North Dakota judge overturns state abortion ban

FILE PHOTO: The flag of the U.S. state North Dakota is seen in this illustration taken, August 21, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

(Reuters) -A North Dakota state court judge on Thursday overturned the state's near-total abortion ban, clearing the way for abortion to become legal in the Midwestern state for the first time in more than a year.

Judge Bruce Romanick in Bismarck found that the state constitution protects women's right to an abortion before the fetus is viable, siding with abortion providers challenging the ban. The order is expected to take effect within 14 days.