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(Photo by Stephen Koranda)TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The attorney for a Kansas man convicted of killing two women and trying to kill a third says the case should be thrown out because the state's death penalty discriminates against blacks. John Val Wachtel is representing Phillip Cheatham Junior, who was convicted in 2005 of killing Annette Roberson and Gloria Jones and trying to kill Annetta Thomas in 2003. Last year the Kansas Supreme Court overturned his convictions and death sentence because he had received ineffective counsel during his first trial. He awaits a retrial on capital murder and attempted first-degree murder charges. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Wachtel argued Friday at a motions hearing that 37.5 percent of the men on Kansas' death row are black, while black men comprise only 5.5 percent of the state's population.

Fifteen writers riff on various wild conspiracy theories generated about President Obama over the years. Critic Maureen Corrigan says the sly short stories in The Obama Inheritance pack a punch.

This summer, three women at the peak of their powers lead a spectacular pop culture revival. Barbie, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift shattered records and created a communal economy of irrational exuberance.

The latest regional headlines from KPR and the Associated Press.

The Kansas branch of the Fraternal Order of Police is opposing changes to the state pension plan.A police organization is joining opposition to a proposal that would change the state retirement plan. Lawmakers are considering changing the plan from a pension, which has guaranteed retirement payments, to a 401(k)-style plan where workers manage their own retirement investments. Ron Brown, with the Kansas Fraternal Order of Police, says changing the plan might require officers to work more years to build their retirement savings.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7a7d40000 Brown says around one-third of Kansas police are enrolled in the state pension program. The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, known as KPERS (KAY-pers), faces a multi-billion dollar shortfall over the coming decades. Proponents of changing KPERS say the system needs reform.

"Connection Lost: The Tinder Opera" is an 11-minute video dramatizing a young man's quest for love via the popular dating app. It marks an effort to adapt a 400-year-old art form to modern media.

This week we celebrated not only Christmas, but also the solstice — the shortest day of the year. In honor of this wintry weather, author Edward Carey recommends his favorite winter fairy tale.

With an average ticket price of over $9,000, some Chiefs fans are splurging on once-in-a-lifetime seats to Super Bowl 58, while others are finding alternative ways to celebrate in Las Vegas. We spoke to people from across the country about their plans and what it cost them.

Taylor Swift's chokehold on the Hot 100 is loosening, and that's made room for two fresh career milestones.

The government in Pakistan has condemned an attack on a remote village near the border with Afghanistan. Pakistani officials say Wednesday's raid was led by U.S. troops. However, U.S. officials have not officially commented.