Federal Government Shutdown Hits Kansas

The federal government shutdown has hit Kansas, where signs have been posted at Farm Service Agency offices around the state saying the offices will reopen once Congress restores federal funding.

The federal shutdown began shortly after midnight Monday, when Congress couldn’t reach a budget deal. Funding for the Affordable Care Act is the main contention among lawmakers.

The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Chase County is also among the nation’s national parks that are closed due to the lack of appropriations, as are the Cimarron National Grassland in far western Kansas and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in south-central Kansas.

At Fort Larned National Historic Site, Chief Ranger George Elmore says there are 16 employees and all but he and one maintenance man are on furlough.

Associated Press information from: The Hutchinson News