Kansas
Lawmaker and Topeka woman who fought for Good Samaritan Law in Kansas proud to see it finally take effect
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Until Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 419 in May, Kansas was one of two states without Good Samaritan Laws, which overlook drug possession charges for those who call for help during life-threatening situations.
This changes starting July 1, thanks to the efforts of various lawmakers and advocates.
Since her daughter Kaylee Burger passed away from an accidental overdose in August, Amber Saale-burger has worked tirelessly to ensure no other family feels that pain, through advocacy and by passing out Narcan and fentanyl strips, but she knew more had to be done and felt Kansas needed to implement laws recognizing the value of a life despite drug-related struggles.
” There’s this big stigma, you know, ‘You’re a junkie, you’re an addict. You’re not worth saving,’ but absolutely they are,” Saale-burger said. “ They’re somebody’s mom, or sister, or brother. “
Losing four family members in the past two years to fentanyl, this crisis became personal for Saale-burger. She believes her loved ones would still be here today had someone not been too scared to dial 911 immediately.
“My sister-in-law was 36 and her three kids are missing their mom because she’s not here because they were afraid to call,” Saale-burger explained. “My 16-year-old son-in-law: the same situation. He took a Percocet, he thought and he didn’t wake up. “
She reached out to Kansas State Representative Pat Proctor, knowing he already had one foot in the door trying to get new legislation passed. Seeing the uptick of deaths at home in Leavenworth, he was fully on board.
“This fentanyl epidemic has just hit us like a tsunami,” Proctor said. “These drugs are put into pills that look like Oxycontin or look like Percocet or look a hundred other drugs.”
Saale-burger and Proctor were among several to give testimony in favor of the bill.
Proctor emphasizes a government official’s responsibility for the well-being of their citizens and says you can’t save someone’s life that’s already dead.
“When somebody’s in the middle of an overdose incident,” Proctor said. “You know, none of that philosophical stuff matters. We need to get them help immediately revive them and then we can concentrate on getting them help for their addiction.”
Both encourage future bystanders in that situation to take action without fear.
“If this saves just one life it’ll all have been worth it,” Proctor said.
Copyright 2024 WIBW. All rights reserved.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A pedestrian hit by a vehicle near 31st and Mersington in Kansas City has died from injuries sustained in the crash, police say.
Officers responded to the area around 6:32 p.m. on Thursday on a report of a crash involving a pedestrian. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital with injuries that were initially believed to be non-life threatening.
Police said the driver of the vehicle was not injured, stopped immediately and remained at the crash and cooperated with police.
Police were notified late Friday morning the pedestrian died from their injuries.
The crash investigation is still ongoing.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
We are once again starting the day with showers and storms. Rainfall will be heavy at times but severe weather is not expected with the activity that will swing through this morning. If it does happen to be dry where you are, you should still be prepared to experience some wet weather.
There will not be as much moisture around during the afternoon but there will still be some spotty showers and storms around, especially between Central and Eastern Kansas.
Most afternoon highs will still be below the norm but will also show some signs of warming where temperatures will reach the 70s.
Late evening storms will build into the southern half of the area. This will start after sundown.
These storms could become strong to severe. Wind and hail are the main threats.
Storm strength and severity will need to be monitored into the overnight. However, they should gradually start to weaken after that.
Some showers will linger into Saturday but the afternoon will not be as damp.
Highs tomorrow will be similar to today’s in the 60s and 70s.
We will once again need to watch out for some evening storms. They will move in from the west.
A sliver of Southwest Kansas and portions of the Oklahoma Panhandle could experience a strong to severe storm.
Any showers and thunderstorms will struggle to make it through the overnight. For the first time in a few days, early risers Sunday will start the day rain-free.
The rest of Memorial Day Weekend will be drier and warmer. However, another unsettled stretch follows.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A former PTA treasurer from Lee’s Summit has pleaded guilty to nine counts of bank and wire fraud after stealing more than $100,000 from the organization, according to federal officials.
Officials said Holly Mikkelsen could face up to 30 years in federal prison without parole.
From Aug. 17, 2020, to July 23, 2025, Mikkelsen served as treasurer of the Summit Pointe Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (SPE PTA) in Kansas City, Missouri. The group is a nonprofit, school-based volunteer organization.
Prosecutors said that while serving as treasurer, Mikkelsen made unauthorized withdrawals from the PTA’s checking accounts for her personal benefit. Investigators said the alleged theft included writing and signing checks in the nonprofit’s name payable to herself, using those funds for personal expenses, withdrawing cash from ATMs, and transferring SPE PTA money into her personal accounts.
“The council is taking immediate steps to strengthen financial accountability across all affiliated PTAs, including a full review of existing protocols, dual authorization requirements for financial transactions, board financial training, and consistent audit practices district-wide,” said Lorenzo Harrison, Council President of LSR7 PTA. “The community will be kept informed as this process moves forward.”
Sentencing for Mikkelsen is scheduled for Sept. 24.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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