Kansas
Suit challenges Kansas law that revoked trans people’s updated IDs
Rep. Abi Boatman gives her thoughts on transgender bathroom bill
Kansas Legislature overrode Gov. Kelly’s veto for transgender bathroom bans. Hear what this trans legislator has to say.
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit challenging Kansas’ new sweeping anti-transgender law, the first in the nation to rescind previously issued IDs with updated gender markers.
Senate Bill 244 took effect Feb. 26 after the Republican supermajorities in the Kansas Legislature overrode a veto by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.
“This legislation is a direct attack on the dignity and humanity of transgender Kansans,” said Monica Bennett, the ACLU of Kansas’ legal director, in a statement. “It undermines our state’s strong constitutional protections against government overreach and persecution.”
The lawsuit was filed Feb. 26 in Douglas County District Court on behalf of two anonymous plaintiffs. The lawyers on the case are from the ACLU and Ballard Spahr LLP. They argue “that SB 244 violates the Kansas Constitution’s protections for personal autonomy, privacy, equality under the law, due process, and freedom of speech.”
The law prohibits transgender Kansans from changing the sex or gender marker on their driver’s license and birth certificates. It also immediately invalidated identification documents for more than 1,000 transgender Kansans who already had changes approved.
The law also bans transgender people from using bathrooms, locker rooms and similar facilities in government buildings that align with their gender identity. They must instead use the restroom corresponding to their sex assigned at birth. Additionally, the law bans gender-neutral bathrooms with more than one stall.
The law has various enforcement provisions, including allowing anyone to sue someone else who they think is transgender and suspected of using a restroom that is different from their sex assigned at birth.
Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach lobbied for lawmakers to explicitly ban gender marker changes after state courts allowed them to resume amid litigation over a predecessor law, Senate Bill 180. Lawmakers then added the bathroom bill provisions through a gut-and-go without a public hearing.
The state of Kansas, represented by Kobach, is a defendant in the case. Other defendants include agencies and agency leadership under the Kelly administration, including the Kansas Department of Revenue and Kansas Department of Administration.
Spokespeople for Kobach and Kelly did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The plaintiffs have filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and asked for a hearing on Feb. 27 “or as soon as possible.”
Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.
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.
Early risers, give yourselves a few extra minutes before heading out the door this morning. Showers and storms to start the day will likely make for at least a slightly slower commute.
Brief periods of heavy rainfall will be possible. While rain will be around through much of the day, there will also be some breaks in the rainfall too.
Temperatures will stay below average while conditions will be damp at times. Highs today will be in the 60s and upper 50s.
New storms are expected to move in from the west by the evening. As they cross the state line from Colorado, they will initially need to be monitored closely.
A couple of Western Kansas storms during the evening could be strong to severe. While all forms of severe weather will be possible, the threat of a tornado is low and mainly confined to areas along the Kansas/Colorado line.
The severe threat should be lower after midnight despite skies remaining unsettled.
Spotty showers and thunderstorms will likely continue to show some life into Friday.
Despite clouds and rain through much of the day tomorrow, many high temperatures will begin to warm up into the 70s.
Some new storms will be possible later in the afternoon and evening but will still be spotty.
A Friday severe risk has expanded a bit since yesterday but is still confined to southern portions of the area. Wind and hail are the main threats.
Some strong storms to the south will be possible all the way into the overnight.
Saturday will be similar to Thursday and Friday. Spotty rain around through much of the day, more evening showers and storms rolling through, and damp through the overnight.
Once Saturday night rain moves out, Sunday will not be as active. Memorial Day will be mainly dry and warm before skies turn unsettled again.
-
Louisiana5 minutes agoPortion of Louisiana Highway 1 to be named after fallen Vivian officer
-
Maine11 minutes agoMaine ballot initiative to prevent trans athletes in girls sports could be ruled invalid
-
Maryland17 minutes agoGovernor Moore Continues “Delivering for Maryland” Tour in Allegany and Garrett Counties One Year after Historic Floods, Highlighting Infrastructure and Recover
-
Michigan23 minutes agoHarmful microplastics were found in Lake Michigan and the Chicago River
-
Massachusetts29 minutes agoMassachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial hosts annual rededication ceremony – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
-
Minnesota35 minutes agoSt. Paul business owner charged in $4M Minnesota Medicaid fraud scheme
-
Mississippi41 minutes agoWhy Mississippi State upset of OU in super regional was so unlikely in 10 crazy stats
-
Missouri47 minutes agoMissouri governor moves votes on taxes, constitutional amendments to August primary
