GOP Lawmakers Override Governor's Veto of Bathroom Policy Bill
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) — Republicans have overridden a veto of a bill restricting bathroom use by transgender people, putting the policy into state law. The Kansas News Service reports that the Kansas House voted to override on Wednesday, following a similar vote in the Kansas Senate on Tuesday. The legislation requires public buildings, including schools and universities, to separate bathrooms and locker rooms based on sex assigned at birth. Supporters say the measure protects privacy in sensitive spaces.
Democratic Rep. Abi Boatman, who is transgender, argued against the bill on the House floor, saying “...this bill obviously discriminates against transgender people in ways that make our lives exponentially more difficult and dangerous.”
Republican Rep. Carolyn Caiharr defended the bill, saying that “...this bill protects girls and women, the ones feminists used to claim to stand for.”
People who repeatedly violate the law could face fines of up to $1,000 and possible criminal charges. In addition to bathroom restrictions, the new law prevents Kansans from changing the gender marker on driver’s licenses and birth certificates. (Read more.)
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Kansas Bankers Oppose Senator's Support of Capping Credit Card Interest Rates
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) – The head of the Kansas Bankers Association is speaking out against a federal bill that would cap interest rates on credit cards. The Cap Act would put a 10% cap on credit card interest rates. The legislation has broad bipartisan support including support from Kansas Republican Senator Roger Marshall. But the president of the Kansas Banker’s Association, Doug Wareham, argues the legislation will hurt borrowers and lenders. "We're just disappointed that our senator thinks a government price cap is the answer here,” he said, adding that the cap will force community banks to leave the credit card market. Marshall’s office issued a statement saying "Every single bank in Kansas is exempt…So, one has to ask, why are Kansas Bankers doing Wall Street’s dirty work?" The Cap Act remains under consideration in Congress.
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ICE Activity Reported in Lawrence
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — There were multiple reports of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents operating in Lawrence on Tuesday. Sanctuary Alliance is a group that monitors ICE activity. It says agents were spotted in at least five locations in the city. In a message posted to social media, Sanctuary Alliance says at least two people were detained. A video posted online appears to show agents arresting a man at 25th and Iowa. These reports have not been independently verified by Kansas Public Radio. The Lawrence Police Department says it is aware of the reports of ICE activity but has not been contacted by the Department of Homeland Security and has not provided any assistance.
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Topeka Moves to Increase Housing Options
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) — Officials in Topeka hope a new ordinance will increase housing options in the capital city. KSNT reports the ordinance approved by the city council on Tuesday will loosen restrictions on certain multi-family housing units. For example, it will allow residential units on the ground floor of buildings in commercial and mixed-use areas. Until now, residential units were not permitted on the ground floor in those areas. The ordinance will also loosen zoning restrictions on the construction of duplexes in commercial zones.
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Another Kansas School District Cancels Classes Due to Illnesses
SEDAN, Kan. (KSN) — Another Kansas school district has been forced to cancel classes due to student and staff illnesses. USD 286 in Chautauqua County says schools will be closed Wednesday. In a Facebook post, the district says the decision was “made out of an abundance of caution to allow students and staff time to recover and to help prevent further spread of illness.” Cases of the flu have been widespread in Kansas in recent weeks. KSN reports USD 286 is the third district in the state to cancel classes due to illnesses this month. Earlier this month, Centre USD 397 and Attica Public Schools closed due to illnesses.
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Kansas Legislative Committee Advances Bill Changing Mandatory School Attendance Age
UNDATED (KMUW) — Kansas lawmakers have advanced a bill that would require children to attend school starting at age 6. KMUW reports that parents can enroll their children in school starting at age 5 in Kansas, but it’s not required until they turn 7. Republican Representative Susan Estes chairs the House Education Committee. She says she was surprised by current state law. “Even though it may not be a common practice, I just think that is too late, and there is too much essential education that is missed at a younger age,” she said.
Children are required to attend school by age 6 in at least 39 other states and Washington, D.C. Committee members supported passing the bill. It now awaits a vote on the House floor.
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Three Kansas Towns Evacuated Due to Wildfires
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE / NWS) — Several Kansas towns have been evacuated due to wildfires in western Kansas. According to the National Weather Service, the town of Herndon, in northwest Kansas, has been placed under an evacuation order due to a nearby wildfire. In southwest Kansas, the towns of Ashland and Englewood were also evacuated. KAKE TV in Wichita reports that wind gusts in western Kansas are up to 60 mph or higher. The high winds will linger and likely not drop below 50 mph until sunset.
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Kansas Drivers Among Most-Insured in the Nation
UNDATED (KNS) — Just 8% of Kansas drivers were uninsured in 2023, according to the latest numbers from U.S. News and World Report. That’s one of the better rates in the country. U.S. News reporter Rachael Brennan covers the insurance industry. She told the Kansas News Service, “There are a number of factors that contribute to how many uninsured drivers there are in a state: there’s stagnant minimum wages, high unemployment rates, high cost of living."
Brennan says it can be tempting to drop auto insurance to save money, but the consequences can be high. She also says drivers can purchase special coverage that offers protection if you're hit by someone without car insurance. Missouri was ranked among the states with the most uninsured drivers. In 2023, about 20% of the drivers there were uninsured.
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Kansas Senate Committee Advances Correctional Group Homes Bill
UNDATED (KNS) — The Kansas Senate advanced a bill on Tuesday that brings back correctional group homes that were discontinued 10 years ago. The Kansas News service reports that Republican lawmakers say residential facilities are needed to keep some juvenile offenders out of foster care.
Critics argue that the bill would roll back juvenile justice reforms that ended the use of group homes. Critics said they were ineffective. But supporters contend their removal left a gap in state law for detaining children who commit crimes. Republican Senator Kellie Warren says that led to the state placing some juvenile offenders in foster care because their crimes didn’t warrant incarceration or it was unsafe to send them home. She says that’s hurting the foster care system. “As a result, many very experienced long serving foster families have quit,” Warren added. The senate is expected to take a final vote on the bill this week.
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World Cup Fan Festival Details Announced for Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCUR) — Key details for the free celebration and festival that’s planned alongside the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Kansas City were announced Tuesday. KCUR reports that Kansas City’s World Cup soccer party, known as the FIFA Fan Festival, will be open at least 18 days in June and July. That includes all Kansas City match days, every U.S. Men’s National Team match day, and July Fourth, according to a press release from KC2026. General admission will be first-come, and guests will need to register to get in. The event will be held on the grounds of the National World War I Museum and Memorial, with themed events to show off Kansas City’s sports culture. (Read more.)
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KU Health System, KU Med, and Children's Mercy Hospital to Collaborate on Cancer Treatment Project in Kansas City Area
UNDATED (KCUR) — The Kansas City area could soon be home to a cutting-edge approach to researching and treating cancer. KCUR reports that the University of Kansas Health System, the University of Kansas Medical Center and Children’s Mercy are partnering with a Michigan cancer treatment group to create the nation’s first fully-integrated theranostics center. Children’s Mercy CEO Alejandro Quiroga says the approach combines cancer therapy and diagnostics to help catch cancer early and treat it with targeted radiation. “This is going to bring emerging therapies for patients that otherwise might not have that kind of help,” he explained. Theranostics is already used in adult care, and Quiroga says Children’s Mercy will be among the first to offer it for kids.
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Kansas Racer Wins 2026 International Pancake Day Race
LIBERAL, Kan. (KNS) — A small southwest Kansas town continued its tradition Tuesday of bringing the community together to watch women racing while flipping pancakes. This year, a racer in Liberal won the International Pancake Day race.
Women dressed in aprons and headscarves while holding frying pans sprinted through downtown Liberal for the annual International Pancake Day race. The town of Liberal has grown famous for the novel holiday. They have celebrated and competed with the town of Olney, England, for 77 years. Liberal’s Hannah McCarter crossed the finish line with a time of one minute and three seconds, beating England by two seconds. “I didn’t think I could finish, so, I heard my dad screaming at me, so I just gave it all I had,” McCarter told the Kansas News Service. The tradition is based on the story of a woman in England who was late to church, so she ran down the street clutching a pan with a pancake.
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Woman Files Lawsuit Against Rashee Rice, Alleging Abuse
UNDATED (KCUR) — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice’s longtime partner is suing him for a million dollars in a lawsuit filed in Texas. KCUR reports that the woman accuses Rice of abuse, including choking and hitting her. Dacoda Jones says Rice abused her for almost two years in their homes in Lee’s Summit and suburban Dallas. She also accused Rice of throwing objects at her, breaking furniture and locking her out in the middle of the night. Much of this happened, the lawsuit says, while Jones was pregnant with their two children. Jones posted pictures of the alleged abuse on social media in January. At the time, the NFL said it was investigating Rice under the league’s personal conduct policy. This is the latest legal trouble for Rice, who was convicted of a hit and run in Dallas in 2024.
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K-State Wins First Game After Coach’s Firing
MANHATTAN, Kan. (KPR) — In Kansas State’s first game since firing men’s head basketball coach Jerome Tang, the Wildcats soundly beat Baylor Tuesday night, 90-74. It was the Wildcats’ first game under interim coach Matthew Driscoll. But after Tang’s firing over the weekend, Driscoll says he’s just being a good soldier for the rest of the season. “There’s no joy in [being appointed interim head coach] because of why I’m doing it,” he said.
There has been no reported settlement over the $18 million that Tang feels he’s entitled to according to his contract. K-State takes the position of firing Tang for “just cause” after critical remarks toward the Wildcat players last week in a postgame news conference.
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