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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August Rudisell / Lawrence Times
‘Good Trouble’ protesters pay homage to John Lewis during rally
As 85-year-old Joe Douglas stood near Watson Park belting out a civil rights-era Pete Seeger song during Thursday’s “Good Trouble Lives On” protest, he reflected on a time of upheaval that he said was strikingly similar to today’s political landscape.
Judge again blocks CoreCivic from opening Leavenworth prison as court skirmishes continue
A Leavenworth District Court judge reaffirmed his decision to bar CoreCivic from housing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement prisoners at its closed facility, rejecting the private prison company’s appeal to reconsider.
Lawrence school district could lose $468K in federal grants
Lawrence Public Schools stand to lose about $468,151 in federal grants because of action by the Trump administration earlier this month freezing distribution of already-approved federal support.
Panasonic to delay production at Kansas battery plant as electric car sales decline, policies shift
Panasonic is delaying full production in its De Soto battery plant because of dropping electric car sales and U.S. policies that do not support electric cars, international media reports.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Community members gather for July 4 protest in downtown Lawrence
Dozens of community members gathered for an Independence Day protest Friday in downtown Lawrence, holding signs with messages including “Stand for democracy,” “Are we great yet?” “Resist” and “Save our Constitution.”
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Lawrence community members celebrate freedom, warn about erosion of rights at Freedom Fest
A KU law professor, local politicians, a puppet and more than 100 other Lawrence community members gathered Friday to celebrate the Constitution and the Fourth of July in the face of what they said were attacks on freedom.
Sen. Moran says he protected funding for Kansas hospitals. Health care advocates disagree
Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas said he made changes to the Senate’s version of the Trump administration’s reconciliation bill to soften the blow of Medicaid cuts on Kansas hospitals. But health care advocates say it won’t be enough.
Lawrence artist hosts sticker sale fundraiser for immigrants needing legal help in Kansas
A Lawrence artist has organized an online sticker sale to raise funds to help immigrants and families impacted by ICE activity in Kansas.
ICE rushed no-bid contract to pay CoreCivic $4.2M per month to hold immigrants at Kansas prison
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement used the pretense of a national emergency to justify a secret, no-bid contract with CoreCivic that would pay the company $4.2 million per month to house detained immigrants at its vacant Leavenworth prison.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Haskell faculty senate: Budget cuts would defund tribal colleges ‘beyond any hope of functionality’
Members of the faculty senate at Haskell say proposed federal budget cuts amounting to about 90% of funding would devastate tribal colleges and violate the government’s legal obligations.
Kansas companies share anxiety about potential cuts to federal renewable energy tax incentives
Sarah Hill-Nelson, CEO of Bowersock Mills & Power Co., said tax benefits designed to encourage growth of alternative energy production projects — now threatened by Congress — were essential to upgrading the hydroelectric plant.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Times
Lawrence organizations, community members gear up for summer of advocacy
Dozens of Lawrence community members showed up for an advocacy event Tuesday evening, despite the 90° temperatures and no air conditioning inside the Ecumenical Campus Ministries building.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
July 4th Freedom Fest to bring community together, recognize infringed rights
A new Fourth of July event in Lawrence will feature a U.S. Constitution reading, local performers, food and family activities to celebrate our constitutional rights while acknowledging that many rights are under attack, organizers say.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Traveling Smithsonian exhibition heading to Watkins Museum, not Haskell as planned
The Watkins Museum will soon be the first Kansas site to host a traveling Smithsonian exhibit, “Americans,” after organizers jointly decided to move it from the Haskell museum.
Freedom’s Frontier will ‘cease to exist’ if Congress rescinds funding for National Heritage Areas
Freedom’s Frontier, a coalition of more than 200 historically significant sites on both sides of the Kansas-Missouri border, will “cease to exist” if Congress approves proposed legislation to defund National Heritage Areas, the organization’s spokesman says.
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