Kansas News
Kansas is pushing back on a federal order to share data about people who have applied for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Zane Irwin of the Kansas News Service reports:
"In the past five years, over 730,000 Kansans applied for SNAP, or food stamps. The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants their addresses, social security numbers and more.
Federal officials say they want to make sure states are running SNAP effectively. But Kansas is defying the request, and 21 states have sued to block the order.
Laura Howard leads the agency that runs SNAP in Kansas. She says protecting the privacy of welfare applicants is her top priority.
“Should courts find in favor of the lawsuits and if we had released people's personal identification, I think the state then is at great liability.”
Federal officials have threatened penalties for states that do not comply.
For the Kansas News Service, I’m Zane Irwin.
A celebration of Mexican American car culture hits the streets for the first time this weekend (SUNDAY) in Bonner Springs, Kansas.
Around 80 drivers from local lowrider clubs will show off their bikes and cars at the “Chicano Heritage Car and Culture Festival,” hosted by the Wyandotte County Historical Museum.
Many of the restored, classic cars feature eye-popping color schemes and tricked-out hydraulics. Historian Gene Chavez says the movement emerged in the 1940s, when cars became a form of cultural expression.
“Often artwork is embedded in the cars reflecting that dual culture of Mexican and American."
The festivall will include arts and crafts, folkloric dancers, and live music. A parade of cars through Wyandotte County Park kicks off the event at 11:30 Sunday morning.
And in Missouri News
Two conservative Republican legislators in Missouri are suing the governor and attorney general over a stadium funding bill aimed at keeping the Chiefs and Royals in the state.
Here’s KCUR’s Sam Zeff.
"The lawsuit filed in Cole County suggests the 500-million dollars in potential subsidies for stadium construction are, quote, a direct gift or bribe to the team owners.
The lawsuit claims the Chiefs could receive $33 million a year in subsidies over 30 years. It also says Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes makes $45 million a year, meaning taxpayers would pick up 73 percent of his salary.
The teams are weighing incentives from both states, including a billion dollars in sales tax bonds from Kansas."