Kansas

Bathroom bill passes Kansas House

Published

5 months ago

January 28, 2026

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Restrooms and locker rooms in public buildings would be limited to biological gender only under a bill approved Wednesday in the Kansas House.

The 87-36 vote followed nearly six hours of debate.

The bill also requires drivers licenses and birth certificates to reflect a person’s biological gender at birth. The Kansas Court of Appeals struck down a previous gender marker requirement that was part of another law.

Read and track the bill here.

The bathroom requirements were added to the bill during a committee hearing Tuesday afternoon. The proposal does not preclude a gender neutral, single-person restroom facility or a family restroom.

The lack of a formal hearing on the new provision was cited by some in their opposition to the bill.

“There’s no public input in the Senate. There’s no testimony from your municipalities that you live in that are going to have to deal with the fallout and ramifications,” Rep. Dan Osman, D-Overland Park, said.

Other representatives disputed that argument.

“I know for some of you, this may be a brand new bill, you’ve never heard this topic, you’ve never seen it discussed in the legislature, but I can tell you it’s not new. Things like this have come up. We’ve had many conversations,” said Rep. Charlotte Esau, R-Olathe.

Supporters say the policy is about safety and ensuring official documents match biological gender. They also cite privacy, especially for women and girls.

“They deserve environments that respect those boundaries without forcing them to negotiate privacy in moments when they should not have to,” Rep. Megan Steele, R-Manhattan, said.

However, opponents say the bill discriminates against people who are transgender.

“Trans Kansans are not a threat to anyone,” said Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, D-Topeka. “There are a lot of people in Kansas, who will be emboldened by this kind of legislation and other kinds of legislation to harass transgender people.”

A motion to send the bill back to committee failed.

The bill would still need approval from the Senate.

Source link

Click to comment

Kansas

Rainy holiday: Spirit of Kansas’ Car Show, Blues fest, MHK cardboard box regatta cancelled

Published

7 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Rainy holiday: Spirit of Kansas’ Car Show, Blues fest, MHK cardboard box regatta cancelled

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A rainy Independence Day morning is impacting holiday events around the area.

Following an initial delay, Shawnee Co. Parks + Recreation announced the Spirit of Kansas Car Show and Blue Festival is cancelled.

As of right now, the Capitol Federal Fireworks Show is still slated to start at 10 p.m.

Other Independence Day events like the Potwin Neighborhood parade and Collins Park Neighborhood parade have been cancelled due to the rainfall. The College Hill Neighborhood parade stepped off about 20 minutes late, but still got in their event.

In Manhattan, after remaining hopeful they’d be in the clear, Manhattan Parks and Rec cancelled its Star-Spangled Spectacular Cardboard Box Regatta.

Source link

Kansas

Colombia fans in Kansas City celebrated victory Friday over Ghana in the Round of 32 World Cup match

Published

17 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Colombia fans in Kansas City celebrated victory Friday over Ghana in the Round of 32 World Cup match

KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne reports on stories in Overland Park, Johnson County and topics about government accountability. Share your story idea with Isabella.

—

Colombians, Ghanians and Argentinians in Kansas City brought the energy and excitement for Friday’s Round of 32 matches in the World Cup.

Colombia fans in Kansas City celebrate victory win over Ghana in World Cup match

Colombia and Ghana played Friday at Kansas City Stadium, with Colombia winning over the Black Stars 1-0.

At Paisa MX Columbian Restaurant in North Kansas City, dozens celebrated their country’s win with dancing, food, and more dancing.

Colombia could now have a match with Argentina in the quarterfinals in Kansas City if both teams win their next matches

With Friday’s win over Cape Verde, Argentina is one step closer to coming back to Kansas City.

Jake Weller

“It’s a big deal for me because my dad is Argentinian,” Jeremias Carmona, a soccer fan said. “Having Argentina in our backyard is literally the best thing.”

But Cape Verde didn’t go home without a fight, pushing Argentina to extra time at the end of the match.

“If you’re not at the game, you feel like you’re at the game [at watch parties] because the amount of people there are here,” Carmona said.

Even though the matches are higher stakes and more intense, it’s still a special moment shared between families.

“It’s so cool to share [the game] with [my dad] who encouraged me and pushed me in soccer,” fan Kaelynn Seestadt said. “It’s been a really amazing experience.”

Valeria Lobo traveled to Kansas City with her mom, Bade, hoping to see her family’s country win.

“It’s our first Colombia match and we’re so excited,” Valeria Lobo said.

“Really big World Cup energy [in Kansas City],” Lobo said. “I love it so much.”

Some fans traveled from right down the road, buying their match tickets five minutes before an interview with KSHB 41 News.

“We’re going to do it and have the most memorable night of our life,” fan Ben Johnson said.

Kansas City turned yellow Friday night for both Ghana and Colombia, with the community giving that warm Midwest welcome.

“It feels like home,” Colombia fan Martha Bermudez said. “You get goosebumps to see your Colombia colors and hear your language.”

At Paisa MX, it was a home away from home for dozens of Colombians in Kansas City.

“We’ve been looking everywhere for a Colombia restaurant,” fan Christina Rose said. “The food made us feel like we were back home and this place has it all.”

Colombia will now face Switzerland in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, July 7.

—