Kansas in the news: a court case challenges a new transgender ID law, affecting thousands of licenses. Kansas is a Midwestern, landlocked state bordered by NE, CO, OK, MO.
Kansas has implemented a law requiring gender markers on driver’s licenses to match sex at birth, invalidating previous changes. Lawsuits challenge the law's constitutionality, arguing it violates privacy and bodily autonomy rights. The law also imposes fines and criminal penalties for violations, with enforcement beginning immediately.
As of March 12, 2026, Iran has claimed responsibility for attacks disrupting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for 20% of global oil. This has driven oil prices near $100 per barrel, pushing US gas prices above $3 per gallon nationwide for the first time since 2023. The US and allies face supply constraints amid ongoing conflict and strategic reserve releases.
Severe weather has been recurring across the US, with tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds reported in recent days. Forecasts indicate similar conditions will persist through Tuesday and Wednesday, especially in regions affected last week. Warm temperatures are also expected to increase risks of storms and flooding.
The NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments have seen a rapid decline in perfect brackets due to numerous upsets. Less than 1,500 perfect entries remain out of over 26 million, with major surprises like 12-seed High Point defeating Wisconsin. The unpredictability highlights the tournament's difficulty and the astronomical odds of perfect predictions.
A severe storm has caused extensive damage across parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, with tornadoes ripping through communities. No fatalities have been reported, but homes, schools, and infrastructure have sustained significant damage. Emergency services are responding, and surveys are underway to assess the full extent of the destruction. The storm is ongoing, and further severe weather is expected.
ICE has completed a hiring surge, adding 12,000 officers to support Trump’s deportation efforts. Concerns are rising over the backgrounds of new hires, including financial issues and past misconduct, amid rapid recruitment and limited vetting.
The Trump administration has nominated Robert Hamilton to lead FEMA as its permanent administrator. The move has followed a Trump-appointed council report recommending sweeping reforms to FEMA that would shift more disaster responsibility to states and change how federal aid is triggered and delivered.