Federal fallout
Coverage tracking the Lawrence, Douglas County and statewide impacts of changes and cuts at the federal level
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More Haskell staff members to be reinstated
Several more of the Haskell Indian Nations University employees who were cut under federal orders last month will now be reinstated, according to an update from the university president.
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Watkins Museum, Lawrence library directors discuss potential fallout from federal order
Much is still unknown about how a recent executive order targeting the federal agency known as IMLS will ultimately impact Lawrence’s museums and libraries, but the stakes are high.

Housing Authority to temporarily close wait list for one of its programs
The Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority will soon pause accepting applications for a transitional housing program that currently has a four-year waitlist.

Lawrence school district facing underfunded special education, enrollment decrease
The Lawrence school district is bracing for another year of underfunded special education from the state while the federal government picks systems apart.

Kansas government efficiency committee restricts access to public suggestions
The chair of the Kansas Senate Committee on Government Efficiency restricted access to public submissions to its suggestion portal until after this legislative session, despite state law that requires public records be made available as soon as possible.

Art auction to benefit Haskell cultural preservation; artists welcome to donate
Proceeds from a Lawrence art auction will support cultural programs at Haskell Indian Nations University following federal cuts to university employees.

Haskell bracing for ‘another hit’ as feds call for reduction-in-force plans
Haskell was able to take a step forward, rehiring several employees who were fired without cause under federal orders, but it could face two steps back with Trump administration demands for reduction-in-force plans.

Hundreds of students abroad are caught up in USAID cuts to K-State food security programs
The federal government has not reimbursed K-State for about $1 million in expenses related to its work on global food security. The cuts also affect hundreds of students abroad who were recruited to advance agriculture in their countries.

USDA grant funding for farms, wineries and Lawrence school district bakery frozen per federal order
The future is murky for a Lawrence school district bakery project as well as projects at four local farms and vineyards after their grant funding was frozen this week under orders from Trump and DOGE.

Feds investigating KU over pro-diversity business school partnership
KU is among 45 schools now under federal investigation because one of its graduate programs has been part of a partnership aiming to serve people of color.

Haskell faculty, many employees who were fired in federal budget cuts reinstated
Haskell Indian Nations University faculty members and many employees who were terminated in baseless federal job cuts have been reinstated.

Save the date: Haskell planning Spring Resilience Powwow
After Haskell Indian Nations University’s spring powwow was postponed amid forced, baseless employee terminations, the university is now planning a Spring Resilience Powwow.

Tribal nations, students sue feds over job cuts at Haskell and SIPI
A group of tribal nations and students have filed a lawsuit against federal government officials over the baseless terminations of nearly five dozen people serving Haskell Indian Nations University and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute last month.

Fired Haskell instructors to return on contracts next week
Some of the nearly three dozen Haskell Indian Nations University employees who were terminated without cause due to sweeping federal budget cuts will be returning next week as adjunct professors.

Douglas County commissioners to ask federal delegation to ‘show the fortitude’ to defend democracy
Douglas County commissioners have penned a letter to the four congresspeople who represent the county, asking them to “prevent a single branch of government from becoming too powerful.”

Lawrence community members gather to protest fascism, ‘musky’ government
Around 250 Lawrence community members filled the four corners at Ninth and Massachusetts streets Sunday to express their concerns about the state of America’s democracy.
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