TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court will hear arguments March 16 in a case challenging a law that bans a common second-trimester abortion procedure.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports two doctors have challenged a 2015 law that bans doctors from using forceps, tongs or other medical implements to dismember a fetus in the womb to complete an abortion.

A Shawnee County judge ruled the Kansas Constitution protects abortion rights independently of the U.S. Constitution and temporarily blocked the ban’s enforcement. An appeals court split on the issue, leaving the ban in place.

If the state Supreme Court agrees that the state constitution protects abortion rights, abortion opponents are concerned that state courts could reject abortion restrictions even if they’ve been upheld by federal courts.

OSAGE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Osage County are investigating a suspect for a series of auto thefts.

On Saturday, a Deputy from the Osage County Sheriff’s Office located a stolen vehicle at 189th and U.S. 56 near Burlingame, according to a media release.

Deputies chased the vehicle to the area of 205th and Fairlawn. The stolen vehicle was located in a field and the suspect fled on foot.

After a search, the suspect, Samson Davenport, 27, Osage City, was located without incident and arrested.

He was booked for an Osage County Warrant for Violation of Kansas Registration Act, flee and elude, and possession of stolen property.

He had been driving a stolen pickup taken from Overbrook earlier in the day.

At this time, Davenport is a suspect in approximately 15 cases since January 3rd, 2017.

All cases will be turned over to the Osage County Attorney today. At this time Davenport’s bond on the warrant is $25,000.00.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — After two years without increases, student health insurance premiums will go up more than 5 percent at state universities next year.

The Kansas Board of Regents on Wednesday approved a 5.2 percent premium increase for all plans for the 2017-18 academic year.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports a student-only plan will cost $1,464 a year, an increase or $72. No changes to plan benefits were recommended.

In 2017-18, plans for a student plus spouse, or student plus child, will cost $2,928 per year, an increase of $144.

Plans for a student plus spouse and child, or student plus two children, will cost $4,392 per year, an increase of $216. And plans for a student plus spouse and two or more children will cost $5,856 per year, an increase of $288.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is asking the Legislature to give him authority to bar potentially tens of thousands of people from casting votes in state or local races.

The Lawrence Journal World reported the Republican asked a Senate committee Tuesday for legislation giving him power to hold “bifurcated” elections in Kansas.

Federal courts have provisionally held Kansas cannot require for federal elections documents such a birth certificate or U.S. passport from people who register at motor vehicle or with a national voter registration form.

State courts have ruled Kobach has no authority to throw out votes cast by those people in local and state races.

Kobach is fighting those rulings.

Democrats plan to introduce measures to repeal the proof-of-citizenship requirement altogether.

PLATTE COUNTY, MO – A Kansas man died in an accident just before 8a.m. on Wednesday in Platte County, Missouri.

A 1986 Chevrolet El Camino driven by a 51-year-old Atchison, Kansas man was eastbound on MO 92 and he lost control of the vehicle east of Bethel Road, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

The vehicle slid into the westbound lane. A westbound 2000 Buick Century hit the Chevy.

The driver of the Chevy was pronounced dead at the scene. The 33-year-old driver of the Buick was transported to a hospital for treatment.

The accident remains under investigation. Weather conditions may have been a contributing factor, according to Sgt. Jeffrey Shanks

Names of the drivers have not been released.

STAFFORD COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Stafford County are investigating a burglary and have a suspect in custody.
On Tuesday, someone entered a residence in the 100 block of North Nutting in St John, according to a social media report.

Two heeler puppies were taken from the home. On Wednesday, police reported that with the help of numerous citizens they were able to locate the suspects involved and the puppies have been recovered and returned to the owner.

This case will now be forwarded to the Stafford County Attorney for prosecution.  Name of the suspect in the case was not released.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators are gravitating toward an accounting move proposed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback to help paper over a shortfall in the current state budget.

They’re receptive to his complicated plan even though they doubt it is a good idea.

Brownback’s plan would liquidate a state investment portfolio to raise cash to back $317 million in internal borrowing, with the state paying itself back over seven years.

House and Senate committees reviewed Brownback’s proposal Wednesday as many states struggle with budget problems. In Kansas, Oklahoma and Indiana, the problems are serious enough for legislators to reconsider past tax cuts designed to stimulate the economy.

But Kansas can’t raise taxes quickly enough to plug the projected $342 million hole in the budget for current fiscal year before it ends June 30.