ACLU, Planned Parenthood file lawsuit over Arkansas' near-total abortion ban

• The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to a Mississippi law that bans nearly all abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy.

The state of play: The American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood are asking a federal judge to strike down the law, which is set to take effect July 28.

• The new law bars all abortions except those necessary for protecting the pregnant person's life.

What they're saying: "Absent an order from this Court, plaintiffs will be forced to turn away patients seeking abortion care as of that date," the lawsuit states, per AP.

• "This will inflict immediate and irreparable harm upon plaintiffs’ patients by blatantly violating their constitutional rights under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, threatening their health and well-being, and forcing them to continue their pregnancies against their will."

Worth noting: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) expressed concerns about the legislation's lack of exceptions for rape and incest, but said he signed it because of "overwhelming legislative support" and his "sincere and long-held pro-life convictions."