A PROPOSED amendment to the state constitution that would have removed abortion rights was defeated by Kansas voters (Shutterstock/Rena Schild).

Supporters of abortion rights won a big victory in Kansas on Tuesday as voters in that strongly Republican state rejected a ballot measure that could have banned almost all abortions in that state.

With 95 percent of ballots counted, the proposed amendment to remove from the state constitution protection of abortion rights was opposed by 58.8 percent of voters. Those in favor were 41.2 percent.

Although the proposed amendment carried almost all rural areas, opposition was strong in urban and suburban cities such as Wichita, Topeka and Kansas City (Kansas).

Tuesday’s was the first statewide vote on abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision which created a national right to abortion.

Senate backs Sweden and Finland in NATO

By the overwhelming margin of 95 to 1, the U.S. Senate voted in favor of a treaty that would expand the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to include Sweden and Finland.

Those nations had been carefully neutral until Russia’s invasion of Ukraine raised fears that the Vladimir Putin government would push aggressively to expand beyond Russia’s borders.

“Finland and Sweden’s membership will strengthen NATO even further given Russian aggression,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), reports The New York Times.

Sports: Angels active in trading market

The Los Angeles Angels didn’t trade any of their stars, but were active in making deals all the same. On Tuesday, they sent starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard, reliever David Robinson and outfielder Brandon Marsh to the Philadelphia Phillies. 

In exchange, the Halos got minor league outfielders Mickey Moniak and Jadiel Sanchez and catcher Logan O’Hoppe.

On Wednesday, they swapped closer Raisel Iglesias to the Atlanta Braves for pitchers Jesse Chavez and Tucker Davidson.

In action on Wednesday, the Angels (44-59) are hosting the Oakland A’s (39-66). The Los Angeles Dodgers (70-33) are in San Francisco to play the Giants (51-53).

Weather:  Cloudy, then sunny

After a partly cloudy Thursday, the West Orange County area has a weekend full of sunshine to look forward to. The forecast calls for a daytime high of 81 on Thursday (overnight low of 68) under some clouds. But the sun should break through on Friday, with a high of 85 (68), with an 84 (67) on Saturday and a 85 (68) on Sunday. Partly cloudy conditions return on Monday with a 15 percent change of rain.