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.

Related

Several days after completing their Week 17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Kansas City Chiefs finally know when they’ll face off with the Denver Broncos in Week 18.

The NFL maintains a flexible schedule for the final week of the season, with two games set for a doubleheader on Saturday, kicking off at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. CT. On Sunday night, the league announced that the Chiefs would take the stage on Sunday afternoon to close out the regular season.

The Chiefs and Broncos will play at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday, January 5.

The day of the game should be largely immaterial to the Chiefs, as Kansas City has already locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC, securing the first-round bye that will allow the Chiefs to skip the first round of playoff action. Though head coach Andy Reid hasn’t made an official declaration publicly, the Chiefs will have no reason to suit up most of their stars and starters for a game with no playoff implications. The Broncos, however, have plenty to play for.

Following their overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, the Broncos would still clinch the No. 7 seed with a win over the Chiefs in Week 18. If the Broncos lose to the Chiefs, the Bengals or Miami Dolphins could take the final spot in the conference.

The AFC North will dominate Saturday’s slate, with the Cleveland Browns facing the Baltimore Ravens at 3:30 p.m. CT and the Bengals and Steelers taking the prime time slot at 7 p.m. CT.

Read More: Patrick Mahomes Explains Impact of Clinching No. 1 Seed, First-Round Bye for ‘Banged-Up’ Chiefs

ABILENE, Kan. (KCTV) – A town in Kansas well-known for its history and importance in the Wild West has been named one of the nation’s Top 10 True Western Towns, again.

The City of Abilene has announced that for the third straight year, it continues to reign as a must-visit destination for Western history buffs and enthusiasts. In 2024, the town won the No. 7 spot as one of the Top 10 True Western Towns of the Year by True West Magazine.

City officials noted that the recognition, featured in the magazine’s January/February 2025 edition, will mark the third straight year the honor has been earned and solidify its legacy as a hub of Western heritage.

“Abilene is synonymous with the Wild West, and we are proud to preserve and promote that legacy to visitors from around the world,” said Julie Roller Weeks, Director of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This award celebrates not only Abilene’s storied history as the original Cowtown but also our ongoing efforts to create new experiences, like the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail, that honor our Western roots.”

City leaders indicated that the Kansas Gunsmoke Traily, a new initiative, invites visitors to explore the heart of the Wild West as they connect iconic towns like Abilene and Dodge City, which took home the No. 9 spot this year. The trail reinforces the town’s status as a premier destination for authentic Western experiences.

Visitors can also stroll through Old Abilene Town and experience reenactments, ride the rails with the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad, explore the Dickinson County Heritage Center, admire Westernothemed Art and experience the excitement of the Wild Bill Hickock PRCA Rodeo.

For more information about attractions and events in Abilene or to request a visitor’s guide, click HERE.

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