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
Lawrence City Commission asks about immigration, schools’ involvement and more in World Cup prep
Lawrence city commissioners asked about ICE raid concerns, Haskell’s involvement and more with preparation for the World Cup coming up this summer.
Lawrence City Commission asks about immigration, schools’ involvement and more in World Cup prep
Lawrence city commissioners asked about ICE raid concerns, Haskell’s involvement and more with preparation for the World Cup coming up this summer.
MORE
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.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Immigration 101 speakers encourage Lawrence residents to be informed on policy, advocate for immigrant neighbors
Advocates with two local organizations on Saturday called on Lawrence residents to amplify and uphold the rights of their undocumented immigrant neighbors.
‘Our nation is in distress’: Thousands protest Trump in ‘No Kings’ rally at Kansas Statehouse
Thousands of Kansans rallied Saturday at the Statehouse in Topeka as part of a nationwide backlash to President Donald Trump, hoisting signs, joining in pro-democracy chants and speaking out against immigration raids.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
No Kings protesters in Lawrence decry authoritarianism, call for democracy
Hundreds of No Kings protesters gathered in Watson Park Saturday to join a nationwide wave of demonstrations to “reject authoritarianism — and show the world what democracy really looks like,” according to organizers.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Community helps Watkins Museum recoup $13K from federal grant cut
A Watkins Museum of History project on the Underground Railroad was completed before the federal grant funding it was terminated, and the Lawrence community has helped the museum recoup the $13,000 that the feds didn’t disburse.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Bus, rideshares to transport Lawrence residents to No Kings protest in Topeka; protest set for Watson Park
Lawrence residents can travel on their own or take a bus ride to the Kansas capitol as part of nationwide “No Kings” protests on Saturday.
Kansas troopers on standby for protests, ahead of nationwide anti-Trump demonstrations
State troopers are on standby in Kansas as demonstrations against federal immigration raids crop up around the country following an increased military presence in response to protests in Los Angeles.
Proposed federal budget cuts could have ‘grim impact’ on Kansans with disabilities
A leaked federal budget and the president’s budget forced Kansas advocates for people with disabilities to consider potential funding losses that could dramatically affect their services.
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