Abby Johnston
@abbyjohnston.bsky.social
Editorial director at 19thnews.org. Before: Texas Monthly, Frontline, Texas Observer. (she/her)
Ken Paxton’s record indicates that, if elected, he could be one of the nation’s most anti-abortion senators — and groups that both oppose and support reproductive rights intend to call attention to that. https://bit.ly/44x8CoI
Why everyone will bring Ken Paxton’s abortion record up in his Senate race
Neither Senate candidate in Texas is emphasizing abortion on the campaign trail. But their staunch stances could influence the close race.
19thnews.org
Under duress I am watching the hot dog eating contest, and the announcer said, I shit you not, “I just keep thinking of George Washington and his wooden teeth.”
UPDATE: They issued a stay about 30 minutes after — mifepristone can continue to be mailed nationwide for now.
Abby Johnston@abbyjohnston.bsky.social · 3mo agoBREAKING: The Supreme Court allows ban on getting an abortion pill by mail to take effect. @shefali.bsky.social breaks down what you need to know. 19thnews.org/2026/05/supr...
BREAKING: The Supreme Court allows ban on getting an abortion pill by mail to take effect. @shefali.bsky.social breaks down what you need to know. 19thnews.org/2026/05/supr...
Supreme Court allows ban on getting an abortion pill by mail to take effect
Mailed prescriptions have allowed people living in states with bans to continue getting abortions, contributing to an increase in abortions since the fall of Roe.
19thnews.org
Doctors accused of inseminating their patients with their own sperm — without consent — rarely face legal consequences. While dozens of cases have become public across the U.S., few perpetrators have faced criminal charges or were forced to stop practicing. From @civilbeat.bsky.social:
A doctor was accused of fertility fraud. In Hawaiʻi, no law prevents it.
The allegations expose a lack of accountability mechanisms in this state for doctors who use their sperm to artificially inseminate unwitting fertility patients.
19thnews.org
Marty Makary's exit as FDA commissioner creates an opportunity for anti-abortion groups to push their agenda — in particular limiting the availability of mifepristone. @bcrodriguez.bsky.social @shefali.bsky.social 19thnews.org/2026/05/fda-...
The exit of this Trump administration official could threaten abortion access nationwide
Marty Makary, who anti-abortion groups has criticized for not pushing their agenda, plans to resign from his post as FDA commissioner.
19thnews.org
Here is a real question that a real poll asked: Who do you think would win in a physical fight between you and Donald Trump? One factor that makes people more likely to say they would lose: being Republican. 19thnews.org/2026/05/trum...
Who do you think would win in a physical fight between you and Donald Trump?
YouGov asked Americans that question after Trump asked an 8-year-old if he could take him in a fight.
19thnews.org
BREAKING from @shefali.bsky.social: The 5th Circuit blocked a policy allowing abortion pill prescriptions through telehealth. If upheld, the injunction could end access to abortion for people in states with bans. 19thnews.org/2026/05/cour...
Court blocks access to abortion pills prescribed through telehealth
Telehealth has become a key option for people living in states with abortion bans. If upheld, the ruling could upend how abortions are provided in the United States.
19thnews.org
Though they see SCOTUS' gerrymander ruling as a blow, Black women members of Congress who spoke to @gracepanetta.bsky.social noted the success of Black politicians in being elected to non-majority-Black seats. “Black women know how to win all over.” 19thnews.org/2026/05/blac...
‘We’re gonna hang strong’: Black women in Congress face the next voting rights fight
They see the Supreme Court’s gerrymandering ruling as a devastating blow to Black voters — but are ready to win anyway.
19thnews.org
Felix, the most decorated woman Olympian in track, would be the first U.S. sprinter over 40 to compete in the Olympics. If she qualifies she’d be 43 at the time of the games, which will be held in her hometown of Los Angeles. She retired in 2022. https://bit.ly/4tHVojA
Separating health care and child care was a core part of my existence. Now I have to get a whole new identity.
Be like Stephen Colbert and support The 19th!
19thnews@19thnews.org · 7mo ago📣 We have a really special announcement! Evie McGee and Stephen Colbert have generously offered to match all donations to The 19th up to $10,000 through midnight tomorrow. We are so honored to have their support, especially at a moment when courage in coverage matters more than ever.
Congrats to one of the best @joanmeiners.bsky.social and the other best @abbyjohnston.bsky.social!
Joan Meiners, PhD@joanmeiners.bsky.social · 11mo agoThank you @coveringclimatenow.org for the "#Climate in every beat" award! I'm happy to see this collab btw @azcentral.com & @19thnews.org on the intersection of climate concerns + abortion access get recognized. Award: coveringclimatenow.org/projects/the... Story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Congratulations to Joan for all of the great work she did on this, and to @jazzmyth.bsky.social for the excellent viz. I loved working on this collaboration with y'all!
Joan Meiners, PhD@joanmeiners.bsky.social · 11mo agoThank you @coveringclimatenow.org for the "#Climate in every beat" award! I'm happy to see this collab btw @azcentral.com & @19thnews.org on the intersection of climate concerns + abortion access get recognized. Award: coveringclimatenow.org/projects/the... Story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
I saw a lot of headlines about Florida getting rid of all its vaccine mandates for schoolchildren. So @nadrakn.bsky.social and I wanted to add a little context and clarity about what that means and what might happen next. Our latest for @19thnews.org: 19thnews.org/2025/09/flor...
Florida officials say they want to eliminate school vaccine mandates. It won’t be that simple.
Many of the reversals will require action from lawmakers. Public health experts and educators warn that dropped mandates could worsen disease outbreaks and add to a teacher shortage
19thnews.org
Unless I missed something in the audio, the on-court interviewer called Coco Gauff “Simone” as she spoke to her post-match. Simone Biles was in the U.S. Open audience to watch Gauff.
Grab tissues before you watch this, moms. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/o...
Opinion | ‘Motherhood Should Come With a Warning Label’
nytimes.com
1/ As divorce rates soared in the late 1970s, there was a consensus, supported by limited data, that fathers who had lost custody of their children were kidnapping them and hiding them abroad, leaving mothers with no means of redress.
Nowhere in the world to run: The international law ripping children from their mothers
The Hague Abduction Convention was meant to reunite mothers and children. Instead, it's often used by allegedly abusive fathers to tear them apart.
bit.ly
The Hague Abduction Convention was meant to reunite mothers and children. Instead, it's often used by allegedly abusive fathers to tear them apart. Olivia Gentile reports in partnership with @19thnews.org: www.typeinvestigations.org/investigatio...
The international law ripping children from their mothers - Type Investigations
typeinvestigations.org
So incredibly proud of @abbyjohnston.bsky.social for seeing this story to fruition. It was a massive undertaking — 16 months in the making, in partnership with Type Investigations. Such an important story that I am grateful @19thnews.org was able to tell. 19thnews.org/2025/06/hagu...
Nowhere in the world to run: The international law ripping children from their mothers
The Hague Abduction Convention was meant to reunite mothers and children. Instead, it's often used by allegedly abusive fathers to tear them apart.
19thnews.org
A vital new report that you must read: 19thnews.org/2025/06/hagu...
Nowhere in the world to run: The international law ripping children from their mothers
The Hague Abduction Convention was meant to reunite mothers and children. Instead, it's often used by allegedly abusive fathers to tear them apart.
19thnews.org
Coco Gauff quoted an edited version of Tyler the Creator in her speech: “I never had a doubt inside me. And if I told you I did, I was lying.”
The first American to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015.
The Associated Press@apnews.com · last yr.BREAKING: Coco Gauff defeats top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka to win her first French Open title.
The New York Times has found at least two more fake citations in the MAHA report. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/w...
White House Health Report Included Fake Citations
nytimes.com
In a shocking turn of events, Texas' abortion medication bill is dead, @shefali.bsky.social reports. This is a big deal: The anti-abortion movement was looking at this as a potential blueprint for blocking an extremely common abortion method. 19thnews.org/2025/05/texa...
A Texas bill to block abortion pills has died for now
Senate Bill 2880, which supporters hoped could halt a key source of abortion, will likely not get a vote before the end of the session.
19thnews.org
I do not find a woman going into labor and continuing to anchor the news cute. I shudder to think why she felt like she needed to do that. cbs6albany.com/news/local/b...
Meet Baby Quincy: making his debut after Olivia's viral labor
It was the birth heard 'round the world this week, our own Olivia Jaquith anchoring the morning show while in labor, and now a look at the beautiful baby boy!
cbs6albany.com
A Chicago Pope implies the existence of an MLA Pope and APA Pope
I'm looking for ideas for me as a journalist to do for a solutions story at @motherjones.com on how aging people (60+) are staying connected to each other through a cool activity (think slightly quirky). If you have any examples, please get in touch at jmetraux@motherjones.com
Scooplet from @19thnews.org!
Shefali Luthra@shefali.bsky.social · last yr.News: Diana Greene Foster, the MacArthur-winning author of the Turnaway Study, learned her NIH grant — funding a multi-year study on Dobbs' impact — has been pulled. She was told its bc the govt won't study "gender identity." Her work has shaped our understanding of abortion bans' consequences.
