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Kansas law singling out abortion clinics contested at high court
An attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights says a 2011 state law that targets abortion clinics with a “regulatory scheme” was an unjustified attempt to restrict access to a fundamental right.

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Kansas attorney general urges state Supreme Court to reverse 2019 abortion-rights decision
Justices of the Kansas Supreme Court grilled the state solicitor general Monday about an appeal asking the state’s highest court to reverse its 2019 opinion finding the right to abortion was embedded in the Kansas Constitution and then pivot to affirm a state law banning an abortion procedure.

Kansas activists discuss abortion rights, Legislature’s response to amendment vote
The Legislature may not respect the public’s stance on abortion, but reproductive rights advocates find hope in knowing the record turnout Aug. 2 to defeat the constitutional amendment on abortion was fueled by young voters who are likely to keep voting.

Small planes and secrecy: Pilots fly people to Kansas and other states for abortions
Elevated Access recruits hobby pilots to fly abortion patients out of states with bans. They offer a window into the increasingly scrappy tactics of abortion rights groups in a post-Roe America.

Updated: Kansas lawmakers advance bill making it easier to get a religious vaccine exemption
A bill that would have broadened vaccine exemptions in day care, schools and workplaces in Kansas got rejected Thursday by a legislative committee.

Douglas County Treatment and Recovery Center on track for phase 1 opening next month
The county is on a timeline to bring a final operating agreement for the Douglas County Treatment & Recovery Center to the county commission early next month, with the center to partially open soon thereafter, staff said Wednesday.

Kansas lawmakers advance unproven, scientifically questionable ‘abortion reversal’ legislation
Going against professional medical advice, lawmakers advanced a bill requiring health care providers to tell people undergoing drug-induced abortions they can still change their minds. Providers who refuse to do so could face thousands in fines and potential jail time.

Kansas Senate committee moves to block use of fentanyl test strips to stem overdose deaths
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee reshaped a bill Monday to remove a provision legalizing use of fentanyl strips to help people avoid overdose deaths.

Medical marijuana advocate blames Kansas lawmakers for needless suffering
Alejandro Rangel-Lopez says lawmakers who refuse to legalize medical marijuana are responsible for the needless suffering of Kansans. After two days of Senate hearings on proposed legislation, there appears to be little hope for change this year.

‘A little bit nerve-wracking’: Supporters of medical marijuana hold hope for Kansas law
The medical marijuana debate has been a hard-fought issue for years, heating up as surrounding states passed some form of legalization. But despite several forms of marijuana legislation currently under discussion, advocates aren’t sure of success.

Kansas lawmakers propose state funding of anti-abortion advocacy programs
A new bill would divert an estimated $1.7 million in state funding away from low-income families and into programs that promote childbirth, in an effort to reduce abortions statewide.

As Kansas lawmakers target abortion rights, opposition unites at Statehouse
If Lila and Margaret Bhattarai had their way, they would replace “incredibly misogynistic” legislation floating around the Statehouse with laws that protect people’s rights to do what they want with their own bodies. The sisters from Lawrence joined a coalition of people from across the state who gathered Monday at the Capitol to leverage their voices against a multitude of anti-abortion and anti-transgender proposals.

Who’s your health champion? Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health seeks nominations
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health wants to recognize residents of the county for “exceptional efforts to model, encourage, and promote health in the community.”

Local public health officials fear a Kansas bill would undercut work to contain diseases
The Kansas Legislature is considering a bill that would strip powers from local public health officials to contain disease outbreaks.

Single side heard during Kansas senate committee’s marijuana discussion
During a second round of testimony about medical marijuana, opponents spoke of cannabis-induced suicides, marijuana poisoning and spiking crime rates, in what some have called a blatant attempt at halting the legislation.

Kansas House agrees to raise legal smoking age to 21
The Kansas House passed legislation Thursday to raise the legal age for tobacco products from 18 to 21.