By Ned Seaton and Megan Moser
At least 28 people have been fired from the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan since Friday as part of the sweeping cuts to the federal government workforce by the Trump administration, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.
NBAF, the federal disease lab north of the K-State campus, is under the control of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The source, who spoke to The Mercury Monday on the condition that he not be named, said NBAF has terminated “at least” 28 people, all hired within the past two years or recently promoted, so they may be on some kind of probationary status. Among them are secretaries, microbiologists, custodians, and people who maintain glassware and laundry in containment areas. One of those terminated is the director of safety, health and environmental management, who holds the permit for the facility’s incinerator.
