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Kansas governor rejects transgender athletes ban amid national debate

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Kansas governor rejects transgender athletes ban amid national debate


Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed Friday a invoice that may ban transgender athletes in ladies’ and ladies’s sports activities, the second yr in a row she has made such a transfer.

Kelly once more raised issues concerning the impression such a coverage would have on transgender youth in Kansas.

“All of us desire a honest and protected place for our children to play and compete,” Kelly mentioned in her veto message. “Nonetheless, this invoice did not come from the specialists at our colleges, our athletes, or the Kansas State Excessive Faculty Actions Affiliation. It got here from politicians making an attempt to attain political factors.” 

She additionally argued the laws would damage the state’s potential to lure companies to Kansas in gentle of boycott threats from main firms and the Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Affiliation.

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“It could ship a sign to potential firms that Kansas is extra centered on pointless and divisive laws than strategic, pro-growth lawmaking,” she mentioned.

Beforehand:Transgender athletes ban despatched to Gov. Laura Kelly with out a veto-proof majority

Senate Invoice 160 arrived at Kelly’s desk after fierce debate within the Legislature, with Republicans as soon as once more unable to safe the two-thirds supermajority wanted to overturn a veto.

Kelly joins her Republican counterparts in Indiana and Utah, who additionally vetoed related payments earlier this yr, in addition to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, who rejected his state’s model final week.

Critics have mentioned the hassle is merely a approach of attacking LGBT youth, pointing to the truth that the invoice may apply to student-athletes in center and even elementary college.

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Beneath the invoice, governing our bodies, such because the Kansas State Excessive Faculty Actions Affiliation or the NCAA, could be unable to take motion in opposition to colleges for complying with the invoice. And any student-athlete who felt aggrieved may file a civil lawsuit to recoup damages and attorneys’ charges.

The highschool actions affiliation would even be required to develop rules on the matter, although the regulatory physique already has some insurance policies on transgender athletes.

Proponents of the hassle have framed the measure as a approach of defending the integrity of women and girls’s sports activities, noting the inherent organic variations between female and male athletes.

Whereas solely a handful of transgender athletes have competed in Kansas, advocates for the invoice argue it’s wanted to forestall the pattern from reaching the Sunflower State and level to transgender athletes in NCAA and highschool competitions nationally.

However legislative Republicans will as soon as once more wrestle to beat Kelly’s veto.

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In 2021, members tried to override the veto however fell one vote shy within the Kansas Senate. That vote tally stays unchanged, regardless that Sen. John Doll, R-Backyard Metropolis, has waivered and mentioned he may help the invoice.

However even when the Senate can obtain the required 27-vote threshold, the Kansas Home will wrestle to observe go well with after 5 Republicans joined all Democrats in voting no.

“Folks have been voting their conscience all the way in which alongside,” Rep. Bradley Ralph, R-Dodge Metropolis, who opposed the invoice, mentioned. “That is the place I have been and I feel individuals perceive that … This can be a principled vote for anybody who makes this vote and it’s not a type of you sway forwards and backwards relying on the day or the week.”

Andrew Bahl is a senior statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He may be reached at abahl@gannett.com or by telephone at 443-979-6100.



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Kansas

Dense Fog Blankets Central Kansas

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Dense Fog Blankets Central Kansas


Dense fog reduced visibility to less than a quarter mile in parts of central, south central, and southeast Kansas on Saturday morning, December 28, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Footage taken in Wichita by NWS meteorologist Kevin Darmofal shows his view of “another foggy start” to the day.

A dense fog advisory would remain in effect until 10 am CST, the NWS said.

“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” the weather service warned. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.” Credit: Kevin Darmofal/NWS Wichita via Storyful

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5 Chiefs Who Will Carry Kansas City to the Super Bowl

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5 Chiefs Who Will Carry Kansas City to the Super Bowl


The Chiefs look poised to make another deep playoff run en route to a potential third consecutive Super Bowl victory, having secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC with the ability to rest starters in Week 18 on top of the first-round postseason bye.

Guys like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones will obviously be the driving forces behind any major success over the next month, but there are a number of other players who will step up in a big way to help this organization reach immortality.

We all know the leaders, but who are some of the underrated Chiefs who are poised to guide Kansas City to another Lombardi?

It’s hard to call a three-time All-Pro an under-the-radar player, yet fans and national media alike still might not be aware of how special Joe Thuney has been. After another ho-hum season of perhaps the best guard play in the NFL, Thuney flipped over to left tackle, a position he does not play, and has been excellent.

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The 32-year-old only has one year left in his contract. However, no offensive lineman has been more important to the Chiefs. Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith are elite players, though Thuney moving over to left tackle helped resurrect Kansas City’s offense and save the season.

D.J. Humphries’ acquisition has proved to be a failure. He can’t get on the field and at this point, it’s far too risky to let him protect Mahomes. Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia clearly can’t handle the role, so it feels likely that Thuney will remain the Chiefs’ left tackle throughout the playoff run.

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Ranking as the fourth-best offensive guard out of 129 players at Pro Football Focus, Thuney has been marvelous.

Considering next year is the last on his contract, there’s a strong argument to be made that Brett Veach needs to do everything in his power to extend the veteran. If Thuney keeps this level of play up, he’ll be remembered as one of the best offensive linemen in franchise history.





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2 arrested after stolen vehicle leads Kansas City Police on high-speed chase

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2 arrested after stolen vehicle leads Kansas City Police on high-speed chase


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Two men who led police on a high-speed chase through Kansas City in a stolen vehicle have been charged in connection to another stolen vehicle.

Jackson County, Missouri, Circuit Court records indicate that Trevon Perkins, 27, and Demont M. Vandunk, have been charged in connection to the armed robbery of a Corvette from a Kansas City detailer and a high-speed chase that followed.

A probable cause statement filed by the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department revealed that just after 5 p.m. on Dec. 20, emergency crews were called to a local parking lot with reports of an armed robbery. When they arrived, they found a local detailer who reported he had been working on a Corvette when it was stolen.

The victim told law enforcement officials that two men, later identified as Perkins and Vandunk, drove up in a black 2018 Camaro before they threatened to shoot him as they took his wallet, keys and belongings.

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Investigators noted that Vandunk left the scene in the blue 2023 Corvette while Perkins returned to the Camaro and sped off. Later that night, the Camaro was spotted near E. 67th and Monroe Ave. However, when law enforcement officials attempted to pull the driver – Vandunk – over, he attempted to speed off and started a chase.

Law enforcement officials said they followed Vandunk and Perkins, who was in the passenger seat, down Meyer to Swope Pkwy. and onto Cleveland Ave. as they reached speeds of more than 100 mph. Vandunk lost control of the Camaro before it crashed into another vehicle near 40th and Cleveland.

KCPD said Vandunk and Perkins attempted to run but were quickly taken into custody. During the investigation, it was found that the Camaro had also been stolen out of Kansas City, Kansas. All of the property stolen in the earlier robbery was found and seized.

Vandunk was charged with accessory to robbery, armed criminal action and aggravated fleeing a stop. Perkins was charged with accessory to robbery and armed criminal action as a result. If convicted both could face up to life in prison.

As of Friday, Dec. 27, Perkins remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond. A bond review hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, with a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22.

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Vandunk remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond as well. A bond review hearing for him has been set for 10 a.m. on Tuesday with a preliminary hearing also at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22. No further information has been released.

Trevon Perkins, Demont Vandunk(Jackson County, Missouri, Detention Center)



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