Kansas

Kris Kobach, the Republican attorney general, says that several Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents have been trained to make arrests in collaboration with federal immigration authorities. He talked about the state's recent law enforcement initiatives, plus his clashes over legal authority with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, in an interview with KCUR's Up To Date.

There have been thousands of lawsuits by Kansas hospitals in recent years, including many lawsuits for less than $500. One lawsuit was for just $104.

Kansas Republican leaders couldn't rally enough support this fall for a special session on redistricting. It's just one example of lawmakers pushing back on a new round of partisan gerrymandering.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office signed a formal agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to issue 48-hour detainers for people held in the county jail. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and more than a dozen sheriff's departments have signed similar deals.

Regulators are trying to protect residential customers from high rates while still attracting large energy users, like data centers, to the state.

Marion County also approved agreements with Eric Meyer, the owner and editor of the Marion County Record, and Ruth Herbel, the Marion city councilor whose home was raided in tandem with the newspaper office.

The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly considering land near the Kansas Speedway to build a new stadium and entertainment district, with the state still offering to finance up to 70% of the project. They've put out a request for proposals from firms to design it.

After weeks of uncertainty, Kansas released SNAP benefits to residents on Friday, while Missouri plans to release benefits — either full or partial payments — later this week. But the recent Trump budget bill added a number of restrictions to the program.

The 1.8 million square foot "hyperscale" data center would be the largest development in Wyandotte County's history. But residents and an environmental group voiced concerns about government transparency, location and environmental costs.

In the summer, Texas drew new lines to help Republicans win in the midterm elections. Missouri followed suit. California countered this week. But even with Kansas backing off, Republicans might have an edge in the redistricting battle as it spreads nationally.

KCUR, Generation Listen and the Kansas City Public Library recently convened a community forum to explore the complex issue of redistricting in Missouri and Kansas. Up to Date host Steve Kraske moderated a panel and took questions from the audience, as experts and reporters addressed the practicality, constitutionality and legality of the plans.

The federal government remains shut down, in what is now the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Around the Kansas City region, nonprofits, food banks and private businesses are stepping up to help feed families.