Kansas // Current

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9 days ago

EPA Likely to Send Kansas' Sunflower Coal Plant Back to the Drawing Board

Six days after succeeding Kathleen Sebelius as governor of Kansas, Mark Parkinson announced a deal with Sunflower Electric Corp.... more

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3 adults, girl found dead at Kansas home

Three adults and a child were found dead at a Kansas City, Kan., home Monday and authorities were conducting a homicide... more

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Kansas is deadly epicenter in abortion debate

In a nation divided by abortion, Kansas has become perhaps the fiercest battleground — with mass protests, prosecutions,... more

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Wichita police say that abortion provider Dr. George Tiller has been shot and killed at his Wichita church.

Tiller has been among the few U.S. physicians performing late-term abortion. His clinic has repeatedly been the site of protests for about two decades.

The Wichita Eagle was reporting on its Web site, Kansas.com, that Tiller, 67, was shot just after 10 a.m. at Reformation Lutheran Church, where he was a member of the congregation. The newspaper reported that witnesses and a police source confirmed Tiller was the victim.
Authorities looking for powder blue Taurus
The New York Times reported Sunday that the shots were fired from a handgun in the church lobby during the morning service. Authorities told the newspaper they were searching for a powder blue Taurus made in the 1990s that had been seen leaving shortly after the shooting. Witnesses told authorities they saw a white man departing.

NBC News affiliate, KSN news, said the Taurus has a Kansas tag of 225BAB that is traced to a residence in Marion, Kan.

Anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, which has been critical of Tiller, issued the following statement on its Web site Sunday:

"We are shocked at this morning’s disturbing news that Mr. Tiller was gunned down. Operation Rescue has worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see him brought to justice. We denounce vigilantism and the cowardly act that took place this morning. We pray for Mr. Tiller’s family that they will find comfort and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ."

Tiller had been acquitted in March of 19 misdemeanor charges stemming from procedures he performed, but moments after the verdict the state’s medical board announced it was investigating allegations against him that are nearly identical to those the jury had rejected.

Prosecutors had alleged that Tiller had in 2003 gotten second opinions from a doctor who was essentially an employee of his, not independent as state law requires, but a jury took only about an hour to find him not guilty of all 19 counts.

Claimed prosecution was politically motivated
Tiller, who could have faced a year in jail for even one conviction, stared straight ahead as the verdicts were read, with one of his attorneys patting his shoulder after the decision on the final count was declared. His wife, seated across the courtroom, fought back tears and nodded. The couple had declined to speak to reporters afterward.

Tiller had claimed that the prosecution was politically motivated. An attorney general who opposed abortion rights began the investigation into Tiller’s clinic more than four years ago, but both his successor, who filed the criminal charges, and the current attorney general support abortion rights.

Tiller had been a favored target of anti-abortion protesters, and he testified that he and his family have suffered years of harassment and threats. His clinic was the site of the 1991 “Summer of Mercy” protests marked by mass demonstrations and arrests. His clinic was bombed in 1985, and an abortion opponent shot him in both arms in 1993.Wichita police say that abortion provider Dr. George Tiller has been shot and killed at his Wichita church. Tiller has been... more

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1 month ago

Suspect Arrested in Slaying of Kansas Abortion Doctor

An arrest has been made in the slaying of late-term abortion doctor George Tiller, who was gunned down Sunday morning at his... more

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1 month ago

Abortion rights doctor assassinated at church

WICHITA - George Tiller, the Wichita doctor who became a national lightning rod in the debate over abortion, was shot to death... more

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2 responses

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1 month ago

2008 WAKARUSA MUSIC FESTIVAL PART 2

RFWtv Presents the 2008 Wakarusa Music Festival by Roving Festival Writer, LLC. Held in Lawrence, KS, Wakarusa brought together... more

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1 month ago

2008 WAKARUSA MUSIC FESTIVAL PART 1

RFWtv Presents the 2008 Wakarusa Music Festival by Roving Festival Writer, LLC. Held in Lawrence, KS, Wakarusa brought together... more

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3 months ago

Kansas Governor Vetoes RBGH Milk Labeling Bill

In a victory for local dairy farmers and consumers, Gov. Sebelius vetoes controversial bill that would have limited rbGH labeling on dairy products in the state.

To support Kansas dairy farmers and consumers, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has vetoed legislation concerning the labels on milk products. The bill, HB 2121, faced massive opposition from dairy, consumer, health, animal welfare and environmental organizations across the country; nearly 30 of which wrote a letter to Governor Sebelius, President Obama’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, urging her to veto HR 2121. The bill passed by the Kansas State Legislature would have required an additional disclaimer on labels for dairy products produced from cows not treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH or rbST), a genetically engineered, artificial hormone that induces cows to produce more milk.

The Governor’s office sent out a press release late this afternoon, explaining why she vetoed the bill:

“…the Bill before me…provides for changes in dairy labeling that could make it more difficult to provide consumers with clear information. The milk labeling provisions negatively impact a dairy producer’s ability to inform consumers that milk is from cows not treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBST).”

“Supporters of the bill claim it’s necessary to protect consumers from false or misleading information. Yet there has been overwhelming opposition by consumer groups, small dairy producers and retailers to this proposed legislation. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14 of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I veto HB 2121.”

“I applaud Governor Sebelius’ veto of HB 2121, which would have made it more difficult for dairy farmers who don’t use recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH) to label their milk as such. Governor Sebelius clearly recognized that the bill’s provisions on dairy labeling would have made it harder for consumers to get the information they want about the dairy products they consume and would have hindered dairy farmer’s ability to tell consumers that their milk is from cows not treated with rbGH,” said Dr. Michael Hansen, senior scientist at Consumers Union, nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports.

Due to growing consumer demand, companies are removing rbGH from their dairy products across the country. In addition, over 160 hospitals all over the country have pledged to serve rbGH-free products and the past president of the American Medical Association said in a letter to all AMA members that hospitals should serve only milk produced without rbGH. A recent report compiled by the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility found that more than half of the 100 largest dairy processors in the country have gone completely or partially rBGH-free due to consumer demand.

“Governor Sebelius made the right decision for dairy producers, businesses, and citizens today,” said Heather Whitehead, True Food Network Director at the Center for Food Safety. “Consumers want more information about the foods we purchase and feed to our families; not less. HR 2121 would have taken Kansas in the wrong direction, and we applaud Governor Sebelius for protecting Kansas farmers and consumers.”
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Finally, some good news and a victory. Thank you, Governor Sebelius for voting for consumers, health, the environment, animals, and consumer disclosure. This proves that public demand and pressure CAN bring change. I am proud to say I am one of 8000 people who e-mailed Governor Sebelius from this organzation asking her to veto this bill, and this is only the beginning.In a victory for local dairy farmers and consumers, Gov. Sebelius vetoes controversial bill that would have limited rbGH labeling... more

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3 months ago

Kansas to Kenya

2 students talk about their work in Africa.

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3 months ago

I Hate Your State. Part 1

I hate Alabama through Kansas.

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3 months ago

Tell Governor Sebelius to protect your right to know what is in your milk

Last week, despite strong citizen and farmer opposition, the Kansas state legislature passed a bill that would limit a farmer’s right to tell their customers about the way they produce milk. Kansas House Bill 2121 included language specifying that, "dairy products promoted as being produced by cows that don't receive injections of artificial bovine growth hormone, also known as rbST or rBGH, would have to include a disclaimer on the label."

The required disclaimer would read: "the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined there are no significant differences between milk from cows that receive injections of the artificial hormone and milk from those that do not." That statement is based on an 18-year-old FDA review; however, FDA’s own publications, as well as subsequent scientific studies have shown that there are significant differences, some of which may affect human health. The Kansas bill also goes against long-established Federal policy as outlined by the FDA in a July 27, 1994 letter to New York Department of Agriculture and Markets: "The bottom line is that a contextual statement is not required...and in no instance is the specific statement 'No significant difference has been shown...' required by FDA."

In addition, the Legislature tacked on the dairy labeling rules of HB 2295 as a rider on HB 2121 without a hearing in the Senate Agriculture Committee. This denied the numerous opponents of labeling restrictions the chance to testify. Even with the lack of proper debate, the bill barely passed the Senate by a 22-15 vote, just two votes short of failing, demonstrating that there is barely a mandate for labeling changes in Kansas.

Due to growing consumer demand, companies are removing rbGH from their dairy products across the country. In addition, over 160 hospitals all over the country have pledged to serve rbGH-free products and the past president of the American Medical Association said in a letter to all AMA members that hospitals should serve only milk produced without rbGH. And, more than half of the 100 largest dairy processors in the country have gone partially or completely rbGH-free to satisfy consumer demand.

Tell Governor Sebelius, our future Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, which houses the Food and Drug Administration, to head into her new position on the right foot by vetoing this unnecessary and unwanted bill!Last week, despite strong citizen and farmer opposition, the Kansas state legislature passed a bill that would limit a... more