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A transgender professor at Kansas State University is suing for discrimination

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A transgender professor at Kansas State University is suing for discrimination


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  • Kansas State University associate professor Harlan Weaver, a transgender man, is suing the university for gender discrimination and retaliation.
  • Weaver alleges his supervisor, Christie Launius, pressured him to return to work early after a hysterectomy and treated him differently than cisgender colleagues.
  • He claims Launius created a hostile work environment and retaliated against him after he filed complaints with the university.
  • Weaver further alleges that Launius and a coworker removed him from a committee crucial for promotion and withheld information about the application process.

A transgender faculty member at Kansas State University alleged the university created a hostile environment and did not provide medical accommodations.

Associate professor Harlan Weaver filed a gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against KSU April 28. He is asking for $300,000 in damages, front and back pay including benefits and attorney’s fees.

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Weaver was assigned female at birth but identifies as male. He was hired as an associate professor within the Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies Department in August 2015, according to court documents and his personal LinkedIn.

KSU’s communications director Michelle Geering said the university has yet to receive the lawsuit. She also declined to make any further comment stating she “would not comment on active litigation.”

What claims does Harlan Weaver make in his lawsuit against Kansas State University?

In March 2022, Weaver underwent a hysterectomy, which is a surgery to remove a uterus. This procedure requires a post-surgery recovery period of six to eight weeks.

In preparation for the surgery, Weaver claimed he ensured his duties would be covered through the appropriate university channels, according to the lawsuit However, he was then allegedly pressured by his cis gender supervisor and is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, Christie Launius, into coming back to work before recovering. Launius did not immediately respond for comment.

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Weaver reported back to work two weeks after his procedure and completed the Spring 2022 semester.

During the Fall 2022 semester, Weaver took a sabbatical and returned in time for the Spring 2023 semester. When he returned he found out that cis gender coworkers who also took a sabbatical were given more leniency and cooperation from Launius, according to court documents.

Weaver raised concerns to the department about the unfair treatment he had received in a department faculty meeting in January 2023 and again in the March 6, 2023 meeting.

On March 23, 2023, Weaver filed a complaint against Launius to the university’s Office of Institutional Equity for the differential treatment. After which, Weaver claims Launius’ demeanor became more negative against him and that Launius refused to acknowledge him on multiple occasions.

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On April 17, 2023, the university held a meeting to address “tension” within the department and a co-worker had an aggressive and emotional outburst directed at Weaver stating he should be ashamed for filing a complaint, according to court documents. The co-worker is not named as a defendant in this lawsuit.

Weaver filed a second complaint on June 9, 2023 to the Office of Institutional Equity for the increasingly hostile environment created by Launius and his coworkers. Weaver claims the complaint was not addressed before closing two months later.

During that time, Launius was named interim department head despite Weaver’s objections.

In the Fall 2023 semester Weaver was allegedly the only one told he could no longer speak off topic during department faculty meetings. However, his submissions for discussion points were repeatedly denied by Launius.

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During the October department meeting Weaver used the word orgasm, which is used when discussing sex education research. Soon afterwards, a coworker, Susan Rensing, filed a complaint against him for it. Rensing did not immediately respond for comment.

Near the end of October, Launius and Rensing allegedly took Weaver off the Queer Studies Committee without his consent or input, which would impact Weaver’s ability to get full professorship. He then alleged in his lawsuit that Launius withheld information about the full professorship application until after applications were due.

By summer time, Launius and Rensing moved to a different department and we’re no longer in direct contact with Weaver.



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Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home

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Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home


KISMET, Kan. (KWCH) – Last month, wildfires in southern Kansas raged, destroying farmer Randall Thorp’s property, tools and 960 acres of land.

As he handles the massive cleanup project, he knows he is not alone.

“It’s about the greatest show of love I’ve ever seen,” Thorpe said. “I didn’t realize that I would have all this support in my greatest time of need.”

The two main contributors to Thorp’s optimism are the community around him and his faith.

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“I’ve seen a lot of darkness that, because of my faith in Jesus, I can see the light in my heart,” Thorp said. “And that’s what keeps me going.”

Throughout the past few weeks, friends, family and neighbors have come to his property to help sort out and clean up the debris.

“I come out here and I’m by myself and I find it hard to do anything, but when a group of people all shows up and they’re wanting to work, then I’m ready to get to work with them, and they’re all ready to help me,” Thorp said.

Even with all the uncertainty following the fire, Thorp has been able to feed the 150 cattle he has, a number that is now growing since it is calving season. Friendly helpers are providing free hay for his animals to eat.

There’s a long way until things will be back to normal, but Thorp is determined to get there.

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“You know, I can see some light at the end of the tunnel, but I’ve got to stay strong and keep it going and make it through,” Thorp said.

The powerful show of dependability from fellow Kansans is something he will never forget.

“I’ve been shown lots of love,” Thorp said.

You can still donate to Thorp’s GoFundMe here.

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Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal

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Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal


Kansas City International Airport in Missouri was partly evacuated over a “threat” Sunday afternoon but has since resumed “normal operations,” officials said.

“The security incident at [Kansas City International Airport] is now clear and normal operations are resuming,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X.

“I want to thank law enforcement including the FBI for their timely response. The safety of our passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority.”

Airport representative Jackson Overstreet told The Associated Press in an email that the threat was reported at 11:50 a.m. local time, at which point an entire terminal was evacuated.

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He said planes that landed after the threat were being held on the taxiway until it could be fully investigated.

Passengers gather on the tarmac at Kansas City International Airport after being evacuated due to a “threat” on March 8, 2026. J McDonough via KCTV

Airport staff gathered on the tarmac in front of a terminal and jet bridge.
Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, a spokesperson said. Peter Everett via KCTV

FBI rep Dixon Land said the bureau was “aware of the incident” and worked with “law enforcement officials to determine the credibility of a threat.”

Passenger Logan Hawley, 29, told the outlet he was getting ready to board a flight to Texas when he saw police and K-9 units swarming the terminal.

“Suddenly there was an airport worker saying ‘immediately evacuate,’ people got up fast and rushed out of there,” Hawley said.

Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, he said.

Photos and video from the airport circulating online show large groups of passengers being led onto the tarmac or funneling out of the terminal.

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With Post Wires



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Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention

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Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention


SHAWNEE, Kan. – A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.

Janet Fulgham said her daughter Laura and Laura’s husband Adam had been traveling in the UAE when an attack on Iran disrupted their plans to return home.

With their trip delayed and Laura facing a medical need that could not be met there, Fulgham said she contacted the office of Rep. Sharice Davids.

A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.(Janet Fulgham)

Fulgham said Davids’ office worked with the State Department to flag the emergency and secure a flight for the couple.

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“The first thing that went through my mind was her medication. It is such a big part of her life. And then how do we get them out safely? How on earth do we get them out?” Fulgham said.

The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.
The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.(Janet Fulgham)

She said the experience prompted her to share a message with other families.

“Very often things are out of your control. But what I want everyone to know is, no matter what state you’re in, there are services to the American public that we may not know about,” Fulgham said.

The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.
The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.(Janet Fulgham)

Davids, who represents Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, said the situation reflects the real-world impact of international crises.

“This is one of those areas where you really see how much we’re talking about real people. You know, Laura and Adam are real Kansans who are stuck in a situation that they did not ask to be in. I’m just so relieved and glad that they’re back home,” Davids said.

Fulgham said the relief of her daughter’s return is tempered by awareness of others still waiting.

“Happiness and my delight that they’re home. Mixed with my total exhaustion. But then there’s so many other parents and friends and family members who are waiting for their loved ones. It’s hard to really celebrate when you know there’s such a big need,” Fulgham said.

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Davids is expected to visit the family later this week. Her office said it is still working to help other Kansas families who remain stranded.



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