BLENDE BITS: Top Stories of The Week of July 10

By Paige B.

Here are this week's top stories:

• The US House of Representatives voted along party lines, 219-210 to restore abortion rights on the federal level, in the first Democratic response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The House also passed a second bill, 223-205, to prohibit the punishment of a woman or child who travels out of state for an abortion. However, both bills have a slim chance to pass in the Senate. READ MORE

• William "Poogie" Hart, the Grammy-winning lead singer/songwriter for The Delfonics, passed away Thursday, June 14, at the age of 77. It was confirmed by his son that Hart died from surgery complications at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. The group is remembered as one of the forefathers of "Philly Soul," bringing such hits as "La-La Means I Love You" and "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)." READ MORE

• A MoveOn petition to have Clarence Thomas impeached or resign from the US Supreme Court surpassed 1.2 million signatures. Thomas, the longest-tenured Justice on the court, has been the subject of scrutiny due to his wife's alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election, as well as Thomas' concurrent opinion on overturning Roe v Wade. READ MORE

• The city of Detroit has reached a settlement with a wrongfully convicted Black man, who spent 25 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Desmond Ricks' conviction was overturned after it was discovered that the bullets used to convict him were NOT the ones examined in trial. He is now set to receive $7.5 million in the settlement. READ MORE