Legislators back LGBTQ bill
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Fifty-five Kansas lawmakers are co-sponsoring a bill that would ban discrimination in the private sector based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The bill introduced Monday would protect LGBTQ residents in employment, housing and services.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports 38 representatives and 17 senators are co-sponsoring the bill.
Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Democrat from Shawnee who is one of the states two openly gay legislators, said the legislation would help attract outside businesses to Kansas.
The bill would amend the Kansas Act Against Discrimination to add sexual orientation and gender identity to a list that includes race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin and ancestry.
Tom Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas, said the law already exempts religious institutions, and concerns by people who support those institutions are unfounded.
Bank teller admits to stealing
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) A former bank teller in Leavenworth has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $125,000.
Federal prosecutors say 42-year-old Charles Lee Staples pleaded guilty Monday.
He was a bank teller at Mutual Savings Association in Leavenworth. An audit revealed that Staples took the money from his teller drawer and entered false entries in bank reports.
As part of his plea, Staples agreed to pay back the full amount of the theft.
He will be sentenced April 22. Both parties agreed to recommend a sentence of three years on supervised release.
KU geology dept. buys land in Colorado
