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Kansas state officials begin process of interpreting ‘poorly drafted’ bathroom law
State officials are delving into the language of the law that will force people to use bathroom and private facilities in government buildings that match their sex assigned at birth, challenged by vague language that makes it difficult to know what to do.
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Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
MORe KANSAS NEWS
Kansas adopts faculty workload, post-tenure review system for public universities
The Kansas Board of Regents ordered state public universities to implement faculty workload and tenure review policies aiming to bring underperforming professors to remediation, with termination as a potential consequence.
Projected electricity usage expected to strain Kansas grid unless transmission, generation added
Projected increases in electricity load growth are as high as 99% by 2035, a data point that pushed regional energy regulators to create a plan to stabilize and expand grid capacity and transmission, a legislative committee learned.
Who can represent Kansas in court? Governor and attorney general clash at Supreme Court
The Kansas Supreme Court is considering who can represent the state in court, after Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach have clashed over taking legal action on behalf of the state.
Kansas legislators hear divided testimony on proposed school cellphone ban
A bipartisan Kansas bill that aims to implement a bell-to-bell cellphone ban beginning next school year would override local rules and establish one of the nation’s most restrictive policies.
Kansas disregards CDC vaccine changes, will trust scientific evidence instead
Kansas’ top health agency is sticking with the longstanding childhood immunization schedule instead of implementing new guidelines released Jan. 5 by the CDC, a state spokesperson said.
‘America is showing its dark underbelly’: Protesters condemn ICE in rally at Kansas Statehouse
Hundreds of Kansans chanted “f*** ICE,” carried pointed and sometimes profane signs, and sang protest songs Wednesday as they flooded the second floor of the Statehouse to rally for human rights.
Proposed bill bans gender changes on Kansas driver’s licenses, birth certificates
A bill that would ban gender changes on Kansas driver’s licenses and birth certificates drew hundreds of opponent comments despite appearing on a committee agenda just 24 hours before the Tuesday hearing.
Kansas House Speaker touts Republican supermajority’s ‘people-first agenda’
Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins underscored the force of the Republican supermajority and its 2025 policy wins in his response to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s final State of the State address.
Kansas governor revels in triumphs, warns against succumbing to ‘uncivilized’ D.C. politics
Gov. Laura Kelly said during her State of the State speech that Kansas would have suffered in managing the government, advancing economic activity and elevating the quality of life if voters had chosen a governor who confused toxicity for leadership.
Kansas Supreme Court chief justice pleads for investments in specialty courts, rural attorneys
Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen pressed the Legislature on Tuesday to expand funding for specialty courts and asked lawmakers to collaborate on solutions to the shortage of attorneys in rural Kansas.
Kansas Legislature jolts to life with newcomers and generation of new policy agendas
The 2026 session of the Kansas Legislature burst to life Monday as Republicans and Democrats staked out public policy priorities, welcomed members to fill unexpired terms and awaited Gov. Kelly’s final State of the State speech.
Stephen R Ausmus USDA-ARS
Kansas bird flu outbreak is worst in nation
Kansas is suffering from the worst outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the country, with nearly 414,000 birds affected, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Kansas Legislature launches 2026 session with Democrat Laura Kelly in final year as governor
The Kansas Legislature convenes Monday for the final session with Gov. Laura Kelly amid uncertainty about potential redrawing of the state’s congressional map to disenfranchise voters who elected U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids.
GOP legislative leaders enlist former Emporia State president to slash Kansas university budgets
Republican legislative leaders agreed to pay former Emporia State University president Ken Hush $50,000 to spearhead their efforts to slash spending at public universities.
Kansas Supreme Court Justice Eric Rosen sworn in as chief of state’s highest court
Kansas Supreme Court Justice Eric Rosen formally stepped into the job of chief justice Thursday by framing the delicate work of the state’s highest court as a crucial public service and proclaiming the citizenry’s diversity of perspective strengthened the rule of law rather than challenged it.
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