The Wichita City Council delayed their vote to choose an interim candidate for the District IV seat; A women's organization is remodeling Dr. Tiller's old clinic to meet the states new abortion regulations; State expects continued job growth.
Vote To Fill Vacant City Council Seat Delayed
The Wichita City Council voted Tuesday to postpone a vote for the interim District Four seat vacated by Kansas senator-elect Michael O'Donnell. The council plans to fill the position next week.
Wichita Clinic Remodeling To Meet State's New Abortion Regs
The former Wichita clinic of slain doctor George Tiller is being remodeled to once again provide women's reproductive services.
The Wichita-based Trust Women Foundation will offer women's medical and family planning services, including abortions. The non-profit group is remodeling the building to meet the state's strict standards for abortion providers.
The building has been in disuse since an anti-abortion activist shot and killed Dr. Tiller in his church in 2009.
As the renovation continues, abortion opponents have started a petition drive asking the city to rezone the area and block the opening of the health center. The pro-life group drew a crowd of about 50 abortion opponents Tuesday, including several state lawmakers, who signed the petition.
Anti-abortion leader David Gittrich says when an abortion clinic opens in a neighborhood, "everything changes; abortion means taxis and police and...barricades and signs."
Trust Women founder Julie Burkhart says her group will "continue to bring...comprehensive obstetrics and gynecological services to Wichita, despite the petitioners' attempts to limit reproductive health care for Kansas women."
Department Of Labor Expects Continued Job Growth In KS
The unemployment rate in Kansas continues to beat the national average. In Kansas, the unemployment rate stands at 5 point 4 percent. That's well below the U-S average of 7 point 8 percent.
