By&nbsp;Leilana McKindra KU Medical Center News

KANSAS CITY -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/hmangat.html" target="_blank">Halinder Mangat, M.D.,</a>&nbsp;an associate professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, is the lead author on a research paper confirming the overall safety of the two mRNA vaccines and the single adenovirus vector COVID-19 vaccine in the United States.

In an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.972464/full" target="_blank">observational study published in Frontiers in Public Health</a>&nbsp;last month, Mangat and the research team, which included collaborators from the United Kingdom, Germany, India and the Netherlands, found that over a one-year period there were very low overall cumulative reported rates of severe adverse events from the three COVID-19 vaccines. The findings were based on data from a publicly accessible vaccine safety surveillance database and included all reported instances up to 28 days after vaccination.

“While part of the safety may be dependent on selecting different vaccines for different age groups, the overall safety profile of both mRNA (Pfizer and Moderna) and adenovirus vector (Janssen) vaccines is very good,” Mangat said. “In the context of COVID-19, risks of such severe adverse events following immunization appear to be significantly lower than from COVID-19 in adults.”

The study team found 88,626 severe adverse events after immunization (sAEFI) reported out of 485 million vaccine doses administered nationwide over a one-year period.

In the study, researchers looked at the rates of sAEFI reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) between December 13, 2020, and December 13, 2021, for each of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines authorized for emergency use and attributed to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination programs across all states and territories in the United States. Severe adverse events included emergency department visits, hospitalizations, life-threatening events and deaths.

Given the low rates of severe adverse events with the three COVID-19 vaccines, the study concluded that immunization should remain a critical tool for adults for decreasing severity of COVID-19 in the United States. Researchers also noted that data confirming the safety of the vaccines should be the centerpiece of public health messaging to help fuel vaccine uptake and combat vaccine hesitancy.

The study team wrote that the findings should bolster confidence in adenovector virus vaccines and their continued use globally, including some remote areas where refrigeration is difficult or impossible.

“The results from this study should encourage people who have been skeptical about vaccine safety to take the vaccines,” Mangat said. “At a global level, these data also provide safety reassurance for the continued use of adenovector virus vaccines, which do not pose cold-chain logistical challenges.”

See Related Stories in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/about/news/news-archive.html?cat=147">Research</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/about/news/news-archive.html?cat=145">School of Medicine</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/about/news/news-archive.html?cat=710">School of Medicine Research</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649633006948.jpeg" alt="(Photo by Pixabay)" />
 <figcaption>(Photo by Pixabay)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;Leilana McKindra KU Medical Center NewsKANSAS CITY -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/hmangat.html" target="_blank">Halinder Mangat, M.D.,</a>&nbsp;an associate professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, is the lead author on a research paper confirming the overall safety of the two mRNA vaccines and the single adenovirus vector COVID-19 vaccine in the United States.In an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.972464/full" target="_blank">observational study published in Frontiers in Public Health</a>&nbsp;last month, Mangat and the research team, which included collaborators from the United Kingdom, Germany, India and the Netherlands, found that over a one-year period there were very low overall cumulative reported rates of severe adverse events from the three COVID-19 vaccines. The findings were based on data from a publicly accessible vaccine safety surveillance database and included all reported instances up to 28 days after vaccination.“While part of the safety may be dependent on selecting different vaccines for different age groups, the overall safety profile of both mRNA (Pfizer and Moderna) and adenovirus vector (Janssen) vaccines is very good,” Mangat said. “In the context of COVID-19, risks of such severe adverse events following immunization appear to be significantly lower than from COVID-19 in adults.”The study team found 88,626 severe adverse events after immunization (sAEFI) reported out of 485 million vaccine doses administered nationwide over a one-year period.In the study, researchers looked at the rates of sAEFI reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) between December 13, 2020, and December 13, 2021, for each of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines authorized for emergency use and attributed to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination programs across all states and territories in the United States. Severe adverse events included emergency department visits, hospitalizations, life-threatening events and deaths.Given the low rates of severe adverse events with the three COVID-19 vaccines, the study concluded that immunization should remain a critical tool for adults for decreasing severity of COVID-19 in the United States. Researchers also noted that data confirming the safety of the vaccines should be the centerpiece of public health messaging to help fuel vaccine uptake and combat vaccine hesitancy.The study team wrote that the findings should bolster confidence in adenovector virus vaccines and their continued use globally, including some remote areas where refrigeration is difficult or impossible.“The results from this study should encourage people who have been skeptical about vaccine safety to take the vaccines,” Mangat said. “At a global level, these data also provide safety reassurance for the continued use of adenovector virus vaccines, which do not pose cold-chain logistical challenges.”See Related Stories in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/about/news/news-archive.html?cat=147">Research</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/about/news/news-archive.html?cat=145">School of Medicine</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/about/news/news-archive.html?cat=710">School of Medicine Research</a>

KU-led COVID vaccine safety study: Low rates of severe adverse events

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to raise awareness of its “Click It or Ticket” campaign during the busy Thanksgiving weekend. 

Law enforcement agencies will have an increased presence on roadways to check for speeders, seat belt use, and any suspicion of impaired driving.

“Whether driving down the street or across the country, you endanger yourself by not buckling up and you are letting others be in danger if you don’t require them to use their seat belts, too,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. “Drivers and passengers should use that seat belt every single time they get into a vehicle.”

KDOT&nbsp;statistics show 319 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in traffic crashes in Kansas in 2021. In that same year, 46.4% of those killed were unrestrained. About 46.6% of front-seat passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2021 were unrestrained and 58.3% of those killed in back seats were unrestrained.&nbsp;KDOT&nbsp;Behavioral Safety Manager Gary Herman encourages everyone to buckle up and drive defensively when traveling over Thanksgiving weekend.

“A simple click any time you head out will help you make it to the table and to your family safely,” said Herman. “The odds for crashing increase with more vehicles on the road, and you can’t control how many people are out on Thanksgiving weekend. But you can ensure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up.”

Seat belts are proven effective. NHTSA reports seat belts have saved the lives of more than 100,000 people in the United States in the past 10 years. However, unrestrained drivers and motorists who are ejected from a vehicle during a crash do not have good odds for survival. Nationally in 2020, eight out of 10 (82%) passenger vehicle occupants ejected from vehicles in crashes were killed. Across the U.S. in 2020, only 1% of passenger vehicle occupants wearing seat belts were ejected in fatal crashes, compared to 26% of those who were unrestrained.&nbsp;

This Thanksgiving’s “Click It or Ticket” surveillance period will be in effect from Wednesday to Monday. Any violation of traffic safety laws can result in a fine and certain violations can result in jail time. The campaign runs concurrently with a media campaign reminding motorists that Kansas law dictates driver safety requirements. Please drive responsibility. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ktsro.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CAshley.Perez%40ks.gov%7Cf7c7c8949241434f039c08dacbea70b4%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C638046505041189302%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=vc6ngYAy2IEaYEhxSAfy%2Fx0XHY3zauBIC1V6V1zp8mQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.KTSRO.org</a>.&nbsp;

KDOTTOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to raise awareness of its “Click It or Ticket” campaign during the busy Thanksgiving weekend. Law enforcement agencies will have an increased presence on roadways to check for speeders, seat belt use, and any suspicion of impaired driving.“Whether driving down the street or across the country, you endanger yourself by not buckling up and you are letting others be in danger if you don’t require them to use their seat belts, too,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. “Drivers and passengers should use that seat belt every single time they get into a vehicle.”KDOT&nbsp;statistics show 319 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in traffic crashes in Kansas in 2021. In that same year, 46.4% of those killed were unrestrained. About 46.6% of front-seat passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2021 were unrestrained and 58.3% of those killed in back seats were unrestrained.&nbsp;KDOT&nbsp;Behavioral Safety Manager Gary Herman encourages everyone to buckle up and drive defensively when traveling over Thanksgiving weekend.“A simple click any time you head out will help you make it to the table and to your family safely,” said Herman. “The odds for crashing increase with more vehicles on the road, and you can’t control how many people are out on Thanksgiving weekend. But you can ensure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up.”Seat belts are proven effective. NHTSA reports seat belts have saved the lives of more than 100,000 people in the United States in the past 10 years. However, unrestrained drivers and motorists who are ejected from a vehicle during a crash do not have good odds for survival. Nationally in 2020, eight out of 10 (82%) passenger vehicle occupants ejected from vehicles in crashes were killed. Across the U.S. in 2020, only 1% of passenger vehicle occupants wearing seat belts were ejected in fatal crashes, compared to 26% of those who were unrestrained.&nbsp;This Thanksgiving’s “Click It or Ticket” surveillance period will be in effect from Wednesday to Monday. Any violation of traffic safety laws can result in a fine and certain violations can result in jail time. The campaign runs concurrently with a media campaign reminding motorists that Kansas law dictates driver safety requirements. Please drive responsibility. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ktsro.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CAshley.Perez%40ks.gov%7Cf7c7c8949241434f039c08dacbea70b4%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C638046505041189302%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=vc6ngYAy2IEaYEhxSAfy%2Fx0XHY3zauBIC1V6V1zp8mQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.KTSRO.org</a>.&nbsp;

‘Click It or Ticket’ enforcement campaign kicks into high gear

The errant bird made its way into a Douglas County, Kansas, home earlier this month.&nbsp;

Video courtesy the Douglas County Sheriff's Office:

The errant bird made its way into a Douglas County, Kansas, home earlier this month.&nbsp;Video courtesy the Douglas County Sheriff's Office:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdgsosheriff%2Fvideos%2F1295027421290239%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Happy Thanksgiving!

🎥 🦃 Kansas sheriff 'pardons' turkey, won't prosecute

By AMY FORLITI and GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Democrats hope to use their <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-race-and-ethnicity-congress-government-politics-b5a279d322326f581304df50020a9d47">newfound political control</a>
 in some states to guarantee that women have access to abortion, while 
some GOP strongholds may temper their efforts to deepen restrictions 
after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-mehmet-oz-tv-news-58853f6820f31e53e7b9ed7951c92bbe">poorer-than-expected results</a> in the midterms.

Even
 after their gains this month, Democrats lack the power to codify 
abortion rights into federal law. That puts the abortion debate squarely
 on the states to navigate and rework the patchwork of laws that have 
been in place since <a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade</a>.

There
 will still be a patchwork of policies: In Minnesota, Democrats are 
planning to add the right to abortion into state law. In the GOP 
stronghold of Florida, leaders are talking about more restrictions but 
haven’t settled on a plan. In Pennsylvania, pickups for Democrats mean 
they can likely stop Republicans from adding anti-abortion language to 
the state constitution, and in divided states such as Wisconsin, a 
legislative stalemate remains.

“The real uncertainty is how far 
states go” with abortion bans, said Mary Ziegler, a professor at the 
University of California, Davis, School of Law and an expert on the 
politics of reproduction. Post-midterms, some states might think twice 
before forging ahead with strict bans.

But, she said, some 
conservative lawmakers might say: “I don’t see a problem here. We’re 
fine. We won our elections and our voters want abortion bans.”

The
 reversal of Roe, which enshrined the right to abortion nationwide, was 
broadly unpopular among voters. According to VoteCast, a survey of more 
than 94,000 voters conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the 
University of Chicago, about 6 in 10 say they are angry or dissatisfied 
by the decision, while about 4 in 10 were pleased. Among Democratic 
voters, about 6 in 10 say the ruling made them angry.

“Whatever 
people’s personal feelings are on abortion, they are very clear they 
don’t want the government and politicians monkeying around with their 
health care,” said Megan Peterson, executive director of Gender Justice,
 a Minnesota nonprofit that advocates for equal rights.

Minnesota 
doesn’t have any laws guaranteeing access to abortion, but abortion is 
protected under a 1995 state Supreme Court ruling that cites <a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-minnesota-st-paul-supreme-court-f14fccaf74e64c72174138fcd6611d00">a woman’s right to privacy</a>.
 After an election that will put Democrats in charge of both legislative
 chambers and the governor's office for the first time in eight years, 
House Speaker Melissa Hortman said a priority when the session begins in
 January will be to codify abortion rights into state law.

In battleground Michigan, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-8779f3ee57d4d20d54861a5ed6ba72ff">voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment</a>
 that enshrines abortion rights in the state constitution and affirms a 
person’s right to make pregnancy-related decisions about abortion and 
other reproductive services without interference.

Nevertheless, 
one priority is to remove a 1931 law that criminalizes abortion from the
 books, said state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-michigan-gretchen-whitmer-9447ff560f7484ebe4c99bbd6c3b0300">Democrats took control of the House and Senate this month.</a>
 When the new legislature is sworn in, it’ll be the first time since 
1983 that the party had full control of the state government.

Brinks said Democrats want to eventually advance other legislation focused on reproductive rights.

“The
 people were very clear that they value their reproductive freedoms at a
 very high level and we want to make sure that we affirm that as well,” 
she said.

Elsewhere, a legislative stalemate could be on the horizon.

In Wisconsin, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-governor-race-2022-midterm-elections-f3639e6ef8c9058511cef47a861adde8">Democratic Gov. Tony Evers won reelection</a> while Republicans increased their majorities in the state Legislature, but <a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-wisconsin-government-and-politics-9ef50a8dd1b81766a6ed66c847e82043">fell short of their goal</a> of reaching a supermajority capable of overriding vetoes.

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos <a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-business-wisconsin-legislature-madison-6fac91559fe62466639c6ac41c01291f">renewed his call to pass a bill allowing for rape and incest exceptions</a>
 and other changes to the 1849 law, to ensure that the state ban 
withstands court challenges. But Evers, voicing confidence in a court 
challenge, said he would veto any bill that keeps the ban in place.

“I don’t see a way to solve this legislatively,” Evers said.

Pennsylvania voters <a href="https://apnews.com/7aaefbcc8085c2a4eac1644a5c0975b6">flipped about a dozen seats to Democrats in the state House</a>, which could block Republican efforts to add anti-abortion language to the state constitution.

Nebraska
 Republicans want to ban abortion, but the GOP appears to have fallen 
short of securing the 33 seats it needs in the officially nonpartisan, 
one-house state Legislature to overcome filibusters. That could make it 
harder for them to ban abortion, even though they control the 
Legislature and hold every major statewide office.

Other GOP strongholds are seeing roadblocks to bans.

In Kansas, the Legislature retained its strong anti-abortion majorities, but abortion opponents are constrained by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">a 2019 state Supreme Court decision</a> declaring access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state constitution.

Voters in August <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">decisively rejected a proposed constitutional amendment</a> to overturn that decision. Abortion opponents instead are looking to other proposals.

Rep.
 Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who is expected to become House 
speaker in January, said lawmakers may pursue a law requiring health 
providers to take all reasonable steps to save the life of an infant 
born alive, including after an attempted abortion.

“You have to do something that you think has a chance of passing muster,” Hawkins said.

Voters in Montana, where Republicans hold a super majority in the Legislature, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-business-montana-a99111675c40301d1940addca098d599">rejected a similar ballot measure Nov. 8</a>.
 Five days later, a lawmaker there requested a bill be drafted to 
“establish that an infant born alive is a person.” It has yet to be 
drafted, but another bill already drafted for next year calls for a ban 
on abortion at all stages of pregnancy.

Kentucky voters <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-kentucky-abortion-3fa387a4cdc355d50a223f4788aa0ae8">rejected a Republican-backed ballot measure</a>
 aimed at denying any constitutional protections for abortion — 
highlighting an apparent gap between voter sentiment and expectations of
 the GOP-dominated Legislature, which imposed a near-total abortion ban.

“The
 people of Kentucky have spoken and their answer is no — no to extremist
 politicians banning abortion and making private medical decisions on 
their behalf,” said Amber Duke, interim executive director for the ACLU 
of Kentucky.

A judge in Georgia this week <a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-government-and-politics-atlanta-58ba677dd47afad6d25d9887f17e8763">overturned a ban on abortion</a>
 starting at about six weeks gestational age, ruling it violated the 
U.S. Constitution and U.S. Supreme Court precedent when it was enacted 
in 2019 because Roe was still in effect. But the judge left the door 
open for the Legislature to revisit the ban.

In Florida, which further cemented its GOP control, the issue was also murky. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-health-ron-desantis-florida-lifestyle-8e8fb722fcb84ae86fd6be17f48503a9">Florida passed a ban on abortion after 15 weeks</a> with no exceptions for rape or incest during the 2022 legislative session.

Republican
 Gov. Ron DeSantis won by a landslide and the House and Senate went from
 firmly Republican to GOP supermajorities in each chamber. The governor 
and legislative leaders have all said they support new abortion 
restrictions, but no specific language has been proposed.

Christine
 Matthews, a pollster who has worked for Republicans, said even among 
conservative lawmakers, there could be more debates on how far 
restrictions should go, as there were this year in Indiana and West 
Virginia, where laws were passed banning abortion throughout pregnancy 
but with exceptions in cases of rape and incest.

“For the first 
time, some of these particularly male legislators were grappling with 
the fact that this is hard, not everything goes one way,” Matthews said.
 “People who support it as being between a woman and a doctor are like, 
‘Yeah, no kidding.’ ”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669216816189.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By AMY FORLITI and GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated PressMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Democrats hope to use their <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-race-and-ethnicity-congress-government-politics-b5a279d322326f581304df50020a9d47">newfound political control</a>
 in some states to guarantee that women have access to abortion, while 
some GOP strongholds may temper their efforts to deepen restrictions 
after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-mehmet-oz-tv-news-58853f6820f31e53e7b9ed7951c92bbe">poorer-than-expected results</a> in the midterms.Even
 after their gains this month, Democrats lack the power to codify 
abortion rights into federal law. That puts the abortion debate squarely
 on the states to navigate and rework the patchwork of laws that have 
been in place since <a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade</a>.There
 will still be a patchwork of policies: In Minnesota, Democrats are 
planning to add the right to abortion into state law. In the GOP 
stronghold of Florida, leaders are talking about more restrictions but 
haven’t settled on a plan. In Pennsylvania, pickups for Democrats mean 
they can likely stop Republicans from adding anti-abortion language to 
the state constitution, and in divided states such as Wisconsin, a 
legislative stalemate remains.“The real uncertainty is how far 
states go” with abortion bans, said Mary Ziegler, a professor at the 
University of California, Davis, School of Law and an expert on the 
politics of reproduction. Post-midterms, some states might think twice 
before forging ahead with strict bans.But, she said, some 
conservative lawmakers might say: “I don’t see a problem here. We’re 
fine. We won our elections and our voters want abortion bans.”The
 reversal of Roe, which enshrined the right to abortion nationwide, was 
broadly unpopular among voters. According to VoteCast, a survey of more 
than 94,000 voters conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the 
University of Chicago, about 6 in 10 say they are angry or dissatisfied 
by the decision, while about 4 in 10 were pleased. Among Democratic 
voters, about 6 in 10 say the ruling made them angry.“Whatever 
people’s personal feelings are on abortion, they are very clear they 
don’t want the government and politicians monkeying around with their 
health care,” said Megan Peterson, executive director of Gender Justice,
 a Minnesota nonprofit that advocates for equal rights.Minnesota 
doesn’t have any laws guaranteeing access to abortion, but abortion is 
protected under a 1995 state Supreme Court ruling that cites <a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-minnesota-st-paul-supreme-court-f14fccaf74e64c72174138fcd6611d00">a woman’s right to privacy</a>.
 After an election that will put Democrats in charge of both legislative
 chambers and the governor's office for the first time in eight years, 
House Speaker Melissa Hortman said a priority when the session begins in
 January will be to codify abortion rights into state law.In battleground Michigan, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-8779f3ee57d4d20d54861a5ed6ba72ff">voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment</a>
 that enshrines abortion rights in the state constitution and affirms a 
person’s right to make pregnancy-related decisions about abortion and 
other reproductive services without interference.Nevertheless, 
one priority is to remove a 1931 law that criminalizes abortion from the
 books, said state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-michigan-gretchen-whitmer-9447ff560f7484ebe4c99bbd6c3b0300">Democrats took control of the House and Senate this month.</a>
 When the new legislature is sworn in, it’ll be the first time since 
1983 that the party had full control of the state government.Brinks said Democrats want to eventually advance other legislation focused on reproductive rights.“The
 people were very clear that they value their reproductive freedoms at a
 very high level and we want to make sure that we affirm that as well,” 
she said.Elsewhere, a legislative stalemate could be on the horizon.In Wisconsin, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-governor-race-2022-midterm-elections-f3639e6ef8c9058511cef47a861adde8">Democratic Gov. Tony Evers won reelection</a> while Republicans increased their majorities in the state Legislature, but <a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-wisconsin-government-and-politics-9ef50a8dd1b81766a6ed66c847e82043">fell short of their goal</a> of reaching a supermajority capable of overriding vetoes.Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos <a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-business-wisconsin-legislature-madison-6fac91559fe62466639c6ac41c01291f">renewed his call to pass a bill allowing for rape and incest exceptions</a>
 and other changes to the 1849 law, to ensure that the state ban 
withstands court challenges. But Evers, voicing confidence in a court 
challenge, said he would veto any bill that keeps the ban in place.“I don’t see a way to solve this legislatively,” Evers said.Pennsylvania voters <a href="https://apnews.com/7aaefbcc8085c2a4eac1644a5c0975b6">flipped about a dozen seats to Democrats in the state House</a>, which could block Republican efforts to add anti-abortion language to the state constitution.Nebraska
 Republicans want to ban abortion, but the GOP appears to have fallen 
short of securing the 33 seats it needs in the officially nonpartisan, 
one-house state Legislature to overcome filibusters. That could make it 
harder for them to ban abortion, even though they control the 
Legislature and hold every major statewide office.Other GOP strongholds are seeing roadblocks to bans.In Kansas, the Legislature retained its strong anti-abortion majorities, but abortion opponents are constrained by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">a 2019 state Supreme Court decision</a> declaring access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state constitution.Voters in August <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">decisively rejected a proposed constitutional amendment</a> to overturn that decision. Abortion opponents instead are looking to other proposals.Rep.
 Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who is expected to become House 
speaker in January, said lawmakers may pursue a law requiring health 
providers to take all reasonable steps to save the life of an infant 
born alive, including after an attempted abortion.“You have to do something that you think has a chance of passing muster,” Hawkins said.Voters in Montana, where Republicans hold a super majority in the Legislature, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-business-montana-a99111675c40301d1940addca098d599">rejected a similar ballot measure Nov. 8</a>.
 Five days later, a lawmaker there requested a bill be drafted to 
“establish that an infant born alive is a person.” It has yet to be 
drafted, but another bill already drafted for next year calls for a ban 
on abortion at all stages of pregnancy.Kentucky voters <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-kentucky-abortion-3fa387a4cdc355d50a223f4788aa0ae8">rejected a Republican-backed ballot measure</a>
 aimed at denying any constitutional protections for abortion — 
highlighting an apparent gap between voter sentiment and expectations of
 the GOP-dominated Legislature, which imposed a near-total abortion ban.“The
 people of Kentucky have spoken and their answer is no — no to extremist
 politicians banning abortion and making private medical decisions on 
their behalf,” said Amber Duke, interim executive director for the ACLU 
of Kentucky.A judge in Georgia this week <a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-government-and-politics-atlanta-58ba677dd47afad6d25d9887f17e8763">overturned a ban on abortion</a>
 starting at about six weeks gestational age, ruling it violated the 
U.S. Constitution and U.S. Supreme Court precedent when it was enacted 
in 2019 because Roe was still in effect. But the judge left the door 
open for the Legislature to revisit the ban.In Florida, which further cemented its GOP control, the issue was also murky. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-health-ron-desantis-florida-lifestyle-8e8fb722fcb84ae86fd6be17f48503a9">Florida passed a ban on abortion after 15 weeks</a> with no exceptions for rape or incest during the 2022 legislative session.Republican
 Gov. Ron DeSantis won by a landslide and the House and Senate went from
 firmly Republican to GOP supermajorities in each chamber. The governor 
and legislative leaders have all said they support new abortion 
restrictions, but no specific language has been proposed.Christine
 Matthews, a pollster who has worked for Republicans, said even among 
conservative lawmakers, there could be more debates on how far 
restrictions should go, as there were this year in Indiana and West 
Virginia, where laws were passed banning abortion throughout pregnancy 
but with exceptions in cases of rape and incest.“For the first 
time, some of these particularly male legislators were grappling with 
the fact that this is hard, not everything goes one way,” Matthews said.
 “People who support it as being between a woman and a doctor are like, 
‘Yeah, no kidding.’ ”

After midterms, states weighing abortion protections, bans

By MEG CUNNINGHAM <a href="https://thebeacon.media/stories/2022/11/17/how-to-buy-weed-faq/">Kansas City Beacon</a>

On Nov. 8, Missourians voted “yes” on Amendment 3, which&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://thebeacon.media/stories/2022/11/09/missouri-legal-weed-whats-next/">legalized recreational use of marijuana</a>, meaning you’ll now be able to buy weed, like marijuana flower or edibles, in the coming months.

Starting Dec. 8, the state will begin transitioning its medical 
marijuana licenses to recreational licenses, but that doesn’t mean that 
you’ll be able to walk into a dispensary and buy cannabis flower right 
away. The transition process will take until February, according to the 
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the agency that 
manages the state’s marijuana industry.

The transition process can get complicated, so The Beacon compiled a 
list of frequently asked questions about the process. This page will 
continue to be updated as the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/draft-rules.php">state rolls out program changes,</a>&nbsp;so be sure to check back for the latest updates.

The state is accepting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/suggestions.php">public feedback</a>&nbsp;on the rules for the recreational program until Nov. 25.

Q: When can I buy legal weed in Missouri?&nbsp;

A: Recreational marijuana should be available by early February 2023.
 The DHSS will start accepting requests to transition medical facility 
licenses to full recreational facilities on Dec. 8, and it will have 60 
days to approve those changed license requests.

You’ll be able to walk into a dispensary with your ID (to prove you 
are over 21) and leave with cannabis flower, edibles, prerolls or vapes.

A: Amendment 3’s language allows for consumers to have 3 ounces of dried marijuana flower or its equivalent.

Q: Will I be able to grow my own at home?&nbsp;

A: Yes. Under Missouri’s medical marijuana law that passed in 2018, 
Missourians were granted the ability to grow their own cannabis at home 
if they registered as a patient cultivator.

DHSS will start accepting applications for personal cultivation for 
recreation as soon as Feb. 6. Once applications are accepted, 
Missourians 21 and older can cultivate marijuana for personal, 
noncommercial use at an enclosed and locked facility at their homes. 
Those licenses cost $150 and are valid for three years.

Missourians will be allowed to have six flowering plants and up to 18 non-mature plants.

Q: Am I allowed to smoke marijuana in public?&nbsp;

A:&nbsp; Unless there is a dedicated smoking area for public consumption 
of marijuana, smoking in public could still make you subject to a civil 
penalty and a fine of up to $100.

Q: Do I still need my medical marijuana card if I don’t use cannabis recreationally?&nbsp;

A: No, you don’t need to keep your medical marijuana card, but you 
can. As of Dec. 8 of this year, all approved medical marijuana cards 
will be valid for three years. Current medical cardholders will stick to
 their existing expiration dates. Cards are valid for three years upon 
the card’s next renewal.

Q: Do I still need to renew my medical card to keep patient status?&nbsp;

A: Yes, you’ll have to get approval from your physician to submit a 
patient renewal application. But under the new law, you’ll only have to 
get your card renewed every three years, instead of every year as the 
law currently stands.

Q: Do I need a patient card if I am going to grow for myself at home for medicinal purposes?&nbsp;

A: Yes, you’ll need a medical marijuana card if you’d like to become a patient cultivator for yourself at home.

Q: Are there fees I should know about?&nbsp;

A: Yes, if you’re still a medical marijuana cardholder or caregiver, 
renewal and application fees are $27.76 each, but will only need to be 
renewed every three years. If you’re a patient cultivator, new 
application and renewal fees are $110.99.

The Kansas City Beacon is an online news outlet focused on local, in-depth journalism in the public interest.

By MEG CUNNINGHAM <a href="https://thebeacon.media/stories/2022/11/17/how-to-buy-weed-faq/">Kansas City Beacon</a>On Nov. 8, Missourians voted “yes” on Amendment 3, which&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://thebeacon.media/stories/2022/11/09/missouri-legal-weed-whats-next/">legalized recreational use of marijuana</a>, meaning you’ll now be able to buy weed, like marijuana flower or edibles, in the coming months.Starting Dec. 8, the state will begin transitioning its medical 
marijuana licenses to recreational licenses, but that doesn’t mean that 
you’ll be able to walk into a dispensary and buy cannabis flower right 
away. The transition process will take until February, according to the 
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the agency that 
manages the state’s marijuana industry.The transition process can get complicated, so The Beacon compiled a 
list of frequently asked questions about the process. This page will 
continue to be updated as the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/draft-rules.php">state rolls out program changes,</a>&nbsp;so be sure to check back for the latest updates.The state is accepting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/suggestions.php">public feedback</a>&nbsp;on the rules for the recreational program until Nov. 25.<h2>Q: When can I buy legal weed in Missouri?&nbsp;</h2>A: Recreational marijuana should be available by early February 2023.
 The DHSS will start accepting requests to transition medical facility 
licenses to full recreational facilities on Dec. 8, and it will have 60 
days to approve those changed license requests.You’ll be able to walk into a dispensary with your ID (to prove you 
are over 21) and leave with cannabis flower, edibles, prerolls or vapes.<h2>Q: How much marijuana can I have?&nbsp;</h2>A: Amendment 3’s language allows for consumers to have 3 ounces of dried marijuana flower or its equivalent.<h2>Q: Will I be able to grow my own at home?&nbsp;</h2>A: Yes. Under Missouri’s medical marijuana law that passed in 2018, 
Missourians were granted the ability to grow their own cannabis at home 
if they registered as a patient cultivator.DHSS will start accepting applications for personal cultivation for 
recreation as soon as Feb. 6. Once applications are accepted, 
Missourians 21 and older can cultivate marijuana for personal, 
noncommercial use at an enclosed and locked facility at their homes. 
Those licenses cost $150 and are valid for three years.Missourians will be allowed to have six flowering plants and up to 18 non-mature plants.<h2>Q: Am I allowed to smoke marijuana in public?&nbsp;</h2>A:&nbsp; Unless there is a dedicated smoking area for public consumption 
of marijuana, smoking in public could still make you subject to a civil 
penalty and a fine of up to $100.<h2>Q: Do I still need my medical marijuana card if I don’t use cannabis recreationally?&nbsp;</h2>A: No, you don’t need to keep your medical marijuana card, but you 
can. As of Dec. 8 of this year, all approved medical marijuana cards 
will be valid for three years. Current medical cardholders will stick to
 their existing expiration dates. Cards are valid for three years upon 
the card’s next renewal.<h2>Q: Do I still need to renew my medical card to keep patient status?&nbsp;</h2>A: Yes, you’ll have to get approval from your physician to submit a 
patient renewal application. But under the new law, you’ll only have to 
get your card renewed every three years, instead of every year as the 
law currently stands.<h2>Q: Do I need a patient card if I am going to grow for myself at home for medicinal purposes?&nbsp;</h2>A: Yes, you’ll need a medical marijuana card if you’d like to become a patient cultivator for yourself at home.<h2>Q: Are there fees I should know about?&nbsp;</h2>A: Yes, if you’re still a medical marijuana cardholder or caregiver, 
renewal and application fees are $27.76 each, but will only need to be 
renewed every three years. If you’re a patient cultivator, new 
application and renewal fees are $110.99.The Kansas City Beacon is an online news outlet focused on local, in-depth journalism in the public interest.

What to know about buying recreational marijuana in Missouri

PHILADELPHIA
 (AP) — Four students were injured in an apparent drive-by shooting 
shortly after their Philadelphia high school let out early for the day 
late Wednesday morning, a city schools spokesperson said.

City 
police said a 15-year-old girl was shot in the shoulder and thigh, a 
15-year-old girl was shot in the shoulder, a 16-year-old boy suffered a 
graze wound to the face and a gunshot wound to the hand, and a 
16-year-old boy was shot in the leg. All four were getting hospital 
treatment and were in stable condition.

Police said no arrest has been made and no weapon was recovered.

The
 shooting took place about a block from Overbrook High School in West 
Philadelphia, where school let out early because of parent-teacher 
conferences, the district’s deputy chief of communications, Monique 
Braxton, said in a phone interview.

Braxton said the district's Office of School Safety told her the students were at a corner store when the shooting occurred.

“We
 don't know who was targeted, if any of the four of them were targeted,”
 Braxton said. Parents were being notified early Wednesday afternoon.

“This is outrageous, that young people would be shot shortly after being dismissed from their high school,” Braxton said.

Officer
 Miguel Torres, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department, 
said that the shooting occurred around 11:30 a.m. He said victims were 
taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and Lankenau Medical Center.

PHILADELPHIA
 (AP) — Four students were injured in an apparent drive-by shooting 
shortly after their Philadelphia high school let out early for the day 
late Wednesday morning, a city schools spokesperson said.City 
police said a 15-year-old girl was shot in the shoulder and thigh, a 
15-year-old girl was shot in the shoulder, a 16-year-old boy suffered a 
graze wound to the face and a gunshot wound to the hand, and a 
16-year-old boy was shot in the leg. All four were getting hospital 
treatment and were in stable condition.Police said no arrest has been made and no weapon was recovered.The
 shooting took place about a block from Overbrook High School in West 
Philadelphia, where school let out early because of parent-teacher 
conferences, the district’s deputy chief of communications, Monique 
Braxton, said in a phone interview.Braxton said the district's Office of School Safety told her the students were at a corner store when the shooting occurred.“We
 don't know who was targeted, if any of the four of them were targeted,”
 Braxton said. Parents were being notified early Wednesday afternoon.“This is outrageous, that young people would be shot shortly after being dismissed from their high school,” Braxton said.Officer
 Miguel Torres, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department, 
said that the shooting occurred around 11:30 a.m. He said victims were 
taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and Lankenau Medical Center.

Officials: 4 Philly high school students shot near school

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;3,045&nbsp; new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Nov. 12 to Nov. 18, for a total of&nbsp;897,813 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;5 additional COVID-19 deaths, for a total of 9,657.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;3,045&nbsp; new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Nov. 12 to Nov. 18, for a total of&nbsp;897,813 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;5 additional COVID-19 deaths, for a total of 9,657.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669228109411.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: 3,000 new COVID cases, five additional deaths

Authorities seeking father in connection to the investigation

GARDEN CITY — At approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday, Finney County Sheriff's deputies responses to the 6000 block of Skyline Drive to a report of a choking, unresponsive infant.

Upon arrival, deputies found the infant on the floor barely breathing and immediately noticed drugs and drug paraphernalia in the home, the smell of burnt marijuana. They suspected the infant could be suffering from a drug overdose, according to a news release Wednesday. 

The infant was transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital and deputies secured the home. The infant has since been released from the hsopital. 

After a search warrant for the residence was secured, a search of the residence resulted in the location and seizure of the following:

• Approximately 5500 counterfeit pills that tested presumptively positive for Fentanyl

• Approximately 59.5 grams of suspected Marijuana packaged for distribution

The infant’s mother, Johanna Martinez, 21, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated child endangerment, fentanyl distribution, marijuana distribution, possession of THC, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The investigation is ongoing.&nbsp;The Finney County Sheriff’s Office is still looking for the infant’s father, Carlos Rascon, 20, in relation to this case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669224563801.png" alt="Finney County photo" />
 <figcaption>Finney County photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Authorities seeking father in connection to the investigation</h2>GARDEN CITY — At approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday, Finney County Sheriff's deputies responses to the 6000 block of Skyline Drive to a report of a choking, unresponsive infant.Upon arrival, deputies found the infant on the floor barely breathing and immediately noticed drugs and drug paraphernalia in the home, the smell of burnt marijuana. They suspected the infant could be suffering from a drug overdose, according to a news release Wednesday. The infant was transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital and deputies secured the home. The infant has since been released from the hsopital. After a search warrant for the residence was secured, a search of the residence resulted in the location and seizure of the following:• Approximately 5500 counterfeit pills that tested presumptively positive for Fentanyl• Approximately 59.5 grams of suspected Marijuana packaged for distribution• THC products• Several items of drug paraphernaliaThe infant’s mother, Johanna Martinez, 21, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated child endangerment, fentanyl distribution, marijuana distribution, possession of THC, and possession of drug paraphernalia.The investigation is ongoing.&nbsp;The Finney County Sheriff’s Office is still looking for the infant’s father, Carlos Rascon, 20, in relation to this case.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669225953928.png" alt="Finney County photo" />
 <figcaption>Finney County photo</figcaption>
 </figure>

After infant hospitalized, mother arrested on suspicion of drug crimes

JUNCTION CITY — Justin Aaron of Junction City has advanced to the Top 10 in the competition on "The Voice" on NBC. 

Monday evening, he sang Tasha Cobb's "Break Every Chain" during the live round.

The competition continues through mid-December.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669220691549.jpeg" alt="Aaron" />
 <figcaption>Aaron</figcaption>
 </figure>JC PostJUNCTION CITY — Justin Aaron of Junction City has advanced to the Top 10 in the competition on "The Voice" on NBC. Monday evening, he sang Tasha Cobb's "Break Every Chain" during the live round.The competition continues through mid-December.

Kansas singer advances to Top 10 on 'The Voice'

On Tuesday, the Garden City Police Department was notified that a student at Charles O. Stones Intermediate Center had possibly brought a firearm to school.

Officers learned that an 11-year-old student possessed an Airsoft gun while going to school. During the investigation, an Airsoft gun and a canister of Airsoft pellets were located near the bus stop at Alta Brown Elementary School.

 It has been determined that at no time was there a threat to the school or students. Disciplinary action has been taken by the school for the 11-year-old student. 

The Garden City Police Department and USD 457 encourage parents to remind your child to immediately report any information about any school safety-related incidents to administrators/staff and/or the Garden City Police Department.


Garden City Police DepartmentOn Tuesday, the Garden City Police Department was notified that a student at Charles O. Stones Intermediate Center had possibly brought a firearm to school.Officers learned that an 11-year-old student possessed an Airsoft gun while going to school. During the investigation, an Airsoft gun and a canister of Airsoft pellets were located near the bus stop at Alta Brown Elementary School. It has been determined that at no time was there a threat to the school or students. Disciplinary action has been taken by the school for the 11-year-old student. The investigation is ongoing.The Garden City Police Department and USD 457 encourage parents to remind your child to immediately report any information about any school safety-related incidents to administrators/staff and/or the Garden City Police Department.

Garden City Police investigating firearm report at elementary school Tuesday

At 12:50 p.m. Tuesday, deputies were dispatched to Wyandotte County Lake in Kansas City, Kan., for a deceased body in the lake.

 The recovered body was that of an adult Black male. 

This incident is currently under investigation by the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office Investigations Unit. Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation should contact the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). 

All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward. 

Wyandotte County Sheriff's OfficeAt 12:50 p.m. Tuesday, deputies were dispatched to Wyandotte County Lake in Kansas City, Kan., for a deceased body in the lake. The recovered body was that of an adult Black male. This incident is currently under investigation by the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office Investigations Unit. Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation should contact the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.

Wyandotte Sheriff's Office investigating body found in lake

Hawkins seeks job of Kansas House speaker

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/democrat-sawyer-steps-away-from-leadership-post-hawkins-seeks-job-of-house-speaker/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas House Democratic 
leader Tom Sawyer, first elected to the Legislature in 1986, said 
Tuesday he didn’t intend to seek the leadership job entering the 2023 
session.

The announcement that Sawyer would step aside but remain in the House
 followed decisions by House Speaker Ron Ryckman and House Speaker Pro 
Tem Blaine Finch, both Republicans, not to seek reelection in 2022. 
House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, who was reelected, is expected to be 
chosen by peers to serve as House speaker for the two-year legislative 
cycle.

Sawyer, of Wichita, was House majority leader from 1991 to 1992, 
House minority leader from 1993 to 1998 and House minority leader since 
2018. His final day in that role would be Jan. 9.

“Upon deep reflection, I believe it is time for me to step back and 
allow the caucus to have a new leader who will lead us and Kansans 
towards achieving these important goals,” Sawyer said. “It has been an 
honor of a lifetime to be entrusted with the responsibility to lead our 
caucus over the many years.”

Voting in the August primary and November general election left House
 Republicans with a two-thirds majority important when considering 
vetoes of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Democrats gained one seat to 
bring the caucus to 40 in the 125-member House. Democrats fell two seats
 short of breaking the GOP supermajority and offer more assistance to 
Kelly during her second term.

Sawyer, who ran for governor in 1998 and served four years as 
chairman of the Kansas Democratic Part, said he expected Democrats to 
expand their numbers in the House.

“This growth, which I hope to see continue in the coming years, will 
strengthen our position to advocate strongly for the issues that matter 
most to Kansans, such as tax relief, expanding Medicaid, fully funding 
public education including special education and legalizing medicinal 
marijuana,” he said.

Hawkins, who has served in the House since 2013, outlined in a letter
 to House Republicans a critique of the governor. He said Kelly botched 
handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowed crime and inflation to rise 
and made anti-abortion policy an “afterthought.”

Individuals elected in November to serve in the 2023 Legislature will
 vote Dec. 5 on nominees for House speaker, House majority leader and 
House speaker pro tem as well as the top Democratic posts in the 
chamber.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669215888620.png" alt="House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Democrat from Wichita, said Tuesday he wouldn’t seek reappointment to the job during the 2023 legislative session, saying it was time for a new generation of Democrats to lead. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Democrat from Wichita, said Tuesday he wouldn’t seek reappointment to the job during the 2023 legislative session, saying it was time for a new generation of Democrats to lead. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Hawkins seeks job of Kansas House speaker</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/democrat-sawyer-steps-away-from-leadership-post-hawkins-seeks-job-of-house-speaker/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas House Democratic 
leader Tom Sawyer, first elected to the Legislature in 1986, said 
Tuesday he didn’t intend to seek the leadership job entering the 2023 
session.The announcement that Sawyer would step aside but remain in the House
 followed decisions by House Speaker Ron Ryckman and House Speaker Pro 
Tem Blaine Finch, both Republicans, not to seek reelection in 2022. 
House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, who was reelected, is expected to be 
chosen by peers to serve as House speaker for the two-year legislative 
cycle.Sawyer, of Wichita, was House majority leader from 1991 to 1992, 
House minority leader from 1993 to 1998 and House minority leader since 
2018. His final day in that role would be Jan. 9.“Upon deep reflection, I believe it is time for me to step back and 
allow the caucus to have a new leader who will lead us and Kansans 
towards achieving these important goals,” Sawyer said. “It has been an 
honor of a lifetime to be entrusted with the responsibility to lead our 
caucus over the many years.”Voting in the August primary and November general election left House
 Republicans with a two-thirds majority important when considering 
vetoes of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Democrats gained one seat to 
bring the caucus to 40 in the 125-member House. Democrats fell two seats
 short of breaking the GOP supermajority and offer more assistance to 
Kelly during her second term.Sawyer, who ran for governor in 1998 and served four years as 
chairman of the Kansas Democratic Part, said he expected Democrats to 
expand their numbers in the House.“This growth, which I hope to see continue in the coming years, will 
strengthen our position to advocate strongly for the issues that matter 
most to Kansans, such as tax relief, expanding Medicaid, fully funding 
public education including special education and legalizing medicinal 
marijuana,” he said.Hawkins, who has served in the House since 2013, outlined in a letter
 to House Republicans a critique of the governor. He said Kelly botched 
handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowed crime and inflation to rise 
and made anti-abortion policy an “afterthought.”Individuals elected in November to serve in the 2023 Legislature will
 vote Dec. 5 on nominees for House speaker, House majority leader and 
House speaker pro tem as well as the top Democratic posts in the 
chamber.

Democrat Sawyer steps away from Kan. House leadership post 

By NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — 
Thanksgiving travel volume will be almost back to levels before the 
pandemic, if estimates from AAA come true.

"About 90% of people 
traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday will be taking to the highway," 
said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "It's a very driving heavy holiday. A
 lot of people just go in regionally or within state to visit to visit 
their friends and families."

AAA predicts 54.6 million people 
nationwide will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving. 
That’s a 1.5% increase over 2021 and 98% of pre-pandemic volumes.

"In
 Kansas, about 525,000 of the 581,000 total travelers will be driving to
 their destinations," Steward said. "Pack your patience, slow down and 
just be extra cautious on the roads this week."

It's also 
important to remember that it gets dark earlier this time of year, so 
more of that driving will likely take place outside of daylight hours, 
or during the potentially&nbsp; blinding pre-sunset hour, if driving west in 
the afternoon.

"Slow down, drive for the conditions," Steward 
said. "Don't overdrive your headlights. We've certainly got deer to look
 out for as well on the highways. Be scanning the sides of the road 
constantly as you are driving, especially at night."

Some of the 
busiest driving times of the weekend will be on Wednesday after work and
 especially on Sunday as families travel back home after the long 
weekend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669213110675.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — 
Thanksgiving travel volume will be almost back to levels before the 
pandemic, if estimates from AAA come true."About 90% of people 
traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday will be taking to the highway," 
said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "It's a very driving heavy holiday. A
 lot of people just go in regionally or within state to visit to visit 
their friends and families."AAA predicts 54.6 million people 
nationwide will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving. 
That’s a 1.5% increase over 2021 and 98% of pre-pandemic volumes."In
 Kansas, about 525,000 of the 581,000 total travelers will be driving to
 their destinations," Steward said. "Pack your patience, slow down and 
just be extra cautious on the roads this week."It's also 
important to remember that it gets dark earlier this time of year, so 
more of that driving will likely take place outside of daylight hours, 
or during the potentially&nbsp; blinding pre-sunset hour, if driving west in 
the afternoon."Slow down, drive for the conditions," Steward 
said. "Don't overdrive your headlights. We've certainly got deer to look
 out for as well on the highways. Be scanning the sides of the road 
constantly as you are driving, especially at night."Some of the 
busiest driving times of the weekend will be on Wednesday after work and
 especially on Sunday as families travel back home after the long 
weekend.

AAA: Expect roads to be busy for holiday travel

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20LEICESTER%20and%20SAM%20MEDNICK%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOHN LEICESTER and SAM MEDNICK </a> <a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20LEICESTER%20and%20SAM%20MEDNICK%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">Associated Press</a>

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Authorities reported power outages in multiple cities of Ukraine, including parts of Kyiv, and in neighboring Moldova after renewed strikes Wednesday struck Ukrainian infrastructure facilities.

Multiple regions reported attacks in quick succession, suggesting a barrage of strikes. In several regions, authorities reported strikes on critical infrastructure.

Russia has been pounding the power grid and other facilities with missile and exploding drones for weeks, seemingly aiming to turn the cold and dark of winter into a weapon.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Multiple explosions were heard in Kyiv Wednesday, with officials reporting strikes on residential areas and critical infrastructure facilities in and around the Ukrainian capital.

The explosions follow an unrelenting series of Russian attacks on power and other facilities across Ukraine in recent weeks.

The thunderous echoes of what sounded like repeated blasts rattled across the capital after air raid sirens sounded in the city and elsewhere across Ukraine. Mayor Vitali Klitschko posted on Telegram that “one of the capital’s infrastructure facilities has been hit.” The city administration said one person was wounded.

Klitschko said there were more explosions in other districts but didn't give further details, and said that “some neighborhoods of Kyiv” lack power. Kyiv regional governor Oleksii Kuleba said strikes were reported in the area around the capital, and residential areas and critical infrastructure facilities were hit.

In the western city of Lviv, the mayor also urged people to take shelter -- seemingly pointing to strikes there, too. In a Telegram message, the mayor said the whole city had lost power.

There was no further information on what and how many targets had been hit.

Russia has been repeatedly pounding Ukraine’s war-time capital and power facilities across the country in recent weeks, causing widespread blackouts.

The latest explosions came hours after Ukrainian authorities said an overnight rocket attack destroyed a hospital maternity ward in southern Ukraine, killing a 2-day-old baby.

Following the overnight strike in Vilniansk, close to the city of Zaporizhzhia, the baby’s mother and a doctor were pulled alive from the rubble.

The region's governor said the rockets were Russian. The strike adds to the gruesome toll suffered by hospitals and other medical facilities — and their patients and staff — in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the Russian invasion</a>&nbsp;that will enter its tenth month this week.

They have been in the firing line from the outset, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-25204be08db8868e858f624f851d2ae3">March 9 airstrike</a>&nbsp;that destroyed a maternity hospital in the now-occupied port city of Mariupol.

“At night, Russian monsters launched huge rockets at the small maternity ward of the hospital in Vilniansk. Grief overwhelms our hearts — a baby was killed who had just seen the light of day. Rescuers are working at the site,” said the regional governor, Oleksandr Starukh, writing on the Telegram messaging app.

First lady Olena Zelenska wrote on Twitter that a 2-day-old boy died in the strike and expressed her condolences. “Horrible pain. We will never forget and never forgive,” she said.

Photos posted by the governor showed thick smoke rising above mounds of rubble, being combed by emergency workers against the backdrop of a dark night sky.

The State Emergency Service said the two-story building was destroyed.

Vilniansk is in the Ukrainian-held north of the Zaporizhzhia region, and is about 500 kilometers (300 miles) southeast of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.

Medical workers' efforts have been complicated by the succession of Russian attacks in recent weeks on Ukraine's infrastructure that officials say have caused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-europe-business-dnipropetrovsk-5f59cf82c2f4b11a0e90d2d9ba656ad2">huge damage to the power grid</a>.

The situation is even worse in the southern city of Kherson, from which Russia retreated nearly two weeks ago after months of occupation — cutting power and water lines.

Many doctors in the city are working in the dark, unable to use elevators to transport patients to surgery and operating with headlamps, cell phones and flashlights. In some hospitals, key equipment no longer works.

“Breathing machines don’t work, X-ray machines don’t work ... There is only one portable ultrasound machine and we carry it constantly,” said Volodymyr Malishchuk, the head of surgery at a children’s hospital in the city.

On Tuesday, after strikes on Kherson seriously wounded 13-year-old Artur Voblikov, a team of health staff carefully maneuvered the sedated boy up six flights of a narrow staircase to an operating room to amputate his left arm.

Malischchuk said that three children wounded by Russian strikes have come to the hospital this week, half as many as had previously been admitted in all of the nine months since the invasion began. Picking up a piece of shrapnel that was found in a 14-year-old boy’s stomach, he said children are arriving with severe head injuries and ruptured internal organs.

Artur's mother, Natalia Voblikova, sat in the dark hospital with her daughter, waiting for his surgery to end.

“You can’t even call (Russians) animals, because animals take care of their own,” said Voblikova wiping tears from her eyes. “But the children ... Why kill children?”

In the northeastern city of Kupiansk, two civilians were killed and two more were wounded by Russian shelling on Wednesday morning, a regional official said.

A nine-story residential building and a clinic were damaged, and a 55-year-old woman and a 68-year-old man died, Kharkiv governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram.

Kupiansk was an early prize of Ukraine’s lightning offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region in September and, like other recaptured settlements, has seen repeated shelling by Russian forces which many Ukrainian officials describe as retaliation.

In Strasbourg, France, the European Parliament overwhelmingly backed a resolution labeling Russia a state sponsor of terrorism for its invasion of and actions in Ukraine. The nonbinding but symbolically significant resolution passed in a 494-58 vote with 48 abstentions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the vote. "Russia must be isolated at all levels and be held accountable in order to end its longstanding policy of terrorism in Ukraine and across the globe,” he wrote on Twitter.

After Wednesday's explosions in Kyiv, senior Zelenskyy aide Andriy Yermak wrote on Telegram: “The terrorists immediately confirm that they are terrorists - they launch rockets. Naive losers."

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20LEICESTER%20and%20SAM%20MEDNICK%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOHN LEICESTER and SAM MEDNICK </a> <a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20LEICESTER%20and%20SAM%20MEDNICK%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">Associated Press</a>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Authorities reported power outages in multiple cities of Ukraine, including parts of Kyiv, and in neighboring Moldova after renewed strikes Wednesday struck Ukrainian infrastructure facilities.Multiple regions reported attacks in quick succession, suggesting a barrage of strikes. In several regions, authorities reported strikes on critical infrastructure.Russia has been pounding the power grid and other facilities with missile and exploding drones for weeks, seemingly aiming to turn the cold and dark of winter into a weapon.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Multiple explosions were heard in Kyiv Wednesday, with officials reporting strikes on residential areas and critical infrastructure facilities in and around the Ukrainian capital.The explosions follow an unrelenting series of Russian attacks on power and other facilities across Ukraine in recent weeks.The thunderous echoes of what sounded like repeated blasts rattled across the capital after air raid sirens sounded in the city and elsewhere across Ukraine. Mayor Vitali Klitschko posted on Telegram that “one of the capital’s infrastructure facilities has been hit.” The city administration said one person was wounded.Klitschko said there were more explosions in other districts but didn't give further details, and said that “some neighborhoods of Kyiv” lack power. Kyiv regional governor Oleksii Kuleba said strikes were reported in the area around the capital, and residential areas and critical infrastructure facilities were hit.In the western city of Lviv, the mayor also urged people to take shelter -- seemingly pointing to strikes there, too. In a Telegram message, the mayor said the whole city had lost power.There was no further information on what and how many targets had been hit.Russia has been repeatedly pounding Ukraine’s war-time capital and power facilities across the country in recent weeks, causing widespread blackouts.The latest explosions came hours after Ukrainian authorities said an overnight rocket attack destroyed a hospital maternity ward in southern Ukraine, killing a 2-day-old baby.Following the overnight strike in Vilniansk, close to the city of Zaporizhzhia, the baby’s mother and a doctor were pulled alive from the rubble.The region's governor said the rockets were Russian. The strike adds to the gruesome toll suffered by hospitals and other medical facilities — and their patients and staff — in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the Russian invasion</a>&nbsp;that will enter its tenth month this week.They have been in the firing line from the outset, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-25204be08db8868e858f624f851d2ae3">March 9 airstrike</a>&nbsp;that destroyed a maternity hospital in the now-occupied port city of Mariupol.“At night, Russian monsters launched huge rockets at the small maternity ward of the hospital in Vilniansk. Grief overwhelms our hearts — a baby was killed who had just seen the light of day. Rescuers are working at the site,” said the regional governor, Oleksandr Starukh, writing on the Telegram messaging app.First lady Olena Zelenska wrote on Twitter that a 2-day-old boy died in the strike and expressed her condolences. “Horrible pain. We will never forget and never forgive,” she said.Photos posted by the governor showed thick smoke rising above mounds of rubble, being combed by emergency workers against the backdrop of a dark night sky.The State Emergency Service said the two-story building was destroyed.Vilniansk is in the Ukrainian-held north of the Zaporizhzhia region, and is about 500 kilometers (300 miles) southeast of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.Medical workers' efforts have been complicated by the succession of Russian attacks in recent weeks on Ukraine's infrastructure that officials say have caused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-europe-business-dnipropetrovsk-5f59cf82c2f4b11a0e90d2d9ba656ad2">huge damage to the power grid</a>.The situation is even worse in the southern city of Kherson, from which Russia retreated nearly two weeks ago after months of occupation — cutting power and water lines.Many doctors in the city are working in the dark, unable to use elevators to transport patients to surgery and operating with headlamps, cell phones and flashlights. In some hospitals, key equipment no longer works.“Breathing machines don’t work, X-ray machines don’t work ... There is only one portable ultrasound machine and we carry it constantly,” said Volodymyr Malishchuk, the head of surgery at a children’s hospital in the city.On Tuesday, after strikes on Kherson seriously wounded 13-year-old Artur Voblikov, a team of health staff carefully maneuvered the sedated boy up six flights of a narrow staircase to an operating room to amputate his left arm.Malischchuk said that three children wounded by Russian strikes have come to the hospital this week, half as many as had previously been admitted in all of the nine months since the invasion began. Picking up a piece of shrapnel that was found in a 14-year-old boy’s stomach, he said children are arriving with severe head injuries and ruptured internal organs.Artur's mother, Natalia Voblikova, sat in the dark hospital with her daughter, waiting for his surgery to end.“You can’t even call (Russians) animals, because animals take care of their own,” said Voblikova wiping tears from her eyes. “But the children ... Why kill children?”In the northeastern city of Kupiansk, two civilians were killed and two more were wounded by Russian shelling on Wednesday morning, a regional official said.A nine-story residential building and a clinic were damaged, and a 55-year-old woman and a 68-year-old man died, Kharkiv governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram.Kupiansk was an early prize of Ukraine’s lightning offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region in September and, like other recaptured settlements, has seen repeated shelling by Russian forces which many Ukrainian officials describe as retaliation.In Strasbourg, France, the European Parliament overwhelmingly backed a resolution labeling Russia a state sponsor of terrorism for its invasion of and actions in Ukraine. The nonbinding but symbolically significant resolution passed in a 494-58 vote with 48 abstentions.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the vote. "Russia must be isolated at all levels and be held accountable in order to end its longstanding policy of terrorism in Ukraine and across the globe,” he wrote on Twitter.After Wednesday's explosions in Kyiv, senior Zelenskyy aide Andriy Yermak wrote on Telegram: “The terrorists immediately confirm that they are terrorists - they launch rockets. Naive losers."

Power outages reported in Ukrainian cities, Moldova

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22CLAIRE%20RUSH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By CLAIRE RUSH Associated Press/Report for America</a>

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Good news for fans of “The Goonies:” the old Victorian home featured in the film is on sale in Astoria, Oregon, and potential buyers are considering making it more accessible to the public.

“We have a few interested parties right now,” said realtor Jordan Miller, the listing agent for the property. “It seems to be everybody's intention to be able to open up the house a little bit more and have more access.”

The 1896 home with sweeping views of the Columbia River flowing into the Pacific Ocean has been listed with an asking price of $1.7 million on Zillow, where it's described as “fully loaded with history, nostalgia and iconic level of fame.”

Since the movie hit theaters in 1985, fans have flocked to the home in northwestern Oregon's historic port of Astoria. The city celebrates Goonies Day on June 7, the film's release date, and welcomes thousands of people for the event.

Owner Sandi Preston was known to have been largely welcoming to visitors. But she lived in the house full time, and the constant crowds were a strain that prompted her at times to close it to foot traffic.

After the film's 30th anniversary drew about 1,500 daily visitors in 2015, Preston posted “no trespassing” signs prohibiting tourists from walking up to the property. She reopened it to the public this past August.

City officials, who restricted parking in the area, have long sought to mediate the tensions between residents and the fans hoping to see and photograph the location.

“While the owner of this location from The Goonies is a fan of the movie and enjoys chatting with visitors making the trek to Astoria to see the film locations, as you can imagine, it gets hard having hundreds of people crowding into your personal space every single day,” the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce wrote in August on a Facebook page they administer called Goonies Day in Astoria, Oregon.

In the coming-of-age film, based on a story by Steven Spielberg and featuring a young Sean Astin, a group of friends fight to protect their homes from an expanding country club and threats of foreclosure. In the process, they discover an old treasure map that leads them on an adventure and allows them to save their “Goon Docks” neighborhood.

Astoria and its rugged coastline served as the backdrop for several well-known films from the 1980s and ’90s, including “Kindergarten Cop” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

For now, potential buyers of the iconic Goonies house don't seem to want to make the house their primary residence, said listing agent Miller, suggesting it has drawn interest from people who want to “make it their passion.”

“It’s kind of a fun buy,” Miller said. “Whoever buys the house is going to have a relatively steady stream of extremely happy people walking up outside to fulfill their childhood dreams.”

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22CLAIRE%20RUSH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By CLAIRE RUSH Associated Press/Report for America</a>PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Good news for fans of “The Goonies:” the old Victorian home featured in the film is on sale in Astoria, Oregon, and potential buyers are considering making it more accessible to the public.“We have a few interested parties right now,” said realtor Jordan Miller, the listing agent for the property. “It seems to be everybody's intention to be able to open up the house a little bit more and have more access.”The 1896 home with sweeping views of the Columbia River flowing into the Pacific Ocean has been listed with an asking price of $1.7 million on Zillow, where it's described as “fully loaded with history, nostalgia and iconic level of fame.”Since the movie hit theaters in 1985, fans have flocked to the home in northwestern Oregon's historic port of Astoria. The city celebrates Goonies Day on June 7, the film's release date, and welcomes thousands of people for the event.Owner Sandi Preston was known to have been largely welcoming to visitors. But she lived in the house full time, and the constant crowds were a strain that prompted her at times to close it to foot traffic.After the film's 30th anniversary drew about 1,500 daily visitors in 2015, Preston posted “no trespassing” signs prohibiting tourists from walking up to the property. She reopened it to the public this past August.City officials, who restricted parking in the area, have long sought to mediate the tensions between residents and the fans hoping to see and photograph the location.“While the owner of this location from The Goonies is a fan of the movie and enjoys chatting with visitors making the trek to Astoria to see the film locations, as you can imagine, it gets hard having hundreds of people crowding into your personal space every single day,” the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce wrote in August on a Facebook page they administer called Goonies Day in Astoria, Oregon.In the coming-of-age film, based on a story by Steven Spielberg and featuring a young Sean Astin, a group of friends fight to protect their homes from an expanding country club and threats of foreclosure. In the process, they discover an old treasure map that leads them on an adventure and allows them to save their “Goon Docks” neighborhood.Astoria and its rugged coastline served as the backdrop for several well-known films from the 1980s and ’90s, including “Kindergarten Cop” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.For now, potential buyers of the iconic Goonies house don't seem to want to make the house their primary residence, said listing agent Miller, suggesting it has drawn interest from people who want to “make it their passion.”“It’s kind of a fun buy,” Miller said. “Whoever buys the house is going to have a relatively steady stream of extremely happy people walking up outside to fulfill their childhood dreams.”