Planned Parenthood Drops Kansas Funding Challenge
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri has dropped its legal challenge to a Kansas law that stripped two of its Kansas clinics of federal money for family planning.
The organization filed a stipulation of dismissal Friday in U.S. District Court in Kansas.
An appeals court ruled in March that Kansas could strip clinics in Wichita and Hays of the funds while Planned Parenthood pressed its lawsuit contesting a state law it calls retaliation for its advocacy of abortion rights.
Friday's filing ends the litigation.
Kansas is among several states that have sought to defund Planned Parenthood. The federal family planning money targets low-income people seeking reproductive services such as birth control, pregnancy testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. The funds cannot be used for abortions.
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Western KS Group Plans Gun Range
DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) — A gun club's proposal to build a shooting range in western Kansas is gaining support. The Santa Fe Trail Gun Club is in the process of planning a shooting range near a landfill in Ford County. The Dodge City Daily Globe reports it would be the first shooting range in the county.
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KC Power and Light District Fires Back With Suit
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The owner of the Kansas City Power and Light District has filed a defamation lawsuit against attorneys who claimed in an earlier lawsuit that the district discriminated against minority customers. The Kansas City Star reports Cordish Companies and two related entities filed a defamation suit this week against two attorneys who filed the earlier lawsuit on behalf of Glen Cusimano.
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Chiefs Grab Phillip Gaines With Third-Round Pick
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs selected defensive back Phillip Gaines from Rice in the third round of the NFL draft Friday night, helping a pass defense that was shredded by Indianapolis in the playoffs.
Kansas City was in need of safety help after losing starter Kendrick Lewis in free agency. It is possible that Gaines could ultimately make the switch to that position.
The Chiefs did not have a second-round pick after sending it to San Francisco in the deal that netted them quarterback Alex Smith. That made it a long night for general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid, who had to wait until the 87th overall pick before nabbing a player.
Kansas City selected pass rusher Dee Ford in the first round Thursday night.