(AP) – A mix of winter snow and springtime tornadoes is likely across Oklahoma and the southern plains as a massive storm system moves across the region.

Meteorologist Greg Carbin of the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman said Tuesday that a winter storm that dropped large amounts of snow in Colorado is moving east into western Kansas and northwestern Oklahoma. It will collide with a spring storm that is moving north from northern Texas.

Carbin says the storm will create heavy snow in the northern Midwest as well as thunderstorms and the risk of tornadoes and large hail in the southern plains.

Severe weather is possible Tuesday afternoon and evening in central Oklahoma, North Texas, western Kansas and in Missouri. More severe weather is likely further east on Wednesday.

(AP) – Wichita police put a 16-year-old girl into protective custody after 79 cats were taken from the mobile home where she lived with her mother.

Several dogs also were taken Monday from the property in southwest Wichita.

Investigators went to the home after a Wichita school counselor contacted social services out of concern about the girl’s living conditions.

Fire crews were called in to help with respirators because of the strong smell of urine in the home.

Police say the animals were well cared for and healthy.

(AP) – Authorities say a private security guard at an El Dorado apartment complex accidently discharged his gun and hurt a person working in an adjoining room.

The El Dorado Police Department said Tuesday an 18-year-old college student suffered a minor injury while working in the adjacent media room Monday evening.

The guard told investigators from the El Dorado Police Department that he was handling his firearm while on duty in the office area when it accidently discharged. The shot apparently damaged a computer, some furniture and went through the walls separating the office from a media room.

Police say their investigation continues. The security guard was questioned and released pending the county attorney reviewing the case for possible charges.

(AP) – A group of abortion rights activists delivered about 1,600 signed petitions to Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s office urging him not to sign legislation that puts new restrictions on abortion.

Legislators passed a bill late Friday that declares life begins at fertilization, while blocking tax breaks for abortion providers and banning abortions performed solely because of the baby’s sex.

The group presenting the petitions Tuesday included representative from the Kansas National Organization for Women, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and Western Missouri, the Mainstream Coalition and Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri.

A spokeswoman for Brownback said the governor hasn’t received the bill in his office but is expected to sign it. The governor opposes abortion and has signed numerous bills restricting abortion since taking office in 2011.

TOPEKA – The State Board of Education is preparing to approve changes in the material that Kansas students are expected to know in history, government and social studies.

The new standards were developed over the past two years for kindergarten through high school. Kansas students would be asked to better understand the context of what they learn, not just memorize names and dates.

Board members will adopt the changes at their April 16 meeting in Topeka.

The new standards replace those that had been in place for Kansas schools since 2004. Students will take tests based on the standards starting in 2016.

Local school boards will be responsible for developing and approving curriculum that follows the new standards, including the purchase of textbooks.