5.12.26 Iran’s confidence, congressional maps, mail-order Mifepristone, and Gen Z’s reluctance to drive

Summary

Podcast Summary: The World and Everything In It

Episode Date: May 12, 2026
Main Topics: U.S.-Iran Tensions, Redistricting and Congressional Maps, Mail-Order Mifepristone, Gen Z’s Reluctance to Drive, Remembering Ted Turner

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Episode Overview

This episode of The World and Everything In It delivers field reporting, interviews, and analysis on several top news stories: the tense standoff between the U.S. and Iran, the fast-changing landscape of congressional redistricting before the midterms, Supreme Court deliberations on mail-order abortion pills, the surprising reluctance of Gen Z to start driving, and a personal tribute to Ted Turner. The discussion balances timely news coverage with cultural inquiry, practical perspectives, and biblical context.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iran’s Confidence and the U.S. Standoff

[07:12 – 13:53]

Theme: Is Iran negotiating from a position of weakness or strength following recent ceasefire breakdowns?

• Recent attempts to sustain a ceasefire are faltering, with President Trump dismissing Iran’s latest peace proposal as “unbelievably weak.” Iranian demands include war reparations and U.S. recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz.
• Joe Trusman (Long War Journal/FDD) gives context:
  • “What the Iranian regime is attempting to project is strength. Their goal more than anything is to survive the war. In their view is that they won.” [08:23]
  • Iran is leveraging high gas prices and domestic U.S. political pressures to bolster its negotiating posture.
• On the ground, ceasefire breaches continue: drone attacks, naval incidents, and proxy strikes.
• Risks of Escalation:
  • Trusman: “The most worrisome is that we continue to see attacks against Arab countries in the region... missile strikes against Israel... once we start seeing those, the ceasefire will be officially dead.” [10:17]
• Hezbollah:
  • Iran aims to buy time for Hezbollah, despite its infrastructure being degraded: “Hezbollah… still has the ability to fight the Israelis.” [11:26]
• Iranian Public:
  • Trusman explains the difficulty for opposition voices due to media censorship and internet controls: “We rarely get to see those who do not support the regime... Will they risk their lives during war? That’s a very difficult question to answer right now.” [12:40]

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2. Redistricting and the Effect on the Midterms

[13:58 – 18:22]

Theme: States rapidly redraw congressional districts amid looming primaries and legal battles.

• The Supreme Court ruled a lower court went too far regarding Louisiana’s districts, reshaping the national redistricting conversation.
• Hans von Spakovsky (legal fellow, Advancing American Freedom) on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act:
  • “Section two has specific language saying it does not entitle anyone to proportional representation… the Supreme Court said you can't do that.” [15:01]
• States like Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina are moving aggressively to redraw maps—sometimes risking confusion with ballots already mailed.
• Political Dynamics:
  • “Republicans are kind of adopting the tactics that Democrats have been using for years... they're playing catch up.” [16:24, Spakovsky]
• Some new maps may cause unexpected outcomes, narrowing victory margins rather than producing safe seats:
  • “Congressional elections... generally have much lower turnout than presidential elections. So the party that is able to turn out its voters the most is gonna win.” [18:08]
• Legislative and legal chaos: New elections (possibly in August), legal challenges from groups like the ACLU, and increased administrative costs.

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3. Mail-Order Mifepristone & Supreme Court Deliberations

[19:19 – 22:47]

Theme: The Supreme Court weighs a key case on whether abortion pill mifepristone can continue to be prescribed by mail.

• The Supreme Court extends a stay, maintaining the status quo while it considers if a lower court’s in-person requirement for mifepristone should be enforced.
• Plaintiffs’ Perspective:
  • “Women are being coerced, they're being tricked and slipped these drugs through what the Biden administration allowed.” [20:17, Eric Baptist, ADF]
• FDA Under Scrutiny:
  • “The FDA, in its own words, says it lacks sufficient scientific studies to show the safety of mail order abortion drugs. When an agency says it lacks the scientific basis for its decision, that's unlawful.” [21:05, Spakovsky]
• The episode discusses internal FDA dynamics and criticism—especially from pro-life groups—about regulatory changes and safety reviews.
• What’s at Stake: Ongoing court battles mean future access and requirements governing abortion pills remain uncertain.
  • “Every day that the stay holds on, babies will die.” [22:43, Lauren Canterbury quoting pro-life sources]

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4. Gen Z’s Reluctance to Drive

[24:04 – 29:22]

Theme: Why are fewer teenagers eager to get their driver’s licenses?

• The average age for new drivers is now 18 instead of 16; “anxiety” emerges as the most common barrier.
  • “I probably heard the word anxiety more than any other word when I inquire to a parent or to a student.” [25:14, Ken Hanna, Driving School Owner]
• Financial barriers, lack of motivation, and increased apprehension post-pandemic are cited.
• Driving educators warn that delaying licensing can mean less training, as states relax requirements for older new drivers.
  • “When they delay… the driver's training requirements are also dropped or reduced…” [26:33, Doug Herbert, Safe Driver Training Program]
• Solution: More driver training and strong parental involvement, regardless of age.
• Memorable Moment: Teen driver Bella Rowell shares a faith-based coping strategy:
  • “Putting your trust not only in yourself but in God, because He's got you... I'll put worship music on and it's like, it's okay, I've got it. It's gonna be all right. Nothing's gonna happen unless it's His will.” [27:40, Bella Rowell]
• Ending insight: “It kind of just goes to show that you can do hard things. And yes, it's scary, but you gotta push through.” [29:22, Bella Rowell]

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5. Remembering Ted Turner

[30:11 – 32:27]

Theme: Cal Thomas reflects on the legacy and beliefs of the late Ted Turner.

• Reminisces about Turner’s launch of CNN and candid conversations about faith.
• Ted Turner famously called Christianity “a religion for losers,” recants but “never changed his view.”
• Thomas offers a gospel reminder in the context of Turner’s environmentalism and public persona:
  • “No one goes to heaven unless they have confessed their sins and accepted Christ as savior... anyone who thinks works will get them to heaven has rejected the only one who can get them there.” [31:50, Cal Thomas]

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “What the Iranian regime is attempting to project is strength. Their goal more than anything is to survive the war. And that's what they did. So in their view is that they won.”
  — Joe Trusman [08:23]

• “We rarely get to see those who do not support the regime... Will they risk their lives during war? That’s a very difficult question to answer right now.”
  — Joe Trusman [12:40]

• “Section two has specific language saying it does not entitle anyone to proportional representation… the Supreme Court said you can't do that.”
  — Hans von Spakovsky [15:01]

• “Republicans are kind of adopting the tactics that Democrats have been using for years... they're playing catch up.”
  — Hans von Spakovsky [16:24]

• “The FDA, in its own words, says it lacks sufficient scientific studies to show the safety of mail order abortion drugs. When an agency says it lacks the scientific basis for its decision, that's unlawful.”
  — Hans von Spakovsky [21:05]

• “I probably heard the word anxiety more than any other word when I inquire to a parent or to a student.”
  — Ken Hanna [25:14]

• “Take your parent hat off and put your coach hat on. Push them a little bit beyond their comfort zone, because that's when the learning happens.”
  — Doug Herbert [27:33]

• “Putting your trust not only in yourself but in God, because He's got you... I'll put worship music on and it's like, it's okay, I've got it. It's gonna be all right. Nothing's gonna happen unless it's His will.” — Bella Rowell [27:40]

• “No one goes to heaven unless they have confessed their sins and accepted Christ as savior. Otherwise Jesus died for nothing.”
  — Cal Thomas [31:50]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 0:05 - 1:01: Headlines and U.S.-Iran ceasefire update
• 7:12 - 13:53: Feature interview on Iran’s confidence and danger of escalation (Joe Trusman)
• 13:58 - 18:22: Congressional redistricting coverage
• 19:19 - 22:47: Supreme Court and mail-order mifepristone debate
• 24:04 - 29:22: Feature on Gen Z’s reluctance to drive
• 30:11 - 32:27: Cal Thomas commentary on Ted Turner

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Tone & Language

The episode maintains a conversational, analytical, yet empathetic tone. Interviews and reports feature subject matter experts and real-life stories, with the hosts and correspondents maintaining a balance between hard news, spiritual reflection, and cultural insight.

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Takeaway

This episode offers a rich, multidimensional look at major headlines—from geopolitical tension and domestic politics to personal growth and faith. The coverage is grounded in facts, punctuated by thoughtful interviews, and threaded through with a Christian worldview. For listeners who missed the episode, this summary distills its full sweep of urgent news, practical debate, and enduring life questions.

Transcript

[Lindsay Mast]

Good morning. Who blinks first in the standoff between the U.S. and Iran? We'll talk with an expert.

[Bukovsky]

And Republicans are adopting the tactics that Democrats have been using for years. And they're playing catch up.

[Nick Iger]

Redistricting and the effect on the midterms. Also today, abortion by mail. Looking to the Supreme Court for guidance later. Gen Z teens may need an extra boost of encouragement to start driving. But why?

[Bukovsky]

I probably heard the word anxiety more than any other word.

[Nick Iger]

And world commentator Cal Thomas on the late Ted Turner.

[Lindsay Mast]

It's Tuesday, May 12th. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Nick Iger]

And I'm Nick Iger. Good morning.

[Lindsay Mast]

Up next, Kent Covington with today's news.

[Kent Covington]

The ceasefire between the United States and Iran is on life support. Those were President Trump's exact words. He has rejected Iran's latest peace proposal. And that is perhaps putting it mildly.

[Bukovsky]

Unbelievably weak, I would say. I would call it the weakest right now after reading that piece of garbage they sent us. I didn't even finish reading it. They said, I'm not going to waste my time reading it. I would say it's one of the weakest right now. It's on life support.

[Kent Covington]

The UN's nuclear agency says Iran is sitting on more than 440 kilos of nuclear weapons grade uranium. And Trump says Tehran had agreed to give it up and shelve its nuclear program. But that was not in the document Iran sent over.

[Bukovsky]

Look, very simple. We get that they guarantee no nuclear weapons for a very long period of time and a couple of other minor things, but they just can't get there, Mr. President. So they agree with us and then they take it back.

[Kent Covington]

Iran has reportedly offered to dilute some of its uranium and ship the rest to a third country. But the US Wants it fully removed. Other sticking points in negotiations, Iran is also demanding war reparations from the United States and sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point for a fifth of the world's oil. Trump heads to Beijing this week where Iran will be a major topic of discussion with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Also on Monday, President Trump said he'll push to suspend the federal gas tax. With pump prices up roughly 50% since the start of the war, the president cannot suspend the tax on his own. Congress has to act. But bipartisan bills are already in the works.

[Bukovsky]

It's appropriate. Yeah, it's a small percentage, but it's still money.

[Kent Covington]

But that suspension of the tax would leave a hole to fill as the gas tax brings in about $23 billion a year for federal highways and transit. For that reason, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he's not a fan of the move but will hear colleagues out. Several states have already cut or suspended their own gas taxes since the war began in the Baltic Sea, Ukrainian drone teams joined with Swedish and American forces for military exercises on the island of Gotland Monday. Andreas Gustafsson is commanding officer of the Gotland Regiment and Brigade Combat Team. He says Ukraine has gained valuable experience in drone technology during its conflict with Russia, experience that is valuable to NATO.

[Bukovsky]

They are miles ahead of us when it comes to drone warfare, so we really appreciate them coming here to share their experiences with us, and we have a lot to learn from them.

[Kent Covington]

Meanwhile, the European Union Monday voted to levy new sanctions over Russia's abductions of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children during the war. European Union foreign policy chief kaya Kaulas

[Lauren Canterbury]

over 20,000 Ukrainian children remain trapped in Russia or in Russian occupied territories. They have been torn from their families, stripped of their names, language and identity,

[Bukovsky]

and this is a criminal attempt to

[Lauren Canterbury]

erase Ukraine's future generation.

[Kent Covington]

Those sanctions target more than a dozen officials accused of orchestrating those abductions. The suspect in last month's attack at the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington has pleaded not guilty to all charges. World's Kristin Flavin has more.

[Kristin Flavin]

Cole Thomas Allen stood in front of a federal judge in Washington Monday, shackled in an orange jumpsuit. He remained silent as his attorney entered the plea for him. He's charged with trying to assassinate President Trump and firing a shotgun at a Secret Service officer. The officer's Kevlar vest stopped the round. Allen also faces other firearms charges. He faces life in prison if convicted. The April 25 attack cut the gala short and rushed Trump off the stage. Allen's lawyers want two top Justice Department officials off the case, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch and U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro, saying both were at the event and could be victims or witnesses. The judge gave prosecutors until May 22 to weigh in. Allen returns to court June 29. For World I'm Kristen Flavin, the first

[Kent Covington]

American from a cruise ship struck by an outbreak of hantavirus has tested positive. The patient flew into Omaha on Monday, straight to a federal bio contaminant unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Doctors say the patient shows no symptoms and is doing well. Fifteen other Americans landed alongside, quarantined nearby for monitoring, and the CDC's Dr. Brendan Jackson said multiple questions must be answered before they can leave quarantine first and

[Joe Trusman]

foremost, do they remain symptom free, but

[Kent Covington]

then also do they have all the

[Bukovsky]

structures and support to be able to continue that period at home?

[Kent Covington]

A French woman also tested positive on Monday. She is in intensive care in Paris but stable. Three cruise passengers have died since the outbreak began on a voyage from Argentina. Antivirus spreads from rodent droppings, but this particular strain can, on rare occasions, spread from person to person. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillin assured the public

[Joe Trusman]

no one who poses a risk to public health is walking out the front door of the streets of Omaha or beyond.

[Kent Covington]

Two more American passengers, a couple arrived Monday at an Atlanta hospital. One of them has mild symptoms and is being tested for hantavirus. I'm Kent Covington. And coming up, more on the standoff between the United States and Iran, plus, redrawing district lines and the impact on midterm elections. This is THE WORLD AND EVERYTHING in it.

[Nick Iger]

It's Tuesday, the 12th of May. Glad to have you along for today's edition of THE WORLD and EVERYTHING IN it. Good morning. I'm Nick Iger.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. First up on THE WORLD and Everything in it, an unraveling ceasefire. President Trump on Sunday announced Iran's latest terms for peace. Are his words totally unacceptable? Meanwhile, American forces disabled two Iranian flagged oil tankers attempting to bypass the US Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. What does it mean for bringing the war to an end?

[Nick Iger]

Joining us now is Joe Trusman. He's a senior research analyst and editor of the Long War Journal at the foundation for Defense of Democracies. Joe, good morning.

[Joe Trusman]

Good morning.

[Nick Iger]

Well, President Trump is saying that the truce between the US And Iran is now on life support. We read that Iran's latest counter proposal reportedly includes demands for war reparations, sanctions relief, even recognition of Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz. So, Joe, listening to this from Tehran right now, does this sound to you like a regime that's negotiating from weakness, or do you think that the regime, whatever it is, believes it has survived the worst and come out stronger?

[Joe Trusman]

Right. I think right now what the Iranian regime is attempting to project is strength. Their goal more than anything is to survive the war. And that's what they did. So in their view is that they won. So they are trying to project this strength and we're seeing it through these negotiations. Now the big question is what happens? Who is going to effectively blink first? Is it the United States or will the regime, whoever is running it right now, are they going to capitulate and say, okay, we're going to give up the nuclear enrichment, ballistic missiles and support for our proxy networks in the region. We just don't know that yet.

[Nick Iger]

So to be clear, you don't think this is a bluff? You think they really do feel good about where they are right now?

[Joe Trusman]

Absolutely, I think they do feel that way. But is that reality? Are they making the right choices to ensure its survival? I don't think they are. All right. Nevertheless, the way they see it, I think they are. They believe they are in the position, in a position of strength. And why is that? Well, they read the newspapers just like we do. They see that gas prices, for example, are going up, that there is pressure on the Trump administration to end this war. And these are just a few examples. So they are leveraging these examples, and I think in some effect it is working. But for now, we just don't know, again, who is going to blink first in the standoff.

[Lindsay Mast]

Well, Joe, even during this ceasefire, there are still drone attacks, naval tensions near Hormuz, and sporadic strikes involving Iranian proxies. And meanwhile, oil markets are reacting as if the region could slide right back into a broader conflict. So if President Trump is right about the ceasefire really being on life support, then what does the next escalation actually look like? What is the most worrisome to you?

[Joe Trusman]

Right. I think the most worrisome is that we continue to see attacks against Arab countries in the region, the uae, for example, and of course, missile strikes against Israel. Once we start seeing those type of actions by Iran, I think the ceasefire will be officially dead. And we've already started to see some of that, especially drone attacks against the uae. So I think the next days are going to be really telling. I think there is a high chance of conflict in the coming days, perhaps weeks.

[Nick Iger]

I want to get into some of your area of greatest expertise and say that Israel has badly degraded the infrastructure of Hezbollah over the past couple of years, yet Hezbollah remains active and Iran keeps insisting that Lebanon be folded into any of these broader talks. And you wrote Tehran's top priority is preserving Hezbollah and made the argument Iran wants this ceasefire partly to give Hezbollah some breathing room. So where does Hezbollah stand right now?

[Joe Trusman]

I think right now, Hezbollah, even though it has been degraded, I think what we're seeing and what we've been observing over is basically the truth that it still has the ability to fight the Israelis. Now, the way Tehran sees things, it wants Hezbollah to regenerate. It wants Hezbollah to reorganize. It needs to preserve its top proxy in the region. So of course it's trying to fold Lebanon or Hezbollah into this ceasefire agreement. But nevertheless, I think Hezbollah saws a lot of fight in it. Any fighting between the Israelis and the Hezbollah can continue, I think for months on end, unfortunately. So I think we need a peace in that area. But right now, more than anything, I don't see Hezbollah being weakened to the point that it can't fight the Israelis. And we're seeing it every day with the propaganda videos published by Hezbollah and other items. So the northern arena in Israel and southern Lebanon, of course, is becoming a hot topic in Israel, continues to see this escalating conflict in this part of the region.

[Lindsay Mast]

Well, let's turn to the Iranian people themselves. What can you tell us about how supported they are in throwing off this oppressive regime?

[Joe Trusman]

Right. So I think this is important. Iranian media, especially those that are connected to the Iranian regime, I've observed over the last, especially in the last few months, is constant or repetitive videos of Iranian regime supporters out in the streets. All right, which makes it look like everything is fine and dandy in Tehran and in other areas of Iran. But what we don't see, rarely get to see actually, is those who do not support the regime. We don't get to hear their voices nearly as much. Now that can be for many reasons. Of course, the Internet is blocked there. The state media will not allow these people to voice their, their opinions over the air. So I think those who are do not support the Iranian regime do need help. But are they willing to risk their lives during a war to try to topple this regime? It's a very difficult question to answer right now. And I don't see one right now. And we didn't see it during the war too. That's the thing. We didn't see the attempts by Iranians to topple this regime. So will it happen again if there's another war? I just don't know.

[Nick Iger]

Joe Trusman is with the foundation for Defense of Democracies. Joe, thank you so much.

[Joe Trusman]

Thank you for having me on.

[Lindsay Mast]

Coming up next on the World and everything in it, the race to redistrict. Republicans and Democrats are trying to reshape congressional districts before the midterms. In several states, lawmakers are pushing to overturn or suspend limits on mid decade redistricting. The strategy is becoming more common and more contested. Just yesterday, Democratic leaders in Virginia asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on a plan that could flip four Republican districts blew.

[Nick Iger]

Well, now the clock is ticking. Primary elections are just weeks away and the question is whether these new maps can survive legal challenges already coming against them, World Washington producer Harrison Waters reports.

[Harrison Waters]

In April, the Supreme Court ruled that a lower court went too far when it ordered Louisiana to draw two congressional districts with black voter majorities. The justices said the lower court relied on outdated evidence of racial discrimination. Here's Hans von Zpakowski, a senior legal fellow for Advancing American Freedom, explaining the court's clarification.

[Bukovsky]

Section two has specific language saying it does not entitle anyone to proportional representation. So that judge basically misapplied Section 2, and the Supreme Court said you can't do that.

[Harrison Waters]

The decision set off a flurry of activity. Multiple states with heavily minority districts have taken the opportunity to draw new maps just weeks before scheduled primaries developing right now.

[Lauren Canterbury]

Louisiana has postponed its May primary.

[Kent Covington]

Alabama Lawmakers weighing bills that would allow for special primary elections.

[Bukovsky]

Tennessee Republicans passing new congressional maps yesterday likely to eliminate the state's only majority

[Harrison Waters]

black district, which is the In Tennessee, the changes affect a Democrat leaning district in Memphis. The state House voted Thursday in spite of raucous protests.

[Bukovsky]

I 6425 nay is 3 President not voting House Bill 707003 having received the Constitution's majority, I hereby declare it passed

[Harrison Waters]

without objection, the motion Alabama governor Kay Ivey signed bills for a new election map and election schedule on Friday, but they only come into effect if a federal court order blocking the state from redistricting is lifted. The state's attorney general asked the court to rule by this Thursday, five days before residents head to the polls. Opponents of the new Republican map say black Democrat voters will be disenfranchised, but Spakovsky says it's not that simple.

[Bukovsky]

So in many ways, Republicans are kind of adopting the tactics that Democrats have been using for years in blue states, and they're playing catch up.

[Harrison Waters]

In order to pass new congressional maps before the midterms, many state lawmakers are also rescheduling their House elections. In South Carolina, a plan to redraw the state's seven districts to favor Republicans would schedule new elections for August 11th. But that may pose another problem. The deadline to change the primary ballot has already passed, and absentee ballots are in the mail. Democratic Representative Spencer Wetmore questioned Election Commission Executive Director Conway Belongia on Friday.

[Lauren Canterbury]

How many ballots have already been sent out for the June primary?

[Bukovsky]

That would be in the hundreds at this point. I didn't pull any numbers this morning and we've already received back probably 300 or so from overseas citizens.

[Harrison Waters]

The bill would require election officials to ignore votes cast in congressional elections while still counting votes for other races. They will also need to print new ballots for special elections later in the summer. Belangia says it's doable, but it will be complicated and expensive.

[Bukovsky]

Roughly 2.2, $2.5 million to conduct that election in August.

[Harrison Waters]

An attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union told lawmakers his group intends to push that number higher in legal fees as activist groups plan on suing to overturn the map if it passes. And while new districts across the south give Republicans an advantage on paper, the reality may not be as clear cut. Some are concerned that moving Democrat voting blocs into Republican districts will narrow margins of victory in the midterms. Here's Bukovsky again.

[Bukovsky]

Congressional elections, as you know, generally have much lower turnout than presidential elections. So the party that is able to turn out its voters the most is gonna win the election.

[Harrison Waters]

Lawmakers in South Carolina returned today to continue debate on the new map and the political cost to get one more Republican seat in Congress. Reporting for world, I'm Harrison Waters.

[Kent Covington]

Additional support comes from St. Dunstan's, inviting young men into the building arts and the adventure of holiness on a Blue ridge Mountain Farm. Stdunstonsacademy.org From Water's Edge Most churches aren't ready if their bookkeeper left tomorrow. Water's Edge Ministry accounting is watersedge.com accounting and from Dort University, whose online MBA and MPA programs prepare leaders for lasting impact. Dort University until all is made new

[Nick Iger]

up next, the US Supreme Court extended a stay yesterday that allows male orders of the abortion drug mifepristone. The court will take up to three more days to consider a lower court order that would have brought back a requirement the drug be dispensed in person.

[Lindsay Mast]

Pro lifers hope the justices will agree that the Food and Drug Administration's current policy is dangerous and unlawful. World's Lauren Canterbury has the story.

[Kristin Flavin]

The U.S. supreme Court now has until Thursday to consider whether abortionists should be allowed to mail mifepristone while a case challenging the policy proceeds. The state of Louisiana and a woman named Rosalie Markozek are suing the FDA over its 2021 decision to let women order the drug without ever seeing a medical provider in person. Alliance Defending Freedom Senior counsel Eric Baptist is defending the plaintiffs. He says the Biden administration intentionally loosened protections ahead of the Dobbs decision.

[Joe Trusman]

Women are being coerced, they're being tricked and slipped these drugs through what the Biden administration allowed. And the states such as Louisiana, who

[Bukovsky]

have robust pro life laws are on not able to really fulfill that promise of Dobbs.

[Kristin Flavin]

For its part, the FDA earlier this year asked a Louisiana district court to pause the case while it conducted a long promised safety review of mifepristone. The court agreed on the condition that the agency provide a progress report later this year. On May 1, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily reinstated the nationwide in person dispensing requirement. The panel of judges said the plaintiffs had shown that they were suffering harm under the current policy.

[Bukovsky]

The fda, in its own words, says

[Harrison Waters]

it lacks sufficient scientific studies to show

[Bukovsky]

the safety of mail order abortion drugs. When an agency says it lacks the

[Harrison Waters]

scientific basis for its decision, that's unlawful.

[Kristin Flavin]

After the drug makers submitted emergency requests to the Supreme Court last Saturday, Justice Samuel Alito granted a one week stay to give the court time to deliberate. Yesterday he extended that stay until 5 o' clock Thursday. While the ADF submitted a brief last week supporting their plaintiffs, the FDA did not file a brief backing its policy. President of Students for Life, Kristin Hawkins, sees that as a good sign, but she said the Trump administration needs to do more to support pro life causes.

[Lauren Canterbury]

There's been very reasonable concerns that have been expressed from conservatives across the country as to why the Trump FDA and DOJ is allowing allowing this wild, wild west of abortion policy to continue forward.

[Kristin Flavin]

Some of those concerns have centered on FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. Senator Josh Hawley has criticized Makary, arguing the FDA has slow rolled mifepristone's safety review. McCary's future with the agency became less clear last week after reports that the president intends to fire him for reasons unrelated to the abortion drug. Meanwhile, pro lifers and pro abortion groups are watching the nation's highest court to see if the justices will protect babies from chemical abortions or allow the drugs to continue to be shipped. For now, regardless of how the Supreme Court, you know, rules on this day,

[Lauren Canterbury]

we know that we still have to await the 5th Circuit to argue the

[Kristin Flavin]

case, hear the case, and decide every

[Lauren Canterbury]

day that the stay holds on, babies will die.

[Kristin Flavin]

Reporting for World I'm Lauren Canterbury.

[Nick Iger]

A woman in Massachusetts turned a sting operation back on the police. Authorities say professional beekeeper Rebecca woods tried to stop sheriff's deputies from serving an eviction notice on a friend back in 2022. That was when Ms. Woods released boxes holding thousands of bees. Several deputies got stung. One of them ended up in the hospital. Prosecutors said Ms. Woods deliberately deployed the swarm to block the eviction. Last month, a jury found her guilty and now she faces up to six months in prison. A reminder there are lawful ways to object to evictions. And then there's something like that. It's the world and everything in it. Today is Tuesday, May 12th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Hi, good morning. I'm Nick Iger.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. Coming next on the World and everything in it, teenage drivers, first dates, first jobs, late night taco runs. Driving used to be the great teenage milestone. Remember when young people counted the days before they could drive?

[Nick Iger]

Oh, yes, I do. I even have the soundtrack picked out. But for a growing number of Gen Z teens today, getting behind the wheel feels less exciting and more terrifying. Here is World associate correspondent Rachel Coyle.

[Lauren Canterbury]

Eighteen year old Bella Rowell sits behind the wheel of a Honda Odyssey. Never used one of those keys before. Three years ago, she wanted nothing to do with driving, so I got my permit. But then I struggled to get my hours in and I was just very fearful of driving. Driving used to be a rite of passage into young adulthood. Back in the 80s and 90s, the average age of a newly licensed driver was 16. Now it's 18. Driving educators say that's due to finances, lack of motivation, and one increasingly common anxiety.

[Bukovsky]

I probably heard the word anxiety more than any other word when I inquire to a parent or to a student.

[Lauren Canterbury]

Ken Hanna owns a driving school in Spartanburg, South Carolina. When he started nearly three decades ago, all his students were teenagers. But over the past few years, he's seen an influx of young adults into their twenties. Many are apprehensive. Some parents think pushing their teen to drive will only make that fear worse.

[Bukovsky]

I think it's an issue in our society. We see it in the public school system every day. It has nothing to do with driving. It's just anxiety about doing anything.

[Lauren Canterbury]

Coach Hannah admits to his students that driving is dangerous and scary, especially with their family in tow. Lives are at stake. There's reason to be cautious.

[Bukovsky]

You got friends yelling at you. Coming through here.

[Joe Trusman]

McCalen.

[Lauren Canterbury]

McCalen, you missed the turn.

[Bukovsky]

It's back here.

[Lauren Canterbury]

Doug Herbert knows how dangerous driving is. The world champion drag racer lost two teenage sons in a car accident. He now runs a safe driver training program. He understands why teens are reluctant and why parents allow it. He says putting off getting a license may seem like a good thing, but there's a downside that parents may not realize.

[Bukovsky]

The problem that we found in a lot of states is that when they delay that all of a sudden the

[Joe Trusman]

driver's training requirements are also dropped or

[Bukovsky]

reduced so they don't get the amount of training because they figure, oh, well,

[Joe Trusman]

now they're older, they don't need the

[Bukovsky]

training, when in reality they probably still need the same training.

[Lauren Canterbury]

He's referring to graduated driver licensing. All states have guidelines in place to safeguard against the greatest risk to new immaturity and inexperience. The three phase system begins with a learner's permit, then moves to an intermediate license that may limit nighttime driving and number of passengers. The final step is a full license. But in most states, the guidelines relax as teens get older, and anxious drivers may need that preparation the most. Herbert says the solution is more training and driving, not less, regardless of age. And parents need to get involved.

[Bukovsky]

Take your parent hat off and put

[Joe Trusman]

your coach hat on.

[Bukovsky]

Push them a little bit beyond their comfort zone, because that's when the learning happens.

[Lauren Canterbury]

For anxious teens, courage may start with a parent or trusted adult. They can share their fears with teen driver Bella Rowell. Again, it's really good to just, like, talk about what they're feeling and why they're stressed, because when you talk about it, I feel like the problem eases and it's easier to feel that weight going away. Rowell's parents decided a gentle nudge might help their daughter. They handed her the keys and buckled into the passenger seat. In those terrifying moments behind the wheel, Raul focused her thoughts on what she tells other new drivers. Putting your trust not only in yourself, but in God, because he's got you. Even now, whenever I like, I know I'm getting in the car, like, stressed and frustrated or I'm late to something and I'm, like, stressing about it. I'll put worship music on and it's like, it's okay, I've got it. It's gonna be all right. Nothing's gonna happen unless it's his will. CoachAnna says it's helpful to keep driving sessions brief, and sometimes it's best to let another adult or professional do the teaching. But confidence is key.

[Bukovsky]

I would want to tell all teenagers that you can do it. It's very difficult not to have your license in today's society. I think driving is the absolute best thing that anybody can do, but especially a young person.

[Lauren Canterbury]

Learning to take on challenges in the teenage years prepares young people to face adulthood with that same courage and confidence.

[Bukovsky]

It's cool. It's the thing to do. It's helpful, it's beneficial to everybody, and it's just the first real responsibility I think kids have.

[Lauren Canterbury]

Bella Rowell says driving is just one of many hard things she'll likely have to do. It kind of just goes to show that you can do hard things. And yes, it's scary, but you gotta push through. She sees conquering her fear now as preparation for getting a job, buying a house and making other difficult decisions down the road. Reporting for world, I'm Rachel Coyle in Boiling Springs, South Carolina.

[Lindsay Mast]

Good morning. This is the World and everything in it. From listener supported World Radio. I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Nick Iger]

And I'm Nick Eicher. CNN founder Ted Turner is being remembered this week as a media pioneer and a larger than life personality. Commentator Cal Thomas reflects on another side of the man he came to know.

[Bukovsky]

If memory serves, I first met ted Turner in 1978 at an Associated Press convention in Washington. I don't recall if I approached him first or he introduced himself to me. I do recall he asked my opinion about a cable network he was seriously thinking of starting. He wanted to call it CNN and present straight news without opinion. I told him I didn't know anything about cable, but if he was behind it, I was sure it would succeed. It did succeed spectacularly. There were only three broadcast channels at the time. NBC, ABC and CBS. They did their newscasts with three serious looking anchors at precisely 6:30 to 7:00pm each night repeated for the West Coast. I remember when There were just 15 minute newscasts. When it was announced they would expand to 30 minutes. People wondered if there would be enough news to fill. Turner was a complicated man. On two occasions I had the opportunity to share the gospel with him. He rejected the good news, calling Christianity a religion for losers. He later apologized but never changed his view. He told me he asked God to heal his ailing sister, but she died and he stopped believing in God. I said that God has a son who asked his Father if it were possible to allow this cup, meaning the cross, to pass from him. But nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done, he said. Following Turner's death, some people said he was in heaven for his environmental work and that the animals he helped save were there with him. That might make some people feel good, but no one goes to heaven unless they have confessed their sins and accepted Christ as savior. Otherwise Jesus died for nothing. God gave us this good news so we would not perish. I'm not Ted Turner's judge, but anyone who thinks works will get them to heaven has rejected the only one who can get them there. For World, I'm Cal Thomas.

[Lindsay Mast]

Tomorrow we'll talk politics with Hunter Baker on Washington Wednesday. And equipping men and women with a Christian worldview. That and more tomorrow. I'M Lindsay Mast.

[Nick Iger]

And I'm Nick Eicher. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires, the Bible says. And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread. And the prayers and awe came upon every soul. And many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all as any had need. The actual of the apostles, chapter 2, verses 42 through 45. Go now in grace and peace.