The city of Leavenworth, Kansas, and Core Civic, a private prison company, faced off in federal court today, Tuesday. The city argues Core Civic needs a special permit before it can reopen its Leavenworth facility as an immigrant detention center. The company says that formal process is unnecessary. Rabbi Moti Rieber of Kansas Interfaith Action, an advocacy group, told protestors outside the Topeka courthouse that the stakes of the case go beyond a local zoning dispute.
“So, we’re to say no to detention, no to private prisons in Leavenworth, and stop the Trump crackdown on migrants.
U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse (KROWSE) says he will issue a decision in the coming days.
And in Missouri news
Last month, the Joplin City Council approved the demolition of a former hospital to build affordable housing. City officials, the economic security corporation, and Joplin’s Habitat for Humanity are working together to build duplexes on South Seargent Avenue. Scott Clayton with the Joplin Economic Housing Initiative, a subset of Habitat for Humanity, said affordable housing affects everyone.
We want to have whoever comes our way and then we want to be open to those that need to be affordable.
Clayton said his organization's building plan is to be determined. The first step is for the economic security corporation to get approval to tear down the blighted building.
The U.S. Senate Finance Committee held a hearing Tuesday to consider the nomination of former southwest Missouri Congressman Billy Long for IRS commissioner. KSMU’s Michele Skalicky has more.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren referenced President Trump’s threat to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status. She asked Long repeatedly whether it was illegal for the president to ask the IRS to revoke an organization’s tax-exempt status. It was a question she said she’d asked him three weeks prior.
“I’m not going to have the answer that you need.” Warren: “Why are you not having the answer? You’ve had 3 weeks to consult with lawyers. The statute is about as clear as plain English.” Long: “Well, if I say I’m going to follow the law, why would you need to ask me the question?” Warren: “Well, because I want to make sure that you understand what the law says.”
Republican Senator Steve Daines said IRS employees need a leader who respects them, and he’s confident in Long’s abilities.
In Springfield, I’m Michele Skalicky.
Yesterday, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe requested President Trump’s approval for a disaster declaration in six counties, including Green and Newton County. He's requesting Federal Emergency Management Agency Public assistance because emergency response costs and storm damage exceed 7 sixteen point five million dollars. According to a press release from the governor's office, public assistance would allow local governments to seek federal aid for damages to roads, bridges, and public infrastructure.
