Kansas
Kansas abortion ban is the plan, officials pushing constitutional amendment tell GOP crowd – Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — A regional director of the Worth Them Each Coalition informed a gathering of Reno County Republicans final month that the group has laws able to ban abortion in Kansas if voters undertake a constitutional modification Aug. 2.
A state senator additionally informed the group he wished to go legal guidelines “with my objective of life beginning at conception.”
The expressed intent to ban abortion stands in direct distinction with public statements by supporters of the constitutional modification, who’ve repeatedly insisted the Aug. 2 vote is just not about banning abortion. The feedback assist the fears of those that are working to defeat the modification.
“We’re happy {that a} Worth Them Each consultant was lastly sincere and forthright about their actual objective to ban abortion fully in Kansas,” mentioned Ashley All, spokeswoman for Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, which opposes the modification. “We now have affirmation — from their very own marketing campaign employees and legislative leaders — that if this modification passes, the Kansas Legislature will transfer rapidly to go probably the most excessive ban on abortion potential.”
The Kansas Supreme Courtroom in a 2019 ruling mentioned the state structure’s proper to bodily autonomy contains the choice to terminate a being pregnant. Passage of the Worth Them Each modification would invalidate the Supreme Courtroom’s determination and provides the Legislature limitless authority to go restrictions on reproductive rights — or a whole abortion ban, with out exceptions.
Feedback from the June 14 assembly in Haven have been captured on audio obtained by Kansas Reflector.
Within the audio, Lori Chrisman identifies herself to the group as an 18-county regional director for the Worth Them Each Coalition.
“I’m in command of in getting getting out the vote with, and knocking on doorways, and making cellphone calls, engaged on grassroots initiatives on this,” Chrisman mentioned.
An unidentified man within the viewers then asks if somebody can clarify what occurs when the constitutional modification passes.
“We do have one prepared — HB2746 — so we’ll transfer that up,” Chrisman mentioned.
“It’s on the market,” she added, “however it’s not voted on or something but.”
The invoice she referenced was launched this previous session by Rep. Trevor Jacobs, a Fort Scott Republican. The laws would criminalize all abortions from the second of fertilization till delivery. The felony stage can be the identical as homicide. There are exceptions for miscarriages, stillbirths and ectopic pregnancies, however not for rape, incest, or to avoid wasting the lifetime of a mom.
Mackenzie Haddix, a deputy spokeswoman for the Worth Them Each Coalition, mentioned Chrisman is now not with the group and didn’t communicate on behalf of the coalition.
The proposed constitutional modification, Haddix mentioned, “is just not a ban on abortion.”
Danielle Underwood, a spokeswoman for Kansans for Life, mentioned the group had nothing to do with the drafting of HB2746 and that the laws has nothing to do with the constitutional modification. She didn’t reply to a query about whether or not Kansans for Life would assist the invoice if the modification have been to go.
Throughout the assembly, Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican who’s working for state treasurer, clarified that the invoice must be re-introduced subsequent 12 months, as a result of all payments died when the session resulted in Might.
Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson Republican, mentioned the state Supreme Courtroom “hijacked the abortion problem” with its ruling in 2019. After the modification passes, he mentioned, the Legislature can take motion.
“We’ll be capable of make additional legal guidelines, additional refinement, with my objective of life beginning at conception,” Steffen mentioned.
His feedback have been answered by loud applause.
The assembly passed off 10 days earlier than the U.S. Supreme Courtroom overturned Roe v. Wade, leaving every state to find out its personal guidelines on abortion. As a result of the Kansas Supreme Courtroom ruling was primarily based on the state structure, abortion stays authorized in Kansas.
Republican lawmakers and leaders of the Worth Them Each Coalition, which incorporates Kansans for Life and faith-based teams, have been cautious to keep away from saying what laws they intend to pursue if the modification passes. As an alternative, they’ve centered their messaging on preserving restrictions in state legislation that may very well be challenged beneath the 2019 ruling. It isn’t clear which restrictions, if any, can be discovered illegal.
The restrictions at present in place embody a ban on abortions past 22 weeks from gestation, besides when a mom’s well being is severely compromised. Taxpayer cash can solely be utilized in instances that contain rape or incest, or to avoid wasting the lifetime of the mom.
Kansas
Family of man killed by Kansas City, Kansas police officer sues chief, Unified Government
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) – The family of a man shot and killed by a Kansas City, Kan. police officer filed a lawsuit against the officer, the police chief and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County.
According to the lawsuit, an officer shot 50-year-old John Anderton in the back five times as he ran away from an emergency scene in February 2023. Anderton died from his injuries.
The Wyandotte County District Attorney investigated the shooting and determined the officer was justified in shooting Anderton.
According to the DA’s investigation, Anderton failed to follow the officer’s orders and reached for a gun when the officer fired at him.
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Anderton’s brother disagrees according to the lawsuit filed Jan. 14.
The lawsuit claims the police officer violated Anderson’s civil rights when he used excessive force and shot him.
The shooting happened as crews responded to a call about two people overdosing in a house near N. 55th Street and Haskell Ave.
The lawsuit said Anderton tried helping his friends by performing CPR. He left after paramedics arrive. The lawsuit said Anderton left the house because he was concerned that staying would exacerbate his chronic COPD.
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The officer stopped Anderton as he left the house.
The lawsuit states the officer “suddenly demanded” Anderton to put his hands on top of his head. That’s when Anderton tried to run away. The lawsuit claims the officer fired a dozen shots at Anderton. Five of the bullets hit him, including two in the back and one in the back of the head.
The lawsuit claims Police Chief Karl Oakman and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County are responsible because they should know how the officers are trained to use force.
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Spokespeople for both the police department and Wyandotte County declined to comment due to pending litigation.
The lawsuit asks for a jury trial and demands more than $75,000.
Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Max Jones’ Effort For Kansas State Can Translate To Wins
Even with Kansas State’s loss to Texas Tech Tuesday night, there was still much the Wildcats could appreciate.
One was Max Jones’s level of play, as he finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. But amidst his solid performance, a ton of plays beyond the box score made the difference. He kept them afloat in the second half when Texas Tech looked like they were going to turn the game back into a blowout.
“I promise our fans that we’ll put dudes on the floor that are gonna give an effort that’s worthy of wearing a K-State uniform. And if they’re not gonna be gritty and tough like Max Jones and some of the other guys showed tonight, then they won’t be on that floor,” coach Jerome Tang said.
Jones has been one of Kansas State’s most consistent scorers, scoring close to his median every game. Despite the three-game losing streak, he’s put up double-digit performances while regularly getting to the free-throw line. Jones’ stability and aggressive play make it easier for Tang to know what he can provide nightly.
Nevertheless, Kansas State needs to start winning conference games. Jones says there’s “not a lot of pressure” to immediately win, but a fifth Big 12 loss will only fuel outside doubts.
“I’d just say we gotta keep getting better,” Jones said. “I feel like today we got a lot better, and a lot better in practice before this game. We gotta take one game at a time, and just take each game like it’s our last and just try to win.”
Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
Kansas
Kansas influencer SB Mowing raises over $750K for elderly homeowner who faced fine from city for overgrown lawn
A Kansas influencer raised over $793,000 to save a disabled elderly woman who faced a hefty fine from her town for failing to trim her overgrown yard.
Spencer, a content creator known for his landscaping business SB Mowing, said he met homeowner Beth last summer when a town official familiar with his social media videos contacted him and asked if he could help fix her lawn.
He was warned that Beth, who uses a cane to move around her property, needed to trim the yard or pay $240 for the town, which was not revealed in the video, to cut it for her.
‘I’ve spent a month trying to get someone to come mow,” Beth said in a video uploaded on Jan. 10. “They won’t answer their phones.”
Beth revealed that the town officials had implemented a date for when she was required to have the yard cut before she faced the financial loss.
Spencer described the lawn that surrounded Beth’s small white house as unkept and was “getting crazy.”
“I can get that taken care of for ya,” Spencer assured her, offering his landscaping service at no cost.
“I can’t believe it that’s great,” Beth replied.
Spencer transformed her lawn by clearing grass from the driveway cracks, trimming the bushes, removing trees and mowing very tall grass.
“I cried on and off just listening to your machine,” Beth told Spencer after the big reveal.
Spencer added that he was happy to help Beth as she became emotional over the gesture.
“Your work makes me twinkle so I really appreciate you. I can’t tell you how much. No one’s been happy to help me,” she added.
On top of the lawn issues, Spencer then noticed the home needed improvements to accommodate Beth, who was “in desperate need of help.”
Spencer launched a GoFundMe when he noticed how Beth’s old stairs posed an issue for her to walk on and that the driveway cracks could cause her to fall.
The small business owner raised over a half million dollars within a day to help her “gain accessibility and comfort” on other parts of her property.
Funds raised will help address accessibility issues she faces including building a new ramp outside so it’s easier for her to get to her front door, a smooth driveway and a chair lift that will allow her to get up and down stairs for her laundry.
The money will also pay a lawn care company to maintain her yard for the “next few years” because Spencer lives too far away.
The elderly homeowner was stunned when she received the life-changing donation.
“I can’t even cry,” Beth said. “I can’t even think.”
“I never expected help ever, ever, ever. I always help people until I got down and out,” Beth added.
“We’re gonna be able to do a little bit more than just your driveway and your ramp here,” Spencer revealed.
Spencer is making sure all the money that was raised doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
“I am also working with an attorney to set up a trust for her to make sure that all of the funds are protected,” Spencer wrote in an update on the GoFundMe page. “I don’t want anybody trying to take advantage of her and I want to make sure that the funds are used properly.”
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