Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Humane Society takes in pets surrendered because owners fear deportation, detainment
The Lawrence Humane Society has taken in three dogs so far this year who were surrendered because their owners were afraid of detainment and deportation. The shelter had never documented cases like this before.
The World Cup is the perfect place for disease to spread. Kansas health workers are preparing
A projected 650,000 people will visit the Kansas City region for the World Cup this year, and with that comes the risk of disease spreading and health care demands.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Humane Society takes in pets surrendered because owners fear deportation, detainment
The Lawrence Humane Society has taken in three dogs so far this year who were surrendered because their owners were afraid of detainment and deportation. The shelter had never documented cases like this before.
The World Cup is the perfect place for disease to spread. Kansas health workers are preparing
A projected 650,000 people will visit the Kansas City region for the World Cup this year, and with that comes the risk of disease spreading and health care demands.
Lawrence Transit On Demand to start charging per ride; here’s how to pay
Lawrence Transit will start charging $3 for each one-way on demand ride starting next month, and the city will only accept credit card payments.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Feb. 16-22, 2026
Here are the opened male blossoms of the silver maple, resting on tree bark. Some maples are male while others are female, and some have both types of flowers.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Haskell’s spring Welcome Back Powwow draws hundreds
The Haskell Welcome Back Powwow drew hundreds of community members to the Coffin Sports Complex Saturday.
Lawrence Transit On Demand to start charging per ride; here’s how to pay
Lawrence Transit will start charging $3 for each one-way on demand ride starting next month, and the city will only accept credit card payments.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Feb. 16-22, 2026
Here are the opened male blossoms of the silver maple, resting on tree bark. Some maples are male while others are female, and some have both types of flowers.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Haskell’s spring Welcome Back Powwow draws hundreds
The Haskell Welcome Back Powwow drew hundreds of community members to the Coffin Sports Complex Saturday.
Lawrence Transit On Demand to start charging per ride; here’s how to pay
Lawrence Transit will start charging $3 for each one-way on demand ride starting next month, and the city will only accept credit card payments.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Feb. 16-22, 2026
Here are the opened male blossoms of the silver maple, resting on tree bark. Some maples are male while others are female, and some have both types of flowers.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Haskell’s spring Welcome Back Powwow draws hundreds
The Haskell Welcome Back Powwow drew hundreds of community members to the Coffin Sports Complex Saturday.
LAWRENCE NEWS
Logan Pierson / Lawrence Times
Ahead of World Cup, Lawrence advocates to share how to spot, prevent human trafficking
The Willow and the Care Center in Lawrence are partnering to provide human trafficking awareness and response training in preparation for the World Cup games in Kansas City.
KU organizations to host Lunar New Year celebration
The Lawrence community can ring in the Year of the Horse at the KU Center for East Asian Studies’ New Year Festival, which will feature giveaways, performances from local organizations, activities and more.
Landlord-friendly bill would roll back Lawrence’s protections for low-income renters
A Kansas property owner wants to impose a restriction across the entire state because of Lawrence’s ordinance protecting low-income renters.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence city commissioners won’t restore free senior swim days as they await more data
Lawrence city commissioners considered reinstating free senior swim on Wednesdays at the Indoor Aquatic Center, but they chose to hold off until they have more data about rec center usage following fee implementation.
MORE …
STATE NEWS
Kansas governor vetoes ‘bathroom bill’ aimed at transgender people
Democratic Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a GOP-led bill on Friday that bans transgender people from using restrooms and locker rooms according to their gender identity.
Kansas Senate passes bill scrutinizing free lunch families, dodging challenges from some Republicans
A contingent of Kansas Republicans narrowly advanced a bill that would increase scrutiny of households that qualify for free and reduced lunch, but it fielded pushback from Democrats and fellow Republicans.
MORE …
COMMUNITY VOICES (OPINION)
Letter to the Times: City of Lawrence should revise, not rescind, sustainability ordinance
“While the federal government is undoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Lawrence can and should lead the way,” members of the League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County write in this letter to the Times.
Tom Harper/Lawrence Times
Tom Harper: Lawrence volunteers craft a story we need right now (Column)
Kim Brook brings the supplies and encouragement for Lawrence volunteers to come together and create hundreds of handmade valentines for Meals on Wheels recipients, Tom Harper writes in this column.
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LAWRENCE LIFE
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Sparky, looking for Valentine’s love, likes long naps and thoughtful wrestling with other dogs
Despite being with the Lawrence Humane Society for three months, 2-year-old Sparky has not had any adoption inquiries, and shelter staff members hope that will change for Valentine’s Day.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Lawrence Mardi Gras parade to jazz up Mass Street on Fat Tuesday
Laissez les bons temps rouler. Lawrencians can get a feel for Mardi Gras festivities at this year’s celebration downtown.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Courthouse, rec centers, city offices to close for Presidents Day
City rec centers, Douglas County District Court and more will be closed Monday for Presidents Day, but downtown parking will be free and trash pickup will occur as scheduled. Here are more notes and details for the holiday.
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Sparky, looking for Valentine’s love, likes long naps and thoughtful wrestling with other dogs
Despite being with the Lawrence Humane Society for three months, 2-year-old Sparky has not had any adoption inquiries, and shelter staff members hope that will change for Valentine’s Day.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Lawrence Mardi Gras parade to jazz up Mass Street on Fat Tuesday
Laissez les bons temps rouler. Lawrencians can get a feel for Mardi Gras festivities at this year’s celebration downtown.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Courthouse, rec centers, city offices to close for Presidents Day
City rec centers, Douglas County District Court and more will be closed Monday for Presidents Day, but downtown parking will be free and trash pickup will occur as scheduled. Here are more notes and details for the holiday.
MORE …
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
Lawrence city commissioners approve historic markers to honor teens killed by police in 1970
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved historic markers to pay tribute to Rick “Tiger” Dowdell and Nick Rice, teens who were shot and killed by Lawrence police officers in 1970, despite objections from the police chief.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Prosecutors lay out evidence against teens charged in Hawk shooting; murder charge against one dropped
Bar employees, students and police testified Tuesday about what happened the night of a fatal shooting last month at the Hawk, a popular bar near KU’s campus.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Sanctuary Alliance asks people to call hotline if they spot possible ICE activity in Lawrence
A Lawrence-based collective advocating for immigrant rights is asking people to call their rapid response hotline if they spot any potential ICE activity around town.
Join our team: Lawrence Times seeks full-time staff reporter
The Lawrence Times is hiring for a full-time staff reporter to cover community news in Lawrence, Kansas.
Lawrence city commissioners approve historic markers to honor teens killed by police in 1970
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved historic markers to pay tribute to Rick “Tiger” Dowdell and Nick Rice, teens who were shot and killed by Lawrence police officers in 1970, despite objections from the police chief.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Prosecutors lay out evidence against teens charged in Hawk shooting; murder charge against one dropped
Bar employees, students and police testified Tuesday about what happened the night of a fatal shooting last month at the Hawk, a popular bar near KU’s campus.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Sanctuary Alliance asks people to call hotline if they spot possible ICE activity in Lawrence
A Lawrence-based collective advocating for immigrant rights is asking people to call their rapid response hotline if they spot any potential ICE activity around town.
Join our team: Lawrence Times seeks full-time staff reporter
The Lawrence Times is hiring for a full-time staff reporter to cover community news in Lawrence, Kansas.
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: Lifting short-term rental cap could harm Lawrence residents
“The need for long-term rentals won’t decrease because the World Cup is coming and the need for short-term rentals is increasing,” Chris Flowers writes in this letter to the Times.
Letter to the Times: A 3-point plan to achieve more accessible and affordable housing
“Local data … makes clear that Lawrence needs more housing that is both affordable and accessible,” members of the Accessibility in Affordable Housing Workgroup write in this letter to the Times.
Letter to the Times: Raise the age for free rec center access
“Lawrence city commissioners should increase the age limit for youths to be eligible for free access to recreation facilities from 17 to 26,” Irene Ratzlaff Soderstrom writes in this letter to the Times.
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: Lifting short-term rental cap could harm Lawrence residents
“The need for long-term rentals won’t decrease because the World Cup is coming and the need for short-term rentals is increasing,” Chris Flowers writes in this letter to the Times.
Letter to the Times: A 3-point plan to achieve more accessible and affordable housing
“Local data … makes clear that Lawrence needs more housing that is both affordable and accessible,” members of the Accessibility in Affordable Housing Workgroup write in this letter to the Times.
Letter to the Times: Raise the age for free rec center access
“Lawrence city commissioners should increase the age limit for youths to be eligible for free access to recreation facilities from 17 to 26,” Irene Ratzlaff Soderstrom writes in this letter to the Times.
MORE …
