
Reenactors bring scenes of Wakarusa War to South Park
Reenactors on Saturday recreated the defense of Lawrence at South Park, on the ground where much of the Wakarusa War occurred 168 years ago.

House, Senate panel embraces potential reform of Kansas’ civil asset seizure law
Members of a Kansas Legislature committee agreed to recommend reform of the system relied upon by law enforcement agencies to seize millions of dollars annually in cash and property from people suspected, but not convicted, of crimes.

Lawrence school board to vote on plan to make Liberty Memorial Central a STEAM school
The Lawrence school board on Monday will decide whether Liberty Memorial Central Middle School will become a STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math — school next year.

Leaders of Van Go to step down at the end of the year
Eliza Darmon and Kristen Malloy, co-executive directors of Van Go, are leaving their positions at the end of the year.

Students at 2 Lawrence schools are finalists in the Battle of the Brains
Groups of students at Hillcrest Elementary and at Free State High School each have a chance to see their vision for a new exhibit at Science City brought to life as finalists in the ”Battle of the Brains” contest.

Lawrence school board to vote on plan to make Liberty Memorial Central a STEAM school
The Lawrence school board on Monday will decide whether Liberty Memorial Central Middle School will become a STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math — school next year.

Leaders of Van Go to step down at the end of the year
Eliza Darmon and Kristen Malloy, co-executive directors of Van Go, are leaving their positions at the end of the year.

Students at 2 Lawrence schools are finalists in the Battle of the Brains
Groups of students at Hillcrest Elementary and at Free State High School each have a chance to see their vision for a new exhibit at Science City brought to life as finalists in the ”Battle of the Brains” contest.

Lawrence school board to vote on plan to make Liberty Memorial Central a STEAM school
The Lawrence school board on Monday will decide whether Liberty Memorial Central Middle School will become a STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math — school next year.

Leaders of Van Go to step down at the end of the year
Eliza Darmon and Kristen Malloy, co-executive directors of Van Go, are leaving their positions at the end of the year.

Students at 2 Lawrence schools are finalists in the Battle of the Brains
Groups of students at Hillcrest Elementary and at Free State High School each have a chance to see their vision for a new exhibit at Science City brought to life as finalists in the ”Battle of the Brains” contest.
LAWRENCE NEWS

KU names new dean of School of Engineering
KU has named Mary Rezac as the next dean of the School of Engineering, effective March 1.

Youth business market aims to empower Lawrence entrepreneurs ages 5 to 17
Alia León has had a knack for entrepreneurship since she was around 8 years old. Now 14, she’s encouraging other young folks to participate in the Lawrence Youth Makers Market and inviting the community to come shop.

Lawrence Community Shelter could face $2M budget shortfall; funding agreement with city in the works
The Lawrence Community Shelter will likely be almost $2.1 million over budget in 2024 if it is fully staffed and it provides staffing for the city’s Pallet shelter village.

Lawrence community members discuss goals, action plans to help people living outside
More than two dozen people gathered Wednesday to share their thoughts, concerns and plans for action to help Lawrence community members experiencing homelessness.
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STATE NEWS

Thousands more people are now traveling to Kansas for abortions, research finds
In the first half of 2023, nearly two-thirds of people getting abortions in Kansas traveled from out-of-state, according to new data from the Guttmacher Institute.

Kansas disciplinary panel dismisses complaint against judge who authorized newspaper raid
The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct has dismissed a complaint against magistrate Laura Viar for signing a search warrant that allowed police to raid the Marion County Record.
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COMMUNITY VOICES (OPINION)

Letter to the Times: Utility-scale solar energy is an urgent need
”We encourage the planning commission to recommend the utility-scale solar Kansas Sky Energy Project to the Douglas County Commission,” writes Carol Williamson, president of the League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County.

Somos Lawrence: Gratitude for support of Día de Muertos (Column)
Following a large Día de Muertos celebration, Somos Lawrence, Lawrence Percolator and Moms Demand Action would like to thank the people and partners who helped with the event.
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LAWRENCE LIFE

Students, families of Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence receive 200 laptops
Students and families involved in the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence on Wednesday received 200 donated laptops intended to boost access to the internet and the many tools and opportunities it provides.

The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for Dec. 5, 2023 (Sponsored post)
”This week’s bestsellers, without exception, fall into three categories: local nonfiction, Indigenous studies books, or the ‘Iron Flame’ series by Rebecca Yarros. Our readers like what they like!” the Raven Book Store writes.

Lawrence collective embraces new name ahead of LOLA Giant art market
Members of LOLA — now Lovers of Lawrence Art — have changed the collective’s name to embrace more of the community ahead of their annual LOLA Giant art market.

Students, families of Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence receive 200 laptops
Students and families involved in the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence on Wednesday received 200 donated laptops intended to boost access to the internet and the many tools and opportunities it provides.

The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for Dec. 5, 2023 (Sponsored post)
”This week’s bestsellers, without exception, fall into three categories: local nonfiction, Indigenous studies books, or the ‘Iron Flame’ series by Rebecca Yarros. Our readers like what they like!” the Raven Book Store writes.

Lawrence collective embraces new name ahead of LOLA Giant art market
Members of LOLA — now Lovers of Lawrence Art — have changed the collective’s name to embrace more of the community ahead of their annual LOLA Giant art market.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …

Haskell receives grant to empower local Native American entrepreneurs, business students
With help from a federal grant, Haskell Indian Nations University is establishing a center on campus dedicated to progressing local Native American-owned businesses.

Indigenous students showcase resiliency, creativity in Haskell art show
Art from more than 100 Indigenous students was showcased Friday during the first in-person art show Haskell Indian Nations University has held since 2019.

Labor board finds merit in union-busting charges against Lawrence Chipotle; settlement reached
Chipotle must reaffirm labor rights and walk back punishments after a Lawrence employee alleged that management had engaged in union busting.

KU professor leads students in prescribed burn at Lecompton prairie
About three dozen students and community members gathered Wednesday morning for a cultural burn on a patch of remnant tallgrass prairie near the Winter School.

Haskell receives grant to empower local Native American entrepreneurs, business students
With help from a federal grant, Haskell Indian Nations University is establishing a center on campus dedicated to progressing local Native American-owned businesses.

Indigenous students showcase resiliency, creativity in Haskell art show
Art from more than 100 Indigenous students was showcased Friday during the first in-person art show Haskell Indian Nations University has held since 2019.

Labor board finds merit in union-busting charges against Lawrence Chipotle; settlement reached
Chipotle must reaffirm labor rights and walk back punishments after a Lawrence employee alleged that management had engaged in union busting.

KU professor leads students in prescribed burn at Lecompton prairie
About three dozen students and community members gathered Wednesday morning for a cultural burn on a patch of remnant tallgrass prairie near the Winter School.
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.

Lawrence Professional Firefighters: Incumbent city commissioners are good for emergency services (Column)
”It is understandable that everybody has different priorities, but we can assume that public safety is high on almost everybody’s list. This is why your Lawrence Professional Firefighters have confidence in the three incumbent candidates,” the IAFF Local 1596 executive board writes in this column.

Letter to the Times: Lawrence needs a long-term psychiatric unit
”I’m sure homeless services for the general public who fall on hard times are needed. Those services will not meet the needs of the severely mentally ill, nor will they serve the desires of the community at large,” Bill Simons writes in this letter to the Times.

Kansas Audio-Reader: Master gardener retires at 90 (Announcement)
Frank Male Sr.’s dedication, expertise and commitment has grown the beautiful green space of the Sensory Garden into the much-loved destination that it is today, Martha Kehr of Audio-Reader writes.
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.

Lawrence Professional Firefighters: Incumbent city commissioners are good for emergency services (Column)
”It is understandable that everybody has different priorities, but we can assume that public safety is high on almost everybody’s list. This is why your Lawrence Professional Firefighters have confidence in the three incumbent candidates,” the IAFF Local 1596 executive board writes in this column.

Letter to the Times: Lawrence needs a long-term psychiatric unit
”I’m sure homeless services for the general public who fall on hard times are needed. Those services will not meet the needs of the severely mentally ill, nor will they serve the desires of the community at large,” Bill Simons writes in this letter to the Times.

Kansas Audio-Reader: Master gardener retires at 90 (Announcement)
Frank Male Sr.’s dedication, expertise and commitment has grown the beautiful green space of the Sensory Garden into the much-loved destination that it is today, Martha Kehr of Audio-Reader writes.