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 AG ditches anti-immigration health care lawsuit after change in federal policy
Kris Kobach announced Wednesday he voluntarily dismissed his federal lawsuit that targeted health care for immigrants across the U.S. But health care for certain immigrants was stripped away months ago.
Kansas AG ditches anti-immigration health care lawsuit after change in federal policy
Kris Kobach announced Wednesday he voluntarily dismissed his federal lawsuit that targeted health care for immigrants across the U.S. But health care for certain immigrants was stripped away months ago.
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Kansas schools say they had no formal complaints about gender policies before investigation
The U.S. Department of Education threatened to withhold federal funding from 4 Kansas school districts last month over their policies for transgender students. The school districts are seeking support as they navigate a federal investigation.
Kansas disability service providers say conflict of interest rule could cause ‘massive’ problems
Complying with a federal policy designed to avoid conflicts of interest could cause “massive system disruption” for Kansans who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, an advocate told legislators.
CoreCivic inks new contract with ICE while awaiting legal decisions on Kansas prison
CoreCivic signed a new contract valued at $60 million a year with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to house migrant detainees at its Leavenworth facility, but the agreement won’t take effect until legal issues are resolved.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Kansas Legislature closer to special session for partisan remapping of U.S. House districts
Kansas Republicans’ goal of convening a special redistricting session in November prompted U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids to dust off the playbook used to fend off the last attempt to gerrymander her out of office.
Federal government accuses Kansas town of ‘aggressive and unlawful’ interference with CoreCivic
The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday joined a private prison company in its legal fight with Leavenworth city officials, accusing the city of “aggressive and unlawful” interference with immigration enforcement.
Kansas sorghum farmers will have their biggest yield in years. But tariffs killed the market
Kansas farmers are hurting after China’s retaliatory tariffs on the United States closed a major market for the state’s biggest crop. Despite a productive year, farmers across Kansas may not break even.
‘Sad political stunt’: Lawsuit between Kobach, Kansas governor heats up
A lawsuit filed by Attorney General Kris Kobach to force Kansas leaders to turn over data requested by the federal government heated up this week with sharply worded filings.
KU professor says Trump’s tariffs are xenophobic, unlawful and harmful to U.S.
A KU law professor says President Donald Trump’s tariffs against more than 100 countries violate international trade law and harm the United States by undercutting its economy, military alliances and global political influence.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Bilingual play in Lawrence to put Latino stories on the stage in Spanish language with English subtitles
“Quisiera invitar a todos los hispanohablantes para que vengan a ver una obra que valoriza su experiencia de inmigrante en su propio idioma,” Sofiana Olivera said, inviting Spanish-speakers to enjoy a play in their language, to be performed at the Lawrence Arts Center with English subtitles.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence city commissioners tell police to work with community on camera surveillance policy
Lawrence city commissioners directed the police chief Tuesday to work with community members to implement safeguards with the use of advanced surveillance camera integration and technology.
Kansas Republicans might redistrict to help defeat the state’s only Democrat in Congress
Statehouse Republicans already redrew Democrat Sharice Davids’ district in 2022. They may try again, joining the national gerrymandering battle over the U.S. House of Representatives.
Freedom’s Frontier, preserver of Kansas and Missouri history, spared by release of federal funding
Freedom’s Frontier has received the half-million dollars the federal government held hostage for six months, ensuring the organization can continue for another year to preserve the story of the struggle for freedom through historic sites across Kansas and Missouri.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Haskell maintains high enrollment; interim president says funding for 2025-26 is secure
Haskell Indian Nations University is entering another fall semester with high enrollment. Despite budget concerns, the interim president said federal funding is secure for the year.
Kansas governor, 18 others oppose Trump’s ‘chaotic’ plans for state National Guard
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and more than a dozen other Democratic governors cautioned President Donald Trump against deploying states’ National Guard.
Police records reveal man who sparked investigation into Lenexa official’s immigration status
A 74-year-old certified public accountant’s misunderstanding and subsequent call to the KBI sparked a police inquiry into a Lenexa City Council member’s citizenship, igniting public scrutiny and leading to records requests from local residents.
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