Latest news with #TheRightTrack
USA Today
2 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
SCOTUS boosts effort to defund Planned Parenthood. It's a win for women's health.
I hope other states will now bar using tax dollars to pay for abortions and ban Planned Parenthood from participating in Medicaid. A new Supreme Court ruling could be the beginning of the end of Planned Parenthood's ability to receive Medicaid funding for abortions. In a 6-3 decision released June 26, the court ruled that patients can't bring a lawsuit challenging South Carolina's decision to halt Planned Parenthood's participation in the state's Medicaid program. The ruling is a win for the pro-life community, women's health and taxpayers. I can't stand the fact that Planned Parenthood has for decades received taxpayer dollars to perform abortions. I hope now, with the ruling in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, that other states will act to end taxpayer subsidies of Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood has lost big time in this case, and it's long past time. As a pro-life mom, I'm glad Parenthood Parenthood lost tax dollars In 2018, South Carolina lawmakers enacted legislation that prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars to pay for an abortion. Planned Parenthood subsequently was denied participation in the state's Medicaid program. State leaders argued that a "variety of other nongovernmental entities and governmental agencies' would continue to provide 'access to necessary medical care and important women's health and family planning services.' But patient Julie Edwards and Planned Parenthood sued the state, arguing that the organization's exclusion violated the "free choice of provider" clause of the Medicaid program. A strong majority of justices rejected that argument, clearing the way for not only South Carolina but also other states to cut off tax dollars for the nation's most prominent abortion provider. Planned Parenthood has been dependent on tax dollars Taxpayers should never have been forced to pay for abortions, but that's precisely what has happened for many years. In past years, about 40% of Planned Parenthood's budget − more than $500 billion a year − has come from Medicaid and other government sources. Apologists for Planned Parenthood claim that abortions are only a small percentage of the services the organization provides. Yet, Planned Parenthood's 2023 annual report, released last year, shows that it performed nearly 400,000 abortions in 2022. That was more than 60% of all the reported abortions in the United States that year. As a staunch pro-life mom, that makes me nauseous. Taxpayers should not be forced to pay to end a life. Women need health care, but Planned Parenthood should function without taxpayer subsidies. Thousands of other providers also are available to help women with medical care. I hope other states will now bar using tax dollars to pay for abortions and ban Planned Parenthood from participating in Medicaid. Nicole Russell is an opinion columnist with USA TODAY. She lives in Texas with her four kids. Sign up for her newsletter, The Right Track, and get it delivered to your inbox.
Otago Daily Times
25-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Sock used to bypass device, drink-drive
Photo: file A Dunedin man used a rudimentary technique involving a sock to defeat an alcohol interlock device, leaving a judge "astounded". Conor Scott Lawson, 32, appeared in the Dunedin District Court on Friday after earlier admitting his sixth drink-driving offence, fifth breach of licence conditions, committing a threatening act and wilful damage. The court heard that on March 3 last year, the defendant had been drinking at a party when he got into an argument and wanted to leave. He got into his car, which was fitted with an alcohol interlock device, but the use of a sock meant he was able to bypass the system. Lawson then drove down High St, but failed to give way at an intersection, forcing a police patrol vehicle to take evasive action. As police turned around, the defendant fled. He was eventually caught in Serpentine Ave, and exited the car with his hands in the air. A blood test revealed a blood-alcohol level of 114mg — the legal limit is 50mg, but zero on an alcohol interlock licence. The defendant confessed he had used a sock to defeat the device and drive. While on bail for that offending, on May 1 last year, Lawson got into an argument with his then-partner as she was receiving messages from a "potential suitor". He accused her of being a cheater and broke her cellphone. The victim left, and while she was away Lawson defaced the flat. With a whiteboard marker he wrote "cheater" in a number of places and damaged wine glasses, a photo frame and upended house plants. Judge David Robinson said alcohol was an issue for the defendant and was surprised he was able to beat the alcohol interlock device. "I'm astounded that a simple measure like that is able to overcome a device which is ... intended to keep the public safe." The judge was also concerned Lawson continued to drink and drive despite completing The Right Track programme — a highly effective course with an 80% non-recidivism rate. While this offending marked his first convictions for family violence, they needed to be his last. "These reflect issues of power and control, [and] a possessive attitude toward women." Judge Robinson sentenced Lawson to seven months' home detention and ordered him to pay reparation of $1000 for the phone he broke. He disqualified the defendant from driving for 12 months and one day, after which he would be back on the alcohol interlock licence, and ordered him to pay the blood-analysis fee of $212.
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I bought the cheapest train ticket in the UK for just 10p - it's rail companies' best-kept secret but there's a VERY bizarre catch
A train enthusiast has revealed how he managed to get his hands on the UK's cheapest train ticket - but there's a very bizarre catch. Known as The Right Track on social media, the 16-year-old spent just 10p on a ticket bought at Cambridge railway station. 'I bought the cheapest train ticket in all of the UK,' he explained. 'You can't buy it from a ticket machine, or online. And it costs 10 pence.' The ticket can only be purchased at certain staffed ticket offices in the UK - and the price hasn't been changed since 1988. But in recent years, people have stopped buying them and the cheap tickets have gone under the radar as one of National Rail's best kept secrets. It's not advertised anywhere but is carried by most ticket companies in the UK, including Avanti West Coast, CrossCounty, London Northwestern Railway - plus many more. The 10p tickets come with an extraordinary catch - as you in fact can't use them to travel anywhere. Instead, they're called a 'platform ticket' and permit the holder to stand on the platform for 60 minutes - perhaps to bid goodbye to a loved one, or merely to admire the trains going by. The TikToker filmed himself going up to the ticket office and asking for a 'platform ticket'. 'I don't even know if they're going to have it in stock, because it's basically a secret,' he admitted. The young adventurer was initially told 'no', but the officer turned to the computer and started doing 'some train station magic' - eventually presenting him with the 10p ticket in the flesh. But when he tried to use it, the ticket wouldn't work on the barriers, meaning he had to buy a ticket from Cambridge to Ely to actually let him through. 'This is a platform ticket,' he explained. 'And it is exactly what it sounds like. It lets you stand on the platform of a railway station for 10p for 60 minutes.' He explained that it was introduced in the 19th century to allow non-travellers onto platforms to see off or greet passengers. 'These tickets are even more quirky because they've managed to beat inflation. The last time the price was updated was in 1988,' he added. Taking to the comments, people were fascinated that such a bargain still exists amid soaring train ticket prices - but others merely speculated that it was 'useless'. People wrote: 'So the platform ticket doesn't give you the access to platform? What the hell'; 'Brilliant video. I had no idea these were even a thing. I've learned something new today. Thanks'; 'We were doing this in the 70s'; 'So you're saying i can buy a ticket just to go onto a plataform and just watch the trains go by? This sounds like a dream'; 'Is it a train ticket if the ticket doesn't give you access to a train?'; 'I never knew you needed a ticket to actually enter a platform in the UK. It's not the case in my country (Poland), where you could just sit on the platform for free for hours if you wanted lol'; 'Yet it's still over £100 to go from the north to the south by train...' In its terms and conditions, the National Rail website states that the tickets are 'not valid on trains' and are valid only at the station where issued. The website further reads: 'If customers are not travelling by train but wish to access the station platform - for example where there are ticket barriers in operation and they wish to assist someone onto the train or if they are a railway enthusiast - they may need to buy a Platform Ticket, depending on the discretion of staff. 'Not all train companies still issue Platform Tickets but where they are still sold they cost ten pence (10p) and can only be purchased from the station ticket office. There is no charge to assist a disabled passenger to a train.' In March, rail passengers were hit by a 4.6 per cent hike in prices - with some going up by almost 17 per cent from £30 to £35. This comes as figures show that 554 trains have been cancelled every Sunday since August last year.
USA Today
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Trump is going to the Super Bowl. That's a good thing – more presidents should.
Trump is going to the Super Bowl. That's a good thing – more presidents should. | Opinion Trump at the Super Bowl? This is great, regardless of what critics say. I'm surprised more presidents haven't done this. Show Caption Hide Caption Eagles, Chiefs Super Bowl ticket prices low despite historic potential There are plenty of reasons to attend the Super Bowl in New Orleans in person this year, yet ticket prices are plummeting. President Donald Trump is attending the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday, the first sitting president to do so. I'll admit that I don't care much about football − even if I live in Texas − but this is a good thing. Actually, this is great, regardless of what critics say. I'm surprised more presidents haven't done this. I love watching the Super Bowl. It's a great excuse to gather with family and friends and eat junk food. Often, the halftime show is a blast − shout out to Usher − and the commercials are buzz-worthy, too. What's not to love? It's an excuse to eat, relax and yell at the television over one of America's favorite past times: Beating the crap out of each other for a trophy. I'd expect Trump to be at the Super Bowl because that's where America's eyes will be this Sunday and he's our president, like it or not. Trump loves to be at the center of the action, and everyone will be crooning as Taylor Swift watches her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, play against the Philadelphia Eagles. Trump probably sees this as an opportunity to bolster his image among Republicans. Did I mention Taylor Swift will be there? Opinion: The Philadelphia Eagles upset Trump in 2018. A petulant president can't let it go. Trump attending the Super Bowl is a good thing. He's our president. Hate all you want − my youngest child says the Super Bowl is rigged, thanks to Swift − but she's been a boon for football and the NFL. During last year's Super Bowl, the NFL saw record viewership, 123.7 million views to be exact, as Americans watched Swift watch her man win another Super Bowl ring. What do you think a Trump visit will do for those ratings and conversations around the world? In any case, Trump's attendance is predictable, sure, but it's also great and it demands one obvious question. Why haven't more presidents gone to the Super Bowl? Aside from the security nightmare it undoubtedly presents, the entire event is a great way to show the average American that the not-so-average president is just like us. Plus, it seems like a lot of fun and it will make half of America happy and the other half mad. The only other thing that can do that is an election, which Trump won. Nicole Russell is a columnist at USA TODAY and a mother of four who lives in Texas. Contact her at nrussell@ and follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @russell_nm. Sign up for her weekly newsletter, The Right Track, here.
