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
The Kansas dairy industry is growing, and it’s on the shoulders of immigrant workers
Kansas has a fast-growing dairy industry, but milking cows isn’t easy and it’s hard to find workers. Industry groups say immigrants are critical and those workers say they’re needed to feed Kansas families.
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Kansas, Missouri GOP officials agree to share voter registration details of 6 million people
The Republican secretaries of state for Kansas and Missouri signed an MOU to exchange voter registration information of 6 million people in a bid to identify people who failed to cancel registrations after moving from one state to the other.
Kansas federal attorneys went 5 months without pay, sparking constitutional crisis
For nearly 20 weeks, certain lawyers, paralegals, psychologists, interpreters, court reporters and investigators were not paid. Criminal defense attorneys say it’s a constitutional crisis.
This Lawrence diner owner says she’ll have to go without health insurance if federal subsidies end
Meg Heriford of Ladybird Diner said as a small business owner, tax subsidies offered through the marketplace help make health insurance a possibility for her. But that may change.
Sedgwick County and 19 other Kansas law enforcement agencies have signed agreements with ICE
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and 19 other Kansas law enforcement agencies have signed formal agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Kansas seeks share of federal government’s $50 billion rural health transformation program
Kansas turned in a 60-page application last week in hopes of receiving a share of $50 billion in federal money designed to transform rural health.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Where to get free meals this week in Lawrence
Groups throughout Lawrence are offering free meals amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits.
Kansas pays full November food assistance benefits; December payouts uncertain
After days of uncertainty about whether the federal government would release funding for food assistance, the Department for Children and Families announced Friday that it issued November benefits.
USDA’s food assistance miscalculation means more money to Kansas recipients
SNAP beneficiaries can expect to receive roughly two-thirds of their usual payments this month, and Kansas officials are working to determine when those payments can be made.
Kansas food assistance recipients set to receive partial payment — but no one knows when
It’s unclear how a federal judge’s order forcing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release food program funds by Wednesday will affect Kansas recipients, state leaders said.
Lawrence school district welcomes food donations at schools
The Lawrence school district has launched a food drive to help meet its students’ immediate needs.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence community members at Día de Muertos honor loved ones, pets who have passed
Community members gathered at Lawrence’s Día de Muertos event Saturday evening to remember and celebrate loved ones who have passed, humans and animals alike.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Just Food and partners launch pantry fund to fight food insecurity in Lawrence, Douglas County
Just Food announced Friday the launch of a fund that will help the organization leverage its purchasing power to buy food for every pantry in Douglas County.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Public health specialists say Trump’s budget bill will harm health care structures, patients in Douglas County
Representatives from public health sectors and from the Haskell Friends and Family group spoke at a panel Thursday, attesting to the long-term negative health impacts of Trump’s budget bill across the nation and in Douglas County.
Lawrence Times TV
Douglas County food security advocates working on emergency plan for SNAP beneficiaries; here are some resources
Food security advocates throughout Douglas County are discussing an emergency response plan if SNAP benefits don’t come in for November. Here are some resources, plus info on how to help.
Kansas officials pressure Trump administration to keep SNAP funded during shutdown
Democrats and Republicans have different proposals to keep feeding nearly 190,000 Kansans as funding for SNAP assistance is still in question.
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