Kansas Supreme Court Upholds Ban on ‘Wrongful Birth’ Lawsuits
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – The Kansas Supreme Court has upheld a law barring so-called “wrongful birth” lawsuits against doctors. The decision comes in a case where a couple sued because they weren’t told of serious fetal defects until after an abortion could have been obtained. The state Supreme Court ruled yesterday (FRI) against the parents of a girl born with a severe brain abnormality who said they would have opted for an abortion had they known of her medical problems months before her May 2014 birth. The doctor argued that their lawsuit was barred by a Kansas law against wrongful birth lawsuits. The law was enacted in 2013 by the Republican-controlled legislature and under Governor Brownback at the urging of abortion opponents.
===============
Kansas Legislator Arrested after Substitute Teaching Incident
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A Kansas House member was arrested for possible misdemeanor battery in an incident while he was substitute teaching at a public school in his hometown. Republican Representative Mark Samsel was booked Thursday into the Franklin County jail and released on $1,000 bond. His arrest came after a student reported an incident Wednesday at a school in Wellsville. The 36-year-old Samsel has yet to be formally charged with a crime but has a first appearance scheduled for May 19th in district court. Samsel did not answer a phone call Friday afternoon.
===============
KU Hires New Football Coach
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) – The University of Kansas has hired Buffalo’s Lance Leipold as its next football coach. The Jayhawks are turning over one of college football’s worst programs to a longtime Division III coach with Midwestern roots. Leipold signed a six-year contract and takes over for Les Miles. Miles parted with the Jayhawks after two losing seasons amid allegations of sexual harassment dating to his time with the LSU Tigers. Leipold won six Division III national titles in eight seasons before going to the Bulls, where he was 37-33 the past six years.
===============
Evergy to Close Two Kansas Coal-Fired Power Plants
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – Evergy officials say they plan to close two coal-fired plants in the next nine years as part of its effort to reduce its use of fossil fuels. The company said in a report to regulators filed yesterday (FRI) that it will close its coal-fired plan near Lawrence by the end of 2023. The plan is the utility’s oldest, with some units dating back to the 1960s. Evergy will also close Unit 3 of the Jeffrey Energy Center near St. Marys in 2030. That’s nine years early than originally expected. Evergy’s plan is to reduce its carbon emissions by 70% by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2045.