Kentucky abortion clinic's future at stake in federal trial

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Attorneys for Kentucky's last abortion clinic said as a federal trial opened Wednesday that state regulators are using "onerous" rules to try to shut it down, predicting some women would "take the matter into their own hands" to end unwanted pregnancies if the state succeeds.

"There will be no abortions in Kentucky if they win," clinic attorney Donald L. Cox said as proceedings began in a court case that could determine whether Kentucky becomes the nation's first state without an abortion clinic.

The state's attorney, Steve Pitt, said the regulation reflects the state's vested interest in protecting women's health.