Kansas

New ‘constitutional carry’ law in Kansas doesn’t require a permit to have a concealed handgun

A new law that will allow Kansas residents age 21 and over to carry concealed firearms without first getting a permit was signed into law Thursday by the state governor. Although some have expressed concerns about allowing individuals without training to carry a concealed gun, others say the new law,…

Apr 3, 2015 9:45 AM CDT

Lewis Brisbois raids Kutak Rock to open in Wichita; 8 of 9 lawyers join the Los Angeles firm

Los Angeles-based Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith has raided Kutak Rock to open a new office in Wichita, Kansas. Only one of the firm’s nine attorneys there is remaining with Omaha-based 500-attorney Kutak, and he will be moving to a new office, reports the Wichita Eagle. The eight others joined…

Mar 16, 2015 3:55 PM CDT

Some gay state workers in Kansas still protected from discrimination, despite action by governor

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s decision to lift employment protections for LGBT state workers won’t disable protections for some in this group. Several state universities have announced they don’t plan to change their policies barring discrimination against workers on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, the Wichita Business Journal…

Feb 17, 2015 9:41 AM CST

Army OKs hormone therapy for Chelsea Manning, who was sentenced to 35 years in WikiLeaks case

In a first for the U.S. Army, the commandant of the Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, military prison where Chelsea Manning is being held has approved female hormone treatment. Manning, a former intelligence analyst who was convicted of espionage as Bradley Manning in a high-profile case for providing classified documents to WikiLeaks,…

Feb 13, 2015 12:00 PM CST

Forcibly shaven, convicted Fort Hood shooter appears in court beardless

In addition to being convicted of capital murder in the 2009 shooting massacre of 13 people at Fort Hood, a U.S. Army psychiatrist has lost the beard he fought to keep on religious grounds. During a court appearance Thursday in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, concerning the appeal process, Nidal Hasan was…

Jan 29, 2015 5:40 PM CST

Judge denies mistrial after man decks his attorney, says that would put ‘target’ on lawyers’ backs

After Lance Franklin decked his defense lawyer on Thursday, right in front of the jury during a Topeka, Kansas, rape trial, Judge Marc Braun held him in contempt and sentenced him to 180 days. But Braun denied a defense motion for a mistrial Friday in the Shawnee County district court…

Dec 12, 2014 11:05 AM CST

Lawyer is suspended for ‘intentional bullying tactics’ in Facebook message

The Kansas Supreme Court has suspended a Kansas City lawyer as a result of a Facebook message deemed tantamount to “emotional blackmail.” The lawyer, Eric Michael Gamble, had represented a biological father opposed to the adoption of his daughter. Gamble’s Facebook message to the 18-year-old mother, who was not represented…

Dec 11, 2014 5:45 AM CST

Judge says investigative files for ‘In Cold Blood’ murders can be published by investigator’s son

In 2012, a Kansas judge ruled that records kept by a man who investigated the murder of four family members portrayed in a famous Truman Capote book could not be published, sold or used as the basis for a book. But Shawnee County District Court Judge Larry Hendricks has since…

Dec 1, 2014 5:20 PM CST

Foster dad takes manslaughter plea in baby’s hot-car death

Originally charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 10-month-old foster child who was forgotten in his car for more than two hours on a hot day, Seth Michael Jackson later saw that charge reduced to second-degree murder. On Wednesday, he pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the Sedgwick…

Nov 26, 2014 1:05 PM CST

Hospital chain says job applicants who test positive for ‘tobacco use’ won’t be hired

A hospital chain headquartered in Colorado has announced a plan to test job applicants for tobacco. Those who test positive for “tobacco use” won’t be hired, but can re-apply after 90 days. The testing by Centura Health will take place as part of pre-employment screening, once job offers are made,…

Nov 20, 2014 1:45 PM CST

Lawyer is disbarred for ‘inexplicable incompetence’ (see video of his argument in Jefferson garb)

A lawyer who told jurors his capital murder client was a “professional drug dealer” and a “shooter of people” has been disbarred for “inexplicable incompetence.” The Kansas Supreme Court posted its opinion (PDF) on Friday as well as a video of oral arguments in which Dennis Hawver appeared dressed as…

Nov 17, 2014 7:29 AM CST

Supreme Court temporarily blocks same-sex marriage in Kansas

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has temporarily blocked same-sex marriages in Kansas in response to a stay application that cites a newly developed circuit split. Sotomayor, who handles emergency appeals from the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, granted the stay Monday evening, the New York Times, the…

Nov 11, 2014 7:12 AM CST

Appeals court says councilman ousted for letting homeless pal stay at city hall must be reinstated

Corrected: A Prairie Village councilman who was removed from office because he allowed a homeless friend to stay overnight at city hall during 2012 must be reinstated, a Kansas appeals court has ruled. A district court judge removed David Morrison from office a year ago, after the council voted to…

Oct 10, 2014 11:10 AM CDT

Daughter of BTK serial killer speaks out against Stephen King story, says her dad enjoys attention

A daughter of a notorious serial killer has for the first time publicly spoken about her father, in response to news that a short story by Stephen King, “A Good Marriage”, was inspired by her family’s experience in living unknowing with a multiple murderer. Kerri Rawson says it’s unfortunate that…

Sep 26, 2014 2:40 PM CDT

Asked to order Democrats to pick new US Senate candidate, top Kansas court sends case to trial judge

The Kansas Supreme Court agreed to hear on an emergency basis a lawyer’s case seeking a writ of mandamus to get his name off the November ballot as a candidate for the U.S. Senate. It ruled last week that Chad Taylor had filed appropriate paperwork invoking a state statutory mandate…

Sep 24, 2014 9:55 AM CDT