Kansas, Missouri React to Roe Ruling
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KNS) - Kansas voters will be the first in the country to vote on abortion following Friday's U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Kansans still have access to abortion. But on August 2nd, Kansans will vote on a constitutional amendment to say it does not guarantee the right to abortion. The Value Them Both Coalition, pushing to approve the amendment, is hoping to capitalize on the Supreme Court ruling. But Ashley All of Kansans for Constitutional Freedom says the ruling hurts many American women. Meanwhile, most abortions are now illegal in Missouri following the Supreme Court decision. A 2019 Missouri law prohibits abortions "except in cases of medical emergency." Physicians who perform abortions in Missouri could face felony charges punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
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Topeka Police: Officers Fatally Shot Knife-wielding Man at Amtrak Station
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Police in Topeka say three officers have been placed on paid leave after fatally shooting a knife-wielding man at an Amtrak station Friday morning. Police say the shooting happened after police were called to the station for reports of a man armed with a knife who was chasing and threatening people. Police say the officers made several attempts to negotiate with the man and used less-than-lethal munitions to try to subdue the man, but failed. Police say the officers shot the man when he charged them. The man was taken to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries. Police have not released the man's name or the names of the officers involved.
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Governor Signs Law Exempting KC World Cup Tickets from Missouri Sales Tax
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a bill that will exempt FIFA World Cup tickets from sales tax when the games are played in Kansas City in 2026. The governor signed the bill Thursday and praised the bipartisan effort to bring the games to Kansas City, which was chosen last week as a host city. Lawmakers passed the bill earlier this year after FIFA officials required tax breaks from cities hoping to host the games. Democratic state Sen. John Rizzo, from the Kansas City-region, said estimates are the game could bring more than $600 million in revenue to the state.
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Sedgwick County Settles Discrimination Lawsuit with $22,000
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Sedgwick County has agreed to pay $22,000 to a former employee to settle his racial discrimination lawsuit. David Partridge, who is biracial, sued the county last year, saying a coworker on a county work crew called him “boy” or the “colored guy" and sang slavery-era songs with his name added to the lyrics. Partridge's lawsuit said that after he complained, a county investigation verified the racial discrimination, and he was offered another position at lower pay but was fired when he refused. The Wichita Eagle reports that attorneys for Partridge and the county informed a judge Wednesday of the settlement.