Kansas

Kansas lawmakers want to ban gender-affirming care for minors

Published

1 year 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

Hundreds celebrate Kwanzaa at Kansas City’s Gem Theatre

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

Hundreds celebrate Kwanzaa at Kansas City’s Gem Theatre

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Hundreds of people packed the Gem Theatre over the weekend to celebrate Kwanzaa.

The celebrations run nightly through January 1. Each night highlights a different core value, including unity, cooperation and faith.

The event features local vendors and performances. Organizers say it’s a great way to start the new year.

The Kwanzaa celebration is free and open to everyone.

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Kansas

Kansas Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for Dec. 27, 2025

Published

1 week ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

The Kansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 27, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

05-20-34-39-62, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

Midday: 9-8-9

Evening: 6-5-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning 2 By 2 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

Red Balls: 01-23, White Balls: 12-15

Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

08-12-24-26-42, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

08-10-20-47-50, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 05

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Super Kansas Cash numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

03-07-17-20-27, Cash Ball: 24

Check Super Kansas Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Kansas Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at select Kansas Lottery offices.

By mail, send a winner claim form and your signed lottery ticket to:

Kansas Lottery Headquarters

128 N Kansas Avenue

Topeka, KS 66603-3638

(785) 296-5700

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a claim form, and deliver the form along with your signed lottery ticket to Kansas Lottery headquarters. 128 N Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603-3638, (785) 296-5700. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Kansas Lottery.

When are the Kansas Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3 Midday/Evening: 1:10 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. CT daily.
2 By 2: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Super Kansas Cash: 9:10 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Kansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Kansas

Health alert: Influenza activity trending up across Kansas, U.S.

Published

1 week ago

December 27, 2025

Press Room

Health alert: Influenza activity trending up across Kansas, U.S.

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Kansas is reflecting national trends of respiratory virus cases on the rise.

The CDC’s latest influenza surveillance report, for the week ending December 13th, showed three states with very high influenza activity, including Colorado. Kansas was reported as having low activity.

However, Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment data shows even low activity has had an impact. For the 20025-2026 season, through Dec. 22, KDHE shows influenza, pneumonia and COVID, combined, have been the direct or contributing cause in 401 deaths.

KDHE also launched a wastewater monitoring dashboard this season. It reflects data from Shawnee, Reno and Johnson counties for influenza, COVID and RSV. It shows influenza levels moderate and increasing, and COVID levels low but increasing.

The CDC estimates the U.S. has had close to five million influenza cases nationwide this season and nearly 2,000 deaths, including at least three children.

The situation has doctors reminding you to get your annual influenza vaccination if you haven’t already. Many urgent care centers, local pharmacies and your doctor’s offices have it available.

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