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 Legislature Considering Pesticide Labeling Law
UNDATED (HPM) — Kansas could become the third state to pass a controversial pesticide label law. Harvest Public Media reports that Bayer, the company facing lawsuits over its popular product Roundup, has been pushing for passage of the measure. Republicans in the Kansas House say the bill would let farmers do their jobs without worrying about frivolous lawsuits. But Democrats say the bill is designed to block people from suing chemical makers for not disclosing health risks. Modern Ag Alliance is lobbying for the bill. It was founded by Bayer, which has lost billions of dollars over cancer claims related to Roundup. The Kansas Sierra Club says versions of the bill have popped up in a dozen states including Missouri and Iowa. North Dakota and Georgia have passed it.
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Proposed SNAP Sweets Ban Passes Kansas House and Heads to Kansas Senate
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) – Kansas may be the next state to ban sugary drinks and sweets for those using SNAP benefits. The legislation passed through the Kansas House but drew criticism from Democrats like Representative Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, who says the bill chooses junk food winners and losers. The bill allows people using their SNAP card to purchase cookies, muffins and chips, but soda and candy are a no-go. "We're saying that Mars is bad because they make candy, but Lay's is okay, even though, guess what, potato chips aren't healthy either,” she argues. Republicans in favor of the bill say billions of dollars are spent on sweets within the SNAP program which could be spent on healthier options like meat and produce. GOP supporters say the federal government might claw back rural hospital funding if Kansas fails to pass the ban. The bill now moves to the Kansas Senate.
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It's Official: Lawrence Will Be World Cup Base Camp for Team Algeria
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — After nearly two years of preparation and planning, it’s official: Lawrence will be a base camp for the Algerian men’s soccer team during this summer’s FIFA World Cup™. By being a base camp, Lawrence will be Team Algeria’s “home away from home.” While the team trains, rests and prepares during the tournament, players and staff will become short-term residents of Lawrence. Organizers say the city could see as many as 15,000 visitors during this summer’s soccer matches.
With the announcement of Team Algeria setting up a base camp in Lawrence, organizers will now zero in on the particular needs — linguistic, cultural and otherwise — of fans and players, as well as opportunities the visitors create for the region.
Learn more about Lawrence and its preparations for our World Cup visitors at Lawrence2026.com. (Read more.)
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Firefighters Still Trying to Contain Wildfires in SW Kansas, Oklahoma Panhandle
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) — For the third consecutive day, firefighters are batting blazes in southwest Kansas and northwest Oklahoma. KWCH TV reports that the largest wildfire continues to be the Ranger Road Fire, which has already burned more than 283,000 acres. As of Thursday morning, the wildfire was about 15% contained.
The Ranger Road Fire began Tuesday in Beaver County, Oklahoma and advanced northeast to Clark County, Kansas. The fire prompted evacuations in the communities of Englewood and Ashland and the closure of Ashland schools for the rest of the week.
The National Weather Service in Dodge City reports that crews have largely been successful fighting the Andrew Lane Fire that was burning southeast of Liberal. That fire has burned nearly 6,000 acres.
(–Related–)
Kansas Livestock Association Collecting Donations for Wildfire Victims
UNDATED (KSNT) — The Kansas Livestock Association is offering assistance to farmers and ranchers affected by widespread wildfires in western Kansas. KSNT reports the fires have damaged valuable grazing land and even killed some cattle. The livestock association is accepting donations of fencing supplies and cattle feed. Officials say the Ranger Road fire that originated in Oklahoma and spilled over into Clark County, Kansas, has burned about 150,000 acres.
Officials Monitoring Air Quality as Wildfires Burn Parts of Kansas and Oklahoma
UNDATED (KCUR) — With wildfires in Western Kansas and Oklahoma, officials are monitoring air quality and advising people to stay inside. KCUR reports that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment says that healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise and vulnerable people should remain indoors. Children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions and cardiovascular diseases face the highest risk of health problems from the pollutants released by wildfires. Officials say updates will be provided when Air Quality Index results are available.
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President Trump Nominates Three for Federal District Court Judgeships in Kansas
UNDATED (KNS) — President Trump has nominated three Kansans to federal district court positions, filling the bench out with his appointees. The Kansas News Service reports that the nominees include Tony Mattivi, who leads the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, as well as solicitor general Anthony Powell. Mattivi previously spent decades as a federal prosecutor. Powell is a former state representative and state appeals court judge. Republican state Attorney General Kris Kobach selected Mattivi and Powell for their current roles. He says the new judges will rule based on the law, not partisan ideology. “I know these two men very well and I know their character...I know that both of them will apply the law even-handedly and fairly,” Kobach said. The U.S. Senate will need to confirm the nominees.
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$1 Billion Data Center Proposed in Osawatomie
OSAWATOMIE, Kan. (WIBW-TV) — A developer wants to build a billion-dollar data center in Osawatomie. WIBW-TV reports the data center would cover about 115 acres on a site near the Osawatomie State Hospital. The town is offering the developer tax breaks to build it. Even with those breaks, officials say the tax revenue from the data center alone would exceed everything else in the town combined. But there are environmental concerns, as the data center would consume about a million gallons of water a day.
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Construction on Mass Street in Lawrence to Begin in August
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) — Transportation officials say construction work on Massachusetts Street in Lawrence will begin in August. The Lawrence Journal-World reports the $6.6 million project is still in the design phase. But it’s expected to reduce Mass Street from four lanes to two between 14th and 23rd streets, with a center lane for left turns and protected bike lanes on each side. Designers hope the changes will reduce speeding on that stretch of Mass Street.
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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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Kansas House Advances Bill Protecting Anti-Abortion Pregnancy Centers
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — The Kansas House has advanced a bill that protects anti-abortion pregnancy centers from being required to provide, promote, or refer women for abortion. The bill says state and local governments are barred from regulating the services or counseling the centers can provide. Kansans for Life listed the bill as a legislative priority. The advocacy group says pregnancy resource centers in other states have been targeted by taxpayer-funded campaigns. Republican Rep. Rebecca Schmoe spoke in favor of the bill. "These pregnancy care centers are empowering women," she said. "They are a core group in our local communities that are upholding and affirming life.” But critics of the bill say the centers do not give women all the options available to them, and they are promising to fight the legislation in court. The bill now heads to the Kansas Senate.
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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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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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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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