Kansas
The ‘rape exception’ and the politics of abortion access in Kansas
Patrick R. Miller
Authorities regulation of girls who grow to be pregnant from rape has abruptly grabbed nationwide headlines. That’s as a result of state legislatures round America are contemplating quite a few controversial payments that might ban abortion entry for these ladies.
In Kansas this yr, a conservative lawmaker launched Home Invoice 2746. It bans abortion besides in very restricted circumstances, with no exception for rape, incest or many threats to a girl’s life or well being. It additionally seemingly permits the prosecution of sure ladies who get abortions and their docs.
HB 2746 didn’t get severe consideration, however the Home majority chief didn’t rule out contemplating it subsequent yr when chatting with the Kansas Metropolis Star.
That “subsequent yr” half is vital.
Proper now, abortion is authorized in Kansas however with important limitations imposed by the Legislature. Nonetheless, which may quickly change.
If the U.S. Supreme Court docket overturns Roe v. Wade this yr and if the abortion modification on the August main poll in Kansas passes, then the Kansas Legislature might go one thing like HB 2746 and it might really be enforced.
If that August modification fails, then one thing like HB 2746 would doubtless not be enforceable in Kansas, it doesn’t matter what occurs to Roe. Put merely, the August abortion vote decides the way forward for abortion entry in Kansas.
Since “the rape exception” is getting nationwide headlines, let’s focus there. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation reported 1,190 rapes in Kansas in 2020, although the actual quantity is probably going greater since sexual assault usually goes unreported.
There is no such thing as a consensus on what number of rapes end in being pregnant, however 5% is commonly cited from a 1996 research. On condition that, then a minimum of 60 Kansas ladies doubtless turned pregnant from rape in 2020. That appears small, except it’s you or a beloved one.
The rape exception has lengthy bothered anti-abortion activists, courting a minimum of to Eugene Quay’s well-known 1961 Georgetown Regulation Journal article. These activists generally argue that girls will simply lie about being raped if rape exceptions to abortion bans are allowed. Some have additionally superior junk science saying that rape can’t trigger being pregnant, which impressed Todd Akin’s controversial “official rape” remark in Missouri in 2012.
The rape exception has broad assist in Kansas. The 2021 Kansas Speaks survey from Fort Hays State College reveals that solely 20% of Kansas adults assist banning abortion in instances of rape.
That’s a troublesome realty for anti-abortion activists. If their true endgame is one thing like HB 2746 that bans abortion in Kansas even for rape victims, saying that publicly received’t win votes this August.
As a substitute, many modification supporters are distorting the difficulty into one thing extra palatable, falsely claiming that the 2019 Hodes ruling from the Kansas Supreme Court docket declared each abortion restriction in Kansas unlawful and bans the legislature from regulating abortion.
However that’s not actuality, and never what Hodes really did. Reasonably, it’s a hypothetical authorized argument, not like HB 2746 which really exists. Three years after Hodes, abortion continues to be closely restricted in Kansas. The sky hasn’t fallen on abortion laws.
Borrowing a phrase from the late Republican Sen. John Warner, the everyday Kansan is “pro-choice with limitations, pro-life with exceptions.” The destiny of abortion in Kansas is in our ambivalent palms this August.
Kansans deserve forthright dialogue in regards to the advanced actuality right here and the precise stakes of this abortion vote.
Patrick R. Miller is an affiliate professor of political science on the College of Kansas.
Kansas
Dense Fog Blankets Central Kansas
Dense fog reduced visibility to less than a quarter mile in parts of central, south central, and southeast Kansas on Saturday morning, December 28, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Footage taken in Wichita by NWS meteorologist Kevin Darmofal shows his view of “another foggy start” to the day.
A dense fog advisory would remain in effect until 10 am CST, the NWS said.
“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” the weather service warned. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.” Credit: Kevin Darmofal/NWS Wichita via Storyful
Kansas
5 Chiefs Who Will Carry Kansas City to the Super Bowl
The Chiefs look poised to make another deep playoff run en route to a potential third consecutive Super Bowl victory, having secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC with the ability to rest starters in Week 18 on top of the first-round postseason bye.
Guys like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones will obviously be the driving forces behind any major success over the next month, but there are a number of other players who will step up in a big way to help this organization reach immortality.
We all know the leaders, but who are some of the underrated Chiefs who are poised to guide Kansas City to another Lombardi?
It’s hard to call a three-time All-Pro an under-the-radar player, yet fans and national media alike still might not be aware of how special Joe Thuney has been. After another ho-hum season of perhaps the best guard play in the NFL, Thuney flipped over to left tackle, a position he does not play, and has been excellent.
The 32-year-old only has one year left in his contract. However, no offensive lineman has been more important to the Chiefs. Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith are elite players, though Thuney moving over to left tackle helped resurrect Kansas City’s offense and save the season.
D.J. Humphries’ acquisition has proved to be a failure. He can’t get on the field and at this point, it’s far too risky to let him protect Mahomes. Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia clearly can’t handle the role, so it feels likely that Thuney will remain the Chiefs’ left tackle throughout the playoff run.
Ranking as the fourth-best offensive guard out of 129 players at Pro Football Focus, Thuney has been marvelous.
Considering next year is the last on his contract, there’s a strong argument to be made that Brett Veach needs to do everything in his power to extend the veteran. If Thuney keeps this level of play up, he’ll be remembered as one of the best offensive linemen in franchise history.
Kansas
2 arrested after stolen vehicle leads Kansas City Police on high-speed chase
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Two men who led police on a high-speed chase through Kansas City in a stolen vehicle have been charged in connection to another stolen vehicle.
Jackson County, Missouri, Circuit Court records indicate that Trevon Perkins, 27, and Demont M. Vandunk, have been charged in connection to the armed robbery of a Corvette from a Kansas City detailer and a high-speed chase that followed.
A probable cause statement filed by the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department revealed that just after 5 p.m. on Dec. 20, emergency crews were called to a local parking lot with reports of an armed robbery. When they arrived, they found a local detailer who reported he had been working on a Corvette when it was stolen.
The victim told law enforcement officials that two men, later identified as Perkins and Vandunk, drove up in a black 2018 Camaro before they threatened to shoot him as they took his wallet, keys and belongings.
Investigators noted that Vandunk left the scene in the blue 2023 Corvette while Perkins returned to the Camaro and sped off. Later that night, the Camaro was spotted near E. 67th and Monroe Ave. However, when law enforcement officials attempted to pull the driver – Vandunk – over, he attempted to speed off and started a chase.
Law enforcement officials said they followed Vandunk and Perkins, who was in the passenger seat, down Meyer to Swope Pkwy. and onto Cleveland Ave. as they reached speeds of more than 100 mph. Vandunk lost control of the Camaro before it crashed into another vehicle near 40th and Cleveland.
KCPD said Vandunk and Perkins attempted to run but were quickly taken into custody. During the investigation, it was found that the Camaro had also been stolen out of Kansas City, Kansas. All of the property stolen in the earlier robbery was found and seized.
Vandunk was charged with accessory to robbery, armed criminal action and aggravated fleeing a stop. Perkins was charged with accessory to robbery and armed criminal action as a result. If convicted both could face up to life in prison.
As of Friday, Dec. 27, Perkins remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond. A bond review hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, with a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22.
Vandunk remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond as well. A bond review hearing for him has been set for 10 a.m. on Tuesday with a preliminary hearing also at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22. No further information has been released.
Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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