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And Housing for All is an impressively comprehensive examination of homelessness in America by Maria Foscarinis, who has worked in homelessness advocacy for decades.

The latest 12-month report from the CDC showed 1,400 more deaths in January of this year compared with the year prior. This comes after more than a year of dramatic progress. Experts say they're not sure if this is a "blip" or something more troubling.

This week's new titles include memoir, comics journalism and speculative fiction, horror and humor. Susan Orlean tells her own story in Joyride, and Pulitzer-winner Adam Johnson has a new novel.

Jane Ragsdale ran the Heart O' the Hills camp for girls in Kerr County. The camp was between sessions when the deluge hit. The only person killed there was Ragsdale.

Here's a summary of the day's Kansas news headlines from the Associated Press.

The proposal would amend the state constitution.

Kansas Supreme Court: Remove Democrat from Senate BallotTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the name of the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate be removed from the ballot, and the state's top elections official says Democrats must name a new candidate. This adds more uncertainty to a race that could affect Republican hopes to win a Senate majority. Speaking minutes after the state high court decision, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach said he is giving Democrats until noon next Friday to pick a new candidate. The U.S. Justice Department has agreed to allow Kansas a week's delay in mailing ballots to military personnel overseas. Some Democrats had nudged party nominee Chad Taylor to withdraw from the race in the hope that independent Greg Orman would have a better chance to defeat three-term Republican Senator Pat Roberts.==============================New Lawsuit Filed in Kansas Senate Race DisputeTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A registered Democratic voter has filed a new petition with the Kansas Supreme Court asking it to force the party to name a new nominee for the U.S. Senate. David Orel of Kansas City, Kansas, filed the petition Thursday after the court ruled that Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach had to honor Democrat Chad Taylor's wishes to remove his name from the November 4 ballot. Orel says the decision would represent a violation of his right to vote for the Democrat of his choice. Orel's son is a Republican field representaive for Republican Governor Sam Brownback’s re-election campaign.===============================Kansas Senate Candidates Differ on Court RulingTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Republican Senator Pat Roberts' campaign manager is calling the Kansas Supreme Court's decision to remove his Democratic opponent from the ballot a travesty. But independent candidate Greg Orman's campaign manager said Thursday that Orman would run against a broken political system no matter how many candidates were on the ballot. The court ruled that Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach was legally obligated to honor Democrat Chad Taylor's request to remove his name from the November 4 ballot. Taylor's withdrawal is seen as helping Orman against Roberts. Roberts campaign manager Corry Bliss criticized what he called a liberal ruling that disenfranchises Democratic primary voters. Orman campaign manager Jim Jonas said Kansans are fed up with Washington and Orman is appealing to voters across the political spectrum.================================Orman Launches New Ad in Senate RaceTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Independent candidate Greg Orman is launching a new statewide television ad in the U.S. Senate race in Kansas to counter criticism from Republican Senator Pat Roberts. The ad began running Thursday in the Kansas City, Topeka and Wichita markets. In it, Orman says Washington politicians would rather attack opponents than solve problems. The spot does not mention specific criticisms of Orman. Roberts campaign manager Corry Bliss said the ad "literally says nothing." Orman says in the ad that as he faces attacks, the nation's problems only get worse. Orman is a 45-year-old Olathe businessman running as a centrist. Roberts paints Orman as a liberal Democrat, saying Orman refuses to call for repealing the federal health care overhaul. Orman says the overhaul was flawed and he wouldn't have supported it.=============================Democrat Davis Promises Economic SummitsLENEXA, Kan. (AP) - Democratic nominee Paul Davis has named a dozen new economic advisers for his campaignfor governor and is promising to hold summits across Kansas if he's elected. Davis held a news conference Thursday in Lenexa to announce the appointments of what he's calling "economic sector champions" to advise him. Davis says they'll hold summits during his first six months in office to discuss economic challenges and opportunitiesif he unseats Republican Governor Sam Brownback in the November 4 election. Brownback spokesman John Milburn said Davis is handing out a list of committee assignments instead of giving voters specific plans for boosting the economy. Davis' new advisers include former Westar Energy CEO Jim Haines, former Cessna Aircraft Co. CEO Charlie Johnson and former Kansas Agriculture Secretary Adrian Po==============================KS Commission to Consider More School Efficiency ProposalsTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A new commission looking for efficiencies within Kansas' public school system has school consolidation and teacher pay proposals on the agenda as its two-day meeting continues. The K-12 Student Performance and Efficiency Commission was scheduled to hear a report Friday on why districts carry over unspent money for use in future years. Commissioner member Mike O'Neal says he wants to know why districts' unspent balances are climbing. Commissioners also are considering a host of cost-saving proposals. One calls for offering incentives for district to merge or cooperate. Another proposal would change the traditional teacher salary schedule, which ties pay to education and years of experience, to a salary range that takes into account experience and area of expertise.===============================KS School Taskforce Studies 'At-Risk' FundingTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The K-12 Student Performance and Efficiency Commission is raising questions about how the state provides extra money to help districts educate their poorest students. The commission began a two-day meeting Thursday with a discussion of so-called "at-risk funding." Legislative post auditor Scott Frank said school districts receive about $1,750 in extra funding for each student who is poor enough to qualify for free lunches. Statewide, that amounts to $347 million. An earlier audit found that as many as 23,000 students receiving the free meals weren't eligible. Frank says another 6,900 students may be eligible but don't apply. Commission members asked whether using census poverty data or student achievement results would be a better way to distribute the money================================Wichita State Plans Economic Outlook ConferenceWICHITA, Kan. (AP) - The annual forecast of the region's economic future will highlight next month's Wichita Area Economic Outlook Conference. Wichita State University's Barton School of Business and Center for Economic Development and Business Research also plans to offer its insight into local and national economies at the October 9 event at the Century II Convention Hall. Nationally known speakers and local experts are expected to provide perspectives on issues affecting business, industry, education and government.================================Wichita Man Gets Life for Drug Deal MurderWICHITA, Kan. (AP) - A 20-year-old Wichita man has been sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of another man during a drug transaction. District Attorney Marc Bennett's office says Dennis Haynes must serve at least 20 years before he is eligible for parole under the sentence he received Thursday. Haynes pleaded guilty to first-degree felony murder for killing 34-year-old Ronald Betts at a Wichita house in April 2013. Haynes also pleaded guilty last month to two counts of attempted first-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery and attempted possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.================================Salina Woman Gets Prison in Battery CaseSALINA, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas woman who struck a man with her car during an argument over money has been sentenced to prison and ordered to pay for his medical bills. 34-year-old Arasely Duron was sentenced Thursday to three years and seven months for aggravated battery and robbery. She pleaded no contest in June. Duron has been ordered to pay more than $27,000 for Joseph Smith's medical bills and will have to register as a violent offender upon release. Her attorney argues Smith instigated the incident by stealing $900 from Duron and arming himself with a samurai sword.=================================Postal Service Fined in Missouri Carrier's DeathINDEPENDENCE, Mo. (AP) - An administrative law judge has upheld a citation issued to the U.S. Postal Service after a carrier in Missouri died of excessive heat. The Postal Service had contested the citation when it was issued in 2012 after 57-year-old John Watzlawick of Blue Springs collapsed on his route in Independence. Watzlawick had asked to be relieved from his duties because of the heat the day before he died. The high temperature the day he collapsed was 104 degrees. The Postal Service also will pay a penalty of $70,000 in Watzlawick's death. An OSHA investigation found that the postal service did not have procedures to address worker concerns during times of excessive heat.==================================Suspects Identified in Vandalism at Lawrence HighLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - Lawrence police say they have identified several suspects in vandalism that included a racial slur at Lawrence High School's football stadium. Police say the vandalism, which was found Thursday, included a racial epithet written with shaving cream. Bleachers were egged and other damage was done at the stadium the day before a rivalry game between Lawrence High School and Lawrence Free State. Lawrence Superintendent of Schools Rick Doll said no permanent damage was done to the stadium. He says the school is "disgusted" by the racial epithet included in the vandalism. Lawrence Police Sgt. Trent McKinley says no arrests have been made.===================================Wichita Restricts Responses to False AlarmsWICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Wichita authorities are preparing to implement a new ordinance so that firefighters and police don't have to respond to people who make multiple false alarm calls. Wichita Fire Marshal Brad Crisp tells KAKE-TV that emergency crews may not respond to certain calls from home alarm systems starting in October. He says officers may not respond to houses that have more than six false alarm alerts in a year or where people owe fees from false alarms. Wichita Police say 93 percent of all home alarm calls made to 911 are false. The city approved the new rules in July. The city attorney previously said Wichita won't be liable if emergency crews don't respond to an alarm they believe to be false.===================================Kansas Teen Convicted of MurderKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas City, Kansas teenager has been convicted of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of another teen. A Wyandotte County jury found 17-year-old Deaarion Potts guilty on Thursday of murder, car burglary and the criminal discharge of a firearm. He was 15 years old at the time of the shooting but was tried as an adult. Authorities say Potts fatally shot 17-year-old Ramon Bradley in October 2012. They say both teens were in vehicles and Bradley was killed by shots fired from a car that Potts was driving. He is scheduled to be sentenced next month.====================================Parsons to Check for Alcohol at School DancesPARSONS, Kan. (AP) - Students in a southeast Kansas district will soon be required to undergo alcohol breath tests before they're allowed into school dances. The Parsons Sun reports the tests will be administered to all students and their guests, even if they're not suspected of drinking. Anyone refusing the test will be barred from the dance. Parsons superintendent Shelly Martin said the district has received two handheld blood-alcohol breath wands that will be used at the high school. If an initial test registers alcohol on a student's breath, law enforcement officers will administer a second test with a device used by the police department. Martin said the district may extend the policy to other activities in the future.=====================================Owners Donate Final Sandzen Painting to LindsborgLINDSBORG, Kan. (AP) - The final painting of renowned Kansas artist Birger Sandzen is coming home this weekend. The painting, "Smoky Hill River Scene," will be officially donated to the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg on Saturday. Sandzen was an early leader in Kansas art, creating mostly in impressionism and post-impressionism scenes of the prairie. The Lindsborg museum has about 250 of his nearly 2,800 oil paintings. The Hutchinson News reports the children of the painting's owner, Ralph Hale, are donating the picture to the gallery. Hale bought it in 1962 and it was hanging in the home of Hale's second wife in Hutchinson until her death in May. Sandzen, a native of Sweden, created most of his work while teaching at Bethany college in the 1900s.======================================Donor to Match Pledges to Wesleyan Sports ComplexSALINA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Wesleyan University says an anonymous donor has agreed to match any commitments made the rest of this month toward the school's $7.5 million sports complex, up to $400,000. President and CEO Matt Thompson says the donation means the university needs less than $600,000 to reach its goal for the project. The Salina Journal reports the Mabee Foundation has pledged $750,000 if the universityraises $6.75 million by October 8. The school says in a news release that is has received more than $750,000 in the past 12 weeks. Phase I of the project includes two lighted turf fields, an eight-lane competitive track and resurfaced tennis courts. The second phase will include a grandstand, press box, concession stands and restrooms=====================================K-State Loses to Auburn, 20-14MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) —Auburh QB Nick Marshall threw two touchdown passes, Auburn forced three turnovers and the fifth-ranked Tigers held on to beat No. 20 Kansas State 20-14 on Thursday night. Auburn, with the nation's sixth-ranked rushing attack, had only 130 yards on the ground, 200 less than its season average. Not that it mattered the way Kansas State squandered its chances. K-State QB Jake Waters threw for 245 yards, but he also tossed two interceptions — one in the Auburn end zone. The Wildcats also fumbled the ball away, and kicker Jack Cantele missed three field-goal attempts.=====================================Chiefs' Hobbled by Injuries as KC Prepares for DolphinsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles showed up for practice Thursday despite a high ankle sprain sustained last Sunday against Denver. There were fears that one of the game's dynamic playmakers could miss several weeks. Chiefs coach Andy Reid has not said whether Charles will be available for Sunday's game in Miami. Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry is also sidelined by a sprained ankle and remained out of Thursday's practice. Rookie wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas also did not practice after returning Wednesday from a hamstring injury that has caused him to miss the first two games. Linebacker Tamba Hali was limited in practice but he's expected to play against the Dolphins.

WaKeeney Man Charged with Murder in Fetus' DeathWAKEENEY, Kan. (AP) _ The Kansas attorney general has filed a first-degree murder charge against a 30-year-old western Kansas man accused of killing an 8- to 10-week-old fetus. The Salina Journal reports that Scott Robert Bollig of WaKeeney has been charged with first-degree murder. The criminal complaint filed in Trego County accuses Bollig of putting a crushed medication used to end pregnancies on a pancake for a pregnant woman to eat. The incident allegedly occurred January 26. The complaint doesn't name the medication or say when the fetus died. Bollig's lawyer (Daniel Walter) says he'll challenge the statute used to charge Bollig. The statute makes it illegal to kill or wound an unborn child during an attack on the mother. ==============================Bill to open Kansas Police Records AdvancesTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House has approved and sent to the Senate a bill that allows more access to police documents about the reason behind arrests. The bill also would make affidavits justifying search warrants open to the parties involved. The bill advanced 113-10 on Thursday as the House finished work on dozens of bills ahead of the first major legislative deadline of the session. A tougher fight for the bill is expected in the Senate. As written, individuals whose homes are searched would have 30 days to request documentation explaining the reason for the search. Kansas is one of the few states that seal probable-cause affidavits. Prosecutors have raised concerns that opening the records could jeopardize the safety and privacy of victims and witnesses.==============================Third Person Charged in Salina HomicideSALINA, Kan. (AP) — A third person has been charged in the 2013 death of a 27-year-old Salina woman. The Salina Journal reports that 21-year-old Megan V. Wells is charged in Saline County with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. She's being held on $1 million bail. Two men, 25-year-old Joel Heil and 33-year-old Dane C. DeWeese, of Abilene, have pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Kristin Tyler, who was missing for two weeks before her body was found May 9 in rural Saline County. DeWeese's trial is set for March 24, and Heil's trial is scheduled for May 7. A lawyer for Wells didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.==============================Northeast KS Prosecutor Running for US SenateTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A northeast Kansas prosecutor has decided to run for the U.S. Senate and is the first Democratic candidate to publicly declare an interest in the race. Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor confirmed Thursday that he'll seek the seat held by three-term Republican incumbent Pat Roberts. Roberts is seeking re-election but faces a GOP primary challenge from Leawood radiologist Milton Wolf. Taylor said he will discuss his reasons for running during a Friday morning news conference at the Kansas secretary of state's office. Taylor formed an exploratory committee in November, saying people were urging him to run because of their frustrations with gridlock in Washington. Taylor was first elected district attorney in the county that includes Topeka in 2008 and was re-elected in 2012.==============================Kansas Senate Passes Bill Ending Lawmaker PACsTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate has passed a bill abolishing political action committees formed by legislative leaders in both parties after a bitter partisan debate. Republicans used their supermajority to push the bill through the chamber Thursday on a 31-6 vote, sending the measure to the House. Democrats opposed the measure, seeing it as an attempt by GOP majorities to hamstring the minority party's fundraising efforts in a Republican-leaning state. GOP senators said the bill is a good-government measure. Senate Democrats and House Democrats have leadership PACs. There's a Senate Republican PAC, but it's controlled by GOP moderates, who once led the Senate but were ousted from power in 2012. House Republicans have no PAC. A 2000 law prohibited legislators from forming new PACs, but it didn't abolish existing ones.==============================Missouri Senate Passes Business Truce with KansasJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri senators have passed legislation proposing a truce with Kansas in the battle for businesses in the Kansas City area. The bill approved 30-2 Thursday would end offers of special tax incentives for businesses to relocate from one side of the border to the other in the metropolitan region. The measure now goes to the Missouri House. But the truce also would need approval from the Kansas Legislature or governor to take effect. Over the past five years, Missouri and Kansas have collectively waived hundreds of millions of dollars of tax revenues for businesses that moved across the state line. The Missouri legislation would bar incentives for businesses moving between the Missouri counties of Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass and the Kansas counties of Wyandotte, Johnson, Douglas and Miami.==============================Tea Party PAC Backs Wolf in Kansas US Senate RaceWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A national tea party group is endorsing Milton Wolf in the Kansas physician's bid to unseat three-term U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts in the state's Republican primary. The Tea Party Express announced its backing for Wolf during a rally Thursday in Wichita. The group also planned rallies with Wolf in Topeka and Overland Park. The California-based group describes itself as the nation's largest tea party political action committee and is involved in Senate and congressional races across the nation. Wolf already has backing from Kansas tea party groups. He recently has faced criticism about posting graphic images from X-rays of victims of gunshot wounds and other medical injuries on Facebook page several years ago. Wolf has apologized, but Roberts is running statewide cable-television and radio ads attacking Wolf on the issue.==============================Bill Would Raise Kansas Limits on Lawsuit DamagesTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate has approved a bill that increases the state's limits on some damages in lawsuits but makes other changes in evidence rules. The Senate's 32-8 vote Thursday sends the measure to the House. The bill is partly a response to a 2012 Kansas Supreme Court ruling in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The court upheld the state's $250,000 limit on non-economic damages such as pain and suffering in personal injury lawsuits. But the court also suggested that the limit might not remain constitutional because of inflation. The bill would boost the cap to $300,000 in July and $350,000 in July 2022. The increase is tied to changes in evidence rules sought by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. One change gives judges greater discretion to limit expert testimony.==============================Kansas House OKs Official State FossilsTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two ancient giants that once roamed the area now known as Kansas have earned approval from the House to be designated as the state's official fossils. Legislators voted 96-27 on Thursday to name the tylosaurus and the pteranodon (TEAR-un-don) as the official fossils. The creatures join the western meadowlark, ornate box turtle and bison as official state animals and reptiles. The tylosaurus was a large sea creature that hunted the ocean that covered Kansas more than 80 million years ago. While it patrolled the waters, the pteranodon roamed the skies. Fossils have been found in the chalk hills in western Kansas. Examples of the tylosaurus are on display at museums in Hays and Lawrence. Supporters say the designation boosts the state's tradition of being a paleontology treasure trove.==============================KS GOP Senators Defend Closed Caucus MeetingsDemocrats in the Kansas Senate have put forth a proposal that would require all legislative party caucus meetings to be open to the public. But Republican senators have rejected the measure. The GOP-dominated Senate voted 30-8 yesterday (WED) against the proposal from Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, of Topeka. Only one Republican, Carolyn McGinn of Sedgwick, supported his measure. The Kansas Open Meetings Act generally requires government meetings to be open to the public. But it has an exception for the Legislature, so that Republicans and Democrats in each chamber can close their daily caucus meetings. The meetings are rarely closed, though Senate Republicans have done so at least twice over the past decade. Hensley said all caucus meetings should be open. ==============================KS Bill Offers Convicted Vets Mental TreatmentTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Some military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress who are convicted of low-level crimes could be ordered by Kansas courts to receive treatment as a condition of their sentence. A bill advancing Wednesday in the Kansas House would allow veterans who meet strict criteria to receive treatment for their mental illness, provided the sentence for their crime doesn't require time in prison. The bill's aimed at helping veterans who are coping with PTSD and other mental illness as a result of their combat service. The treatment would be ordered at the time of the court conviction or before sentencing to veterans who have received a general or honorable military discharge. Supporters say the measure is a first step in helping veterans address their mental health needs and seek proper treatment. ==============================KBI: Amber Alert for Texas Girl MisdirectedTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says an Amber alert issued earlier this week was a mistake. The alert suggested that a teenager missing from Texas might be in the Kansas City area, but that was an error caused by miscalculating the location of her cellphone ping. The alert was sent around 9:30 Tuesday night. But the KBI says it appears the ping was read wrong and there's no evidence the girl's phone was ever in the area. Velazquez has since been found safe in Lubbock, Texas. A 28-year-old construction worker has been taken into custody. No word yet on whether he's been charged.=============================Two KS Schools Selected for "Innovative Status"TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ The Concordia and McPherson school districts have been granted "innovative status," freeing them from state laws as they pursue certain education goals. They will be allowed to operate similar to charter schools but are still accountable to local boards of education and the State Board of Education. Eight Kansas districts applied for the status to Governor Sam Brownback, and the chairs of the House and Senate education committees.==============================KU to Start Construction on New DormsLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) _ The University of Kansas is ready to begin construction of two five-story halls that will house 350 students. Groundbreaking for the $47.8 million project is scheduled for next Wednesday. The new residence halls will include two- and four-person suites. Construction is expected to be completed by July 2015, with the first students moving in that August. The nearly 50-year-old McCollum Hall will be torn down in the summer of 2015. Beginning in September, students will be able to sign up online to live in the new halls.==============================KS Woman Guilty of Stealing from Gov't ProgramsKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) _ A Kansas woman has pleaded guilty to defrauding federal need-based programs out of more than $43,000. Fifty-seven-year-old Wanda Herdman of Kansas City admitted yesterday that she stole from the Supplemental Security Income, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance and Medicaid programs. In her plea, Herman said she didn't report her spouse's Department of Veterans Affairs income.==============================10-year-old Springfield girl laid to rest SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) _ A flag-waving crowd gathered outside the funeral of a 10-year-old Springfield girl who was abducted and killed last week, chanting her name and wearing her favorite colors of pink and purple. The funeral for Hailey Owens was held yesterday (WED) at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. The fourth-grader was killed February 18th after being abducted in her own neighborhood. Forty-five-year-old Craig Michael Wood is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and armed criminal action in her death. The middle-school football coach is being held without bond in Greene County Jail. The Springfield News-Leader reports that about 100 people formed a human wall outside the church's entrance.==============================KS House Seeks to Expand Rural Economic ZonesTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Kansas House members are preparing to approve a bill that would add four southern counties to a program that seeks to boost population and economic development in rural areas. The House will vote Thursday on a bill that would add Cherokee, Labette, Montgomery and Sumner counties to the existing list of 73 counties currently eligible for designation as rural opportunity zones. Legislators created the program to boost rural growth in 2011, primarily in counties that had seen double-digit population declines during the last federal census period. The program offers income tax exemptions for new residents moving to those counties, as well as the repayment of a portion of outstanding college loans with participation by county governments. Program supporters say the incentives have been helpful in attracting residents and business activity.==============================Two Charged in Wichita Shooting WICHITA, Kan. (AP) _ Two men have been charged in the fatal shooting death of a Wichita concrete company worker. The Wichita Eagle reports 40-year-old Deon Hale, and 33-year-old Donnie Lalonde are charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the death last week of of Efren Villarreal-Alvarado, a 44-year-old employee of Santana Concrete. Hale and Lalonde also each face a count of aggravated robbery in connection with the death. It's unclear if the defendants have lawyers. Co-workers found Villarreal-Alvarado alive with a gunshot wound to his chest when they arrived at the concrete company Friday morning. He was in his truck in the business's parking lot. Bond for each man was set at $1.5 million in the case. They are due back in court March 12th. ============================== Plan Would Raise Kansas Limits on Lawsuit Damages TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ The Kansas Senate has given first-round approval to a bill increasing the state's limits on some damages in lawsuits but makes other changes in evidence rules. The Senate's voice vote Wednesday advanced the bill to a final vote Thursday, when approval would send the measure to the House. The bill is partly a response to a 2012 Kansas Supreme Court ruling in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The court upheld the state's $250,000 limit on non-economic damages such as pain and suffering in personal injury lawsuits. But the court also suggested that the limit might not remain constitutional because of inflation. The bill would boost the cap to $300,000 in July and $350,000 in July 2022. The increase is tied to changes in evidence rules sought by business groups. ==============================

Check out the latest Kansas news headlines from the Associated Press, as compiled by the KPR News Team!

Kansas lawmakers pass a bill that bans biological males from competing in female sports; critics say it's an attack on transgender people... KU basketball coach Bill Self will miss the entire Big 12 Tournament... and Johnson County bans employees from using TikTok on county-owned devices. Those stories and more... here.