Legislation

Republican state Sen. Holly Thompson of Scott City sponsored legislation to decriminalize the harm reduction tool. She hopes this will help lower opioid overdoses.

Las conversaciones sobre un posible vertedero en el sur de Kansas City están haciendo que la ciudad reevalúe sus necesidades en cuanto a la basura. Aunque en los próximos años la ciudad no corre el riesgo de quedarse sin espacio, los expertos dicen que no es demasiado temprano para empezar a explorar opciones.

Whispers of a new landfill in south Kansas City have sparked a fierce opposition campaign from nearby cities and residents. But the controversy also renewed interest in where this rapidly growing city will store its waste in the years to come. Plus: A Kansas City woodworker is creating chess boards based on his hometown's iconic skyline.

Talk of a potential landfill in south Kansas City is making the city reevaluate its trash needs. While the city doesn't risk running out of space in the next few years, experts say it's not too soon to start exploring options.

The exams, which occur on anesthetized patients without their knowledge, are often done by medical and nursing students who are told to perform them by their superiors. While non-consensual pelvic, prostate and anal exams remain legal in 29 states, legislation that seeks to ban the practice has gained traction in Missouri.

The metro's strictest restriction of the scientifically discredited practice comes two weeks after the legislature initially failed to pass the ban by a single vote.

Supporters of Missouri House Bill 253, which proposes an open enrollment system in the state's public schools, say the legislation gives parents the right to choose where their students are educated. But critics on both sides of the aisle have raised concerns. They say open enrollment would shut down struggling districts and further segregate schools.

It’s already illegal for health care providers to practice so-called conversion therapy in parts of Jackson County, but the failed ordinance would have outlawed use of the discredited practice on minors across the county and made it easier to report abuse.

While it’s already illegal for health care providers to practice "conversion therapy" on minors in Kansas City and Independence, Ordinance 5711 would make it against the law across all of Jackson County. It’d also make it easier for survivors to seek justice by providing a clear way to report abuse.

Legislation that would prohibit colleges from hiring diversity, equity and inclusion consultants and remove diversity questions from hiring requirements was heard by a House committee last week.

Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley says he wants to take aim at "Big Tech" by raising the minimum age requirement to use social media from 13 to 16. But how likely is it that Congress will act?

The Kansas City LGBTQ Commission recently released a letter urging the Jackson County Legislature to ban "conversion therapy." Justice Horn, chair of the LGBTQ Commission, believes recent changes in the legislature makes them ready to pass such a ban.