KS - February 11 2025

1. Kansas Braces for Heavy Snow, Dangerous Wind Chills
2. Wichita, Sedgwick County Launch $15.5M Overdose Prevention Program
3. Kansas Bill Proposes Elected Supreme Court Justices
4. Governor Kelly Vetoes Trans Youth Healthcare Ban
5. Kansas Bill Would End Health Officials' Quarantine Powers

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1. Kansas Braces for Heavy Snow, Dangerous Wind Chills

A powerful winter storm system is set to impact large portions of Kansas through Wednesday evening, with the National Weather Service issuing Winter Storm Warnings for multiple counties across central, northeast, and east-central regions of the state. The storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches, with the highest totals anticipated along the Interstate 70 corridor. Forecasters warn that patchy freezing drizzle across southeast Kansas Tuesday evening could create hazardous road conditions, particularly on bridges and overpasses, before transitioning to widespread snow after midnight. Travel conditions are expected to be especially treacherous during both Wednesday morning and evening commutes, with gusty north winds potentially causing blowing and drifting snow that could further reduce visibility. Adding to the severe weather outlook, dangerous wind chills as low as 15 below zero are predicted for central Kansas by Thursday morning, and meteorologists are already tracking another potential snow-producing system that could affect the region by late Friday night into Saturday.  

Article Source: NOAA

2. Wichita, Sedgwick County Launch $15.5M Overdose Prevention Program

Sedgwick County hospitals had some of the highest rates of overdose ER visits in the state in 2023. A third-party report is helping the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County launch a substance abuse reduction program. The money to fund the program is part of a nationwide settlement. Combined, the county and city will likely have $15.5 million. On Tuesday, The Steadman Group from Colorado revealed its plan for the settlement money. The group expects the program to operate at full capacity by 2031. This will happen through several stages over five years.

Article Source: KWCH

3. Kansas Bill Proposes Elected Supreme Court Justices

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas called a proposed constitutional amendment that reforms the state's Supreme Court to directly elect justices a "blatant power grab" in light of past comments from state officials. The resolution — if passed by both chambers with a two-thirds majority and placed on a ballot for approval by the general public — would have elections for three justices in 2028, two justices in 2030 and two justices in 2032. The justices would face reelection every six years. It would also strip language out of the state constitution barring Supreme Court justices from contributing to or holding office in a political party.

Article Source: Topeka Capitol-Journal

4. Governor Kelly Vetoes Trans Youth Healthcare Ban

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender youths, setting up a veto override attempt by the Republican supermajorities in the Kansas Legislature. The bill was the first of the 2025 session sent to Kelly's desk by the Republican-led Legislature. The bill passed the House and Senate two weeks ago, with the votes largely along party lines. With a 32-8 vote, the Senate had the two-thirds supermajority needed to override a veto. The House, which had a handful of absent members, was a one vote short of a supermajority with an 83-35 tally but has a clear path to two-thirds.

Article Source: Topeka Capitol-Journal

5. Kansas Bill Would End Health Officials' Quarantine Powers

As Kansas is in the midst of an unprecedented tuberculosis outbreak, state lawmakers are considering eliminating the quarantine power of public health officials. The Senate health committee last week held a hearing on Senate Bill 29, which would strip the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and local public health officers of various authority. While quarantine and isolation could still be recommended, it could no longer be ordered.

Article Source: Topeka Capitol-Journal

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Sources

1. NOAA

2. https://www.kwch.com/2025/02/12/wichita-sedgwick-co-have-155m-overdose-prevention/

3. https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/state/2025/02/11/constitutional-amendment-would-reform-kansas-judicial-selection/78412474007/

4. https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2025/02/11/laura-kelly-vetoes-kansas-bill-banning-gender-affirming-care-for-kids/78427808007/

5. https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2025/02/11/lawmakers-consider-repealing-quarantine-power/78386501007/