BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/schatlani/">SHALINA CHATLANI</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>

The majority of residents in this coverage gap are people of color, an analysis found.

Nearly 1 of every 5 uninsured working-age adults across the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act are, according to a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/health/closing-medicaid-coverage-gap-would-help-diverse-groups-and-reduce-inequities" target="_blank">analysis</a>, stuck in a health care limbo known as a “coverage gap.” That means they earn too much money to receive Medicaid but not enough to qualify for financial help to purchase their own plan on the marketplace.

In Alabama and Mississippi, more than a quarter of uninsured working-age adults are left with no affordable pathways to health coverage, according to the analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a progressive think tank that researches federal and state budget policies. Overall, 1.6 million adults between the ages of 19 and 64 face the situation in the non-expansion states.

“They are all people with incomes below the federal poverty level, and yet they have no financial assistance or coverage,” said Gideon Lukens, senior fellow and director of research and data analysis with the organization’s health policy team.

The analysis also found that more than 60% of those who fall into this gap are people of color: Latino people account for 35%, Black residents account for 24%, and Asian people account for 2%.

Mississippi state Rep. Robert Johnson, a Democrat, said the lack of insurance coverage contributes to other problems — such as the closures of hospitals that have to cover the cost of treating uninsured patients — in all types of communities.

“This is not a conservative or liberal issue. This is about the people that we represent in the state of Mississippi, whether they be Black or white,” Johnson said in an interview. “This is a life-or-death issue for not just individuals, but the whole communities.”

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was enacted in 2010, but 10 states have not expanded Medicaid, the federal-state program that provides health care for low-income people. They are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The Affordable Care Act allowed states to expand Medicaid to cover people up to 138% of the federal poverty line. The costs of insuring more people would be paid for primarily with federal funds and a smaller state match. People who earned more than that could receive tax credits to subsidize health insurance costs.

But in the states that didn’t expand, many people with low incomes were left without affordable options.

Jennifer Tolbert, deputy director of the Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured at the nonprofit health research organization KFF, told Stateline most people in the coverage gap have jobs but may work in industries and for employers that are much less likely to provide health insurance coverage, such as in the service industry or construction.

“They simply don’t have access to affordable health insurance coverage, and therefore fall into what we call the coverage gap,” Tolbert said.

In Alabama, for example, people are&nbsp;<a href="https://alabamareflector.com/2024/04/25/alabama-lawmakers-weigh-medicaid-expansion-approaches-in-southern-states/#:~:text=Medicaid%20in%20Alabama%20is%20limited,for%20Affordable%20Care%20Act%20plans" target="_blank">only eligible</a>&nbsp;for Medicaid if they earn at or below 18% of the federal poverty line, about $4,678 a year for a three-person household. But health insurance cost subsidies would only kick in for people earning at 100% of the federal poverty line, which means those in the coverage gap may be stuck with premiums at upward of hundreds of dollars a month if they got a marketplace plan.

Some analysts say that, despite misgivings about the Affordable Care Act, holdout states will need to reconsider expansion to bring in federal matching funds and help their residents.

“There is no real solution to ensuring some level of health insurance coverage for this population, absent a Medicaid expansion,” said James C. Capretta, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a center-right public policy think tank.

“If you’re going to have a safety net insurance system in this country, which we should have, it absolutely has to be reliably there for people in this kind of income with these kinds of income levels,” Capretta said. “There needs to be some push and movement to see if there is a way forward to get the coverage gap fully closed.”

In Mississippi, where Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has said he would veto any bill on Medicaid expansion, there has still been some movement. Both chambers of the Mississippi legislature earlier this year approved versions of bipartisan legislation that would have expanded Medicaid with work requirements. But the measure failed after legislators were unable to settle on a final version.

“My argument to my Republicans has been, ‘The ACA is with us. With 40 states now enacting it, it’s going to be with us,’” White told Stateline. “‘And if you can’t get there for the compassion and the health care coverage for these low-income working Mississippians, get yourself there because of the savings and the cost benefits it is for our health care industry and for our state economy as a whole.’”

White said the Republican caucus has been seeing a change in temperature, with more support for expansion. He added that for the first time, the Mississippi business community supports a pathway to Medicaid coverage, which could help get a veto-proof bill through the legislature.

“We have finally seen the thawing of the ice here,” White said. “Now, where that leads to the next session in the coming years, I don’t know. But I’m encouraged.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721756279101.png" alt=" A Medicaid office employee works on reports at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Nearly 1 of every 5 uninsured working-age adults across the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act are stuck in a health care insurance limbo known as a “coverage gap.” Julie Jacobson/The Associated Press" />
 <figcaption> A Medicaid office employee works on reports at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Nearly 1 of every 5 uninsured working-age adults across the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act are stuck in a health care insurance limbo known as a “coverage gap.” Julie Jacobson/The Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/schatlani/">SHALINA CHATLANI</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a><h2>The majority of residents in this coverage gap are people of color, an analysis found.</h2>Nearly 1 of every 5 uninsured working-age adults across the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act are, according to a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/health/closing-medicaid-coverage-gap-would-help-diverse-groups-and-reduce-inequities" target="_blank">analysis</a>, stuck in a health care limbo known as a “coverage gap.” That means they earn too much money to receive Medicaid but not enough to qualify for financial help to purchase their own plan on the marketplace.In Alabama and Mississippi, more than a quarter of uninsured working-age adults are left with no affordable pathways to health coverage, according to the analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a progressive think tank that researches federal and state budget policies. Overall, 1.6 million adults between the ages of 19 and 64 face the situation in the non-expansion states.“They are all people with incomes below the federal poverty level, and yet they have no financial assistance or coverage,” said Gideon Lukens, senior fellow and director of research and data analysis with the organization’s health policy team.The analysis also found that more than 60% of those who fall into this gap are people of color: Latino people account for 35%, Black residents account for 24%, and Asian people account for 2%.Mississippi state Rep. Robert Johnson, a Democrat, said the lack of insurance coverage contributes to other problems — such as the closures of hospitals that have to cover the cost of treating uninsured patients — in all types of communities.“This is not a conservative or liberal issue. This is about the people that we represent in the state of Mississippi, whether they be Black or white,” Johnson said in an interview. “This is a life-or-death issue for not just individuals, but the whole communities.”<h2>What’s the coverage gap?</h2>The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was enacted in 2010, but 10 states have not expanded Medicaid, the federal-state program that provides health care for low-income people. They are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.The Affordable Care Act allowed states to expand Medicaid to cover people up to 138% of the federal poverty line. The costs of insuring more people would be paid for primarily with federal funds and a smaller state match. People who earned more than that could receive tax credits to subsidize health insurance costs.But in the states that didn’t expand, many people with low incomes were left without affordable options.Jennifer Tolbert, deputy director of the Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured at the nonprofit health research organization KFF, told Stateline most people in the coverage gap have jobs but may work in industries and for employers that are much less likely to provide health insurance coverage, such as in the service industry or construction.“They simply don’t have access to affordable health insurance coverage, and therefore fall into what we call the coverage gap,” Tolbert said.In Alabama, for example, people are&nbsp;<a href="https://alabamareflector.com/2024/04/25/alabama-lawmakers-weigh-medicaid-expansion-approaches-in-southern-states/#:~:text=Medicaid%20in%20Alabama%20is%20limited,for%20Affordable%20Care%20Act%20plans" target="_blank">only eligible</a>&nbsp;for Medicaid if they earn at or below 18% of the federal poverty line, about $4,678 a year for a three-person household. But health insurance cost subsidies would only kick in for people earning at 100% of the federal poverty line, which means those in the coverage gap may be stuck with premiums at upward of hundreds of dollars a month if they got a marketplace plan.<h2>Considering expansion</h2>Some analysts say that, despite misgivings about the Affordable Care Act, holdout states will need to reconsider expansion to bring in federal matching funds and help their residents.“There is no real solution to ensuring some level of health insurance coverage for this population, absent a Medicaid expansion,” said James C. Capretta, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a center-right public policy think tank.“If you’re going to have a safety net insurance system in this country, which we should have, it absolutely has to be reliably there for people in this kind of income with these kinds of income levels,” Capretta said. “There needs to be some push and movement to see if there is a way forward to get the coverage gap fully closed.”In Mississippi, where Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has said he would veto any bill on Medicaid expansion, there has still been some movement. Both chambers of the Mississippi legislature earlier this year approved versions of bipartisan legislation that would have expanded Medicaid with work requirements. But the measure failed after legislators were unable to settle on a final version.“My argument to my Republicans has been, ‘The ACA is with us. With 40 states now enacting it, it’s going to be with us,’” White told Stateline. “‘And if you can’t get there for the compassion and the health care coverage for these low-income working Mississippians, get yourself there because of the savings and the cost benefits it is for our health care industry and for our state economy as a whole.’”White said the Republican caucus has been seeing a change in temperature, with more support for expansion. He added that for the first time, the Mississippi business community supports a pathway to Medicaid coverage, which could help get a veto-proof bill through the legislature.“We have finally seen the thawing of the ice here,” White said. “Now, where that leads to the next session in the coming years, I don’t know. But I’m encouraged.”

In the states that didn’t expand Medicaid, 1.6M can’t afford health insurance

DOUGLAS COUNTY —A Kansas man has been convicted in the 2023 shooting death of man in Lawrence.

Last week, Maliqe Crenshaw, 23, of Lawrence, pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter for the death of Cameron Renner, according to&nbsp;Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez.

&nbsp;Just after 1a.m. June 3, 2023 police responded to the 2400 block of Cedarwood Avenue in Lawrence after multiple residents reported hearing gunfire. A short time later, a man later identified as Renner was dropped off at LMH Health with multiple gunshot wounds, and was soon pronounced deceased.

Investigators were eventually able to identify Renner with the public’s assistance. After a months-long investigation, police were able to tie forensic evidence to Crenshaw, leading to his arrest.

In November, police took Crenshaw into custody  during a car stop by members of the Lawrence Police tactical team in the 2200 block of Louisiana Street in Lawrence, according to a social media report from police.

“A senseless encounter claimed the life of a young man and endangered the safety of many others,” District Attorney Valdez said. “We are committed to holding perpetrators accountable to ensure the safety and well-being of our neighborhoods.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721941233040.png" alt="Crenshaw photo Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Crenshaw photo Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —A Kansas man has been convicted in the 2023 shooting death of man in Lawrence.Last week, Maliqe Crenshaw, 23, of Lawrence, pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter for the death of Cameron Renner, according to&nbsp;Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721941547786.png" alt="Crenshaw's arrest in November of 2023 -photo Lawrence Police" />
 <figcaption>Crenshaw's arrest in November of 2023 -photo Lawrence Police</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Just after 1a.m. June 3, 2023 police responded to the 2400 block of Cedarwood Avenue in Lawrence after multiple residents reported hearing gunfire. A short time later, a man later identified as Renner was dropped off at LMH Health with multiple gunshot wounds, and was soon pronounced deceased.Investigators were eventually able to identify Renner with the public’s assistance. After a months-long investigation, police were able to tie forensic evidence to Crenshaw, leading to his arrest.In November, police took Crenshaw into custody during a car stop by members of the Lawrence Police tactical team in the 2200 block of Louisiana Street in Lawrence, according to a social media report from police.“A senseless encounter claimed the life of a young man and endangered the safety of many others,” District Attorney Valdez said. “We are committed to holding perpetrators accountable to ensure the safety and well-being of our neighborhoods.”

Kansas man caught months after crime is convicted of murder

RILEY COUNTY —The cause of a fire at a duplex in Manhattan is under investigation.

Just before 1a.m. Sunday, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire at 931 Connecticut Avenue, according to a media release.

First responders found a&nbsp;single-story residential duplex with heavy fire showing from the rear of the residence. Fire companies extinguished the deck that was on fire, while other companies made an interior attack on the main body of fire and searched the residence. 

The fire was contained within 20 minutes. The occupants were not at home at the time of the fire.&nbsp; The occupants of 929 Connecticut Avenue had evacuated before the fire department's arrival. 

Loss is estimated at $150,000 to the structure and $30,000 of contents of 931 Connecticut Avenue and $2,000 damage to 929 Connecticut Avenue.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722177433144.png" alt="Photo Manhattan Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo Manhattan Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —The cause of a fire at a duplex in Manhattan is under investigation.Just before 1a.m. Sunday, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire at 931 Connecticut Avenue, according to a media release.First responders found a&nbsp;single-story residential duplex with heavy fire showing from the rear of the residence. Fire companies extinguished the deck that was on fire, while other companies made an interior attack on the main body of fire and searched the residence. The fire was contained within 20 minutes. The occupants were not at home at the time of the fire.&nbsp; The occupants of 929 Connecticut Avenue had evacuated before the fire department's arrival. No injuries were reported.&nbsp;Loss is estimated at $150,000 to the structure and $30,000 of contents of 931 Connecticut Avenue and $2,000 damage to 929 Connecticut Avenue.

$180,000 damage after fire at Kansas home

WASHINGTON (AP) — Black clergy who know Vice President Kamala Harris,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-democratic-convention-nominee-virtual-voting-78991bcc443e06c000d1d800e0d94cc5">now the frontrunner</a>&nbsp;for the Democratic presidential nomination, marvel at the fusion of traditions and teachings that have molded her religious faith and social justice values.

A Baptist married to a Jewish man, she’s inspired by the work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and influenced by the religious traditions of her mother’s native India as well as the Black Church.

“She’s had the best of two worlds,” says her longtime pastor, the Rev. Amos Brown, who leads Third Baptist Church in San Francisco.

In interviews, religious leaders and theologians told The Associated Press that Harris’ candidacy has special symbolic significance following President Joe Biden’s departure from election campaign. Not only because she would be the nation’s first female president, but she’s a Black American with South Asian roots and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-religion-baptist-f2a91e545f44712a7ea7bd962412bcfe">her two cultures are intrinsically linked</a>.

The clergy and scholars noted that the concept of nonviolent resistance, a critical strategy in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, gained influence under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in India, who was an inspiration for many decades to America’s Black preachers and civil rights leaders.

“It may be through the Negroes that the unadulterated message of nonviolence will be delivered to the world,” Gandhi said in 1935 to a visiting delegation led by prominent Black U.S. theologian Howard Thurman.

Those shared cultural links can be found in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/district-of-columbia-india-government-india-kamala-harris-united-states-government-9b183eb367fc43fc82010d9776b57dc8">Harris’ family history</a>, too. Her maternal grandmother was a community organizer, and her grandfather P.V. Gopalan, was a civil servant who joined the resistance to win India’s independence from Britain.

Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, even met King as a graduate student at the University of California at Berkeley, where she participated in civil rights demonstrations.

“She was conscious of history, conscious of struggle, conscious of inequities. She was born with a sense of justice imprinted on her soul,” Harris wrote of her mother in her 2008 book “Truths We Hold.”

The Black Church tradition also influenced Harris.

“The vice president has a strong Christian faith that she’s talked about a lot,” said Jamal Simmons, a pastor’s son and Harris’ former communications director. As a Democratic strategist, he has helped candidates make inroads with faith communities.

“She was raised in a Christian church, and attended Christian churches throughout her life, and I think that still influences her, her worldview and her ethical commitments,” he said.

The Rev. Freddie D. Haynes III, a pastor in Dallas, first met Harris at Third Baptist in San Francisco, sparking their more than 30-year friendship.

Haynes – whose family has close ties to Third Baptist – was guest preaching at the time while visiting his mother. Harris, then the Alameda County district attorney, had just joined the congregation.

“She has always understood that Jesus and justice go together. So, it’s not hard to see why she chose a church that has that kind of justice DNA,” said Haynes, whose grandfather shaped Third Baptist’s social justice identity as its pastor. Then his father carried it on during his short time in the pulpit.

Through the years, Haynes and Harris connected over their shared faith. Haynes said she admired his ability to blend Black Christian theology in the pulpit with the cadence and rhythm of hip-hop. It was Harris’s commitment to serving the most vulnerable that impressed him.

“Her spirituality has been informed by a sense of justice for those who are othered, disadvantaged, and treated as second-class citizens,” said Haynes, who leads Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas.

As a student at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Harris was immersed in a cultural environment influenced by deep faith. The fellowship and service she learned at her alma mater is key to understanding the spirituality driving her sense of purpose, said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kingdom-fellowship-ame-black-church-maryland-566ac03a1d0aee9fc338d1b3606ceba3">Matthew Watley</a>, pastor of nearby Kingdom Fellowship AME, one of the fastest growing churches in America.

Watley said Howard’s commitment to service through religious passion and academic prowess never leaves its students. Several of Harris’ friends, including a line sister in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-biden-pressure-to-leave-presidential-race-70442d102683f6ae9e3269ab946dfead">Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority</a>&nbsp;Inc., worship at Kingdom Fellowship, where Harris has attended twice in recent years.

Joshua DuBois, former head of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, said because of the influence of Eastern and Western cultural and religious traditions, Harris exudes a kind of ecumenism that makes her candidacy appealing to an array of religious voters.

“I think that presidents are grounded in their faith and inspired by their faith in numerous ways. It’s the wellspring that they draw from,” said DuBois, who worked under former President Barack Obama’s administration. “When you know the world is going mad how do you connect to something larger than yourself?”

“I also think faith can help you with prioritization,” he added. “Often times you can only focus on one thing as president and you face the question: Who needs you the most? I think that is certainly how Jesus walked. That’s how Gandhi walked.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-president-black-women-support-bdd0ba0a19697c7cd2f183773e97aa6e">Black women</a>, including clergy and activists who have not stopped organizing and praying since the COVID-19 pandemic, are quickly embracing Harris.

The Rev. Traci Blackmon, who joined 4,000 Black clergy on a recent pro-Harris call, said the outpouring of support for her is connected to the anticipated ugliness and opposition she is bound to face in her sprint against former President Donald Trump.

“She should be president because she’s equipped, prepared and the best candidate for the job,” said Blackmon, a St. Louis-based United Church of Christ minister, who spoke to the AP as Harris gathered delegate support.

The call was organized by the Black Church PAC, co-founded by the Rev. Michael McBride, a longtime Harris supporter and pastor of The Way Christian Center in Berkeley. McBride told the AP that he was still in the pulpit on Sunday when Biden withdrew his candidacy. After the benediction, McBride said, one of the church mothers stood up, shared that news, and asked, in effect, “What do we do now?”

McBride and many other Black pastors who have been calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas war will be looking to Harris for leadership that would bring about peace. Brown, her own pastor, was among the Black clergy who visited the White House in recent months to appeal to the Biden administration.

“To me it’s a matter of peace and justice,” Brown said.

On Sunday, after Harris was endorsed by Biden. she sought out Brown with an evening phone call, about an hour before the AP reached him at his home in San Francisco.

“I’m calling my pastor,” Harris said in her typical greeting, referring to the man that staffers in her office are instructed to get to know during their first week on the job.

She wanted her pastor to pray, and pray Brown did, that Harris “would be the quintessential instrument to bring healing, hope and wholeness” to the United States of America.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721917073398.png" alt="File Vice President Harris speaking at the Tyre Nichols funeral in Memphis-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File Vice President Harris speaking at the Tyre Nichols funeral in Memphis-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By DARREN SANDS Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — Black clergy who know Vice President Kamala Harris,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-democratic-convention-nominee-virtual-voting-78991bcc443e06c000d1d800e0d94cc5">now the frontrunner</a>&nbsp;for the Democratic presidential nomination, marvel at the fusion of traditions and teachings that have molded her religious faith and social justice values.A Baptist married to a Jewish man, she’s inspired by the work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and influenced by the religious traditions of her mother’s native India as well as the Black Church.“She’s had the best of two worlds,” says her longtime pastor, the Rev. Amos Brown, who leads Third Baptist Church in San Francisco.In interviews, religious leaders and theologians told The Associated Press that Harris’ candidacy has special symbolic significance following President Joe Biden’s departure from election campaign. Not only because she would be the nation’s first female president, but she’s a Black American with South Asian roots and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-religion-baptist-f2a91e545f44712a7ea7bd962412bcfe">her two cultures are intrinsically linked</a>.The clergy and scholars noted that the concept of nonviolent resistance, a critical strategy in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, gained influence under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in India, who was an inspiration for many decades to America’s Black preachers and civil rights leaders.“It may be through the Negroes that the unadulterated message of nonviolence will be delivered to the world,” Gandhi said in 1935 to a visiting delegation led by prominent Black U.S. theologian Howard Thurman.Those shared cultural links can be found in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/district-of-columbia-india-government-india-kamala-harris-united-states-government-9b183eb367fc43fc82010d9776b57dc8">Harris’ family history</a>, too. Her maternal grandmother was a community organizer, and her grandfather P.V. Gopalan, was a civil servant who joined the resistance to win India’s independence from Britain.Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, even met King as a graduate student at the University of California at Berkeley, where she participated in civil rights demonstrations.“She was conscious of history, conscious of struggle, conscious of inequities. She was born with a sense of justice imprinted on her soul,” Harris wrote of her mother in her 2008 book “Truths We Hold.”The Black Church tradition also influenced Harris.“The vice president has a strong Christian faith that she’s talked about a lot,” said Jamal Simmons, a pastor’s son and Harris’ former communications director. As a Democratic strategist, he has helped candidates make inroads with faith communities.“She was raised in a Christian church, and attended Christian churches throughout her life, and I think that still influences her, her worldview and her ethical commitments,” he said.The Rev. Freddie D. Haynes III, a pastor in Dallas, first met Harris at Third Baptist in San Francisco, sparking their more than 30-year friendship.Haynes – whose family has close ties to Third Baptist – was guest preaching at the time while visiting his mother. Harris, then the Alameda County district attorney, had just joined the congregation.“She has always understood that Jesus and justice go together. So, it’s not hard to see why she chose a church that has that kind of justice DNA,” said Haynes, whose grandfather shaped Third Baptist’s social justice identity as its pastor. Then his father carried it on during his short time in the pulpit.Through the years, Haynes and Harris connected over their shared faith. Haynes said she admired his ability to blend Black Christian theology in the pulpit with the cadence and rhythm of hip-hop. It was Harris’s commitment to serving the most vulnerable that impressed him.“Her spirituality has been informed by a sense of justice for those who are othered, disadvantaged, and treated as second-class citizens,” said Haynes, who leads Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas.As a student at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Harris was immersed in a cultural environment influenced by deep faith. The fellowship and service she learned at her alma mater is key to understanding the spirituality driving her sense of purpose, said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kingdom-fellowship-ame-black-church-maryland-566ac03a1d0aee9fc338d1b3606ceba3">Matthew Watley</a>, pastor of nearby Kingdom Fellowship AME, one of the fastest growing churches in America.Watley said Howard’s commitment to service through religious passion and academic prowess never leaves its students. Several of Harris’ friends, including a line sister in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-biden-pressure-to-leave-presidential-race-70442d102683f6ae9e3269ab946dfead">Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority</a>&nbsp;Inc., worship at Kingdom Fellowship, where Harris has attended twice in recent years.Joshua DuBois, former head of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, said because of the influence of Eastern and Western cultural and religious traditions, Harris exudes a kind of ecumenism that makes her candidacy appealing to an array of religious voters.“I think that presidents are grounded in their faith and inspired by their faith in numerous ways. It’s the wellspring that they draw from,” said DuBois, who worked under former President Barack Obama’s administration. “When you know the world is going mad how do you connect to something larger than yourself?”“I also think faith can help you with prioritization,” he added. “Often times you can only focus on one thing as president and you face the question: Who needs you the most? I think that is certainly how Jesus walked. That’s how Gandhi walked.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-president-black-women-support-bdd0ba0a19697c7cd2f183773e97aa6e">Black women</a>, including clergy and activists who have not stopped organizing and praying since the COVID-19 pandemic, are quickly embracing Harris.The Rev. Traci Blackmon, who joined 4,000 Black clergy on a recent pro-Harris call, said the outpouring of support for her is connected to the anticipated ugliness and opposition she is bound to face in her sprint against former President Donald Trump.“She should be president because she’s equipped, prepared and the best candidate for the job,” said Blackmon, a St. Louis-based United Church of Christ minister, who spoke to the AP as Harris gathered delegate support.The call was organized by the Black Church PAC, co-founded by the Rev. Michael McBride, a longtime Harris supporter and pastor of The Way Christian Center in Berkeley. McBride told the AP that he was still in the pulpit on Sunday when Biden withdrew his candidacy. After the benediction, McBride said, one of the church mothers stood up, shared that news, and asked, in effect, “What do we do now?”McBride and many other Black pastors who have been calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas war will be looking to Harris for leadership that would bring about peace. Brown, her own pastor, was among the Black clergy who visited the White House in recent months to appeal to the Biden administration.“To me it’s a matter of peace and justice,” Brown said.On Sunday, after Harris was endorsed by Biden. she sought out Brown with an evening phone call, about an hour before the AP reached him at his home in San Francisco.“I’m calling my pastor,” Harris said in her typical greeting, referring to the man that staffers in her office are instructed to get to know during their first week on the job.She wanted her pastor to pray, and pray Brown did, that Harris “would be the quintessential instrument to bring healing, hope and wholeness” to the United States of America.___

Kamala Harris: A Baptist with a Jewish husband and a faith that traces back to MLK and Gandhi

KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Police Department is investigating the death of a 45-year-old Kansas City man who was reported missing last week.

The body of Brice Gabbert was located Sunday near Gladstone Boulevard and N. Brighton, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

On Saturday, police reported Gabbert was last seen on at 2p.m. on July 12, in the area of Independence Avenue and Prospect Avenue when he left work on foot. He used public transit to get around, and family thought he may also be in the Martin City region of Kansas City, Missouri.

&nbsp;Detectives advise that preliminarily there does not appear to be any signs of foul play.The medical examiner will make the final determination of the cause and manner of death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722170612887.png" alt="Brice Gabbert photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Brice Gabbert photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Police Department is investigating the death of a 45-year-old Kansas City man who was reported missing last week.The body of Brice Gabbert was located Sunday near Gladstone Boulevard and N. Brighton, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.On Saturday, police reported Gabbert was last seen on at 2p.m. on July 12, in the area of Independence Avenue and Prospect Avenue when he left work on foot. He used public transit to get around, and family thought he may also be in the Martin City region of Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;Detectives advise that preliminarily there does not appear to be any signs of foul play.The medical examiner will make the final determination of the cause and manner of death.

KCPD investigating after body of missing man found

LYON COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 3p.m. Saturday in Lyon County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Kia Telluride driven by&nbsp;Guerrero Moreno, Jr., 44, Wichita, was southbound on the Kansas Turnpike approximately seven miles north of Topeka toll plaza. The SUV&nbsp; rear-ended a 2015 International semi driven by&nbsp;Stetson Cooley, 39, North Little Pulaski, Arkansas.&nbsp; After impact, the SUV came to rest after spinning out.&nbsp;

Anthony Barrera, less than a year-old, according to the KHP, was pronounced dead at at the scene and was transported to Roberts-Blue Funeral Home.&nbsp; Emporia Fire and EMS transported passenger Erin Moreno, 42, Wichita, 3 other juveniles and Guerrero Moreno to Newman Regional Medical Center. Erin Moreno was pronounced deceased just after 4:30p.m.

 Cooley was not injured. Guerrero Moreno was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

&nbsp;The condition of the three juveniles in the vehicle is protected data, according to the KHP.

LYON COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 3p.m. Saturday in Lyon County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Kia Telluride driven by&nbsp;Guerrero Moreno, Jr., 44, Wichita, was southbound on the Kansas Turnpike approximately seven miles north of Topeka toll plaza. The SUV&nbsp; rear-ended a 2015 International semi driven by&nbsp;Stetson Cooley, 39, North Little Pulaski, Arkansas.&nbsp; After impact, the SUV came to rest after spinning out.&nbsp;Anthony Barrera, less than a year-old, according to the KHP, was pronounced dead at at the scene and was transported to Roberts-Blue Funeral Home.&nbsp; Emporia Fire and EMS transported passenger Erin Moreno, 42, Wichita, 3 other juveniles and Guerrero Moreno to Newman Regional Medical Center. Erin Moreno was pronounced deceased just after 4:30p.m. Cooley was not injured. Guerrero Moreno was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp;The condition of the three juveniles in the vehicle is protected data, according to the KHP.___

Kansas woman, baby killed when SUV rear-ends a semi

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A federal judge granted an Overland Park nonprofit organization’s request for a temporary restraining order blocking the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission from enforcing a campaign finance law until a trial on constitutionality of the state’s definition of a political action committee.

U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Crabtree issued the order Wednesday on behalf of Fresh Vision OP, which ran afoul of the state commission in 2021 after sending a mailer endorsing the candidacy of Faris Farassati, an Overland Park City Council member campaigning for mayor. Fresh Vision OP posted comparable information to its website. The organization also opposed use of “tax give aways,” incentives for economic development and tolling on U.S. 69.

Fresh Vision OP’s attorneys, including lawyers with the Institute for Free Speech, filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s definition of a PAC. The plaintiff’s attorneys argued the law could be interpreted to include groups such as Fresh Vision OP that were organized primarily for a neighborhood’s benefit, but also periodically endorsed candidates. The lawsuit was designed to protect free speech rights of Fresh Vision OP and organizations like it, plaintiffs said.

Crabtree’s temporary restraining order would allow Fresh Vision OP to resume community advocacy activities without being regulated at a PAC.

The judge said the state’s definition of a PAC would likely be found to violate the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Buckley v. Valeo, which said express advocacy had to be “the major purpose” of an organization to be regarded as a PAC. The order said the statute in question was written in a way that applied PAC requirements without first determining whether that organization’s express advocacy was “a singular major purpose” or the major purpose.

“After considering the statutory scheme and the parties’ arguments and submissions, the court grants a narrowed temporary restraining order,” Crabtree wrote in the order.

A court hearing on the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction and a trial on merits of the case has been scheduled for September.

“The court applied existing precedent that bars the imposition of burdensome political committee requirements on groups that only occasionally engage in express advocacy,” said Charles Miller, an attorney with Institute for Free Speech. “Those requirements chill and potentially punish protected political speech.”

Lawsuit plaintiffs James Muir and Chengny Thao, who served as officers of Fresh Vision OP, sought to have the federal court block the state Governmental Ethics Commission from enforcing laws and regulations that appeared to violate their First Amendment rights to speech.

They have contended Fresh Vision OP engaged in public activism and education to promote wholesome neighborhoods, local small business growth, public safety and responsible land development. In July 2021, the organization endorsed Farassati’s candidacy for mayor on its website and in a mailer.

The state ethics commission responded by notifying Fresh Vision OP that the endorsements equated to operation as a political action committee and required the organization to register in the state.

The letter advised Fresh Vision OP that it could face civil fines and criminal penalties for failing to comply with state campaign finance law. Fresh Vision OP suspended operations to avoid regulation as a political committee and disclosure of donors to the organization.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722131835233.png" alt=" A federal judge in Kansas issued a temporary order forbidding enforcement of a state campaign finance law that an Overland Park nonprofit organization believes violates constitutional rights. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> A federal judge in Kansas issued a temporary order forbidding enforcement of a state campaign finance law that an Overland Park nonprofit organization believes violates constitutional rights. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A federal judge granted an Overland Park nonprofit organization’s request for a temporary restraining order blocking the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission from enforcing a campaign finance law until a trial on constitutionality of the state’s definition of a political action committee.U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Crabtree issued the order Wednesday on behalf of Fresh Vision OP, which ran afoul of the state commission in 2021 after sending a mailer endorsing the candidacy of Faris Farassati, an Overland Park City Council member campaigning for mayor. Fresh Vision OP posted comparable information to its website. The organization also opposed use of “tax give aways,” incentives for economic development and tolling on U.S. 69.Fresh Vision OP’s attorneys, including lawyers with the Institute for Free Speech, filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s definition of a PAC. The plaintiff’s attorneys argued the law could be interpreted to include groups such as Fresh Vision OP that were organized primarily for a neighborhood’s benefit, but also periodically endorsed candidates. The lawsuit was designed to protect free speech rights of Fresh Vision OP and organizations like it, plaintiffs said.Crabtree’s temporary restraining order would allow Fresh Vision OP to resume community advocacy activities without being regulated at a PAC.The judge said the state’s definition of a PAC would likely be found to violate the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Buckley v. Valeo, which said express advocacy had to be “the major purpose” of an organization to be regarded as a PAC. The order said the statute in question was written in a way that applied PAC requirements without first determining whether that organization’s express advocacy was “a singular major purpose” or the major purpose.“After considering the statutory scheme and the parties’ arguments and submissions, the court grants a narrowed temporary restraining order,” Crabtree wrote in the order.A court hearing on the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction and a trial on merits of the case has been scheduled for September.“The court applied existing precedent that bars the imposition of burdensome political committee requirements on groups that only occasionally engage in express advocacy,” said Charles Miller, an attorney with Institute for Free Speech. “Those requirements chill and potentially punish protected political speech.”Lawsuit plaintiffs James Muir and Chengny Thao, who served as officers of Fresh Vision OP, sought to have the federal court block the state Governmental Ethics Commission from enforcing laws and regulations that appeared to violate their First Amendment rights to speech.They have contended Fresh Vision OP engaged in public activism and education to promote wholesome neighborhoods, local small business growth, public safety and responsible land development. In July 2021, the organization endorsed Farassati’s candidacy for mayor on its website and in a mailer.The state ethics commission responded by notifying Fresh Vision OP that the endorsements equated to operation as a political action committee and required the organization to register in the state.The letter advised Fresh Vision OP that it could face civil fines and criminal penalties for failing to comply with state campaign finance law. Fresh Vision OP suspended operations to avoid regulation as a political committee and disclosure of donors to the organization.

Judge issues temporary order blocking enforcement of a Kansas campaign finance law

KANSAS CITY —One person died from injures in an accident that occurred just after 10p.m. Friday in Kansas City.

&nbsp;A&nbsp; Hyundai Elantra was making a left turn from southbound North Oak onto eastbound 79th Terrace in Kansas City, according to Police Captain Jake Becchina.

The Hyundai entered the intersection and was struck by a Chevrolet Malibu that was northbound on North Oak.

EMS transported the driver, front seat passenger and rear seat passenger of the Hyundai to a North Kansas City Hospital. The rear seat passenger had critical injuries and was pronounced deceased on Saturday, according to Becchina.

The driver of the Chevrolet was uninjured in the collision. The driver and occupants of the Hyundai were not wearing seat belts, according to Becchina. Police have not released the name of the victims. This is fatality #53 in KCMO this year compared to #49 at this time last year.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

KANSAS CITY —One person died from injures in an accident that occurred just after 10p.m. Friday in Kansas City.&nbsp;A&nbsp; Hyundai Elantra was making a left turn from southbound North Oak onto eastbound 79th Terrace in Kansas City, according to Police Captain Jake Becchina.The Hyundai entered the intersection and was struck by a Chevrolet Malibu that was northbound on North Oak.EMS transported the driver, front seat passenger and rear seat passenger of the Hyundai to a North Kansas City Hospital. The rear seat passenger had critical injuries and was pronounced deceased on Saturday, according to Becchina.The driver of the Chevrolet was uninjured in the collision. The driver and occupants of the Hyundai were not wearing seat belts, according to Becchina. Police have not released the name of the victims. This is fatality #53 in KCMO this year compared to #49 at this time last year.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

KCPD: 1 dead, 2 others hospitalized after 2-car crash

PARIS (AP) — In an unprecedented display of inclusivity, drag queens took center stage at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-paris-olympics-france-sabotage-9ed330cb83d89d68092ac5858c0fe590">Paris Olympics opening ceremony,</a>&nbsp;showcasing the vibrant and influential role of the French LGBTQ+ community — while also attracting criticism over a tableau reminiscent of “The Last Supper.”

Held along the Seine River, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-highlights-c87e1ebd06e27e6ed71764bc17293ab0">spectacular four-hour event</a>&nbsp;featured global stars such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-celine-dion-opening-ceremony-bca4ca3d7e828afcbfa616bedf2da97a">Celine Dion</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-lady-gaga-opening-ceremony-900240493391dbac1fc0d3a3a6143b80">Lady Gaga,</a>&nbsp;both considered queer icons. The ceremony blended&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-photos-paris-4703be2235b5daa766582bdbc0f45dae">historic and modern French culture</a>&nbsp;with a touch of kitsch, culminating in a flotilla of barges carrying thousands of Olympians.

Nicky Doll, known for competing on the 12th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and hosting “Drag Race France,” participated in a high-octane fashion runway segment along with “Drag Race France” Season 1 winner Paloma, Season 3's Piche, and Giselle Palmer. Initially, they stood alongside the runway, gazing fiercely at the strutting models. Later, they joined in, showcasing their own style.

Le Filip, the recent winner of “Drag Race France,” expressed their positive “surprise” and “pride” at the ceremony’s scale and representation.

“I thought it would be a five-minute drag event with queer representation. I was amazed. It started with Lady Gaga, then we had drag queens, a huge rave, and a fire in the sky,” they said. “It felt like a crowning all over again. I am proud to see my friends and queer people on the world stage.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/live/olympics-opening-ceremony-2024-updates">Among their bold performances</a>&nbsp;was a scene that seemed to evoke Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” featuring the drag queens and other performers in a configuration reminiscent of Jesus Christ and his apostles. This segment drew significant attention — and mixed reactions.

“The (French) government knows what it’s doing. They want to show themselves in the best way possible. They showed no restraints in expression,” Le Filip told The Associated Press.

On the other hand, prominent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ccb8813cc9dc47e8b6b332994da6d282">far-right politician Marion Maréchal</a>&nbsp;denounced the performance on social media.

“To all the Christians of the world who are watching the Paris 2024 ceremony and felt insulted by this drag queen parody of the Last Supper, know that it is not France that is speaking but a left-wing minority ready for any provocation,” she posted on the social platform X, a sentiment that was echoed by religious conservatives internationally.

“... because decapitating Habsburgs and ridiculising central Christian events are really the FIRST two things that spring to mind when you think of #OlympicGames,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-hungary-visit-orban-ukraine-5d35e834ebac80ec14840fa90071af95">Eduard Habsburg,</a>&nbsp;Hungary's ambassador to the Vatican, posted on X, also referencing a scene depicting the beheading of Marie Antoinette.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-thomas-jolly-165c4ed071be5e65fd854dedef693a0f">Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the opening ceremony,</a>&nbsp;afterward drew attention away from “The Last Supper” references, saying that hadn't been his intention.

Le Filip responded to the criticism of the scene with a touch of humor and sorrow.

“It feels like the words of somebody who didn’t get on the guest list. We could all be laughing together. It’s sad to me, honestly,” they said.

Inter-LGBT President James Leperlier was more circumspect, arguing that France still has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-gay-rights-macron-marriage-f803c7eff54b0ac9842b23af9864c3d0">significant strides to make</a>&nbsp;in inclusivity.

“We know in the LGBTQ community in France we are far from what the ceremony showed. There’s much progress to do in society regarding transgender people. It’s terrible that to legally change their identity they are forced to be on trial,” Leperlier said.

He also highlighted the disparity in acceptance, saying that the community is not visible in other official ceremonies and “has difficulty being heard.”

“If you saw the opening ceremony last night you’d think it was like that normally, but it’s not. France tried to show what it should be and not what it is,” he said.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paris-olympics-lgbtq-rights-discrimination-homophobia-00c32050c7733dd9e66fa26faa2c71df">opening ceremony</a>&nbsp;came as drag and the voguing nightclub scene in France has experienced a revival. The cabaret club Madame Arthur, founded in 1946 in the ashes of World War II, is one of the world’s oldest continually running LGBTQ+ theaters. It opened as Europe was only just beginning to understand the extent of the widespread murder of members of the queer community in WWII and is currently experiencing a massive renaissance.

Drag is not just a pastime; for many minority French communities who feel alienated over tensions arising from divisive politics and scars from the anti-gay marriage protests a decade ago, it’s a statement of defiance. Many gay Black and Arab youths — especially those from Paris’ less affluent and religiously conservative suburbs — and others who feel a sense of disconnect with French society&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/27d06e73dd65491f8f60f8986889d7b4">find voguing and drag events safe places</a>&nbsp;where their identities can be expressed without fear of reprisal.

Despite the backlash, Le Filip believes the opening ceremony will ultimately transcend controversy.

“The message of the show is freedom, and it’s a good postcard for France,” they concluded.

PARIS (AP) — In an unprecedented display of inclusivity, drag queens took center stage at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-paris-olympics-france-sabotage-9ed330cb83d89d68092ac5858c0fe590">Paris Olympics opening ceremony,</a>&nbsp;showcasing the vibrant and influential role of the French LGBTQ+ community — while also attracting criticism over a tableau reminiscent of “The Last Supper.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Last night’s mockery of the Last Supper was shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world who watched the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. The war on our faith and traditional values knows no bounds today. But we know that truth and virtue will always… <a href="https://t.co/s88c9ymG9j">pic.twitter.com/s88c9ymG9j</a>&mdash; Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1817229481972473922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Held along the Seine River, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-highlights-c87e1ebd06e27e6ed71764bc17293ab0">spectacular four-hour event</a>&nbsp;featured global stars such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-celine-dion-opening-ceremony-bca4ca3d7e828afcbfa616bedf2da97a">Celine Dion</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-lady-gaga-opening-ceremony-900240493391dbac1fc0d3a3a6143b80">Lady Gaga,</a>&nbsp;both considered queer icons. The ceremony blended&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-photos-paris-4703be2235b5daa766582bdbc0f45dae">historic and modern French culture</a>&nbsp;with a touch of kitsch, culminating in a flotilla of barges carrying thousands of Olympians.Nicky Doll, known for competing on the 12th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and hosting “Drag Race France,” participated in a high-octane fashion runway segment along with “Drag Race France” Season 1 winner Paloma, Season 3's Piche, and Giselle Palmer. Initially, they stood alongside the runway, gazing fiercely at the strutting models. Later, they joined in, showcasing their own style.Le Filip, the recent winner of “Drag Race France,” expressed their positive “surprise” and “pride” at the ceremony’s scale and representation.“I thought it would be a five-minute drag event with queer representation. I was amazed. It started with Lady Gaga, then we had drag queens, a huge rave, and a fire in the sky,” they said. “It felt like a crowning all over again. I am proud to see my friends and queer people on the world stage.”<a href="https://apnews.com/live/olympics-opening-ceremony-2024-updates">Among their bold performances</a>&nbsp;was a scene that seemed to evoke Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” featuring the drag queens and other performers in a configuration reminiscent of Jesus Christ and his apostles. This segment drew significant attention — and mixed reactions.“The (French) government knows what it’s doing. They want to show themselves in the best way possible. They showed no restraints in expression,” Le Filip told The Associated Press.On the other hand, prominent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ccb8813cc9dc47e8b6b332994da6d282">far-right politician Marion Maréchal</a>&nbsp;denounced the performance on social media.“To all the Christians of the world who are watching the Paris 2024 ceremony and felt insulted by this drag queen parody of the Last Supper, know that it is not France that is speaking but a left-wing minority ready for any provocation,” she posted on the social platform X, a sentiment that was echoed by religious conservatives internationally.“... because decapitating Habsburgs and ridiculising central Christian events are really the FIRST two things that spring to mind when you think of #OlympicGames,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-hungary-visit-orban-ukraine-5d35e834ebac80ec14840fa90071af95">Eduard Habsburg,</a>&nbsp;Hungary's ambassador to the Vatican, posted on X, also referencing a scene depicting the beheading of Marie Antoinette.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-thomas-jolly-165c4ed071be5e65fd854dedef693a0f">Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the opening ceremony,</a>&nbsp;afterward drew attention away from “The Last Supper” references, saying that hadn't been his intention.Le Filip responded to the criticism of the scene with a touch of humor and sorrow.“It feels like the words of somebody who didn’t get on the guest list. We could all be laughing together. It’s sad to me, honestly,” they said.Inter-LGBT President James Leperlier was more circumspect, arguing that France still has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-gay-rights-macron-marriage-f803c7eff54b0ac9842b23af9864c3d0">significant strides to make</a>&nbsp;in inclusivity.“We know in the LGBTQ community in France we are far from what the ceremony showed. There’s much progress to do in society regarding transgender people. It’s terrible that to legally change their identity they are forced to be on trial,” Leperlier said.He also highlighted the disparity in acceptance, saying that the community is not visible in other official ceremonies and “has difficulty being heard.”“If you saw the opening ceremony last night you’d think it was like that normally, but it’s not. France tried to show what it should be and not what it is,” he said.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paris-olympics-lgbtq-rights-discrimination-homophobia-00c32050c7733dd9e66fa26faa2c71df">opening ceremony</a>&nbsp;came as drag and the voguing nightclub scene in France has experienced a revival. The cabaret club Madame Arthur, founded in 1946 in the ashes of World War II, is one of the world’s oldest continually running LGBTQ+ theaters. It opened as Europe was only just beginning to understand the extent of the widespread murder of members of the queer community in WWII and is currently experiencing a massive renaissance.Drag is not just a pastime; for many minority French communities who feel alienated over tensions arising from divisive politics and scars from the anti-gay marriage protests a decade ago, it’s a statement of defiance. Many gay Black and Arab youths — especially those from Paris’ less affluent and religiously conservative suburbs — and others who feel a sense of disconnect with French society&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/27d06e73dd65491f8f60f8986889d7b4">find voguing and drag events safe places</a>&nbsp;where their identities can be expressed without fear of reprisal.Despite the backlash, Le Filip believes the opening ceremony will ultimately transcend controversy.“The message of the show is freedom, and it’s a good postcard for France,” they concluded.

Drag queens shine at Olympics opening; 'Last Supper' tableau draws criticism

SEDGWICK COUNTy — A Kansas woman has been sentenced to&nbsp; prison for a crash that killed her 4-year-old daughter last year.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Judge David Kaufman sentenced 33-year-old&nbsp;Britne Costello, of Douglass, to 6-years in prison, accoding to the Sedgwick County district attorney's office. In June Costello pleaded guilty on June 20 to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery.&nbsp;

In February of 2023, a vehicle driven by Costello was westbound in the 20,000 Block of MacArthur in Sedgwick County with children in the vehicle, according to Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.

A Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputy and several citizens pulled Costello&nbsp; and the two children from the burning vehicle.&nbsp;EMS transported Costello, a 4-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy to a local hospital where the girl later died, according to Gibbs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715467052341.png" alt="Costello-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Costello-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTy — A Kansas woman has been sentenced to&nbsp; prison for a crash that killed her 4-year-old daughter last year.&nbsp;On Thursday, Judge David Kaufman sentenced 33-year-old&nbsp;Britne Costello, of Douglass, to 6-years in prison, accoding to the Sedgwick County district attorney's office. In June Costello pleaded guilty on June 20 to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery.&nbsp;In February of 2023, a vehicle driven by Costello was westbound in the 20,000 Block of MacArthur in Sedgwick County with children in the vehicle, according to Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.A Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputy and several citizens pulled Costello&nbsp; and the two children from the burning vehicle.&nbsp;EMS transported Costello, a 4-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy to a local hospital where the girl later died, according to Gibbs.

Prison for Kan. woman in DUI crash that killed 4-year-old daughter

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.

On July 23, Sheriff Deputies spotted a stolen SUV in the parking lot of a grocery store in Liberty, Missouri, according to the Clay County Sheriff. 

Deputies worked with local officers and store employees to locate the driver on store cameras. They saw her apparently shoplifting items. 

Deputies were waiting when she exited the store and took her into custody. She had the keys to the stolen SUV in her possession. Also in her bag were bank cards, a check book and ID cards belonging to at least five other people. In the car, deputies found items that appeared consistent with retail theft, as well as drug paraphernalia. 

The case has been submitted to the Prosecutor's Office for review.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721952603882.png" alt="Deputies waiting by the stolen SUV -photo Clay Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Deputies waiting by the stolen SUV -photo Clay Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.On July 23, Sheriff Deputies spotted a stolen SUV in the parking lot of a grocery store in Liberty, Missouri, according to the Clay County Sheriff. Deputies worked with local officers and store employees to locate the driver on store cameras. They saw her apparently shoplifting items. Deputies were waiting when she exited the store and took her into custody. She had the keys to the stolen SUV in her possession. Also in her bag were bank cards, a check book and ID cards belonging to at least five other people. In the car, deputies found items that appeared consistent with retail theft, as well as drug paraphernalia. The case has been submitted to the Prosecutor's Office for review.

KC area woman in stolen SUV caught with bank cards, IDs and more

Schmidt competing against four other Republicans in congressional primary

TOPEKA — Former President Donald Trump endorsed former state Attorney General Derek Schmidt in the five-candidate Republican Party primary in the 2nd congressional district of Kansas.

Trump, who earned the GOP’s presidential nomination for the third time, said he was impressed Schmidt was reelected attorney general in 2016 and 2020 by wide margins.

“An American First patriot and a true friend of MAGA,” Trump said on social media, “Derek is now running for Congress, where he will work tirelessly to grow the economy, secure the border, uphold the rule of law, support our veterans, strengthen our military, defend our always-under-siege Second Amendment and champion our incredible farmers and ranchers.”

Trump said Schmidt had his “complete and total endorsement,” and declared that Schmidt would “never let you down.”

Five candidates entered the GOP primary to select a nominee to run for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Republican who decided against seeking reelection to Congress.

Schmidt, who has consistently led the Republican field by double digits in polling, said he was honored to receive Trump’s endorsement.

“His strength under adversity like we saw this month in Pennsylvania is exactly what we need to get America running again,” Schmidt said. “We will secure our border, make daily life more affordable for families and stop federal bureaucrats from overregulating our lives.”

In addition to Schmidt, the other Republican candidates on the Aug. 6 ballot are Chad Young, of Lawrence; Matt Ogle of Topeka, Shawn Tiffany of Delavan and Jeff Kahrs of Topeka. The Democratic Party primary candidates are Nancy Boyda of Baldwin City and Matt Kleinmann of Kansas City, Kansas.

The commentary of candidates in the GOP primary has frequently touched on how much each was fond of Trump’s leadership and policies.

Kahrs, who worked at a federal agency during Trump’s presidential term, has produced advertising that proclaims “Trump chose Jeff Kahrs.” The line derives from the fact Kahrs was appointed a regional administrator in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services after serving in the administration of Gov. Sam Brownback.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722083240118.png" alt=" Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is among GOP peers in six states who challenged President Joe Biden’s student debt relief plan in federal court. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is among GOP peers in six states who challenged President Joe Biden’s student debt relief plan in federal court. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Schmidt competing against four other Republicans in congressional primary</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Former President Donald Trump endorsed former state Attorney General Derek Schmidt in the five-candidate Republican Party primary in the 2nd congressional district of Kansas.Trump, who earned the GOP’s presidential nomination for the third time, said he was impressed Schmidt was reelected attorney general in 2016 and 2020 by wide margins.“An American First patriot and a true friend of MAGA,” Trump said on social media, “Derek is now running for Congress, where he will work tirelessly to grow the economy, secure the border, uphold the rule of law, support our veterans, strengthen our military, defend our always-under-siege Second Amendment and champion our incredible farmers and ranchers.”Trump said Schmidt had his “complete and total endorsement,” and declared that Schmidt would “never let you down.”Five candidates entered the GOP primary to select a nominee to run for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Republican who decided against seeking reelection to Congress.Schmidt, who has consistently led the Republican field by double digits in polling, said he was honored to receive Trump’s endorsement.“His strength under adversity like we saw this month in Pennsylvania is exactly what we need to get America running again,” Schmidt said. “We will secure our border, make daily life more affordable for families and stop federal bureaucrats from overregulating our lives.”In addition to Schmidt, the other Republican candidates on the Aug. 6 ballot are Chad Young, of Lawrence; Matt Ogle of Topeka, Shawn Tiffany of Delavan and Jeff Kahrs of Topeka. The Democratic Party primary candidates are Nancy Boyda of Baldwin City and Matt Kleinmann of Kansas City, Kansas.The commentary of candidates in the GOP primary has frequently touched on how much each was fond of Trump’s leadership and policies.Kahrs, who worked at a federal agency during Trump’s presidential term, has produced advertising that proclaims “Trump chose Jeff Kahrs.” The line derives from the fact Kahrs was appointed a regional administrator in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services after serving in the administration of Gov. Sam Brownback.

 Donald Trump endorses candidate Derek Schmidt in 2nd District primary

JOHNSON COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just before 2a.m. Saturday in Johnson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Jeep Liberty driven by&nbsp; Joselin M.&nbsp;Laynez Flores, 21,&nbsp;from Guatemala, was southbound on Interstate 35 just north of Johnson Drive in Merriam in lane number one. 

The Jeep rear-ended a 2007 Chevy Equinox driven by Paula S.&nbsp;Baird, 25, Kansas City, Kansas, who was stalled from a previous accident.&nbsp; &nbsp;

After impact the Jeep drifted and struck struck a pedestrian identified as&nbsp; Benjamin D.&nbsp;Van Buskirk, 17, Olathe, who ran across lanes of traffic to offer assistance.&nbsp; &nbsp;Van Buskirk had been a passenger in a 2008 Honda CRV driven by Ammar M.&nbsp;Aljishi, 17, Spring Hill, that was stopped on the right shoulder of the highway.

Van Buskirk was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Forensic Medical. EMS transported Baird to KU Medical Center.&nbsp;Laynez Flores and a passenger in the Jeep were not injured and properly restrained, according to the KHP.

JOHNSON COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just before 2a.m. Saturday in Johnson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Jeep Liberty driven by&nbsp; Joselin M.&nbsp;Laynez Flores, 21,&nbsp;from Guatemala, was southbound on Interstate 35 just north of Johnson Drive in Merriam in lane number one. The Jeep rear-ended a 2007 Chevy Equinox driven by Paula S.&nbsp;Baird, 25, Kansas City, Kansas, who was stalled from a previous accident.&nbsp; &nbsp;After impact the Jeep drifted and struck struck a pedestrian identified as&nbsp; Benjamin D.&nbsp;Van Buskirk, 17, Olathe, who ran across lanes of traffic to offer assistance.&nbsp; &nbsp;Van Buskirk had been a passenger in a 2008 Honda CRV driven by Ammar M.&nbsp;Aljishi, 17, Spring Hill, that was stopped on the right shoulder of the highway.Van Buskirk was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Forensic Medical. EMS transported Baird to KU Medical Center.&nbsp;Laynez Flores and a passenger in the Jeep were not injured and properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kan. teen struck, killed while running to help at ealier crash

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yellowstone-biscuit-basin-closed-explosion-b8d414abda4cfcd844ccadba81bb3590">surprise eruption</a>&nbsp;of steam in a Yellowstone National Park geyser basin that sent people scrambling for safety as large rocks shot into the air has highlighted a little-known hazard that scientists hope to be able to predict someday.

The hydrothermal explosion on Tuesday in Biscuit Basin caused no injuries as dozens of people fled down the boardwalk before the wooden walkway was destroyed. The blast sent steam, water and dark-colored rock and dirt an estimated 100 feet into the air.

It came in a park teeming with geysers, hot springs and other hydrothermal features that attracts millions of tourists annually. Some, like the famous Old Faithful, erupt like clockwork and are well understood by the scientists who monitor the park's seismic activity.

But the type of explosion that happened this week is less common and understood, and potentially more hazardous given that they happen without warning.

“This drives home that even small events — and this one in the scheme of things was relatively small, if dramatic — can be really hazardous,” said Michael Poland, lead scientist at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. “We've gotten pretty good at being able to understand the signs that a volcano is waking up and may erupt. We don't have that knowledge base for hydrothermal systems like the one in Yellowstone.”

Poland and other scientists are trying to change that with a fledgling monitoring system that was recently installed in another Yellowstone geyser basin. It measures seismic activity, deformations in the Earth's surface and low-frequency acoustic energy that could signal an eruption.

A day before the Biscuit Basin explosion, the U.S. Geological Survey posted an article by observatory scientists about a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/a-small-hydrothermal-explosion-norris-geyser-basin">smaller hydrothermal explosion</a>&nbsp;in April in Yellowstone's Norris Geyser Basin. It was the first time such an event was recognized based on monitoring data, which was closely scrutinized after geologists in May come across a small crater in the basin.

The two explosions are believed to result from clogged passageways in the extensive natural plumbing network under Yellowstone, Poland said. A clog could cause the heated, pressurized water to turn into steam instantly and explode.

Tuesday's explosion came with little warning. Witness Vlada March told The Associated Press that steam started rising in the Biscuit Basin "and within seconds, it became this huge thing. ... It just exploded and became like a black cloud that covered the sun.”

March captured widely-circulated video of the explosion, which sent debris hurtling into the air as tourists fled in fear.

“I think our tour guide said, ‘Run!’ And I started running and I started screaming at the kids, ‘Run, run, run!'” she added.

The scientists don't know if they'll be able to devise a way to predict the blasts, Poland said. The detection system alone would take time to develop, with monitoring stations that can cost roughly $30,000 each. And even if they could be predicted, there's no feasible way to prevent such explosions, he said.

"One of the things people ask me occasionally is, ‘How do you stop a volcano from erupting?’ You don't. You get out of the way," Poland said. “For any of this activity, you don't want to be there when it happens.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721940347052.png" alt="Photo National Park Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo National Park Service</figcaption>
 </figure>BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yellowstone-biscuit-basin-closed-explosion-b8d414abda4cfcd844ccadba81bb3590">surprise eruption</a>&nbsp;of steam in a Yellowstone National Park geyser basin that sent people scrambling for safety as large rocks shot into the air has highlighted a little-known hazard that scientists hope to be able to predict someday.The hydrothermal explosion on Tuesday in Biscuit Basin caused no injuries as dozens of people fled down the boardwalk before the wooden walkway was destroyed. The blast sent steam, water and dark-colored rock and dirt an estimated 100 feet into the air.It came in a park teeming with geysers, hot springs and other hydrothermal features that attracts millions of tourists annually. Some, like the famous Old Faithful, erupt like clockwork and are well understood by the scientists who monitor the park's seismic activity.But the type of explosion that happened this week is less common and understood, and potentially more hazardous given that they happen without warning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721765630612.png" alt="Photos National Park Service" />
 <figcaption>Photos National Park Service</figcaption>
 </figure>“This drives home that even small events — and this one in the scheme of things was relatively small, if dramatic — can be really hazardous,” said Michael Poland, lead scientist at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. “We've gotten pretty good at being able to understand the signs that a volcano is waking up and may erupt. We don't have that knowledge base for hydrothermal systems like the one in Yellowstone.”Poland and other scientists are trying to change that with a fledgling monitoring system that was recently installed in another Yellowstone geyser basin. It measures seismic activity, deformations in the Earth's surface and low-frequency acoustic energy that could signal an eruption.A day before the Biscuit Basin explosion, the U.S. Geological Survey posted an article by observatory scientists about a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/a-small-hydrothermal-explosion-norris-geyser-basin">smaller hydrothermal explosion</a>&nbsp;in April in Yellowstone's Norris Geyser Basin. It was the first time such an event was recognized based on monitoring data, which was closely scrutinized after geologists in May come across a small crater in the basin.The two explosions are believed to result from clogged passageways in the extensive natural plumbing network under Yellowstone, Poland said. A clog could cause the heated, pressurized water to turn into steam instantly and explode.Tuesday's explosion came with little warning. Witness Vlada March told The Associated Press that steam started rising in the Biscuit Basin "and within seconds, it became this huge thing. ... It just exploded and became like a black cloud that covered the sun.”March captured widely-circulated video of the explosion, which sent debris hurtling into the air as tourists fled in fear.“I think our tour guide said, ‘Run!’ And I started running and I started screaming at the kids, ‘Run, run, run!'” she added.The scientists don't know if they'll be able to devise a way to predict the blasts, Poland said. The detection system alone would take time to develop, with monitoring stations that can cost roughly $30,000 each. And even if they could be predicted, there's no feasible way to prevent such explosions, he said."One of the things people ask me occasionally is, ‘How do you stop a volcano from erupting?’ You don't. You get out of the way," Poland said. “For any of this activity, you don't want to be there when it happens.”

Surprise Yellowstone geyser eruption highlights little known hazard at park

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon arrested after his 11-month-old daughter was found in the canal in Wichita earlier this week made his first court appearance in the case Friday.

&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">&nbsp;Vincent Perez&nbsp;</a>, 34, is&nbsp;charged with three counts of aggravated endangering a child and two counts of aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 1p.m. Tueday, police were dispatched to conduct a welfare check in the vicinity of Interstate 135 and Pawnee in Wichita after receiving a report of a child in the canal, according to Officer Kristopher Gupilan.

Officers, with the assistance of the Wichita Fire Department, located the child within the canal. She was safely extracted from the canal and transported to a local hospital for precautionary medical evaluation and later placed into police protective custody, according to Gupilan.&nbsp;

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding how the child ended up in the canal continues.

Police believed Perez had information pertinent to the investigation. On Tuesday night, police asked the public for assistance in locating him for questioning. Just after 11a.m. Wednesday, police booked&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">Perez&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;into the Sedgwick County jail.&nbsp; &nbsp;He remains jailed on a&nbsp;$150,000 bond. His next court appearance is August 5, according to the district attorney's office.

Perez has previous convictions for theft, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, criminal possession of a weapon and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721927142112.png" alt="Perez photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Perez photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon arrested after his 11-month-old daughter was found in the canal in Wichita earlier this week made his first court appearance in the case Friday.&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">&nbsp;Vincent Perez&nbsp;</a>, 34, is&nbsp;charged with three counts of aggravated endangering a child and two counts of aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 1p.m. Tueday, police were dispatched to conduct a welfare check in the vicinity of Interstate 135 and Pawnee in Wichita after receiving a report of a child in the canal, according to Officer Kristopher Gupilan.Officers, with the assistance of the Wichita Fire Department, located the child within the canal. She was safely extracted from the canal and transported to a local hospital for precautionary medical evaluation and later placed into police protective custody, according to Gupilan.&nbsp;The investigation into the circumstances surrounding how the child ended up in the canal continues.Police believed Perez had information pertinent to the investigation. On Tuesday night, police asked the public for assistance in locating him for questioning. Just after 11a.m. Wednesday, police booked&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">Perez&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;into the Sedgwick County jail.&nbsp; &nbsp;He remains jailed on a&nbsp;$150,000 bond. His next court appearance is August 5, according to the district attorney's office.Perez has previous convictions for theft, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, criminal possession of a weapon and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. felon charged after baby daughter rescued from canal

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/people/rose-conlon">Rose Conlon</a> &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/2024-07-18/kansas-women-struggle-to-access-and-afford-health-care-report-finds">Kansas News Service</a>

A study by the Commonwealth Fund ranks Kansas 32nd in the U.S. on women’s health metrics. The state got low marks for health care affordability and access.

Women in Kansas have a harder time accessing and affording health care than in most other states, according to a new report by the Commonwealth Fund.

<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/scorecard/2024/jul/2024-state-scorecard-womens-health-and-reproductive-care" target="_blank">The report</a>, published Thursday, ranked Kansas 32nd in the U.S. based on how well the state’s health system works for women. It placed sixth out of seven states in the Plains region, ahead of Missouri.

The ranking by the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit foundation that researches health issues, is the organization’s first report to focus exclusively on how all states and the District of Columbia fare on women’s health and reproductive care outcomes.

Kansas scored worst on issues of health insurance coverage, provider accessibility and health care affordability.

Kansas women in their reproductive years, ages 18-44, were less likely to have health insurance than the same group nationwide. They were more likely to report not visiting a doctor for a routine checkup in the past two years. Women giving birth in Kansas hospitals are nearly twice as likely to have a self-pay insurance payment source than the national average.

Sara Collins, a senior scholar at the Commonwealth Fund and the study’s lead author, said that reflects the state’s failure to expand Medicaid.

Kansas is one of 10 states that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2024-02-28/medicaid-expansion-opposition-kansas-republican-leadership-dan-hawkins" target="_blank">still has not done so</a>, despite consistent pressure by advocates and the state’s Democratic governor. Republican lawmakers have resisted expansion, arguing in part that it would be too costly.

“We see a consistent pattern across these 10 states,” Collins said. “We see much higher rates of people not accessing care due to cost.”

And even though it’s easier for women to qualify for Medicaid once they become pregnant — the program pays for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/committees/ctte_h_welfare_reform_1/documents/testimony/20230316_01.pdf" target="_blank">around 40%</a>&nbsp;of births in the state — Collins said the fact that many women lack insurance before getting pregnant can contribute to adverse maternal and infant health outcomes.

“It means that women enter pregnancy having had less access to health care, particularly if they’re poor or low-income,” she said, “and probably (in a) a poorer health situation than they would be if they’d had health insurance coverage.”

Kansas has among the lowest per-capita rates of maternity care providers in the country, a signal that many women may struggle to find care.

Kansas performed better on other metrics. It has slightly lower rates of maternal and infant mortality than the national average — although the U.S. still performs worse than many other wealthy countries in these areas.

Kansas ranks near the top of U.S. states in early access to prenatal care, defined as within the first three months of pregnancy. Kansans were slightly less likely than women nationally to have cesarean sections for low-risk births, and slightly more likely to receive a postpartum checkup visit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722002372686.png" alt="-Rose Conlon / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>-Rose Conlon / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/people/rose-conlon">Rose Conlon</a> &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/2024-07-18/kansas-women-struggle-to-access-and-afford-health-care-report-finds">Kansas News Service</a><h2>A study by the Commonwealth Fund ranks Kansas 32nd in the U.S. on women’s health metrics. The state got low marks for health care affordability and access.</h2>Women in Kansas have a harder time accessing and affording health care than in most other states, according to a new report by the Commonwealth Fund.<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/scorecard/2024/jul/2024-state-scorecard-womens-health-and-reproductive-care" target="_blank">The report</a>, published Thursday, ranked Kansas 32nd in the U.S. based on how well the state’s health system works for women. It placed sixth out of seven states in the Plains region, ahead of Missouri.The ranking by the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit foundation that researches health issues, is the organization’s first report to focus exclusively on how all states and the District of Columbia fare on women’s health and reproductive care outcomes.<h2>Access and affordability</h2>Kansas scored worst on issues of health insurance coverage, provider accessibility and health care affordability.Kansas women in their reproductive years, ages 18-44, were less likely to have health insurance than the same group nationwide. They were more likely to report not visiting a doctor for a routine checkup in the past two years. Women giving birth in Kansas hospitals are nearly twice as likely to have a self-pay insurance payment source than the national average.Sara Collins, a senior scholar at the Commonwealth Fund and the study’s lead author, said that reflects the state’s failure to expand Medicaid.Kansas is one of 10 states that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2024-02-28/medicaid-expansion-opposition-kansas-republican-leadership-dan-hawkins" target="_blank">still has not done so</a>, despite consistent pressure by advocates and the state’s Democratic governor. Republican lawmakers have resisted expansion, arguing in part that it would be too costly.“We see a consistent pattern across these 10 states,” Collins said. “We see much higher rates of people not accessing care due to cost.”And even though it’s easier for women to qualify for Medicaid once they become pregnant — the program pays for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/committees/ctte_h_welfare_reform_1/documents/testimony/20230316_01.pdf" target="_blank">around 40%</a>&nbsp;of births in the state — Collins said the fact that many women lack insurance before getting pregnant can contribute to adverse maternal and infant health outcomes.“It means that women enter pregnancy having had less access to health care, particularly if they’re poor or low-income,” she said, “and probably (in a) a poorer health situation than they would be if they’d had health insurance coverage.”Kansas has among the lowest per-capita rates of maternity care providers in the country, a signal that many women may struggle to find care.<h2>Quality and prevention</h2>Kansas performed better on other metrics. It has slightly lower rates of maternal and infant mortality than the national average — although the U.S. still performs worse than many other wealthy countries in these areas.Kansas ranks near the top of U.S. states in early access to prenatal care, defined as within the first three months of pregnancy. Kansans were slightly less likely than women nationally to have cesarean sections for low-risk births, and slightly more likely to receive a postpartum checkup visit.Despite rising syphilis cases in Kansas and nationally, Kansas women aged 15-44 are significantly much less likely to contract syphilis than Americans overall, and infants are nearly three times less likely to be born with congenital syphilis than the U.S. average.Kansas women are also more likely to receive certain preventive health services like flu and pneumonia shots.But the state underperformed on other health outcomes. The mortality rate for women of reproductive age was higher than the national average, 121.7 per 100,000 women compared with 110.3 overall.Kansas women who recently gave birth were more likely than Americans overall to report having depression before, during and after pregnancy. They were also more likely to experience intimate partner violence before or during pregnancy.The state’s mammogram rate was slightly under the national average: 74% of women ages 50-74 had received one in the past two years, compared with 77% nationally.<h2>Reproductive care</h2>Researchers analyzed data from 2022, the year that the U.S. Supreme Court issued its Dobbs&nbsp;decision that allowed states to curtail abortion access. In the two years since,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/us/abortion-laws-roe-v-wade.html" target="_blank">21 states</a>&nbsp;have either banned abortion or restricted it earlier in pregnancy than was previously allowed.Joseph Betancourt, president of the Commonwealth Fund, said the analysis provides a “baseline” for tracking the impact of new abortion restrictions on women’s health care.“It also serves as a glaring reminder that where you live matters to your health and health care,” he said. “Many (states) are failing to ensure that women can get and afford the health care they need. This failure is having a disproportionate impact on women of color and women with low incomes.”The report found that Kansas has a higher ratio of abortion clinics for its population of reproductive-aged women than the U.S. average, emphasizing the state’s increasingly prominent role as an abortion access point.Many women who now travel to Kansas for abortions come from the South and Southeast, regions that have some of the strictest abortion bans — as well as poorer maternal health outcomes and high rates of maternal mortality.Since 2022, two new clinics providing abortions have opened in Kansas, and a third is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2024-05-14/planned-parenthood-southeast-kansas-expanding-new-clinic-pittsburg" target="_blank">expected to open</a>&nbsp;this fall. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.guttmacher.org/report/abortion-clinics-united-states-2020-2024" target="_blank">recent study</a>&nbsp;by the Guttmacher Institute estimates that the number of abortions performed in Kansas rose from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10433/Abortions-in-Kansas-2020-PDF" target="_blank">less than 8,000</a>&nbsp;in 2020 to around 20,000 in 2023, a 152% increase.Republicans in the Kansas Legislature have passed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2024-05-04/kansas-anti-abortion-groups-celebrate-legislative-wins-heres-what-that-means-for-patients" target="_blank">several new laws</a>&nbsp;in recent years aimed at further restricting access to abortion, although a number are tied up in court. Earlier this month, the state’s Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2024-07-05/kansas-supreme-court-reaffirms-that-abortion-rights-are-protected-by-constitution-striking-down-2-laws" target="_blank">reaffirmed its position</a>&nbsp;that abortion is a constitutional right for Kansas women.