
Tom Harper: Son of longtime Liberty Hall owners aims to preserve something ‘beneficial for everyone’ (Column)
Josh Millstein is stepping up to keep Liberty Hall alive and well, aiming to preserve his father’s vision and an iconic piece of downtown Lawrence’s historic district, Tom Harper writes in this column.

Kansas government efficiency committee restricts access to public suggestions
The chair of the Kansas Senate Committee on Government Efficiency restricted access to public submissions to its suggestion portal until after this legislative session, despite state law that requires public records be made available as soon as possible.

Lawrence community invited to Korean Culture Day at KU
The Lawrence community can learn traditional Korean games, learn calligraphy and more during an upcoming cultural celebration at the University of Kansas.

Lane reductions, road closures set to begin for Jayhawk watershed project in Lawrence
Construction for the Jayhawk watershed project is set to begin Monday, starting with a lane closure on Tennessee Street. The city expects the multiphase project to continue through the end of 2026.

Proposed row houses to undergo design tweaks to fit into downtown Lawrence
Developers will work with architects to try to make the design of 15 proposed row houses better fit in with the area near Seventh and Rhode Island streets in downtown Lawrence.

Lawrence community invited to Korean Culture Day at KU
The Lawrence community can learn traditional Korean games, learn calligraphy and more during an upcoming cultural celebration at the University of Kansas.

Lane reductions, road closures set to begin for Jayhawk watershed project in Lawrence
Construction for the Jayhawk watershed project is set to begin Monday, starting with a lane closure on Tennessee Street. The city expects the multiphase project to continue through the end of 2026.

Proposed row houses to undergo design tweaks to fit into downtown Lawrence
Developers will work with architects to try to make the design of 15 proposed row houses better fit in with the area near Seventh and Rhode Island streets in downtown Lawrence.

Lawrence community invited to Korean Culture Day at KU
The Lawrence community can learn traditional Korean games, learn calligraphy and more during an upcoming cultural celebration at the University of Kansas.

Lane reductions, road closures set to begin for Jayhawk watershed project in Lawrence
Construction for the Jayhawk watershed project is set to begin Monday, starting with a lane closure on Tennessee Street. The city expects the multiphase project to continue through the end of 2026.

Proposed row houses to undergo design tweaks to fit into downtown Lawrence
Developers will work with architects to try to make the design of 15 proposed row houses better fit in with the area near Seventh and Rhode Island streets in downtown Lawrence.
LAWRENCE NEWS

Public Health After Dark panel to spotlight gun violence, prevention in Douglas County
Local experts will share data and perspectives on homicides, suicides and gun violence in Douglas County during the upcoming Public Health After Dark panel.

Lawrence city commissioners open to changes to balance power between tenants, landlords
Experiences of local tenants prompted Lawrence city commissioners to pursue creation of a tenant bill of rights, and to explore what it would take to ensure tenants can have legal counsel.

Peaslee Tech looks to build endowment with $100K donation
A $100,000 gift from a KU professor emeritus will help Peaslee Tech open a scholarship fund for young people.

Rain, snow headed to Douglas County; driving could be hazardous
Some rain and snow is on the way to Douglas County, but not much is expected to stick. Blowing snow, however, could create visibility issues, making driving dangerous.
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STATE NEWS

Kansas senator seeks higher rent for Statehouse reporters who write ‘inaccurate’ stories
Sen. Virgil Peck wants to raise the rent of reporters who write “inaccurate” things about him from their Statehouse offices. He offered no evidence to support his claim.

Kansas House denounces satanic black mass as ‘despicable, blasphemous and offensive sacrilege’
The House approved a resolution that denounces the Satanic Grotto’s plans to hold a black mass at the Statehouse after members debated the balance between respecting First Amendment protections for offensive speech — and their own right to respond.
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COMMUNITY VOICES (OPINION)

Tom Harper: Son of longtime Liberty Hall owners aims to preserve something ‘beneficial for everyone’ (Column)
Josh Millstein is stepping up to keep Liberty Hall alive and well, aiming to preserve his father’s vision and an iconic piece of downtown Lawrence’s historic district, Tom Harper writes in this column.

Housing advocates and organizers: Lawrence should say no to occupancy restrictions (Column)
“We see daily how families of all kinds — blood-related or chosen — pool groceries, bills and child care to keep one another safe. Occupancy caps effectively criminalize mutual aid, making it harder for people to meet basic needs,” four local housing advocates write in this column.
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LAWRENCE LIFE

Sunny Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade draws thousands
Thousands of community members lined Massachusetts Street and beyond Monday afternoon for the 38th annual Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Art auction to benefit Haskell cultural preservation; artists welcome to donate
Proceeds from a Lawrence art auction will support cultural programs at Haskell Indian Nations University following federal cuts to university employees.

Community engagement event to offer updates, welcome feedback on La Yarda tribute mural
An upcoming event will invite people to learn about and share feedback on a new mural a Lawrence artist is creating in honor of the La Yarda community.

Sunny Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade draws thousands
Thousands of community members lined Massachusetts Street and beyond Monday afternoon for the 38th annual Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Art auction to benefit Haskell cultural preservation; artists welcome to donate
Proceeds from a Lawrence art auction will support cultural programs at Haskell Indian Nations University following federal cuts to university employees.

Community engagement event to offer updates, welcome feedback on La Yarda tribute mural
An upcoming event will invite people to learn about and share feedback on a new mural a Lawrence artist is creating in honor of the La Yarda community.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …

Lawrence City Commission opts for compromise on increased occupancy limits
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday voted to change occupancy limits to allow a maximum of four unrelated adults per household in the least dense areas of town, and a maximum of five in the rest of town.

Lawrence neighborhoods call for city commission to lower home occupancy limits
Some Lawrence neighborhoods are pushing back against plans to increase home occupancy limits to 5 unrelated adults, worried about increasing numbers of student rentals. But some advocates say the move will make housing more accessible to nontraditional families.

USDA grant funding for farms, wineries and Lawrence school district bakery frozen per federal order
The future is murky for a Lawrence school district bakery project as well as projects at four local farms and vineyards after their grant funding was frozen this week under orders from Trump and DOGE.

Feds investigating KU over pro-diversity business school partnership
KU is among 45 schools now under federal investigation because one of its graduate programs has been part of a partnership aiming to serve people of color.

Lawrence City Commission opts for compromise on increased occupancy limits
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday voted to change occupancy limits to allow a maximum of four unrelated adults per household in the least dense areas of town, and a maximum of five in the rest of town.

Lawrence neighborhoods call for city commission to lower home occupancy limits
Some Lawrence neighborhoods are pushing back against plans to increase home occupancy limits to 5 unrelated adults, worried about increasing numbers of student rentals. But some advocates say the move will make housing more accessible to nontraditional families.

USDA grant funding for farms, wineries and Lawrence school district bakery frozen per federal order
The future is murky for a Lawrence school district bakery project as well as projects at four local farms and vineyards after their grant funding was frozen this week under orders from Trump and DOGE.

Feds investigating KU over pro-diversity business school partnership
KU is among 45 schools now under federal investigation because one of its graduate programs has been part of a partnership aiming to serve people of color.
MORE …
MORE COMMUNITY VOICES
The opinion pieces in this section are generally written by members of the Lawrence community and those who have close ties. In addition, we’re offering some space for area organizations and organizers to provide updates and attempt to reach other folks who might share their mission.
Want to submit a letter to the Times? Great!
Click here to find out how.

Letter to the Times: Occupancy limits are unfair to nontraditional families
“Why should the rest of us have to live with increased housing costs because adults who chose not only to live in a college town, but next to the campus itself, don’t want an increase of students living in the neighborhood?” Chris Flowers writes in this letter to the Times.

Lawrence school board President Kelly Jones: Schools must be safe, welcoming amid anti-trans onslaught (Column)
“The USD 497 Board of Education resolutely wants transgender students, staff, and their families to feel all love the whole school day and be afforded the right and dignity to show up to school as they are — especially now,” Lawrence school board President Kelly Jones writes in this column.

Watkins Museum of History: Curtis Marsh book talk set to celebrate KU’s 160th anniversary
“Over the course of his 30-plus years of service to the University of Kansas, (Curtis) Marsh has amassed a wealth of knowledge about Jayhawk stats, history, and traditions,” Will Haynes writes in this piece from the Watkins Museum of History.
The opinion pieces in this section are generally written by members of the Lawrence community and those who have close ties. In addition, we’re offering some space for area organizations and organizers to provide updates and attempt to reach other folks who might share their mission.
Want to submit a letter to the Times? Great!
Click here to find out how.

Letter to the Times: Occupancy limits are unfair to nontraditional families
“Why should the rest of us have to live with increased housing costs because adults who chose not only to live in a college town, but next to the campus itself, don’t want an increase of students living in the neighborhood?” Chris Flowers writes in this letter to the Times.

Lawrence school board President Kelly Jones: Schools must be safe, welcoming amid anti-trans onslaught (Column)
“The USD 497 Board of Education resolutely wants transgender students, staff, and their families to feel all love the whole school day and be afforded the right and dignity to show up to school as they are — especially now,” Lawrence school board President Kelly Jones writes in this column.

Watkins Museum of History: Curtis Marsh book talk set to celebrate KU’s 160th anniversary
“Over the course of his 30-plus years of service to the University of Kansas, (Curtis) Marsh has amassed a wealth of knowledge about Jayhawk stats, history, and traditions,” Will Haynes writes in this piece from the Watkins Museum of History.