The 7

Wednesday briefing: Arizona abortion ruling; James and Jennifer Crumbley; ‘forever chemicals’; Boeing whistleblower; and more

and

Updated April 10, 2024 at 7:01 a.m. EDT|Published April 10, 2024 at 6:30 a.m. EDT

8 min

1

Arizona’s Supreme Court cleared the way for a near-total abortion ban.

How? The court ruled yesterday that the state can enforce a law from 1864 that forbids abortions, except to save a mother’s life, and punishes providers with prison time.
What now? It could be weeks before the ban takes effect, and a state official said she won’t enforce it. For now, abortions will continue to be available through 15 weeks of pregnancy.

The parents of the Oxford school shooter got 10 to 15 years in prison.

James and Jennifer Crumbley were sentenced to 10-15 years in prison on April 9 for their son's fatal school shooting. (Video: The Washington Post)

Yesterday: James and Jennifer Crumbley were sentenced after convictions stemming from their son’s rampage at a Michigan high school in 2021, which killed four students.
It’s historic: The Crumbleys are the first parents of a school shooter to face homicide-level charges for their child’s crime.

Some Jan. 6 rioters are winning early release from prison.

Why? Judges are ordering the releases ahead of a Supreme Court review on whether a key charge brought against some defendants, including Donald Trump, is legitimate.
How many? A handful of high-profile defendants are being let go. Dozens more could be freed if the court rules this summer that the charge is not legally sound.
In other Trump-related news: A judge yesterday rejected his latest bid to delay the start of his hush money trial next week in New York.

The U.S. set its first limits for toxic “forever chemicals” in drinking water.

What are they? A group of persistent human-made chemicals — known as PFAS — linked to an increased risk of some types of cancer, low birth weights, high cholesterol and more.
What’s new? The EPA finalized a rule which it said will force water utilities to reduce the level of these chemicals in drinking water for around 100 million people.

A new Boeing whistleblower raised concerns about its 787 Dreamliner.

The details: A longtime Boeing engineer alleged yesterday that sections of the plane are improperly fastened together and could break apart. The FAA is investigating.
Zooming out: This follows a slew of incidents involving Boeing planes, including one Sunday when the engine cover of a Southwest plane fell off during takeoff.

Last month was the hottest-ever March on Earth.

What to know: This was the 10th record-hot month in a row. The streak has been fueled by human-caused global warming and the El Niño climate pattern.
It’s worrying: Global average temperatures have reached uncharted territory, and experts fear it could lead to catastrophic changes like the collapse of ocean currents.

You don’t have to throw away your eclipse glasses.

What to do: Modern eclipse glasses don’t expire, so you could use them again for the next partial eclipse in the U.S. in 2026. You could also donate or recycle them.
If you’re still on an eclipse high: Take a look at these amazing photos from our readers. And plan your trip for the next eclipses around the world.

And now … there’s a state dinner at the White House tonight: Here’s what’s on the menu.

Want to catch up quickly with The 7 every morning? Download The Post’s app and turn on alert notifications for The 7 or sign up for the newsletter.