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
ICE agents arrest people in Lawrence and on KU campus, advocates say
ICE agents returned to Lawrence Friday morning and detained people on KU’s campus and elsewhere, according to local immigration advocates.
ICE agents arrest people in Lawrence and on KU campus, advocates say
ICE agents returned to Lawrence Friday morning and detained people on KU’s campus and elsewhere, according to local immigration advocates.
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Wulfe Wulfemeyer/Lawrence Times
Douglas County food security advocates discuss impacts of possible SNAP losses, food as a human right at workshop
A workshop on navigating food systems in Douglas County turned into an opportunity for speakers to address impending threats to SNAP and discuss how to build relationships to advocate for families experiencing food insecurity.
KU chancellor joins White House talks on Trump’s higher education deal
KU’s chancellor privately shared insights about a proposed compact offering preferential treatment by the Trump administration in exchange for freezing tuition rates, limiting international student enrollment and restraining campus employees from expressing political views.
Hundreds push back against authoritarianism at second No Kings protest in Lawrence
About 1,000 people lined the edges of Watson Park and spilled throughout the surrounding sidewalks of downtown Lawrence on Saturday to protest what they argue is an overreach of power by the Trump administration.
University of Kansas chancellor profiles hurdles for higher education, outlines KU achievements
KU Chancellor Doug Girod says dismantling of federal funding of university research, lukewarm state budgets, a precipitous drop in college-age students, rise of AI and inflation threaten the future of higher education.
Kansans may not receive food assistance payments in November if federal shutdown continues
The federal government shutdown could mean Kansans who rely on food assistance will miss a November payment, and the state is working to determine options should that occur.
Lawrence city commissioners approve $57.5M for second phase of city’s municipal services campus
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved a maximum price of $57.5 million for phase 2 of the Municipal Services and Operations campus under construction on the eastern edge of town for an estimated total of $130.1 million.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
No Kings protest against Trump administration coming up in Lawrence
Lawrence residents can join the national wave of No Kings protesters throughout Kansas with a local demonstration this weekend.
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.
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