Texas’s six-week abortion ban is on hold. There’s a catch.

The latest on SB 8, the high school shooting in Arlington, Texas, and Justin Bieber's weed company

THE BIG STORY   A judge blocked Texas's six-week abortion ban. It's uncertain if abortions will resume. Demonstrators rally against anti-abortion and voter suppression laws at the Texas state Capitol on Oct. 2 in Austin. (Montinique Monroe/Getty Images) Texas's six-week abortion has been put on pause, after a federal judge called it "flagrantly unconstitutional" and issued an order halting its enforcement.   US District Judge Robert Pitman's order bars any state actor from taking steps that would permit enforcement of SB 8, which deputizes private citizens to sue doctors suspected of performing abortions or other individuals suspected of helping a pregnant person obtain the procedure.   "The American legal system cannot abide a situation where constitutional rights are only as good as the states allow," he wrote. The immediate effect of Pitman's 113-page ruling — and whether it will mean that providers can, or will, resume performing abortions — is uncertain. Just over an hour after Pitman issued his order, Texas filed notice that it would petition the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to intervene; the state is expected to ask the appeals court to put Pitman's order on hold as quickly as possible. STAYING ON TOP OF THIS   Legal challenges over SB 8 are high-stakes and moving fast. Stay up to date with our legal reporter's latest coverage.   More details on Pitman's latest order blocking Texas's ban. The judge refused to grant Texas's request to pause his decision to allow state officials time to appeal, writing that Texas had "forfeited the right to any such accommodation by pursuing an unprecedented and aggressive scheme to deprive its citizens of a significant and well-established constitutional right." Meanwhile, abortion providers are waiting to find out if the Supreme Court will consider their latest petition for the justices to intervene.   Trump's judges are playing a huge role in upholding anti-abortion laws across the country. In spite of the new order blocking SB 8, the Biden administration faces the same hurdle as the abortion providers who unsuccessfully tried to stop the law before it went into effect on Sept. 1: the conservative US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.   Republican lawmakers are pressing ahead with anti-abortion laws, with or without the Supreme Court's help. This December, the Supreme Court is slated to consider a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The big-picture question before the justices is whether all bans before a fetus can survive outside the womb, typically around 24 weeks at the earliest, are unconstitutional.   Their decision will not only shape future efforts to cut off abortion access nationwide, but also pending fights over anti-abortion laws that Georgia and other Republican-led states have passed and are eager to enforce. SNAPSHOTS   Do we live in a simulation? Because Justin Bieber is launching a weed line inspired by his song "Peaches." A portion of Bieber's proceeds will go toward charity. But many fans still aren't happy with white celebrities profiting from the cannabis space while Black and brown people continue to be imprisoned for minor drug offenses.   Britney Spears called out her entire family in a scathing post about them not helping when she was stuck "inside for four months with no car, phone," or "privacy" and forced to "give tons of blood weekly" during her conservatorship. On Tuesday, Spears shared a picture of one woman swimming to help another who appeared unconscious underwater, alongside a caption dragging her entire family.   After her allegations against Robin Thicke were leaked without her consent, Emily Ratajkowski opened up about "Blurred Lines." "I think all women, we all play the game, capitalizing off of your image, commodifying their body, that's the world that we live in and I would never tell a woman that she shouldn't but I also would hope that they understand that that's sort of a double-edged sword," Ratajkowski told People magazine. The FabFitFun Fall Box is here!   Ready to discover new products and treat yourself to a box full of goodies? You'll love this. As a FabFitFun member, you'll get to try 6-8 products that are perfect for the season. The best part? You get to customize what's inside!   Build your dream box from a selection of full-size fashion, beauty, fitness, lifestyle, and wellness items. With us, there's something for everyone.   So what are you waiting for? Create a box as unique as you. For a limited time, get $10 off your first box! Use promo code FAB10. That's up to $300 worth of amazing products for only $39.99. Customize Now GUN VIOLENCE AT SCHOOL   An 18-year-old suspect has been charged after injuring four people in a high school shooting in Arlington, Texas Law enforcement arrives at Timberview High School on Oct. 6, 2021, in Arlington, Texas, after reports of a shooting. (WFAA-TV via AP) An 18-year-old suspect, Timothy George Simpkins, was taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon after a shooting at Timberview High School in Arlington, Texas. Simpkins is a student at the school who used a weapon during an argument with someone else, Arlington Assistant Police Chief Kevin Kolbye told reporters at a press conference.   Two people sustained gunshot wounds, and three of the four victims have been hospitalized. Authorities said they believe three victims are students, and one person, who is older, is likely a teacher.   Gun violence is the leading cause of premature death in the US, responsible for more than 38,000 deaths annually. As of Oct. 6, at least 34,145 people have died from gun violence this year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive. In a statement about the shooting, Gov. Greg Abbott, a longtime anti–gun control figure who has said he wants Texas to be a "Second Amendment sanctuary," invited Texans to pray for the victims. WANNA FEEL SOMETHING?   Don't deprive yourself of this opportunity to watch someone spin wool off a bunny  An Angora rabbit hangs out by a basket of fur. (Artyom Geodakyan\TASS via Getty Images) Spinning wool directly off an Angora rabbit's body > shearing the fur off with scissors, according to yarn specialist Catherine Greenwood.   Not only is this process visually wild, but Greenwood also claims it makes rabbits feel safer than when someone clips their fur directly with scissors. Plus, Greenwood hopes seeing the wool spinning in action can help educate people about the connection between live animals and wool products they wear every day.    "How else am I going to hit it home with the internet that this is a fiber product?" she said, laughing. "Like these beautiful bunnies really just aren't pets." I hope that you're connecting with what grounds you this morning, Alexa 📝  This letter was edited and brought to you by Alexa Lee and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.     👉 Your support of BuzzFeed's journalism does not constitute a charitable donation, and your contribution is not eligible for a tax-deduction. 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