Kansas
Trial challenging several Kansas abortion laws starts on Friday
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A trial starting on Friday in Johnson County could determine what doctors must do before providing an abortion in Kansas.
The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by the Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood, challenges four abortion-related laws passed by state lawmakers. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is defending the laws.
One law requires doctors to warn patients that abortions may increase the risk of premature birth or breast cancer. A judge has already paused that provision, ruling the claims are not backed by credible medical evidence.
The lawsuit also challenges requirements for abortion paperwork, including strict rules about fonts, font sizes, and even paper color. Another law mandates a 30-minute waiting period after patients meet with a provider, which opponents argue is medically unnecessary.
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Doctors are also required to tell patients at least five times that a medication abortion can be reversed, something the groups call misleading.
Alice Wang, an attorney with the Center for Reproductive Rights, says the laws interfere with Kansas voters, who want abortion care rights.
“The government has no business inserting itself into what should be the privacy of the doctor’s office and the patient’s provider relationship,” said Wang. “It’s no one’s business what you do with your body other than your own.”
12 News did reach out to the Attorney General’s Office, but did not receive a response.
Copyright 2025 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
Kansas
LET’S TALK | KSHB coming to Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The KSHB 41 News team will be landing in Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, for our latest Let’s Talk event.
We’ll be hanging out from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Peachtree Cafeteria, 2128 E. 12th Street, in Kansas City, Missouri, 64127.
Join KSHB 41’s Kevin Holmes, Wes Peery, Alyssa Jackson, Ryan Gamboa and others in person to let us know what we need to learn about the Historic Northeast, its residents, what’s going well and what opportunities are possible.
If you can’t make it in person, send us a question using the form below.
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Kansas
Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules
Posted:
Updated:
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Agriculture held a meeting on Thursday to discuss proposed rules regarding the Kansas Water Appropriation Act.
The Division of Water Resources is proposing new regulations and changes to current regulations under the law.
The division is looking at amending or revoking regulations related to flowmeters tracking water usage.
It is also proposing changes to groundwater usage rules on how far you can move a well from its original location to prevent harming the water rights of other landowners.
Another regulation would create voluntary Water Conservation Areas, where landowners work with the division to establish water conservation plans on their properties.
Some of the concerns raised at Thursday’s meeting dealt with property rights and the transfer of land to new owners. Some expressed concern about the sale of water rights to other landowners in the area.
There is no listed timeline for when the changes could be made.
For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.
Kansas
Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A rural Kansas fire department says it saw yet another increase in calls in 2025.
On Tuesday, Butler County Fire District #3 posted data about last year on social media.
It responded to 782 alarms in 2025, which is a new record.
The majority of the calls were for rescue and emergency medical services, followed by service calls.
The department’s data show the number of calls has been trending upward over the last 20 years.
From 2006 to 2010, the department handled an an average of 550 calls a year. From 2021 through 2025, that average was 720, a 31% increase.
Officials said continued growth in the community has increased the demand for emergency services.
“These numbers reinforce the importance of ongoing training, staffing, equipment planning, and community support to ensure we can continue to provide timely and effective service,” the department said on Facebook.
For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.
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