Mother Pens Touching Letter To Police On Late Daughter’s Birthday

It’s Thursday, Sept. 2. In case you missed it, here’s what we’re catching you up on this morning:

• A dramatic abortion bill has become law in Texas.
• The mother of fallen officer writes a letter to the Chicago Police Department.
• Want to live longer? Ditch the hot dogs.
• How to nab a night’s stay in a 6-ton potato.

Texas Abortion Bill Becomes Law

A Texas law banning most abortions in the state took effect this week, and the Supreme Court has yet to act on an emergency appeal to put the law on hold.

If allowed to remain, the law — signed in May by Gov. Greg Abbott — would be the most dramatic restriction on abortion rights in the United States since the high court's landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion across the country in 1973. » Texas 6-Week Abortion Ban Takes Effect; Supreme Court Silent, via Austin Patch

Vacation Au Gratin

What’s better than a sleepover? A sleepover where you get to stay in a 6-ton potato.

Farmer Boys — the SoCal restaurant chain famed for its burgers, breakfasts and over-the-top promos like free tattoos and bacon interns — is at it again. This time, it's running a spuddy-buddy sweepstakes where the winner gets to stay in a potato. » Stay In A Giant Potato: Farmer Boys Launches Spudtacular Contest, via Northridge-Chatsworth Patch

Officers Charged In Elijah McClain Death

Three suburban Denver police officers and two paramedics were indicted on manslaughter and other charges this week in the death of Elijah McClain, a Black man who was put in a chokehold and injected with a powerful sedative two years ago.

The 23-year-old's death gained widespread attention during last year's protests against racial injustice and police brutality following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. » Officers, Paramedics Charged In Elijah McClain's 2019 Death, via Denver Patch

Want To Live Longer? Ditch The Hot Dogs.

In a culinary twist we didn't see coming, a University of Michigan study released this week found that eating a single hot dog may take 36 minutes off your life. That's three times more than smoking a single cigarette, which studies have shown take 11 minutes off your life. » The Price Of A Hot Dog: 36 Minutes Off Your Life, Study Says, via Detroit Patch

Mother Pens Letter On Late Daughter’s Birthday

On what would have been her daughter’s 30th birthday, Elizabeth French penned a thank-you letter to all the men and women of the Chicago Police Department and others who offered support and condolences.

Officer Ella French was killed while conducting a traffic stop last month. In her letter, Elizabeth French wrote that the “love and support” she received will be a treasure she carries with her for the rest of her life. » Mom of Fallen CPD Officer Pens Letter On Daughter's 30th Birthday, via Chicago Patch

Today In History

On Sept. 2, 1945, World War II came to an end when Japanese officials signed Japan's formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri.

Quotable

"Without you, kids would not come to school as happy as they do."

» Falls Church, Virginia, Superintendent Peter Noonan honoring Audrey Luthman, who recently retired from her 50-year job as a crossing guard.

Around ‘The Patch’

• Fake 'Maderna' Vaccine Card: Woman Arrested In Hawaii, via Oak Lawn Patch
• Rhode Island Shelter Takes In Dogs Evacuated From Louisiana, via Newport Patch
• 'Life-Threatening' Flash Flooding Concerns Increase In Connecticut, via Milford Patch
• Shooting Prompts Lockdown at North Carolina High School, via Charlotte Patch
• 'Dangerous' Time Ahead As Ida Intensifies In North Jersey, via Morristown Patch
• Illinois Schools Report 26 COVID Outbreaks, via Chicago Patch
• 'A Miracle': Pet Reunites With Owner After 6 Weeks Apart, via Port Washington Patch
• 'We Never Gave Up': Missing Cat Found Safe After 5 Weeks, via Westhampton Patch
• Terrified Goat Rescued From 30-Foot-Deep Sinkhole, via Tampa Patch
• Have An iPhone? Keeping Track Of Your ID Just Got A Lot Easier, via Across America Patch

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