The liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court has struck down an abortion ban in the state that dates back 176 years, ruling 4-3 that it was superseded by a newer state law that criminalizes abortions only after a fetus can survive outside the womb.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling doesn't prevent additional court challenges or prohibit lawmakers from passing an abortion ban in the future.

Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling blocks a 19th-century law that for a time effectively banned abortion in nearly all instances.