Sean Murphy, Matthew Perrone and Jake Bleiberg led AP’s efforts to get the fastest and most comprehensive coverage of a federal judge’s hearing questioning the legality of access to medical abortions. After reporting showed that U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk told attorneys during a telephone status conference not to announce an upcoming hearing in the case in a small Texas city far from major media scrutiny, AP reporter Jake Bleiberg in Dallas worked to get information on the hearing and then alerted Sean Murphy, based in Oklahoma City, to drive there on short notice to be in the courtroom. Bleiberg watched a livestream of proceedings in a virtual overflow room in Dallas and worked with health reporter Matthew Perrone in Washington to provide updates. The hearing did not result in a ruling but showed the judge considering whether the drug used to provide abortions was properly approved.
AP leads on legal challenge to access to abortion pill
Lindsay London holds protest sign in front of federal court building in support of access to abortion medication outside the Federal Courthouse, March 15, 2023 in Amarillo, Texas.
AP Photo/David Erickson