Party was rising and the anti-abortion movement was fairly weak relative to its power today. The fall of Roe was a long way away. How did leaders of the anti-abortion movement react to Porter’s proposal?

The big players in the anti-abortion movement were focused on incremental change, on moving the needle slowly. Porter and her wing of the anti-abortion movement were considered really fringe. Groups like Ohio Right to Life and the state’s Catholic conference refused to support the ban , which they thought could be dangerous, and unproductive, for their movement because it seemed too extreme. The bill didn’t pass that year — it didn’t pass, in fact, until 2019 .

The concept of the “heartbeat bill” banning abortion as early as six weeks traveled far beyond Ohio. Why did the movement come to embrace it?

Many opponents of abortion have a deep and often spiritual conviction that, at the moment of conception, a fully human person worthy of rights is created, and they have worked hard to rally the public to think of a fertilized cell in this way. So the way that this wing of the movement started to talk about it was, well, what’s more human than the heart?

It’s important to note, though, that this was a powerful messaging tactic and that embryos don’t have fully developed hearts that early in a pregnancy . Most experts actually describe what is detected at this point as an electric pulse from a primitive tube of cardiac cells.

When did these bans start picking up speed, and actually passing?

The election of Donald Trump in 2016 was a pivot point for the whole movement. Legislators in Ohio soon advanced their six-week bill , although it was vetoed . The window of what was possible suddenly expanded for them, although with Roe still in place, the mainstream anti-abortion movement didn’t see six-week bans as an effective way to undercut the country’s abortion protections.

But once the balance of power on the Supreme Court shifted with the appointment of Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, things changed. When state legislatures met in 2019, they began to pass a wave of abortion restrictions . Five states, including Ohio, passed so-called heartbeat bills that banned abortion as early as six weeks. Missouri passed a bill banning abortion around 8 weeks , and Alabama also passed a ban on abortion. Those bans could not immediately take effect because of Roe, but it was all part of laying the groundwork for what they hoped would be its eventual fall.

When doctors measure the length of a pregnancy, they start from the date of a woman’s last period, which is about two weeks before conception is possible . So a six-week ban is an even smaller window than some people realize.

Yes. The point of all of these laws is to stop as many abortions as possible — the movement talks about making abortion “unthinkable.” And some of the people who initially worried about a six-week ban ended up supporting them. But it became so broadly unpopular after Roe was overturned, others pushed 15-week bans instead , though that’s not their ultimate goal, either. This is a movement that thinks and plans in generations.

For much of the history of the six-week ban, lawmakers voted for such measures knowing they couldn’t be put in place. How has support for these bans changed since the fall of Roe?

Thirteen years ago, in Ohio, some abortion opponents warned that a six-week ban could hurt their movement. The reaction to the Florida law shows us that they may have been right all along.

The Florida law is completely controversial. Yes, they’re achieving their goal of limiting abortion access, in practical terms, but they’re taking on a huge risk, too, since this fall voters will have a chance to enshrine the protection of abortion rights into their state constitution through a ballot measure.

So the anti-abortion movement is experiencing real whiplash. They’re achieving policy goals they’ve been pursing for years, and they stand to lose them for having overreached — which was a fear many of them had at the very beginning with Janet Porter’s law.

The backlash in Florida

For a long time, a six-week abortion ban was not considered as seriously in Florida as it was in other states. That changed last year, when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it as he stacked up conservative policy victories ahead of his presidential run. I asked The New York Times’s Miami bureau chief, Patricia Mazzei , to tell us how his decision to sign the ban may have actually intensified the campaign for expanded abortion rights in Florida.

In 2022, DeSantis signed a 15-week abortion ban at a big church near Orlando. But when he signed the six-week ban, he did it behind closed doors. That signaled, I think, that he knew it was going pretty far for a state where public opinion polls still suggested most Floridians wanted legal abortion far beyond six weeks.

Critics of the ban channeled their efforts into gathering petition signatures to put an amendment on the ballot that would directly ask Floridians if they wanted to expand abortion access, and bring it back up to about 24 weeks. They had begun that effort after the 15-week ban was enacted, but it really ramped up after the six-week ban was signed. They were successful, and that question will appear on the ballot in November.

So the people who feel that the ban is wrong, they feel like there is a way out, that there is light at the end of the tunnel if they can get this passed. They have a way to channel their anger, or their opposition — although the ballot measure will require more than 60 percent support to pass, and that’s a high threshold.

The anti-abortion movement’s victory was really attenuated by this ballot measure, and they are now gearing up for a tough campaign.

— Patricia Mazzei

Read more of Patricia’s coverage of Florida’s abortion ban:

Florida’s abortion ban is now law, with political implications

Inside an abortion clinic in the last days before the six-week ban

Florida’s abortion ban will cut off a major access point in the South

… and more abortion news

Vice President Kamala Harris seized on Florida’s ban at a campaign event in Jacksonville, Fla., on Wednesday, warning that a second Trump term would bring “more bans, more suffering, less freedom.”

The Arizona State Senate repealed the state’s 1864 law banning abortion. Two Republicans broke with their party and joined Democrats in backing the repeal.

In an interview with Time magazine on Tuesday, Trump refused to commit to veto a national abortion ban.

Jess Bidgood is a managing correspondent for The Times and writes the On Politics newsletter, a guide to the 2024 election and beyond. More about Jess Bidgood

US issues level 3 travel advisory to China amid safety concerns. Here's what to know

Are you thinking about traveling to China to visit or study abroad? The U.S. government suggests reconsidering your trip for now. 

According to the U.S. Department of State , traveling to China is under a level 3 travel advisory , warning Americans to reconsider. The State Department has four warning levels. The fourth is “Do not travel.”

Is it safe to travel to China right now?

The U.S. is asking Americans to reconsider traveling to China due to various reasons, including concerns about health and safety, such as the prevalence of contagious diseases like COVID-19, as well as political tensions or security risks in certain regions.

As of April 12, there are some specific areas that the U.S. is asking people to reconsider travel to. Those areas include:

• Mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including exit bans and the risk of wrongful detentions.
• Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Hong Kong SAR due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
• Reconsider travel to the Macau SAR due to a limited ability to provide emergency consular services. 

Additionally, the U.S. government may issue travel advisories based on factors like civil unrest, natural disasters, or other hazards that could affect travelers' well-being.

Americans detained in China

Mark Swidan — a man from Houston, Texas — has been detained in China for over 10 years on drug charges. According to The Texas Tribune , Swidan was detained in China in 2012 while on a trip looking for materials for his home and business in Houston. Chinese authorities arrested him after his driver and translator were found in possession of drugs. The driver blamed Swidan, who is accused of trafficking and manufacturing methamphetamine.

A review of Swidan’s case said there were no drugs on him or in his hotel. Last year, the Republic of China’s Jiangmen Intermediate Court denied Swidan’s appeal and upheld his death penalty with a two-year suspended death sentence.

Other Americans considered wrongfully detained include Chinese American businessman Kai Li from Long Island, N.Y., and California pastor David Lin.

What countries have a Level 3 travel warning?

• Trinidad & Tobago
• El Salvador
• South Sudan
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Papua New Guinea
• Saudi Arabia

What countries have a Level 4 travel warning?

• Afghanistan
• Central African Republic
• North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)
• Burkina Faso

Traveling abroad? Here are some safety tips

U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the State Department’s free  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  and to prepare contingency plans for emergencies. 

Safety tips if you're traveling outside the U.S.:

• Don't travel alone.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Keep a low profile.
• Try not to be flashy.
• Avoid going to places at night, especially by yourself.

The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.

Dobbs-era Abortion Bans and Restrictions: Early Insights about Implications for Pregnancy Loss

Usha Ranji , Alina Salganicoff , and Laurie Sobel Published: May 02, 2024

Key Takeaways

• Abortion bans can limit care for those who are experiencing a miscarriage or stillbirth. The medical interventions used to manage pregnancy losses are often the same medicines and procedures used in abortions.
• While all state bans have exceptions for cases of life endangerment of the pregnant person, they do not necessarily account for the wide range of circumstances people may face when experiencing a pregnancy loss. This has resulted in several cases of women experiencing health threatening situations with imminent fetal demise or in early stage of pregnancy loss, yet being unable to obtain medical treatment until their health declined to the point where their lives were on the line.
• Clinicians practicing in states that ban abortion report that the restrictions are worsening their ability to practice within the standard of care, manage miscarriages and pregnancy related emergencies, and having a negative impact on patient-provider relationships.
• When severe or fatal fetal anomalies are detected during pregnancy and loss is inevitable or highly likely, people in states with bans may not have the option to terminate the pregnancy.
• Laws that grant “fetal personhood” can deter pregnant people, particularly some people of color, from seeking care during a pregnancy loss because a miscarriage may be conflated with a self-managed abortion, risking criminalization for pregnancy loss.

Introduction

Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in 2022, 14 states now ban the provision of abortion and several more limit abortion up to gestational limits very early in pregnancy. However, the impact of these bans and restrictions is not limited to abortions. Abortion bans and gestational restrictions also restrict care for people experiencing loss of a pregnancy – either miscarriage or stillbirth – since many of the medical treatments for pregnancy loss are the same medications and procedures used for abortion care. For many people experiencing a miscarriage or stillbirth, the loss of the pregnancy is a physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing experience. While some people experiencing a pregnancy loss do not require medical intervention, some do, and abortion restrictions and bans limit the range of treatment options they can receive, as has been shown in multiple high-profile cases of pregnant people who have been denied care. The threat of criminalization and penalties for clinicians who provide abortions in states with bans creates an unmeasurable yet important chilling effect on clinical care. There is also a growing concern that abortion restrictions create a medical and legal environment that exacerbates health inequities , making some people of color who are experiencing a pregnancy loss hesitant to seek care due to the ongoing biases and discrimination in the health care and legal systems. This brief examines pregnancy loss management in the Dobbs era and explores how limiting or banning abortion may have negative consequences on people experiencing pregnancy loss.

An Overview of Pregnancy Loss

Pregnancy loss, which includes miscarriage and stillbirth, is common , occurring in up to an estimated 20% of all pregnancies . Among the US medical community, the term miscarriage (or spontaneous abortion) refers to a spontaneous loss of a nonviable, intrauterine pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation. Most pregnancy losses occur in the first trimester before 13 weeks gestation. Stillbirth (also called fetal death and intrauterine fetal demise) is the loss of a pregnancy at or after 20 weeks gestation. Since many miscarriages happen early in pregnancy and without medical intervention, data are very limited. Rates of stillbirth have declined over the past three decades, yet roughly 1% of births in the U.S. end in stillbirth, which translates to more than 21,000 stillbirths annually. Cases of stillbirth are unexpected and extremely stressful. and can be traumatic for pregnant people and their loved ones.

Often, the cause of a pregnancy loss is unknown even after thorough evaluation. Of those with a suspected cause, the majority of miscarriages are attributed to genetic abnormalities . Similarly, most stillbirths are caused by genetic abnormalities, problems with the placenta, fetal growth restriction, or infection.

The rates of pregnancy loss are higher among some populations, particularly Black and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander women . Black women are more likely to experience miscarriage and stillbirth (commonly reported as a fetal mortality rate) than their White counterparts. According to data from the National Center for Statistics, fetal mortality rates were highest among Black and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander people in 2021 (Figure 1).

This underlying disparity is not fully understood. Broader social and economic factors and structural and systemic racism and discrimination play a major role in shaping health and disparities in health . In maternal and infant health specifically, the intersection of race, gender, poverty and other social factors shapes individuals’ experiences and outcomes. Studies have linked long-term psychological stress and “ weathering ” to poor pregnancy outcomes such as pregnancy loss. Under Dobbs , there is concern that restrictive abortion policies such as outright abortion bans and gestational limits will exacerbate inequities in birth outcomes.

Constraints on Treatment Options

Depending on the stage in pregnancy, the pregnant person’s preferences, and the clinical scenario, patients experiencing pregnancy loss can be managed with (1) expectant management, (2) medications, like misoprostol with or without mifepristone, or (3) a medical procedure, either uterine aspiration (D&C) or dilation and evacuation (D&E). Almost all of the clinical interventions used to manage miscarriages and stillbirths are identical to those used in abortions because they result in emptying the pregnant person’s uterus. Pregnant people experiencing a miscarriage or a lethal fetal anomaly may seek one of these treatments to complete the loss and/or because their health may worsen with continuation of the pregnancy (Table 1).

The medications that can be used to manage early miscarriages – misoprostol and mifepristone – are the same ones used for a medication abortion . Medication abortion, also known as medical abortion or abortion with pills, is a medical regimen that terminates a pregnancy by taking two different drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol. This regimen is approved in the U.S. for use up to the first 70 days (10 weeks) of pregnancy, and accounts for the majority (63%) of all abortions today. These medications are also commonly used to manage early pregnancy loss. Although most miscarriage patients who receive medications to complete the miscarriage are given misoprostol alone, the combination of the two drugs is more effective , and this protocol is recommended by ACOG and other professional clinical organizations.

Since it was first approved for use in the U.S. more than 20 years ago, the provision of mifepristone has been subject to many federal requirements, including the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy ( REMS ) restrictions, which initially only permitted physicians to dispense the medication to the patients with an in-person visit. Over the years, with the addition of many studies demonstrating the safety and effective of the drugs, some of these restrictions have been modified, now allowing certified non-physician clinicians to prescribe and dispense mifepristone. Nonetheless, in a case currently pending a decision from the Supreme Court, FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine , a group of anti-abortion clinicians claim that the FDA did not follow the correct processes in making these changes, and that the Supreme Court should revert to older protocols for mifepristone across the country. If the Court decides to reinstate older protocols, people experiencing an early miscarriage would likely be unable to obtain the medication via mail, at a commercial pharmacy, or to manage their miscarriage if it occurs after 7 weeks, limiting miscarriage management options in all states across the country.

Some pregnancy losses are managed by the same medical procedures used for abortions . This includes D&C, D&X, and D&E procedures. The D&C is most common and can be used up to approximately 16 weeks gestation. Even prior to Dobbs , some states had laws that banned or limited clinicians’ use of the rarely used dilation and extraction (D&X) procedure, (the so-called “partial birth abortion”, which is not a medical term but has been used by anti-abortion policymakers to refer to the D & X procedure), which can be used both to provide an abortion and manage a stillbirth.

State abortion bans may result in the use of expectant management (waiting for the contents of the uterus to empty on its own) in cases where it is not medically indicated, because of clinicians concerns about civil or criminal penalties associated with the violation of state abortion bans . Alongside medications and procedures, expectant management, which refers to waiting for the miscarriage to resolve on its own without any medical intervention, is considered another form of care for pregnancy loss. Expectant management is generally restricted to the first trimester, due to lack of safety studies and concerns about hemorrhage in the second trimester. When pregnant people who are experiencing a loss after the first trimester do not have the option for a D&C or other procedure due to the effects of an abortion ban, they may be forced to wait and let the miscarriage pass on its own– even when it is not recommended, which can endanger their health .

While all state abortion bans have exceptions to preserve the life of the pregnant person, it is not clear if and when exceptions apply to cases of pregnancy loss that are harming the pregnant person’s health . Many miscarriages have harmful effects on physical and mental health but they may not be considered imminently life threatening. Clinicians in states without explicit exceptions for miscarriages may fear criminal liability or loss of their medical license or financial penalties if they provide treatment in these cases. This can lead to delays in care, so that even when a miscarriage or inevitable loss is harming the pregnant person’s health, but fetal cardiac activity is still detectable, clinicians may deny or postpone termination of the pregnancy until a patient’s life is more overtly “threatened” or “endangered”. Some supporters of abortion bans and restrictions state that they are not intended to withhold treatment for pregnancy loss. However, the legal standards for when a pregnant person qualifies for a life or health exception vary, with some states leaving physicians in a legally vulnerable position such that an expert witness could contradict their medical judgment. In the 2023 national KFF Survey of OBGYNs , the majority of OBGYNs (61%) practicing in states with abortion bans reported they are concerned about their legal risk when making decisions about the necessity of abortion care for their patients, much higher than those who practice in states where abortion is available.

Timeliness and patient preferences are important elements of miscarriage management, and several documented cases of miscarriage or inevitable pregnancy loss demonstrate the impracticability of trying to legislate the circumstances around clinical care. In the wake of the Dobbs ruling and state abortion bans, the federal government reiterated hospitals’ obligations under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) law to provide emergency care, including abortion care if it is needed to stabilize the patient. While this guidance may offer clarity to clinicians in some of the most dire and dangerous cases of pregnancy loss, it does not necessarily address the wide array of circumstances that may not immediately rise to the level of “emergent.” This term, in the case, Idaho v. United States , the Supreme Court is considering whether HHS properly issued the guidance and if EMTALA preempts state abortion bans that only allow exceptions under very narrow circumstances – to prevent the pregnant person’s death. The narrow scope of exceptions in state abortion bans is also being debated in multiple cases in state courts as well.

Some fetal anomalies that are detected during the prenatal period may eventually lead to a loss during pregnancy or soon after birth . Additionally, few of the state bans explicitly make exceptions for provision of care when a lethal or severe fetal anomaly has been diagnosed. In these cases, a pregnant person may not be actively losing a pregnancy, but the condition is such that there is a high chance of miscarriage, stillbirth or death of the child shortly after birth. Some pregnant people may want to continue their pregnancies after such a diagnosis, but in states without exceptions for lethal anomalies, pregnant people may be forced to continue a pregnancy where loss is inevitable, although not necessarily always imminent. In some cases, this may place pregnant people at risk for childbirth-related health risks when a termination earlier in the pregnancy would have been less risky to them. While some people who reside in states where abortion is banned have traveled out of state to obtain abortion services after a fatal fetal anomaly diagnosis or while actively miscarrying, this may not be an option for many people. The significant financial and logistical costs, including transportation, lodging, childcare, and time off work to just name a few can be insurmountable barriers to traveling out of state for care.

Constraining Clinical Care and Judgement

Since Dobbs , clinicians in abortion restrictive states report that they are facing constraints in caring cases of pregnancy loss . In the KFF 2023 Survey of OBGYNs , one in five OBGYNs nationally said they have been constrained in providing care for miscarriages (20%) and pregnancy-related emergencies (19%) since the Dobbs ruling. However, this is significantly higher among OBGYNs in states that ban or restrict abortion, compared to those practicing in states where abortion is available under most circumstances (Figure 2).

Abortion bans and restrictions may also hinder clinician counseling, an essential element of the patient-clinician relationship for pregnancy loss . The standard of care for pregnancy loss counseling is to inform pregnant patients of all the options . Prior to Dobbs , clinicians in all states could offer this counseling; however, in states that now have bans and gestational limits, clinicians may fear that they cannot offer all of these options, nor referrals to this care. In states with bans, many OBGYNs do not even give patients referrals to clinicians out of state who offer abortions. This may be particularly heightened in states such as TX that have enacted laws that prohibit aiding and abetting the receipt of abortion services. More than half of OBGYNs practicing in states with abortion bans (55%) say that the Dobbs decision has made their ability to practice within the standard of care worse, more than twice the share (23%) who practice in states where abortion is available (Figure 3).

Laws that grant “fetal personhood” may deter people experiencing pregnancy loss from seeking medical care, alter the patient-provider relationship, and promote mistrust between patients and clinicians . Miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion have all been heavily stigmatized in our society. Prior to Dobbs , there were several cases of pregnant people facing charges for fetal harm, endangerment, and other crimes because they engaged in activity that was alleged to harm their fetuses, most often substance use while pregnant. Since Dobbs, fear of seeking care may be heightened in states with bans or restrictions because patients could be accused of “self-managing ” an abortion, especially since accusations of fetal harm often come to the attention of law enforcement by health care professionals .

This can be especially risky for some people of color who already suffer poorer maternal outcomes, harbor greater distrust towards the medical community, have higher rates of pregnancy loss, and higher rates of criminalization for self-managed abortion. Symptoms of pregnancy loss are indistinguishable from “self-managed” abortions.

State abortion bans and restrictions raise concerns about the preparedness of future health care professionals to effectively treat pregnancy loss . Training in abortion care is an important skill for all clinicians who care for pregnant people since those services are also used in management of miscarriages and stillbirths. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education ( ACGME ) requires all U.S. OBGYN residency programs provide training in miscarriage management as well as “opt out” access to abortion training for their residents. Surveys of resident physicians have found that those who received training in abortion care felt more prepared to provide care for pregnancy losses after training.

Even prior to Dobbs , only 60% of OBGYN residents reported having routine access to abortion training. Clinical trainees in states that now ban abortion may now have to travel out of state to obtain training on management of pregnancy loss. Logistical obstacles related to travel, coordination with home programs, financial costs, and housing, may impede the ability of some trainees to travel out of state to obtain the necessary training and caseload to become proficient in these skills. Furthermore, programs in states where abortion remains legal may not have the capacity to meet the demand from trainees other states and limit options to have rotations for out-of-state clinicians and still train their own residents and students. Furthermore, clinicians other than OBGYNs care for pregnant patients and need training on management of pregnancy loss, including physicians in family practice and emergency medicine, midwives, nurses, and other advance practice clinicians.

Majorities across party lines support access to abortion care for people experiencing pregnancy losses and protecting doctors who offer abortions from criminal or financial penalties (Figure 4). There have been numerous reports and litigation brought by pregnant women experiencing pregnancy loss or imminent fetal demise who have denied miscarriage management and emergency medical care in states that have banned abortion. Abortion generally will be a significant issue in the November 2024 election, and particularly in the states that will have ballot initiatives addressing abortion rights.

The authors would like to acknowledge Tatyana Roberts, a former KFF-UCSF fellow for her work on an earlier draft of this brief and Gabriel Wiegel, MD, a former KFF-UCSF fellow who co-authored an earlier published brief on this topic.

• Women's Health Policy
• Reproductive Health

news release

• KFF Examines Implications of Dobbs-era Abortion Bans and Restrictions for Miscarriage or Stillbirth

Also of Interest

• Abortions Later in Pregnancy in a Post-Dobbs Era
• Abortion Back at SCOTUS: Can States Ban Emergency Abortion Care for Pregnant Patients?
• State Profiles for Women’s Health
• Key Facts on Abortion in the United States