Kansas politics

Hundreds of protesters are expected at rallies in the Kansas City region, including several in Johnson County, as part of a nationwide day of action against the Trump administration's policies.

Kansas lawmakers inserted language in the state budget that would restrict what food benefit recipients can buy. Critics say that defining what counts as unhealthy food and drinks is tricky, and the current ban has glaring loopholes.

The city of Leavenworth, Kansas, has netted a momentary victory in its battle to force private prison operator CoreCivic to follow the city’s interpretation of local rules. The company wants to house detainees for federal immigration authorities — without a city permit.

Kansas legislators passed a law this year that bans gender-affirming treatments for young transgender people. Plaintiffs say it violates fundamental rights in the state constitution.

A student at the University of Kansas argues he was wrongfully terminated from his position as a resident assistant because he spoke to the media against KU’s new housing policies removing gender neutral spaces.

A state law prevents companies like Evergy from being sued if police place cameras on the utility poles they own. Some Kansas lawmakers worry that expands police powers too much.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins gave a first-ever approval for a state to restrict what's covered by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during a visit to Nebraska this week. Other states, including Kansas, Iowa and Indiana, are seeking similar waivers.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit in 2023 along with attorneys general from Kansas and Idaho aimed at overturning guidelines for greater access to the medication abortion pill. The Trump administration will defend an earlier decision that affirms those guidelines.

The Trump administration’s promised deportations have private prison operator CoreCivic moving to use the inactive Kansas facility to house federal detainees. Some former employees and immigrant rights advocates are pushing back.

Kansas lawmakers made passing property tax relief their top priority this session. But now that it's over, Republicans and Democrats alike are frustrated by a lack of action.