Kansas

Kansas lawmakers want to ban gender-affirming care for minors

Published

3 days ago

December 30, 2024

Press Room

Kansas lawmakers want to ban gender-affirming care for minors

Takeaways

Kansas Republicans want to ban puberty blockers and gender-affirming surgeries for transgender minors
Past proposals have failed, but Kansas Republicans now have a stronger supermajority.
House Speaker Dan Hawkins said therapy and counseling are not the target of any ban.

Kansas Republicans plan to try to ban gender-affirming care for minors again.

That means cutting off access to puberty blockers and hormone treatments for children with gender dysphoria, and banning gender-affirming surgery for minors, which is incredibly rare.

The GOP has tried and failed to pass this ban. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly consistently vetoes the proposals, and conservatives can’t rally enough support to override the veto. The 2024 election changed the political makeup of the Legislature, though, and conservatives are going to try again.

“We only missed that by one or two votes in the House, right?” Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said to reporters. “(The Senate) overrode it then and I think this caucus is probably stronger in that opinion than the prior one. So that would definitely be back.”

What has the Legislature already done?

A bill banning gender-affirming care for minors failed in 2023 and 2024. The bill could have cost doctors licenses for providing the care. It would also give families a path to sue for actual damages to a child and punitive damages.

The 2024 proposal failed when four Republicans crossed party lines and joined Democrats to kill the bill. But the political makeup of the Legislature has tilted further right.

The 2025 proposal will look similar to last year’s plan, said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican. He said last year’s bill scared some lawmakers because they worried it would ban mental health care and counseling for transgender minors. That’s not the goal.

Hawkins said he wants to stop puberty blockers and surgeries. He said this bill should move quickly.

“I don’t think we’re going to wait till the end (of the session),” he said. “We’re going to get a lot of this stuff done early.”

The GOP has a larger majority and more margin for error. Two of the four Republicans who joined Democrats in 2024 didn’t run for reelection, and one of the newly elected lawmakers said they don’t support gender-affirming care.

Former Rep. Marvin Robinson, a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, switched party lines to support the ban. He lost his primary election.

Who supports the proposal?

The proposal is almost entirely supported by Republicans and splits largely along party lines.

Sen. Beverly Gossage, a Eudora Republican, said the bill would protect children because it prevents them from making life-altering decisions they may regret. Studies have found 1% of transgender individuals regret the choice.

Republicans also say Kansans could get the care at 18 when they are an adult, though doctors warn against waiting for gender-affirming care.

“We want these children to get the caring mental therapy that they need,” Gossage said during the 2024 debate. “We often pass bills in this Legislature to protect Kansans. We’re on the right side of history on this.”

Who opposes the proposal?

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said supportive environments and proper medical treatment are the best ways to help transgender Kansans.

“I have heard from hundreds of Kansans and people who had a life raft because of gender-affirming care,” Sykes said during the 2024 debate. “We are trying to rip that away from them.”

Democrats say delaying care increases the suicide risk for transgender teens. Kelly has a track record of vetoing anti-transgender legislation, and any bill banning this care is almost certainly to be vetoed by the Democratic governor.

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Kansas

New Year brings new babies to some Kansas City families

Published

7 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Press Room

New Year brings new babies to some Kansas City families

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – While some were celebrating New Year’s with fireworks and champagne, several Kansas City residents are welcoming new additions to their families. Several babies were born after the clock struck midnight at hospitals across the metro.

“I don’t think it’s hit me yet that I’ve had a baby,” said Jaiden Willard. “She’s my second one. I feel like it’s going to hit me soon, like oh, I had a baby!”

Willard welcomed baby Julietta at The University of Kansas Health System’s Olathe campus at 12:45 a.m. Weighing in a 7 lbs., 3 oz, Julietta joins her big sister, who turns 2 in a few days. Willard says Julietta’s older sister is over the moon.

“Oh my gosh, she came in today saying baby sister, that’s my baby,” said Willard. “She would say ‘Baby is cold’ and got the blanket to cover her up. It was just the cutest thing. She kept asking ‘Where is my baby’ and was looking around the room for the baby. It was funny.”

The Willard family welcomes baby Julietta on Jan. 1, 2025.(KCTV5/Chandler Watkins)

The University of Kansas Health System says each family received a gift basket filled with baby items from the Chiefs, Royals, and KC Current, as well as a selection of health system-branded items.

Across the river at North Kansas City Hospital, Aleacia Estrada and Bryan Diarte welcomed their first child, Jesse, at 1:06 a.m.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Diarte, “Hearing his first cries made me cry, not gonna lie. It’s surreal, still. Just hasn’t settled in.”

Diarte says his brother also has little ones and is excited to watch all their kids grow up together.

North Kansas City Hospital also gave the new parents a basket full of goodies like books and diapers.

“We got an octopus toy,” said Diarte. “This little puppet is my favorite. Definitely going to play with these with him. We got a lot of books, some Pampers, blankets.”

Alaecia Estrada and Bryan Diarte welcome baby Jesse on Jan. 1, 2025.(KCTV5/Chandler Watkins)

As parents across the metro celebrate the new year with their new babies, Willard has a special message for other moms:

“They are rockstars, to be honest,” said Willard. “Bring in labor is very difficult. Congratulations and I hope everything goes good for the rest of the year!”

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Kansas

Kansas City Chiefs make huge Patrick Mahomes decision ahead of Week 18 finale against the Broncos

Published

15 hours ago

January 1, 2025

Press Room

Kansas City Chiefs make huge Patrick Mahomes decision ahead of Week 18 finale against the Broncos

By JAKE FENNER

Published: 20:42 GMT, 1 January 2025 | Updated: 20:44 GMT, 1 January 2025

With the number one seed in the AFC playoffs fully locked up for the Kansas City Chiefs, the team has made some personnel decisions to ensure the safety of its players.

That includes the move to bench starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes for Kansas City’s final regular season game against the Denver Broncos.

In his place, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that backup quarterback Carson Wentz will get the start.

While other moves hadn’t been announced, it’s likely that other key Kansas City starters – like pass rusher Chris Jones and tight end Travis Kelce – could also be benched.

This game doesn’t have any importance for the 15-1 Chiefs – who already secured a bye to the AFC Divisional round taking place the weekend of January 18th.

However, that doesn’t mean that the game isn’t important to the overall AFC playoff picture.

The Kansas City Chiefs will be benching Patrick Mahomes for Sunday’s Week 18 matchup

Carson Wentz will get the start against Denver as KC already clinched the No. 1 seed

The Broncos (9-7) are clinging to the last playoff spot – the seven-seed – and will likely need a victory in order to seal their participation in the NFL’s postseason.

If they don’t win the game against KC, then their fate is out of their hands and a spot could go to one of two other teams that currently sit at 8-8.

The Cincinnati Bengals play the 10-6 Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night and are in position to make the playoffs if they win and if Denver loses.

But if Cincinnati and Denver both lose, then the door swings open for the Miami Dolphins to claim the final playoff spot if they manage to beat the New York Jets.

If all three teams lose, then Denver will make it into the postseason on tiebreakers.

Whoever clinches the seven-seed faces a trip to Orchard Park, New York to take on the Buffalo Bills – who have locked up the two-seed in the AFC playoffs.

As for the NFC, all playoff teams have been confirmed barring the NFC South division – where either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Atlanta Falcons will make the postseason.