A federal appeals court panel on Thursday lifted a lower-court ban that prohibited Texas from eliminating Planned Parenthood from the state’s Medicaid program. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans issued the ruling that removes the preliminary injunction U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks of Austin imposed on the state of Texas in February 2017. The three appeals judges agreed that Sparks didn’t follow proper standard in deciding to impose the ban sought by five Planned Parenthood affiliates and seven individuals. (Associated Press)