LESSONS LEARNED VS. TURKEY
Sports, 1C | KUSports.com/korea How a prison escape and manhunt unfolded. 1B
1. Conditioning can help save Team USA.
L A W R E NC E
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SUNDAY • JULY 5 • 2015
INDEPENDENCE DAY ON THE RIVER
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GAY MARRIAGE
Rights for same-sex couples hit a wall Kansas lags behind rest of nation in granting benefits, name changes By Peter Hancock Twitter: @LJWpqhancock
John Young/Journal-World Photos
SPECTATORS USE THEIR CELLPHONES to snap photos and record videos of the annual Fourth of July fireworks show along the Kansas River on Saturday evening.
Celebrating with a sparkle and a kick
Topeka — Despite the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, the state of Kansas still has not changed any of its policies that deny legal recognition of those marriages, and gay rights activists are accusing the state of dragging its feet. “I actually think the state is opening itself up to suits Attorney David for damages for not recogBrown thinks nizing same-sex marriages,” the state is still said David Brown, a Lawin murky legal rence attorney who repreterritory over sents several gay couples. “If gay rights. state employees deliberately and intentionally deny couples the rights to which they’re entitled, there are legal ways people can sue for financial damages.” Please see RIGHTS, page 8A
Lawrence granted its city employees such rights last year By Peter Hancock Twitter: @LJWpqhancock
EIGHT-YEAR-OLD OLIVIA COLE lights a sparkler during Party in the Parks.
JACOB BERMAN, 16, does a jumping front kick to break a board held by Bryce Dunn, 16, both of Lawrence, at the celebration in Watson Park.
Open up
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growing open mic scene is providing a new venue for Lawrence musicians such as Tyler Gregory and Nicholas St. James, left, to hone their craft, with places like the Bottleneck, the Jazzhaus and the Gaslight setting the stage.
A&E, 1D
Although state employees who are married to someone of the same sex cannot yet put their spouses on their health insurance policies, employees of local governments in the Lawrence area have been able to do that for years. That’s because the city of Lawrence, Douglas County and the Lawrence school district all offer family benefits to employees, their spouses and The “domestic partners,” redecision gardless of their gender makes our or whether the couple life easier.” is even legally married. That’s how local governments got — Sarah Plinsky, around the Kansas assistant county constitutional amendadministrator for ment, adopted in 2005, Douglas County that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman only and says: “No relationship, other than a marriage, shall be recognized by the state as entitling the parties to the rights or incidents of marriage.” Sarah Plinsky, assistant county administrator for Douglas County,
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Please see GRANTED, page 8A
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High: 90
Low: 74
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A different beat Kansas University Hospital is using a $12.5 million grant to give rural heart care a makeover. Page 3A
Vol.157/No.186 46 pages