Federal fallout
Coverage tracking the Lawrence, Douglas County and statewide impacts of changes and cuts at the federal level.
Contact information for the congressional delegation representing Lawrence and Douglas County is available at this link. The nonprofit 5 Calls, 5calls.org, has phone numbers and templates of scripts to help people make their voices heard on several federal issues.
LATEST
Kansas governor says ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ could cost state $150 million or more
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is expected to cost Kansas at least $150 million as provisions cutting health care programs go into effect, Gov. Laura Kelly said in an interview with Kansas Reflector.
Kansas governor says ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ could cost state $150 million or more
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is expected to cost Kansas at least $150 million as provisions cutting health care programs go into effect, Gov. Laura Kelly said in an interview with Kansas Reflector.
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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.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
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.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
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.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
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.
Tony Webster
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.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
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.”
Kansas Republicans punt immigration bill after kicking opponents out of hearing
A Republican-led Senate committee declined Monday to take action on a bill that would prohibit people in Kansas without permanent legal status from receiving public benefits, including in-state tuition, and permit higher bond prices for those charged with crimes.
Nathan Kramer/Lawrence Times
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.
Kansas senator’s rural town hall meeting swamped by people mad at Trump administration
Republican Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall ended a rural town hall meeting early Saturday after people angry about budget cuts, funding freezes and other actions by President Trump shouted the senator down.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Haskell students, supporters protest firings, demand government keep its ‘Hands off Haskell’
Holdings signs that read “My education is not your budget cut” and “Culture erasure is not progress,” about three dozen people marched Friday morning down Massachusetts Street to South Park in protest of recent firings at Haskell.
City Commission approves contract with Lawrence Community Shelter, including goals to decrease future funding
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved a $3.5 million agreement with the Lawrence Community Shelter, with the understanding that LCS is expected to decrease its dependence on city funding.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Haskell Foundation now accepting donations to help support fired employees, fill some roles on campus
A nonprofit organization is now collecting donations to support Haskell Indian Nations University following federally ordered staff and faculty cuts.
Kansans hold virtual town hall for an absent Sen. Jerry Moran to voice concerns about Trump and Musk
About 1,200 people (but not Sen. Jerry Moran) tuned in during a live, 2.5-hour virtual town hall, which featured 32 speakers — farmers, veterans, health care workers, cancer patients, special-needs parents — who voiced concerns over Trump and Musk.
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