INSIDER
Legislative majorities giving one party all the power are in play in several states
Read full article: Legislative majorities giving one party all the power are in play in several statesA behind-the-scenes battle is underway between Democrats and Republicans for supermajority control of state legislatures across the country.
GOP-led states have pledged hundreds of troops and spent millions of dollars to help Texas secure the border this year
Read full article: GOP-led states have pledged hundreds of troops and spent millions of dollars to help Texas secure the border this yearThe federal government has deployed National Guard to the border for years, but more than a dozen states have dug into their own budgets to send even more personnel
Kansas governor signs bills enabling effort to entice Chiefs and Royals with new stadiums
Read full article: Kansas governor signs bills enabling effort to entice Chiefs and Royals with new stadiumsKansas' governor has signed legislation enabling the state to lure the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and Major League Baseball’s Royals away from neighboring Missouri.
A Missouri mayor says a fight over jobs is back on. Things to know about Kansas wooing the Chiefs
Read full article: A Missouri mayor says a fight over jobs is back on. Things to know about Kansas wooing the ChiefsThe mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, says an economic ‘border war’ between his state and Kansas has restarted.
Kansas is making a big run at Kansas City's pro teams with a plan to help pay for new stadiums
Read full article: Kansas is making a big run at Kansas City's pro teams with a plan to help pay for new stadiumsKansas is making a serious run at becoming the new home for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
With home prices up more than 50%, some states try to contain property taxes
Read full article: With home prices up more than 50%, some states try to contain property taxesRising home values have led to higher real estate taxes around the U.S. Now many states are looking to provide relief to frustrated residents.
Kansas governor cites competition concerns while vetoing measure for school gun-detection technology
Read full article: Kansas governor cites competition concerns while vetoing measure for school gun-detection technologyKansas Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a measure that could have earmarked up to $5 million for certain gun-detection software in schools.
Schools turn to artificial intelligence to spot guns as companies press lawmakers for state funds
Read full article: Schools turn to artificial intelligence to spot guns as companies press lawmakers for state fundsSchools across the U.S. are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence and video cameras to spot guns.
Lawmakers want the Chiefs and Royals to come to Kansas, but a stadium plan fizzled
Read full article: Lawmakers want the Chiefs and Royals to come to Kansas, but a stadium plan fizzledSome Kansas lawmakers see a chance to lure Kansas City’s two biggest professional sports teams across the Missouri border.
Kansas has new abortion laws while Louisiana may block exceptions to its ban
Read full article: Kansas has new abortion laws while Louisiana may block exceptions to its banKansas is requiring abortion providers to share patient information with the state and increasing funds to anti-abortion centers, while bills to loosen a restrictive ban in Louisiana face an uphill battle.
A ban in Kansas on gender-affirming care also would bar advocacy for kids' social transitions
Read full article: A ban in Kansas on gender-affirming care also would bar advocacy for kids' social transitionsA proposed ban in Kansas on gender-affirming care for minors also would bar state employees from promoting it or even children’s social transitioning.
Kansas has a new anti-DEI law, but the governor has vetoed bills on abortion and even police dogs
Read full article: Kansas has a new anti-DEI law, but the governor has vetoed bills on abortion and even police dogsThe Democratic governor in Kansas has vetoed proposed tax breaks for anti-abortion counseling centers while allowing restrictions on college diversity initiatives to become law without her signature.
A bill passed by Kansas lawmakers would make it a crime to coerce someone into an abortion
Read full article: A bill passed by Kansas lawmakers would make it a crime to coerce someone into an abortionPeople who make physical or financial threats against others in Kansas to force them to get an abortion could spend a year in prison and be fined up to $10,000 under a bill approved by state lawmakers.
As Kansas nears gender care ban, students push university to advocate for trans youth
Read full article: As Kansas nears gender care ban, students push university to advocate for trans youthAs Kansas prepares to ban gender-affirming care for minors, students at the state's largest university taking action.
Voters backed abortion rights. Yet Kansas could make doctors ask patients why they want abortions
Read full article: Voters backed abortion rights. Yet Kansas could make doctors ask patients why they want abortionsKansas is moving closer to requiring abortion providers to ask patients why they’re terminating their pregnancies and report the answers to the state.
States offer services for disabled kids, then make their families wait 10 years for them
Read full article: States offer services for disabled kids, then make their families wait 10 years for themThe parents of hundreds of thousands of U.S. children with physical or intellectual disabilities are waiting for state-covered services designed to foster independence and job skills for adulthood.
Gun rights are expansive in Missouri, where shooting at Chiefs' Super Bowl celebration took place
Read full article: Gun rights are expansive in Missouri, where shooting at Chiefs' Super Bowl celebration took placeA shooting that killed a person and wounded more than 20 others during the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory celebration occurred in a state with few gun regulations and historic tension over how cities handle crime.
Kansas' AG is telling schools they must out trans kids to parents, even with no specific law
Read full article: Kansas' AG is telling schools they must out trans kids to parents, even with no specific lawKansas’ attorney general is telling public schools that they’re required to tell parents their children are transgender or nonbinary even if they’re not out at home.
A push to expand Medicaid has Kansas governor embracing politics and cutting against her brand
Read full article: A push to expand Medicaid has Kansas governor embracing politics and cutting against her brandDemocratic Gov. Laura Kelly is more aggressive and openly political in pushing to expand Medicaid in Kansas as the Republican-controlled Legislature prepares to open its annual session.
There's a glimmer of hope for broader health coverage in Georgia, but also a good chance of a fizzle
Read full article: There's a glimmer of hope for broader health coverage in Georgia, but also a good chance of a fizzleLong-held Republican opposition to broader health care coverage may be softening in Georgia and Mississippi.
Kansas unveiled a new blue and gold license plate. People hated it and now it's back to square one
Read full article: Kansas unveiled a new blue and gold license plate. People hated it and now it's back to square oneThe governor of Kansas is bowing to criticism of a new state license plate and halting production of a design that many people consider ugly and dull.
Kansas will no longer change trans people's birth certificates to reflect their gender identities
Read full article: Kansas will no longer change trans people's birth certificates to reflect their gender identitiesKansas will no longer change transgender people’s birth certificates to reflect their gender identities.
Kansas officials are no longer required to change trans people’s birth certificates, judge says
Read full article: Kansas officials are no longer required to change trans people’s birth certificates, judge saysA federal judge says Kansas officials are no longer required to change transgender people’s birth certificates so the documents reflect their gender identities.
The initial online search that spurred a raid on a Kansas paper was legal, a state agency says
Read full article: The initial online search that spurred a raid on a Kansas paper was legal, a state agency saysA Kansas Department of Revenue spokesperson says the initial online search of a state website that led a central Kansas police chief to raid a local weekly newspaper was legal.
An anti-trans Kansas law doesn't prevent birth certificate changes, the governor argues
Read full article: An anti-trans Kansas law doesn't prevent birth certificate changes, the governor arguesThe Democratic governor in Kansas is defending changes in the sex listings on transgender people’s birth certificates in federal court.
Kansas lawmakers botched the drafting of a new anti-trans law, agency attorney says
Read full article: Kansas lawmakers botched the drafting of a new anti-trans law, agency attorney saysA state agency's lawyer contends that Kansas legislators botched the drafting of a new law for preventing transgender people from changing how their sex is listed on their driver's licenses.
Kansas must stop changing trans people's sex listing on driver's licenses, judge says
Read full article: Kansas must stop changing trans people's sex listing on driver's licenses, judge saysA state-court judge has ordered Kansas to stop allowing transgender people to change the listing for sex on their driver’s licenses.
Kansas attorney general sues to prevent transgender people from changing driver's licenses
Read full article: Kansas attorney general sues to prevent transgender people from changing driver's licensesThe Republican attorney general in Kansas is asking a state court to block transgender residents from changing their sex on their driver's licenses.
The number of Kansas residents officially changing genders quadrupled this year ahead of a new law
Read full article: The number of Kansas residents officially changing genders quadrupled this year ahead of a new lawFour times as many Kansans changed their gender on birth certificates and driver’s licenses this year ahead of a new state law that prevents residents from identifying themselves differently than the sex assigned them at birth.
Kansas must undo gender changes for trans people in state records, attorney general says
Read full article: Kansas must undo gender changes for trans people in state records, attorney general saysThe conservative Republican attorney general of Kansas says a new Kansas law requires the state to reverse any previous gender changes in its records for trans people’s birth certificates and driver’s licenses while also preventing such changes going forward.
Kansas' attorney general is moving to block trans people from changing their birth certificates
Read full article: Kansas' attorney general is moving to block trans people from changing their birth certificatesKansas’ conservative Republican attorney general is moving to prevent transgender people born in the state from changing their birth certificates to reflect their gender identities.
Kansas governor vetoes measures to aid anti-abortion centers, limit health officials' power
Read full article: Kansas governor vetoes measures to aid anti-abortion centers, limit health officials' powerKansas’ Democratic governor has vetoed Republican legislation that would have provided a financial boost to pregnancy centers run by abortion opponents and curbed state and local officials' powers during infectious disease outbreaks.
Kansas governor thwarts small legal settlement with business over COVID-19 restrictions
Read full article: Kansas governor thwarts small legal settlement with business over COVID-19 restrictionsKansas’ Democratic governor has scuttled a small legal settlement between the state and the owner of a Wichita fitness studio forced to shut down during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic and then operate under restrictions.
Culture war clash gives Kansas new medication abortion law
Read full article: Culture war clash gives Kansas new medication abortion lawKansas clinics will be required to tell patients that medication abortions can be stopped using a drug regimen that the providers consider ineffective and potentially dangerous.
Gov. vetoes Kansas bill on live deliveries during abortion
Read full article: Gov. vetoes Kansas bill on live deliveries during abortionKansas Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a bill that could have penalized doctors accused of not providing enough care to infants delivered alive during certain kinds of abortion procedures.
Kansas passes trans bathroom bill; Arkansas OKs own version
Read full article: Kansas passes trans bathroom bill; Arkansas OKs own versionA Kansas proposal with some of the nation's broadest bathroom restrictions and a ban on transgender people changing their driver's licenses has cleared the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Amid US TikTok bans, a few balk at writing its name into law
Read full article: Amid US TikTok bans, a few balk at writing its name into lawBanning TikTok from government devices enjoys bipartsan support across the U.S. But a few Democratic legislators in Kansas object to expanding a ban imposed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly because they don’t want a state law to target a company by name.
GOP defections thwart some of conservatives' plans in Kansas
Read full article: GOP defections thwart some of conservatives' plans in KansasKey conservative initiatives are likely to fail in Kansas this year because a few Republicans are breaking with the rest of the Legislature's GOP supermajorities.
Kansas governor breaks with Biden in appeal to GOP voters
Read full article: Kansas governor breaks with Biden in appeal to GOP votersDemocratic Gov. Laura Kelly has signaled her efforts to appeal to moderate Republican and GOP-leaning independent voters whose support is necessary for her to win a tough reelection race in Kansas next year.
The Latest: SF requires full vaccination for indoor activity
Read full article: The Latest: SF requires full vaccination for indoor activitySan Francisco has become the first major city in the nation to require proof of full vaccination against the coronavirus for people to dine inside restaurants, work out in gyms or attend indoor concerts.
The Latest: SKorea to extend distancing rules in Seoul area
Read full article: The Latest: SKorea to extend distancing rules in Seoul areaSouth Korea says it’ll extend the toughest distancing rules imposed on the greater Seoul area for another two weeks, as it’s battling its worst coronavirus outbreak.
US jobless claims fall again as some states end federal aid
Read full article: US jobless claims fall again as some states end federal aidFewer Americans sought unemployment aid last week — the latest encouraging sign for the rebounding U.S. economy — just as Republican-led states are moving to cut off a federal benefit for the jobless.
Lawmakers seek long-term limit on governors' emergency power
Read full article: Lawmakers seek long-term limit on governors' emergency powerState lawmakers across the U.S. are taking actions to limit the emergency powers of governors — not just in the current coronavirus pandemic, but for any future emergencies.
More than a dozen states to open vaccines to all adults
Read full article: More than a dozen states to open vaccines to all adultsEvery adult in Louisiana over the age of 16 is now eligible to get vaccinated against the coronavirus as the state's expanded eligibility went into effect Monday. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)More than a dozen states will open vaccine eligibility to all adults this week in a major expansion of COVID-19 shots for tens of millions of Americans amid a worrisome increase in virus cases and concerns about balancing supply and demand for the vaccines. Demand "has definitely decreased over the past couple of weeks,” said Imelda Garcia, head of the state’s expert vaccine allocation panel. California officials said the state can administer 3 million shots a week now, and Democratic Gov. Lena Lawson, a 37-year-old technology consultant in Phoenix, tried to book a vaccine appointment since the new eligibility rules started.
The Latest: Philippine leader orders mayors investigated
Read full article: The Latest: Philippine leader orders mayors investigatedNew coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Utah have been on a downward trend since January. Ad___SAO PAULO, Brazil — Brazil has reached 300,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and become the second nation to top that figure. ___BOISE, Idaho — The governor of Idaho has said COVID-19 vaccine eligibility will be open to all Idaho residents 16 and up starting April 5. ___WAILUKU, Hawaii — A hospital on Maui had to throw out nearly 1,400 vaccine doses after a refrigerator thawing the vials did not properly seal. Also, COVID-19 deaths have dipped below 1,000 a day on average for the first time since November.
The Latest: Sri Lankan officials say vaccinations advancing
Read full article: The Latest: Sri Lankan officials say vaccinations advancingFILE - In this Jan. 29, 2021, file photo, Sri Lankan nursing staff administer COVID-19 vaccines to front-line health workers in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Reynolds issued the earlier restrictions in November when hospitals were struggling to care for a surge of coronavirus patients. Officials say it could help up to four COVID-19 patients. ___LISBON, Portugal — Portugal has set a new daily record for COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care with 904 patients on Friday. AdThe Austrian government offered to take in five COVID-19 patients and five non-COVID patients to relieve Portuguese hospitals.
Kansas governor: Medical pot should fund Medicaid expansion
Read full article: Kansas governor: Medical pot should fund Medicaid expansionKelly championed Medicaid expansion in her first race in 2018 and promised to sign legislation legalizing medical marijuana, though she has not pushed that issue aggressively so far. But University of Kansas political scientist Patrick Miller said he wonders why any Kansas politician still opposes medical marijuana. The Legislature has taken only relatively small steps toward legalizing medical marijuana even as most other states have done it. She said legalizing medical marijuana could raise up to $50 million a year and her proposal “eliminates the argument” that Kansas can't afford Medicaid expansion. AdBut Republican lawmakers remained skeptical that medical marijuana could raise much money or cover Medicaid expansion costs.
The Latest: 2 Chinese cities urge people to stay at home
Read full article: The Latest: 2 Chinese cities urge people to stay at homeLaura Kelly said Thursday that inmates will be vaccinated after health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities. The governor warned Friday that initially, the supply of vaccines available to people other than health care workers and nursing home patients will be very limited. The announcement came as many local officials argued it was time to distribute the vaccine beyond health care workers. The governor’s plan came as the state’s new COVID-19 cases continue to rise and ICU beds are nearly full. Shots also are still being given to health care workers, first responders and staff and residents at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
Comal County Public Health runs out of COVID-19 vaccine
Read full article: Comal County Public Health runs out of COVID-19 vaccineA bottle of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine is seen on a table before Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly received an injection Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, in Topeka, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – Comal County Public Health has run out of its initial full allotment of COVID-19 vaccine. According to a news release, the state allocated 200 Moderna vaccines to Comal County Public Health, which were administered within one week as per Tier 1A eligibility. Health officials said once the next allotment arrives, the public will be advised through Comal County’s social media platforms and the County website. Residents can click here to get a list of vaccine providers locally and across the state.
The Latest: China makes parts of province high danger zones
Read full article: The Latest: China makes parts of province high danger zones(AP Photo/Andy Wong)BEIJING — China has designated parts of Hebei province near Beijing as a coronavirus high danger zone after 14 new cases of COVID-19 were found. The other three COVID-19 cases were in the city of Yantai. Approximately 174 private clinics have also requested vaccines, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said. County health officials fear the incoming Christmas and New Year’s surge. Superintendent Henderson Lewis said a spike in positive cases in the city prompted the “unfortunate but necessary” decision to go back to distance learning.
The Latest: Tens of thousands on Vegas strip despite warning
Read full article: The Latest: Tens of thousands on Vegas strip despite warning(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)LAS VEGAS — Tens of thousands of people were walking on the casino-lined Las Vegas Strip on New Year’s Eve by early evening despite a plea from Nevada Gov. China on Friday reported a total of 19 new virus cases, including 10 that were brought from outside the country. ___LONDON — The coronavirus pandemic canceled London’s annual New Years’ Eve fireworks display, which usually draws tens of thousands of spectators. The nation’s most populated county has about 40% of California’s virus deaths. ___NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee ends the year ranked first in coronavirus cases per capita.
The Latest: South Korea enforces tough measures in prisons
Read full article: The Latest: South Korea enforces tough measures in prisonsThe others are the lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, insurance commissioner and Kansas Supreme Court chief justice and four Republican leaders in the GOP-controlled Legislature. The legislative leaders and the state’s Republican attorney general passed, for now, because not all health care workers and nursing home residents have received theirs. The governor also said Wednesday that “hundreds” of other, non-elected state officials have been made eligible for early vaccines by their agencies. The others are the lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, insurance commissioner and Kansas Supreme Court chief justice and four Republican leaders in the GOP-controlled Legislature. Most of those Republicans said they didn’t want to jump in line ahead of health care workers, nursing home residents or other vulnerable Kansans.
The Latest: China tests millions in port over virus cluster
Read full article: The Latest: China tests millions in port over virus cluster(AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)BEIJING — Authorities in China’s northeastern port city of Dalian are testing millions of residents after seven new coronavirus cases were reported there in the last 24 hours. It has a deal to secure up to 100 million doses of the potential vaccine produced by AstraZeneca. Koca said the first shipment of three million doses of CoronaVac would be shipped to Turkey on Sunday and arrive Monday. He said Turkey could get 4.5 million doses until the end of March and would have the option buy up to 30 million doses. Indonesia has reported nearly 700,000 COVID-19 cases, the largest caseload in Southeast Asia and second in Asia only to India’s 10.1 million confirmed cases.
The Latest: Conn. extends pandemic jobless benefit to 38,000
Read full article: The Latest: Conn. extends pandemic jobless benefit to 38,000State health officials decline to identify which hospitals have expressed interest, but say there is need statewide. Hospitalizations have not yet reached their summer heights in Georgia, but beds are filling rapidly with COVID-19 cases. ___HARRISBURG, Pa. — States faced a deadline on Friday to place orders for the coronavirus vaccine as many reported record infections, hospitalizations and deaths. Ukraine, which is facing a rapid rise in coronavirus cases, tightened weekend restrictions last month but lifted them this week. ___ATLANTA — Vice President Mike Pence is trying to boost Americans’ confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines that are awaiting regulatory approval and distribution.
The Latest: COVID-19 outbreak on ship off Australia's coast
Read full article: The Latest: COVID-19 outbreak on ship off Australia's coast(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)PERTH, Australia — Authorities are concerned by a COVID-19 outbreak aboard a cargo ship off Australia's northwest coast that has infected most of the crew. The Bluegrass State had nearly 5,000 coronavirus cases last week — the most in a single week since the pandemic began, Gov. In recent weeks, Kentucky has repeatedly set record highs for weekly virus cases. New York has reported just over 11,500 new coronavirus infections over the past two weeks. Italy added 1,494 coronavirus infections and 16 deaths to its confirmed COVID toll Monday, in line with its daily increase for the past few weeks.
No masks, just questions, in Kansas counties with no cases
Read full article: No masks, just questions, in Kansas counties with no casesBusiness owners in Rawlins and Wallace counties say they agree with local officials' decisions to opt out of an order from Democratic Gov. In Wallace County, which borders Colorado, one restaurant posted on social media a graphic of a crossed out man with a face mask. Kansas has reported more than 25,000 coronavirus cases since the pandemic reached the state in early March, first in the Kansas City area. Trust.Meanwhile, the testing rate in the two counties lags well behind the Kansas 9.5% average, according to the state health department. The Rawlins County Health Center, the only hospital in that county, provides nasal swab tests.
Newspaper owner: Sorry for equating mask rule to Holocaust
Read full article: Newspaper owner: Sorry for equating mask rule to HolocaustHicks is the GOP chairman for Anderson County in eastern Kansas. His newspaper is based in the Anderson County seat of Garnett, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City and has a circulation of about 2,100, according to the Kansas Press Association. State law allows counties to opt out of her mask mandate, and Anderson County has done so. The state health department has reported only four coronavirus cases for Anderson County, all of them since May 8. State and local officials across the U.S. have faced resistance to mask requirements from Trumps supporters.
Kansas newspaper's post equates mask mandate with Holocaust
Read full article: Kansas newspaper's post equates mask mandate with HolocaustThe cartoon on the Anderson County Review's Facebook page depicts Gov. Laura Kelly wearing a mask with a Jewish Star of David on it, next to a drawing of people being loaded onto train cars. Some Republicans have criticized Kelly's order as infringing on personal liberties, though Kansas law allows counties to opt out and Anderson County has done so. Anderson County, with about 7,900 residents, is part of a conservative swath of eastern Kansas. The state health department has reported only four coronavirus cases for Anderson County, all of them since May 8.