Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Navigating family losses, Lawrence girl will represent city in national pageant competition
When Tay’Jah Franklin, 13, walks the stage at pageants, she never feels like she’s walking alone. She knows her family is beside her. She’ll soon compete as Miss Lawrence in the National American Miss Pageant.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Navigating family losses, Lawrence girl will represent city in national pageant competition
When Tay’Jah Franklin, 13, walks the stage at pageants, she never feels like she’s walking alone. She knows her family is beside her. She’ll soon compete as Miss Lawrence in the National American Miss Pageant.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Navigating family losses, Lawrence girl will represent city in national pageant competition
When Tay’Jah Franklin, 13, walks the stage at pageants, she never feels like she’s walking alone. She knows her family is beside her. She’ll soon compete as Miss Lawrence in the National American Miss Pageant.
Nell Schmidt/Courtesy photo
‘The Exultant Stag’ musical aims to encourage mental health support; it premieres this weekend
Taking audience members through a journey of magical dreams, a new musical strives to destigmatize seeking mental health support. “The Exultant Stag” is set to open this weekend at the Lawrence Arts Center.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Navigating family losses, Lawrence girl will represent city in national pageant competition
When Tay’Jah Franklin, 13, walks the stage at pageants, she never feels like she’s walking alone. She knows her family is beside her. She’ll soon compete as Miss Lawrence in the National American Miss Pageant.
Nell Schmidt/Courtesy photo
‘The Exultant Stag’ musical aims to encourage mental health support; it premieres this weekend
Taking audience members through a journey of magical dreams, a new musical strives to destigmatize seeking mental health support. “The Exultant Stag” is set to open this weekend at the Lawrence Arts Center.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
KU residence hall briefly evacuated for refrigeration leak; no risk to students, first responders say
Ellsworth Hall was evacuated Friday afternoon as first responders cleared a hazardous materials call in an attached storage building.
Lawrence Transit launches overnight rides on demand
If you need a ride overnight, Lawrence Transit has launched a new, fare-free option to get a lift anywhere within city limits.
Bert Nash/Contributed photo
Treatment and Recovery Center of Douglas County announces new director
Bri Harmon-Moore’s one-year anniversary with the Treatment and Recovery Center of Douglas County has come with new duties. The center on Friday announced her as its incoming director.
LAWRENCE NEWS
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Christine Smith, Sunrise Project honored with Peace and Justice Awards
Bringing people together for the common good was an overarching theme Thursday evening as the latest winners of annual peace and justice honors accepted their awards.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
‘Crowns’ musical gives hats off to a Black culture staple
“Crowns” is premiering at Theatre Lawrence soon after the city became the first in Kansas to pass a CROWN Act ordinance. Though unplanned, the timing was divine, Director Annette Billings says.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Haskell Welcome Back Pow Wow coming up this weekend
Haskell Indian Nations University’s annual Welcome Back Pow Wow is set to return Saturday.
Kansas Board of Regents sculpt $300 million plan for boosting state aid to public higher education
The Kansas Board of Regents deleted a quarter-billion dollars Thursday from the extraordinary budget increase sought by public state universities.
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STATE NEWS
Kansas special committee leans harder toward raising legislators’ annual base salary to $45,000
A bipartisan committee built momentum for the idea of raising the annual base salary of legislators to $45,000 and delivering substantial compensation premiums for eight lawmakers in leadership positions.
Top Kansas Republicans push flat tax proposal, pan Medicaid expansion
After declaring themselves a united family, “like brothers and sisters,” the top Republicans in the Legislature announced they will work together to resurrect and pass a massive flat tax plan in the first weeks of the upcoming legislative session.
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COMMUNITY VOICES (OPINION)
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
Clay Wirestone: I knew Kansas officials would overstep after Marion raid. I didn’t expect it to be in Lawrence. (Column)
”The fiasco in Marion generated national attention. This dustup in Douglas County will likely fly under the radar, given that it was conducted in the far more restrained forum of legal filings. But we should all be on notice,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Letter to the Times: Added barriers to self-determination
”I was just so surprised that the distinguished professor lecture on barriers and self-determination will not be available by Zoom or webinar or as audio,” Juanita Carlson writes in this letter to the Times.
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LAWRENCE LIFE
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Jamie Ulmer brings his act to a larger stage at Theatre Lawrence
Jamie Ulmer, the new executive director of Theatre Lawrence, has a tough act to follow. Here he discusses his experience coming from small-town Beatrice, Nebraska, the new season, and his plans for the community theater.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Four generations of Indigenous scholars discuss ‘God is Red’
Haskell students, faculty and guests spoke throughout the week about what Vine Deloria Jr.’s influential book, “God is Red,” has meant to them. Many of the speakers touched on the collision between Western and Indigenous worldviews, experiential learning, and spirituality.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Monarch Watch holds open house; tagging event coming up
Community members were invited to learn about and experience monarch butterflies, caterpillars and more Saturday during Monarch Watch’s Fall Open House.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
Jury deadlocked in case of Lawrence man charged with rape of KU freshman
A Douglas County jury on Wednesday could not reach a verdict in the case of a Lawrence man who was charged with raping a University of Kansas freshman during her first week on campus in 2018.
Save the dates: Lawrence City Commission, school board candidate forums coming up
Lawrence voters will have more chances to get to know the candidates vying for the elected positions that most directly affect day-to-day life.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
Defense attorney questions Douglas County Sheriff’s Office’s handling of privileged calls
A defense attorney on Monday further questioned a lieutenant with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office about violating attorney-client privilege by recording calls between jail inmates and their attorneys, insinuating negligence.
Meet the 2023 Lawrence City Commission candidates
Meet the candidates who are running to fill three Lawrence City Commission seats that are up for election.
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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.
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Tara Wallace: Fixing Kansas’ child welfare system requires the voices of families ‘closest to the pain’ (Column)
”When those living in poverty are dehumanized, no voice can be heard. There is no opportunity to create understanding and no possibility of change,” Tara Wallace writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Letter to the Times: Turning neighborhoods into marketplaces without children
”There is a long-term financial advantage for cities to stabilize their modest housing stock and the infrastructure which already exists by utilizing district overlays that provide a level playing field for working families to buy into the market and become long-term residents,” Deborah Snyder writes in this letter to the Times.
Candice Davis
Letter to the Times: City of Lawrence should take caution when considering zoning changes
“Careful planning decisions must be made to allow for a proper balance of living opportunities that promote healthy, safe and affordable neighborhoods,” Candice Davis writes in this letter to the Times.
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