On abortion, mental health, and preserving Native American land.

Happening in the World: California’s drought is hurting wildlife and humans alike. Salmon cannot survive in the warming river waters, and when they try to swim upstream, dams block their path. The Hupa tribe of Native Americans relies on these dying salmon and has been for centuries. They fish salmon from the Klamath River and eat them throughout the year, canning and smoking them for winter. The Klamath River is one of the many rivers warming, however. To preserve the tribe’s way of life, dams will be removed and more salmon will be put into the river (BBC).

Happening in the US: The Supreme Court will hold a hearing for Texas’ abortion law in early November. Until then, the “Texas Heartbeat Act” will remain. Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor has written against this decision, mourning the lack of relief women will experience until the first of November, when the Justices will hear different spoken arguments. The American College of Obstetricians reports that a six-week-old fetus has no heartbeat. They say that the ‘heartbeat’ is actually moving tissue. Others argue that the heart has developed by the six-week point. The Supreme Court will judge another abortion law, this time from Mississippi, in two months’ time (BBC).

Happening in NYC: When someone calls 911 with a mental health emergency, the New York City Police Department sends officers. A program titled B-HEARD wants to send social workers. B-HEARD representatives say that police involvement often leads to violence and tension. Social workers, though, are equipped with the necessary people skills to help diffuse tension. The program’s initial test run in Harlem has already seen progress, given the drop in refused medical service and the commitment from the Mayor’s office to inform more EMTs about the program. In the future, B-HEARD is looking to take more calls and become more active in other communities (Gothamist).

Happening in Our Community: Mariana Maia’s “Geographies of Injustice” Live Performance, complete with performers of diverse languages and backgrounds, is happening at 3 pm today! For more information, click here.

US Supreme Court Building via pixabay