Kansas
Kansas anti-abortion activists scramble to cover $229K cost of abortion amendment recount – Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — Anti-abortion activist Mark Gietzen expressed confidence Monday that $229,000 can be secured to finance a hand recount of greater than 920,000 votes forged statewide on a proposed modification to the Kansas Structure proscribing the proper to abortion.
The Kansas Secretary of State’s Workplace set a 5 p.m. Monday deadline for supply of money, verify or bank card with a ample line of credit score to proceed with the county-by-county recount sought by supporters of the modification upset by the preliminary final result. The modification fell brief within the Aug. 2 major election by a landslide margin of 59% to 41%.
Gietzen, chairman of the Kansas Coalition for Life in Wichita and a outstanding participant in anti-abortion protests in Wichita for greater than 30 years, mentioned he would decide up the torch of the recount effort launched by Colby resident Melissa Leavitt.
“There are an abundance of sources to get this executed,” Gietzen mentioned.
Gietzen additionally alleged — with out proof — the Kansas election earlier this month was distorted by “huge” election fraud by “poll harvesting.” He asserted folks illegally obtained, stuffed out and deposited ballots in drop packing containers. He had filed a lawsuit in Sedgwick County earlier than the August major in an try to cease use of drop packing containers, but it surely was tossed by a decide.
Gietzen mentioned the recount of votes on the modification in all 105 counties can be carried out “except we get screwed over by the secretary of state.”
Initially, Gietzen supplied a bank card of a conservative political group to leverage the recount. Leavitt later she was grateful Gietzen agreed to “put his dwelling up for the recount,” however inspired others to proceed donating to the trigger.
Leavitt knowledgeable the Secretary of State’s Workplace at 4 a.m. Monday that Gietzen’s belongings can be ample to cowl a recount.
In a setback for the recount marketing campaign, nonetheless, Leavitt was notified that she couldn’t depend on the worth of Gietzen’s dwelling to finance the recount.
Beneath state legislation, the individual requesting the recount should file a bond, permitted by the secretary of state, guaranteeing cost of all prices incurred by counties conducting a recount. If the recount flipped final result of the abortion modification vote, Leavitt wouldn’t be obligated to pay the associated fee. If the recount didn’t change the result, she can be liable for compensating every county for price of the recount.
Leavitt had till finish of the enterprise Monday to personally safe a pathway to $229,000 required to proceed with the problem. By a web based fundraiser, Leavitt had obtained commitments of $29,900, or about 10% of the projected price of the statewide assessment of ballots.
“Failure to take action will end result within the recount request being cancelled,” mentioned Brian Caskey, director of elections for Secretary of State Scott Schwab.
Within the different, Caskey mentioned, Leavitt may amend her recount request to isolate the assessment to counties for which she may afford to pay the associated fee.
Ashley All, spokeswoman for the modification opponent group Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, mentioned foundation for the hypothetical recount was unclear.
“Kansans throughout the political spectrum voted overwhelmingly towards this modification,” All mentioned. “In actual fact, 165,000 extra Kansans voted ‘no.’ They despatched a transparent message that they wish to defend the constitutional rights of ladies to make personal medical choices for themselves.”
Leavitt mentioned she would proceed to hope a miracle occurred by way of advancing recount on the failed abortion modification.
“What else are you able to do whenever you take a leap of religion? I don’t know,” she mentioned on a social media thread. “I’m getting a variety of hate messages and stuff like that, however to this point I’m doing OK and we’re going to maintain pushing.”
On Monday, officers in Johnson, Shawnee and Sedgwick counties labored to certify election election outcomes. That included votes for and towards the constitutional modification, which was sought to nullify a call by the Kansas Supreme Courtroom {that a} proper to abortion existed within the Kansas Structure.
Kansas
Victim of double shooting in Kansas City identified as 36-year-old man
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The victim of an early-week double shooting has been identified by investigators as a 36-year-old man.
The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department announced on Thursday, Jan. 16, that the man who passed away due to injuries sustained during a double shooting has been identified as Colton J. Stock, 36.
Law enforcement officials noted that around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, emergency crews were called to the area of 38th and Lister Ave. with reports of a disturbance. While en route, the call had been updated to a shooting.
When first responders arrived, they said they found Stock lying outside a nearby home with an apparent gunshot wound. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to the injuries and was pronounced deceased.
Investigators indicated that they also found a second adult male victim inside the home suffering from another gunshot wound. He was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the shooting most likely started due to an argument. Investigators continue to work to determine the relationship between both shooting victims and find a person of interest.
As of Thursday, no one had been taken into custody in connection with the investigation. No further information has been released.
A $25,000 reward has been offered for information that leads to a conviction in the case. Those with information about the shooting should report it to the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
CFTV: Otzelberger, Jones & Jefferson talk win over No. 9 Kansas
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger and players Curtis Jones & Joshua Jefferson addressed media members following their team’s 74-57 win over No. 9 Kansas Wednesday at Hilton Coliseum.
Kansas coach Bill Self and players Hunter Dickinson & Zeke Mayo also took questions following the game.
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.
ALSO READ: Man recently released from Leavenworth penitentiary charged with first murder of 2025
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.
ALSO READ: KCKFD firefighter hospitalized after person drives over fire hose
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.
ALSO READ: Kansas City begins to plan for another possible Superbowl Parade in the wake of tragedy
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.
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