Ghost of past Kansas tax-slashing kills push to resume cuts

Persistent budget problems that followed a now-abandoned tax-slashing experiment in Kansas helped kill new cuts this year that were meant to return an unexpected "windfall" to the state from changes in federal tax laws. Top Republicans pushed Friday - the last day of the GOP-controlled Legislature's annual session - for passage of a bill that would save taxpayers an estimated $78 million during the state's next budget year, which begins July 1. It was a response to changes in federal tax laws that will force some individuals and corporations to pay more to the state because the state's tax code is tied to the federal one.

Republican Speaks Out, Suing Party and Virginia Department of Elections

A man hoping to challenge Democratic U.S. Senator Tim Kaine is sounding off about his lawsuit against the Virginia Department of Elections and the Republican party. Raiklin believes he was unfairly excluded from absentee ballots that started on April 27. He says the executive director of the Republican Party undermined his campaign's right to a fair count of signatures.

The Latest: Kansas approves adoption bill seen as anti-LGBT

The Latest on bills in Oklahoma and Kansas to protect faith-based adoption agencies that won't place children in LGBT homes : Kansas lawmakers have joined their counterparts in Oklahoma in passing legislation to grant legal protections to faith-based adoption agencies that won't place children in LGBT homes. The Kansas Senate approved a bill early Friday that would prevent agencies from being barred from providing adoption services for the state if they refuse to place children in homes violating their religious beliefs.

Oklahoma, Kansas approve religious veto on LGBT adoptions

State lawmakers in Oklahoma and Kansas have approved legislation to grant legal protections to faith-based adoption agencies that cite their religious beliefs for not placing children in LGBT homes. Supporters of such measures argued that the core issue is protecting a group's right to live out its religious faith, while critics saw them as attacks on LGBT rights.

Kansas, Oklahoma approve religious veto on LGBT adoptions

State lawmakers in Kansas and Oklahoma have approved legislation to grant legal protections to faith-based adoption agencies that cite their religious beliefs for not placing children in LGBT homes. Supporters of such measures argued that the core issue is protecting a group's right to live out its religious faith, while critics saw them as attacks on LGBT rights.

Oklahoma passes faith veto on LGBT adoptions; Kansas close

Oklahoma legislators approved a measure Thursday to grant legal protections to faith-based adoption agencies that cite their religious beliefs for not placing children in LGBT homes and lawmakers in Kansas were close to passing a similar measure. The Oklahoma House's 56-21 vote sent its measure to Republican Gov. Mary Fallin, who has not said whether she would sign it.

Oklahoma lawmakers pass religious veto on same-sex adoptions

Oklahoma legislators approved a measure Thursday to grant legal protections to faith-based adoption agencies that cite their religious beliefs for not placing children in LGBT homes and Republicans in Kansas were pushing a similar measure. The Oklahoma House's 56-21 vote sent its measure to Republican Gov. Mary Fallin, who has not said whether she would sign it.

Woman taking sanctuary in Boulder joins call for action on immigration, path to legal residency

Names four women currently taking sanctuary at Colorado churches - Araceli Velasquez, Ingrid Encalada Latorre, Rosa Sabido and Sandra Lopez - and calls federal and state action to create a path for the women to gain legal residency. Says the four women have complied with all requested of them by the immigration system, short of deportation, and have participated in Colorado life to the fullest and have made extraordinary sacrifices by claiming sanctuary to keep their families together.

California sues over plan to scrap car emission standards

Eighteen states Tuesday sued President Donald Trump's administration over its push to "reconsider" greenhouse gas-emission rules for the nation's auto fleet, launching a legal battle over one of former President Barack Obama's most significant efforts to address climate change. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt in April said he would revisit the Obama-era rules, which aim to raise efficiency requirements to about 50 miles per gallon by 2025.

Religious and LGBT groups clash in 2 states over adoption

Republican legislators in Kansas tried Thursday to break a political stalemate over a proposal to grant legal protections to faith-based adoption agencies that cite their religious beliefs for not placing children in LGBT homes. House and Senate negotiators drafted a new version of a bill that would prevent the state from barring agencies from providing foster care or adoption services if they refuse to place children in homes violating their "sincerely held" religious beliefs.

The Latest: Oklahoma approves adoption bill targeting LGBT

The Latest on bills in Oklahoma and Kansas to protect faith-based adoption agencies that won't place children in LGBT homes : The Oklahoma House has given final approval to a bill that would grant legal protections to faith-based adoption agencies that don't want to place children in homes with same-sex couples. The House voted 56-21 on Thursday for the bill over the boisterous objections of Democrats, who tried several parliamentary maneuvers to derail it.

Kansas City Tuesday News Link Look Down

Hottie Lucy has been a leader the "body acceptance" movement across the globe and today she inspires just a bit more link searching on the trending topic. A couple of examples for Tuesday: Closer to home, we're sharing more than a handful of local news items for the midday.

Petition to repeal gas tax increase submitted, organizers expect it will qualify for November ballot

Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox, front, and congressional candidate Diane Harkey, in yellow, carry boxes of signatures into the office of the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox, front, and congressional candidate Diane Harkey, in yellow, carry boxes of signatures into the office of the San Diego County Registrar of Voters.