
Lawrence High Class of 2025 graduates, prepares to seize a changing world
Adele Erickson imparted some advice from a fortune cookie to her fellow Lawrence High School graduates: “One must look back to learn to look forward.” The Chesty Lions Class of 2025 graduated Tuesday night.

Federal judge questions Leavenworth’s attempt to block CoreCivic immigration detention center
CoreCivic will know by Friday whether it will have to delay plans to begin holding Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees in June at its Leavenworth facility.

Lawrence City Commission general public comment for May 20, 2025
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.

Lawrence city commissioners approve rezoning for apartment complex at 3rd and Michigan
The Lawrence City Commission voted 3-2 Tuesday evening to approve a rezoning request to allow for developers to build a two-story, 24-unit apartment building near LMH Health.

City of Lawrence cites potential loss of $8M in federal funds as reason for resolution that sparked uproar
The City of Lawrence is “exploring the risks associated with potentially losing $8M in funding,” according to a statement regarding a draft resolution that pledged the city would stop enforcing its equal rights ordinances in order to comply with Trump’s executive orders.

Lawrence City Commission general public comment for May 20, 2025
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.

Lawrence city commissioners approve rezoning for apartment complex at 3rd and Michigan
The Lawrence City Commission voted 3-2 Tuesday evening to approve a rezoning request to allow for developers to build a two-story, 24-unit apartment building near LMH Health.

City of Lawrence cites potential loss of $8M in federal funds as reason for resolution that sparked uproar
The City of Lawrence is “exploring the risks associated with potentially losing $8M in funding,” according to a statement regarding a draft resolution that pledged the city would stop enforcing its equal rights ordinances in order to comply with Trump’s executive orders.

Lawrence City Commission general public comment for May 20, 2025
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.

Lawrence city commissioners approve rezoning for apartment complex at 3rd and Michigan
The Lawrence City Commission voted 3-2 Tuesday evening to approve a rezoning request to allow for developers to build a two-story, 24-unit apartment building near LMH Health.

City of Lawrence cites potential loss of $8M in federal funds as reason for resolution that sparked uproar
The City of Lawrence is “exploring the risks associated with potentially losing $8M in funding,” according to a statement regarding a draft resolution that pledged the city would stop enforcing its equal rights ordinances in order to comply with Trump’s executive orders.
LAWRENCE NEWS

Resolution pledging Lawrence would comply with executive orders is no longer on commission agenda
A resolution city staff members were asking the Lawrence City Commission to approve, which pledged to indefinitely suspend enforcement of equal rights ordinances in hopes of maintaining federal funding, is no longer on Tuesday’s meeting agenda.

Screening set for documentary on Sacred Red Rock’s return to the Kaw Nation
A documentary film telling the story of the Sacred Red Rock’s return to the Kaw Nation is set for a screening at Liberty Hall in Lawrence.

Free State senior wins national forensics title
Free State High School senior Anwen Williams added to her impressive list of forensics accomplishments by claiming a national championship in extemporaneous speaking over the weekend.

Lawrence, Douglas County likely to see thunderstorms; tornado watch issued
Eastern Kansas is at an enhanced risk for severe weather Monday afternoon and evening, including possible hail and tornados, according to the National Weather Service.
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STATE NEWS

Kansas abortion rights advocacy group sues state officials over law banning foreign contributions
A Kansas reproductive rights advocacy group, backed by a Washington, D.C. law firm, is suing state officials over a new law banning financial contributions from “foreign nationals” to support or oppose constitutional amendments.

Gov. Laura Kelly warns of undercutting Kansas schools, judicial independence, budget stability
Gov. Laura Kelly wants the Republican-dominated committee drafting a new state funding formula for K-12 public schools to resist pressure to funnel tax dollars into private schools.
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COMMUNITY VOICES (OPINION)

Holly Krebs: Lawrence community deserves transparency and a voice on city budget, debt (Column)
“Because we believe our community would benefit from more public discussions about these important issues, our coalition will independently host a community conversation about the Lawrence city budget,” Holly Krebs, of the Coalition for Collaborative Governance, writes in this column.

Max Kautsch: Kansas Legislature’s supermajority makes mockery of open records law over efficiency portal messages (Column)
“This iteration of the Legislature seems to think it is entitled to redact information that could traditionally be found in a phonebook, and that it may do so in a futile attempt to shield the identity of a handful of powerful Kansans but not the rest of us,” Max Kautsch writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
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LAWRENCE LIFE

Just Food celebrates opening of expanded community garden space
Lawrence community members gathered Wednesday to celebrate a new “enhanced” garden space at Just Food. It includes a tea garden with native plants, accessible raised beds, an outdoor classroom and more.

Peers, educators support students of all abilities in Lawrence school district’s adaptive triathlon
A vibe of camaraderie and encouragement filled Lawrence High School’s athletic facilities Wednesday morning at the annual Pat Grzenda Adaptive Triathlon.

Lawrence high school journalism programs bring home state awards
Student journalists from Lawrence High and Free State both took home awards from the Kansas Scholastic Press Association this year, adding to a tally of recent honors for the programs.

Just Food celebrates opening of expanded community garden space
Lawrence community members gathered Wednesday to celebrate a new “enhanced” garden space at Just Food. It includes a tea garden with native plants, accessible raised beds, an outdoor classroom and more.

Peers, educators support students of all abilities in Lawrence school district’s adaptive triathlon
A vibe of camaraderie and encouragement filled Lawrence High School’s athletic facilities Wednesday morning at the annual Pat Grzenda Adaptive Triathlon.

Lawrence high school journalism programs bring home state awards
Student journalists from Lawrence High and Free State both took home awards from the Kansas Scholastic Press Association this year, adding to a tally of recent honors for the programs.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …

Lawrence City Commission to consider resolution pledging compliance with federal executive orders
City staff members are asking the Lawrence City Commission to pass a resolution saying the city will indefinitely suspend enforcement of its equal rights ordinances in hopes of maintaining federal funding.

City of Lawrence to immobilize cars for late parking tickets
The City of Lawrence on Monday will begin using parking boots to immobilize vehicles of people who have three or more unpaid parking tickets that are 60 days or more overdue.

Ex-Prairie Park speech pathologist found competent to stand trial in child sexual abuse case
A former Prairie Park Elementary School speech pathologist on Thursday was declared competent to stand trial on one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child younger than 14 and one count of kidnapping, but those charges may multiply.

City of Lawrence tightens residency requirements for people to receive homelessness services
The City of Lawrence is tightening requirements for people to receive homelessness services, and people who previously lived in town, relocated elsewhere and returned are now “considered non-residents” until they’ve established housing.

Lawrence City Commission to consider resolution pledging compliance with federal executive orders
City staff members are asking the Lawrence City Commission to pass a resolution saying the city will indefinitely suspend enforcement of its equal rights ordinances in hopes of maintaining federal funding.

City of Lawrence to immobilize cars for late parking tickets
The City of Lawrence on Monday will begin using parking boots to immobilize vehicles of people who have three or more unpaid parking tickets that are 60 days or more overdue.

Ex-Prairie Park speech pathologist found competent to stand trial in child sexual abuse case
A former Prairie Park Elementary School speech pathologist on Thursday was declared competent to stand trial on one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child younger than 14 and one count of kidnapping, but those charges may multiply.

City of Lawrence tightens residency requirements for people to receive homelessness services
The City of Lawrence is tightening requirements for people to receive homelessness services, and people who previously lived in town, relocated elsewhere and returned are now “considered non-residents” until they’ve established housing.
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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: Lawrence’s policies should support business growth
“By supporting the expansion of existing businesses and by attracting new employers, we can create jobs, increase our tax base and ultimately ease the pressure on residential property taxpayers,” Gary Rexroad writes in this letter to the Times.

Letter to the Times: Planning Commission should deny 3rd and Michigan upzoning request
“Please encourage the development interests — public and private — to engage the neighborhood so that the results reflect sensible density that adds value for all concerned,” Phil and Peggi Englehart write in this open letter to the Planning Commission.

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.
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: Lawrence’s policies should support business growth
“By supporting the expansion of existing businesses and by attracting new employers, we can create jobs, increase our tax base and ultimately ease the pressure on residential property taxpayers,” Gary Rexroad writes in this letter to the Times.

Letter to the Times: Planning Commission should deny 3rd and Michigan upzoning request
“Please encourage the development interests — public and private — to engage the neighborhood so that the results reflect sensible density that adds value for all concerned,” Phil and Peggi Englehart write in this open letter to the Planning Commission.

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.