Kansas
University of Kansas receives $1.6 million to launch law clinic dedicated to issues of veterans • Kansas Reflector
LAWRENCE — Retired U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Cody White served in uniform for 16 years until an unexpected diagnosis of diabetes prematurely ended his military career.
White, who grew up in Troup, Texas, and is among first-year law students at the University of Kansas, she he looked back fondly of his years of service in the Marine Corps. When that career was cut short, however, he had to deal with a behemoth of administrative complexities that surfaced in the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, he said.
“Fortunately, for me, I was provided legal counsel to go through that process to help, to guide me, to assist me through the darky murky waters that I faced,” White said. “I came out OK. Unfortunately, thousands of veterans a year do not have such luck. This is a tragic reality.”
White said announcement Friday of a $1.6 million federal appropriation to launch a KU School of Law clinic dedicated to working on issues revolving around veterans could serve as a beacon of hope for men and women striving to navigate legal issues in the government bureaucracy. It would help law students gain practical insight into legal obstacles faced by veterans and introduce students to potential careers in the specialized field of law, he said.
“It will also foster a culture of empathy and understanding between the legal community and veterans,” he said. “This clinic will enable us to ensure our veterans receive the justice and support they deserve. From the bottom of my heart, and please let me represent the entire student body when I say, ‘Thank you.’”
The KU clinic would provide free legal aid for veterans experiencing issues related to disability claims, discharge upgrades or criminal charges tied to service-connected incidents.
Law students and faculty would be in a position to address ramifications of mental illness and substance abuse that complicated transition from military to civilian life. The clinic also could work on debt collection, family law, child support, landlord-tenant disputes or revoked driving licenses.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican who graduated from the KU law school in 1982, returned to his alma mater to celebrate the $1.6 million federal appropriation that crossed the finish line a few weeks ago. While the federal government would financially support activities to get the clinic off the ground, the university would assume responsibility for ongoing funding.
Moran said 88% of low-income veterans had inadequate or no legal assistance, including those grappling with basic access for VA financial and health benefits. An estimated 190,000 veterans reside in Kansas. The law clinic, like several dozen comparable clinics located outside Kansas, would serve as a vehicle to deliver desperately need legal services, the senator said.
“I recognize that my family and I have the opportunities that we have based upon the service of those who serve today and who preceded those who serve today,” said Moran, who has been on either the U.S. House or U.S. Senate veterans affairs committee for 28 years. “They will now receive service and, perhaps, find justice.”
Moran said the clinic would contribute to the law school’s sense of public purpose while offer hands-on experience of interacting with clients with veteran status.
The concept of a KU law school clinic for veterans was put forward about a decade ago by retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Clyde J. “Butch” Tate II, was served as deputy judge advocate general and graduated from the KU law school. He currently works with All Rise, a nonprofit providing technical support and training for people involved with specialty treatment courts for veterans.
“I realized that the issues facing the veterans in those courts were but one of the challenges they faced to a full reintegration to a productive life,” Tate said. “You could take care of the criminal issue, but then you had these layers of civil issues really weighing them down.”
Retired Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss, a former U.S. Marine Corps officer who also attended the clinic announcement, said the law clinic could eventually be a contributor to a Douglas County court for veterans. The state has such courts in Wyandotte, Sedgwick, Johnson, Leavenworth and Shawnee counties, but Nuss said there was an effort was underway to secure U.S. Department of Justice support for the state’s sixth.
“We’re working real hard to get one here in Douglas County,” Nuss said.
Stephen Mazza, dean of the KU law school, said there was a history of the law school serving legal needs of people who otherwise couldn’t afford representation.
The school’s legal aid clinic has been in place for 55 years, he said. More recently, the law school established medical legal partnerships at the KU Medical Center and Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He said the Project for Innocence extended legal services to prison inmates, while an elder law program operated out of the university.
“These clinics and partnerships have made an important positive impact on our community,” Mazza said. “They are an important part of the legacy of this law school.”
Kansas
Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home
KISMET, Kan. (KWCH) – Last month, wildfires in southern Kansas raged, destroying farmer Randall Thorp’s property, tools and 960 acres of land.
As he handles the massive cleanup project, he knows he is not alone.
“It’s about the greatest show of love I’ve ever seen,” Thorpe said. “I didn’t realize that I would have all this support in my greatest time of need.”
The two main contributors to Thorp’s optimism are the community around him and his faith.
“I’ve seen a lot of darkness that, because of my faith in Jesus, I can see the light in my heart,” Thorp said. “And that’s what keeps me going.”
Throughout the past few weeks, friends, family and neighbors have come to his property to help sort out and clean up the debris.
“I come out here and I’m by myself and I find it hard to do anything, but when a group of people all shows up and they’re wanting to work, then I’m ready to get to work with them, and they’re all ready to help me,” Thorp said.
Even with all the uncertainty following the fire, Thorp has been able to feed the 150 cattle he has, a number that is now growing since it is calving season. Friendly helpers are providing free hay for his animals to eat.
There’s a long way until things will be back to normal, but Thorp is determined to get there.
“You know, I can see some light at the end of the tunnel, but I’ve got to stay strong and keep it going and make it through,” Thorp said.
The powerful show of dependability from fellow Kansans is something he will never forget.
“I’ve been shown lots of love,” Thorp said.
You can still donate to Thorp’s GoFundMe here.
Copyright 2026 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
Kansas
Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal
Kansas City International Airport in Missouri was partly evacuated over a “threat” Sunday afternoon but has since resumed “normal operations,” officials said.
“The security incident at [Kansas City International Airport] is now clear and normal operations are resuming,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X.
“I want to thank law enforcement including the FBI for their timely response. The safety of our passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority.”
Airport representative Jackson Overstreet told The Associated Press in an email that the threat was reported at 11:50 a.m. local time, at which point an entire terminal was evacuated.
He said planes that landed after the threat were being held on the taxiway until it could be fully investigated.
FBI rep Dixon Land said the bureau was “aware of the incident” and worked with “law enforcement officials to determine the credibility of a threat.”
Passenger Logan Hawley, 29, told the outlet he was getting ready to board a flight to Texas when he saw police and K-9 units swarming the terminal.
“Suddenly there was an airport worker saying ‘immediately evacuate,’ people got up fast and rushed out of there,” Hawley said.
Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, he said.
Photos and video from the airport circulating online show large groups of passengers being led onto the tarmac or funneling out of the terminal.
With Post Wires
Kansas
Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention
SHAWNEE, Kan. – A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.
Janet Fulgham said her daughter Laura and Laura’s husband Adam had been traveling in the UAE when an attack on Iran disrupted their plans to return home.
With their trip delayed and Laura facing a medical need that could not be met there, Fulgham said she contacted the office of Rep. Sharice Davids.
Fulgham said Davids’ office worked with the State Department to flag the emergency and secure a flight for the couple.
“The first thing that went through my mind was her medication. It is such a big part of her life. And then how do we get them out safely? How on earth do we get them out?” Fulgham said.
She said the experience prompted her to share a message with other families.
“Very often things are out of your control. But what I want everyone to know is, no matter what state you’re in, there are services to the American public that we may not know about,” Fulgham said.
Davids, who represents Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, said the situation reflects the real-world impact of international crises.
“This is one of those areas where you really see how much we’re talking about real people. You know, Laura and Adam are real Kansans who are stuck in a situation that they did not ask to be in. I’m just so relieved and glad that they’re back home,” Davids said.
Fulgham said the relief of her daughter’s return is tempered by awareness of others still waiting.
“Happiness and my delight that they’re home. Mixed with my total exhaustion. But then there’s so many other parents and friends and family members who are waiting for their loved ones. It’s hard to really celebrate when you know there’s such a big need,” Fulgham said.
Davids is expected to visit the family later this week. Her office said it is still working to help other Kansas families who remain stranded.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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