Texas

Kansas abortions rise, despite fewer Texas, Oklahoma patients in 2021

Published

3 years ago

April 27, 2022

Kansas abortions rise, despite fewer Texas, Oklahoma patients in 2021

Public well being officers report a rise in abortions in Kansas, regardless of a lower within the variety of sufferers from Oklahoma and Texas looking for medical care in Kansas.

The Kansas Division of Well being and Surroundings’s preliminary 2021 report on abortion statistics exhibits a rise of 4.1%, from 7,542 abortions reported in 2020 to 7,849 in 2021.

A coalition of anti-abortion teams pointed to the report in a Tuesday information launch marking the three-year anniversary of a Kansas Supreme Courtroom resolution. The justices declared in 2019 that Kansans have a “elementary proper” to an abortion below the state structure, igniting an effort to amend the structure.

“The information clearly exhibits Kansas is heading towards limitless abortion up to date of delivery,” mentioned Danielle Underwood, a spokesperson for Kansans for Life. “The Worth Them Each Modification is the one treatment for Kansans to keep away from changing into a everlasting vacation spot state for painful, late-term abortions, paid for with our state tax {dollars}.”

No Kansans have had abortions after 22 weeks since 2019 court docket resolution

No Kansas residents have had an abortion at 22 weeks or higher gestation for the reason that 2019 resolution, annual public well being statistics present. Between 2016 and 2018, 16 Kansans went outdoors the state for late-term abortions.

In contrast to the KDHE report from a 12 months in the past, when a rise in abortions was primarily attributed to out-of-state sufferers, the rise in abortions in 2021 was virtually solely from in-state sufferers.

Between 2019 and 2020, the variety of annual abortions elevated 630. Out-of-state sufferers accounted for 528, with Texas and Oklahoma women and girls driving the rise.

The 2021 determine was a rise of 303 from 2020. All however 11 of the sufferers lived in Kansas.

The brand new knowledge exhibits an sudden drop within the variety of Texas and Oklahoma sufferers in a 12 months when abortion suppliers reported a surge following laws in Texas successfully banning abortions earlier than most ladies know they’re pregnant.

Extra:Texas now has the hardest abortion restrictions in the USA. What does that imply for Kansas?

Republicans and anti-abortion teams seized on knowledge an anecdotes of surging abortions in Kansas, labeling the state as an “abortion vacation spot” and “sanctuary” below Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

The KDHE reported abortions from 85 Oklahomans and 25 Texans in 2019, with a rise to 277 Oklahomans and 289 Texans in 2020 as these states deemed abortion an elective process amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Kansas services noticed 137 Oklahomans and 233 Texans.

In the meantime, the variety of Missouri sufferers elevated from 3,178 in 2019 to three,201 in 2020 and three,458 in 2021.

A KDHE spokesperson didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

“The reality about this knowledge exhibits that ladies and their infants are usually not being valued,” mentioned Lucrecia Nold, a Kansas Catholic Convention spokesperson. “We as Christians know that ladies and their infants deserve higher.”

Extra:‘It was just like the floodgates opened’ when ladies started coming to Kansas for abortions. Which will change.

Information exhibits highest Kansas abortions since 2011

The 2021 quantity is probably the most abortions in Kansas since 2011, when 7,885 have been reported.

That determine consists of 3,937 abortions reported amongst Kansans, with 4 of these taking place outdoors of the state. The remaining 3,912 have been out-of-state residents who traveled to Kansas.

Youngsters accounted for 751 abortions, together with six ladies youthful than 14. The majority of abortions — 4,588 — got here from ladies of their 20s. Girls older than 40 had 273 abortions.

Experiences of bodily, psychological or emotional abuse or neglect have been filed in 64 instances.

The information present 85% of abortion sufferers have been single women and girls, whereas 70% have been carried out at lower than 9 weeks gestation.

For 30% of abortions, the affected person had by no means had a earlier being pregnant. Moreover, 41% had no residing kids, and 68% had by no means beforehand had an abortion.

The hormone-blocking drug mifepristone was the commonest methodology, accounting for 68% of abortions. The dilation and evacuation process, which anti-abortion teams seek advice from as “dismemberment,” accounted for six%.

Extra:Girls’s March at Kansas Capitol takes intention at constitutional modification, Texas abortion legislation

Worth Them Each modification will likely be on August major poll

A women holds a sign asking voters to vote no on an upcoming amendment to the Kansas Constitution regarding abortion during the National Women's March on Oct. 2.

The 2019 excessive court docket ruling discovered the state structure’s invoice of rights protects private autonomy and bodily integrity.

“This proper permits a lady to make her personal choices relating to her physique, well being, household formation, and household life — choices that may embody whether or not to proceed a being pregnant,” the justices wrote.

The Worth Them Each modification would successfully undo that call. It will rewrite the structure to explicitly say it “doesn’t create or safe a proper to abortion.” It will grant lawmakers the facility to manage abortion “to the extent permitted” by the U.S. Structure.

Proponents contend that the modification is critical to permit lawmakers to manage the medical process. Nevertheless, the 2019 ruling in Hodes and Nauser v. Schmidt allowed rules that “additional a compelling authorities curiosity and in a method that’s narrowly tailor-made to that curiosity.”

“The Kansas Supreme Courtroom’s excessive ruling overrides the need of the individuals,” mentioned Brittany Jones, a spokesperson for Kansas Household Voice. “People all throughout Kansas are shocked at how unelected justices have eliminated protections for moms and infants.”

Extra:‘The world is watching Kansas’ as anti-abortion protesters march on Capitol, promote Worth Them Each

Proponents argue that the modification wouldn’t ban abortion. Nevertheless, it will pave the best way for state lawmakers to take action if the U.S. Supreme Courtroom have been to overturn Roe v. Wade.

That argument has led to a schism amongst spiritual conservatives. A company known as AIM KS, which stands for abortion is homicide, has opposed the constitutional modification as a result of it doesn’t abolish abortion.

The group has backed a invoice launched final month, HB 2746, that may ban all abortions besides these carried out to save lots of the lifetime of the fetus, take away a useless fetus after a miscarriage or stillbirth, or terminations of ectopic pregnancies.

Signs comparing abortion to the Holocaust could be seen among anti-abortion supporters during a Kansans for Life earlier this year through downtown Topeka.

An abortion to save lots of the lifetime of the mom could be unlawful, except it was an ectopic being pregnant with no “cheap different.” No exceptions are made for rape or incest.

Underneath the invoice, morning after tablets would probably be unlawful. It will even be unlawful to destroy a fertilized embryo as half a man-made insemination course of. It’s unclear how it will have an effect on in vitro fertilization, or IVF.

Abortions could be criminalized as among the many most extreme crimes within the state, with a single offense carrying a penalty beginning at 20 years in jail.

Jason Tidd is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He may be reached by e mail at jtidd@gannett.com. Comply with him on Twitter @Jason_Tidd.

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Texas

TCU Volleyball Dominates Texas Tech on Senior Night

Published

2 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

TCU Volleyball Dominates Texas Tech on Senior Night

A common theme for No. 22 TCU has been their complete dominance on their home floor this season. The Horned Frogs finished the year 14-1 at Schollmaier Arena. On Friday night, in front of over 3,000 fans, TCU swept Texas Tech (25-14, 26-24, 25-11).

The four seniors honored by TCU were Melanie Parra, Cecily Bramschreiber, Stephanie Young and Ashlyn Bourland. All four players found ways to contribute as Parra finished with 14 kills and seven digs. Bramschreiber filled up the stat sheet with four kills, four aces and seven digs. Both Young and Bourland got an ace.

Both teams traded points in the early going, but Bramschreiber sparked a 7-2 run to give the Frogs a 16-9 lead. TCU hit .417 in the first set and dominated the first set capped off by a Becca Kelley ace.

In set two, Texas Tech made things much closer jumping out to a 8-5 lead. A 4-0 run from TCU put them back in front. This set included multiple runs and it was Tech that got it to set point leading 24-22. TCU was able to end the set on a 4-0 run courtesy of kills from Jalyn Gibson and Parra paired with aces from Bramschreiber.

Trying to keeps things alive, TCU wasn’t met with much resistance from the Red Raiders in the third set. The Frogs kept up the pressure with multiple runs to build a massive 17-8 lead. Bourland picked up her first career ace and an attack error ended things.

It was a fun night for the seniors that played in front of the TCU crowd for the last time. The 14 wins at home tied the school record for most wins at home in a single season. They also picked up the most wins in a season since 2015. What Jason Williams has done for this program in such a short time has been remarkable to watch.

The Frogs move to 19-7 overall 11-5 in conference. They still are fifth in the Big 12 standings with two games to go. They will travel to Morgantown on Wednesday to take on West Virginia at 6 p.m. and then to Cincinnati on Friday at 1 p.m.

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Texas AG sues Dallas for decriminalizing marijuana

Published

10 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Texas AG sues Dallas for decriminalizing marijuana

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a lawsuit Thursday targeting the blue city of Dallas over a ballot measure that decriminalizes marijuana.

Paxton alleges that Proposition R, which “prohibits the Dallas Police Department from making arrests or issuing citations for marijuana possession or considering the odor of marijuana as probable cause for search or seizure,” violates state law.

The attorney general argues in the lawsuit that the ballot measure is preempted by Texas law, which criminalizes the possession and distribution of marijuana. Paxton also claims the Texas Constitution prohibits municipalities from adopting an ordinance that conflicts with laws enacted by the state legislature.

MORE AMERICANS SMOKE MARIJUANA DAILY THAN DRINK ALCOHOL, STUDY CLAIMS

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks outside the U.S. Supreme Court on November 01, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

“Cities cannot pick and choose which State laws they follow,” Paxton said in a statement. “The City of Dallas has no authority to override Texas drug laws or prohibit the police from enforcing them.”

Paxton called the ballot measure “a backdoor attempt to violate the Texas Constitution” and threatened to sue any other city that “tries to constrain police in this fashion.”

WHAT ARE THE TOP RISKS OF MARIJUANA USE?

A flower bud of marijuana. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

The lawsuit comes after interim Dallas Police Department Chief Michael Igo directed Dallas police officers not to enforce marijuana laws against those found to be in possession of less than 4 ounces.

Ground Game Texas, a progressive nonprofit group that campaigned in favor of the ballot measure, argued it would help “keep people out of jail for marijuana possession,” “reduce racially biased policing” and “save millions in public funding.”

TEXAS AG PAXTON FILES CRIMINAL REFERRAL AGAINST DOJ FROM ‘SUSPICIOUS DONATIONS’ THROUGH DEMOCRATIC GROUP

A mature marijuana plant begins to bloom under artificial lights at Loving Kindness Farms in Gardena, Calif., May 20, 2019. Paxton has sued the city of Dallas over a ballot measure that decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

“It’s unfortunate but not surprising that Attorney General Ken Paxton has apparently chosen to waste everyone’s time and money by filing yet another baseless lawsuit against marijuana decriminalization,” said Catina Voellinger, executive director for Ground Game Texas.

“Judges in Travis and Hays counties have already dismissed identical lawsuits filed there. The Dallas Freedom Act was overwhelmingly approved by 67% of voters — this is democracy in action.”

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Since January 2024, Paxton has filed lawsuits against five Texas cities that decriminalized marijuana possession, arguing these policies promote crime, drug abuse and violence.

Chris Pandolfo is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. Send tips to chris.pandolfo@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.

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Tre Johnson, Texas Longhorns Scrape Past Saint Joseph’s to Win Legends Classic

Published

18 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Tre Johnson, Texas Longhorns Scrape Past Saint Joseph’s to Win Legends Classic

The Texas Longhorns are heading back to Austin with some early-season tournament hardware in hand.

Tre Johnson battled through another poor shooting night but closed the game out for Texas once again, scoring a game-high 17 points to lead the Longhorns to a 67-58 win over Saint Joseph’s at the Legends Classic championship round in Brooklyn Friday night.

Transfer guard Julian Larry sparked the Longhorns late, scoring all 12 of his points in the second half. Arthur Kaluma added 14 points, four rebounds and four assists while Kadin Shedrick had 10 points and six rebounds.

The Hawks were led by Rasheer Fleming, who stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, 20 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and three steals. Xzayvier Brown added 15 points on 4 of 7 shooting.

The Longhorns jumped out to an 11-6 lead after seven early points from Kaluma. St. Joe’s started out cold from the field but controlled the game with hard-nosed defense and the occasional press while dominating the offensive glass. This was highlighted by a possession where the Hawks got four consecutive offensive rebounds but only scored one point as a result.

Johnson stayed aggressive on offense for Texas but was off on his shot and was impacted by the on-ball defense of St. Joe’s.

Mark, Pope and Johnson all hit a triple for Texas in about a two-minute span ahead of halftime to give the Longhorns their biggest lead at 32-26 but the Hawks responded with a free throw from Haskins 3-pointer from Brown before halftime to cut the lead to 32-30.

The defense from the Hawks ramped up even more, as the Longhorns were stuck in the mud on offense and had little to no ball movement. St. Joe’s was hardly much better, but its defense continued to set the tone and eventually swung the momentum.

Larry then hit back-to-back triples as the two teams traded buckets on five straight possessions. Consecutive dunks from Ajogbor and Fleming but the Hawks in front 50-46 with 8:25 to play, but Larry continued to take over. He hit 1,000 career points with a driving layup before finding Kaluma for a corner triple to put Texas back in front at 51-50.

It didn’t stop there for Larry, who found a cutting Shedrick for a dunk before diving on a loose ball down at the other end to secure possession for Texas, which had built a 55-52 lead with 3:13 left. The Longhorns used the momentum to put together an 8-0 run, which essentially sealed the win in a game where scoring felt hard to come by.

Johnson then closed the game out with six points in the final 4:11 of action, including a pullup jumper at the foul line to put Texas up 63-55 with 1:19 left.

Texas will host Delaware State on Nov. 29.

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