
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop in downtown Lawrence has closed for now
After more than 13 years in business, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop in downtown Lawrence has closed — at least for now.

Douglas County sees roughly 3 inches of snow; storm will diminish but cold will persist
Douglas County recorded anywhere from around 2 to 3.5 inches of snow through Wednesday morning and could see another inch throughout the day, according to a National Weather Service meteorologist.

Lawrence’s unofficial point-in-time count numbers show more folks seeking shelter
Unofficial numbers released Thursday showed that more people experiencing homelessness in Douglas County were seeking shelter on the day of an annual count than last year, and fewer were unsheltered.

A shortage of public defense attorneys in Kansas could result in courts throwing out criminal cases
Kansas is facing a crisis when it comes to defending accused criminals who cannot afford their own attorneys. A shrinking number of rural attorneys is making it harder. If the problem is not addressed there is a risk that courts will throw out criminal cases.

Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Feb. 11, 2025
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.

Lawrence’s unofficial point-in-time count numbers show more folks seeking shelter
Unofficial numbers released Thursday showed that more people experiencing homelessness in Douglas County were seeking shelter on the day of an annual count than last year, and fewer were unsheltered.

A shortage of public defense attorneys in Kansas could result in courts throwing out criminal cases
Kansas is facing a crisis when it comes to defending accused criminals who cannot afford their own attorneys. A shrinking number of rural attorneys is making it harder. If the problem is not addressed there is a risk that courts will throw out criminal cases.

Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Feb. 11, 2025
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.

Lawrence’s unofficial point-in-time count numbers show more folks seeking shelter
Unofficial numbers released Thursday showed that more people experiencing homelessness in Douglas County were seeking shelter on the day of an annual count than last year, and fewer were unsheltered.

A shortage of public defense attorneys in Kansas could result in courts throwing out criminal cases
Kansas is facing a crisis when it comes to defending accused criminals who cannot afford their own attorneys. A shrinking number of rural attorneys is making it harder. If the problem is not addressed there is a risk that courts will throw out criminal cases.

Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Feb. 11, 2025
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
LAWRENCE NEWS

Lawrence city commissioners defer decision on sales tax breaks, move forward on analysis for Q39
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday held off on approving a sales tax exemption for Q39 barbecue to redevelop a prominent old downtown building, but voted in favor of seeking further analysis of potential tax breaks.

Lawrence police say there are ‘more than 2 potential victims’ in elementary school sexual assault case
Lawrence police say they now believe there are more potential victims beyond the two known children who were allegedly sexually assaulted by an employee at Prairie Park Elementary School.

KU campuses, Lawrence schools to close, plus more snow-related closures for Wednesday, Feb. 12
KU’s campuses will be closed because of snow on Wednesday. Find more closures here as we receive them.

Lawrence Parks and Rec board advances master plan with focus on small upgrades, not big projects
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members voted Monday to recommend approval of a new parks, recreation and culture comprehensive plan that contains goals for new improvements and partnerships but avoids committing to major projects.
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STATE NEWS

Kansas university leaders condemn bill abolishing property rights of faculty tenure
Academic leaders of KU and K-State said legislation retroactively abolishing property rights inherent in tenure would run off distinguished educators, undercut faculty recruiting, destroy research programs, trigger an exodus of students and deliver a devastating blow to the state’s economy.

Kansas governor vetoes gender-affirming care ban for minors; Republicans ready for override
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed Republican-led legislation Tuesday that attempts to ban gender-affirming care for minors, a move a top GOP lawmaker called “reckless and senseless.”
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COMMUNITY VOICES (OPINION)

Letter to the Times: Financial handcuffs of housing costs
”A sort of financial handcuff gets placed on the low-income, the disabled, the retired, on Social Security,” Brian King writes in this letter to the Times.

Letter to the Times: Inhumane minimum wage
”We need our city commission to pass a $15 minimum wage for all of Lawrence,” Steve Jacob writes in this letter to the Times.
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LAWRENCE LIFE

The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for Feb. 12, 2025 (Sponsored post)
”Lawrencians are reading ‘On Tyranny’ to gain a better understanding of unchecked political actions, and many are still finding escape into strong science fiction, fantasy, and romantic worlds,” the Raven Book Store writes of this week’s bestsellers.

LINK, a Lawrence meal mainstay, to celebrate 40 years of sharing community, food for all
There’s a place in Lawrence where anyone can get a home-cooked meal, no questions asked. And that’s the way it’s been since LINK launched 40 years ago this month.

Lawrence brothers win entrepreneurship challenge for their AI tutoring business
Two brothers won first place in this year’s Douglas County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge for their business, “Don’t Panic AI Tutors.”

The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for Feb. 12, 2025 (Sponsored post)
”Lawrencians are reading ‘On Tyranny’ to gain a better understanding of unchecked political actions, and many are still finding escape into strong science fiction, fantasy, and romantic worlds,” the Raven Book Store writes of this week’s bestsellers.

LINK, a Lawrence meal mainstay, to celebrate 40 years of sharing community, food for all
There’s a place in Lawrence where anyone can get a home-cooked meal, no questions asked. And that’s the way it’s been since LINK launched 40 years ago this month.

Lawrence brothers win entrepreneurship challenge for their AI tutoring business
Two brothers won first place in this year’s Douglas County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge for their business, “Don’t Panic AI Tutors.”
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …

Lawrence Arts Center laying off staff, making cuts amid budget crisis
The Lawrence Arts Center has begun to lay off employees as the board has asked staff to cut about $500,000 worth of expenses.

City drops discrimination lawsuit against west Lawrence apartment complex
The city has dismissed a lawsuit against a Lawrence apartment complex accused of refusing to rent to a woman who receives housing vouchers, though ultimately the woman was not able to move in.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will not seek people for ICE, will follow law
The Douglas County sheriff says his deputies are “not here to do the bidding of the federal government” and aren’t looking to track people down for ICE, but they will adhere to the law.

Lawrence immigration advocate says know your rights
Trump has promised to deport undocumented immigrants and others en masse. Knowledge is power amid fear and uncertainty, a Lawrence immigration advocate says.

Lawrence Arts Center laying off staff, making cuts amid budget crisis
The Lawrence Arts Center has begun to lay off employees as the board has asked staff to cut about $500,000 worth of expenses.

City drops discrimination lawsuit against west Lawrence apartment complex
The city has dismissed a lawsuit against a Lawrence apartment complex accused of refusing to rent to a woman who receives housing vouchers, though ultimately the woman was not able to move in.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will not seek people for ICE, will follow law
The Douglas County sheriff says his deputies are “not here to do the bidding of the federal government” and aren’t looking to track people down for ICE, but they will adhere to the law.

Lawrence immigration advocate says know your rights
Trump has promised to deport undocumented immigrants and others en masse. Knowledge is power amid fear and uncertainty, a Lawrence immigration advocate says.
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.

Clay Wirestone: In its wisdom, Kansas Legislature puts mugging transgender children ahead of all other priorities (Column)
”(Kansas legislators) are making antihuman choices that will destroy lives and rip apart families for cheap political gain. The fact that we all knew this was coming does not make it any easier to bear,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.

Letter to the Times: Mixed messages about the jail
”To some of us who have been in this battle for nearly 10 years, (the sheriff comes across as) trying to protect the jail from overcrowding rather than protecting people from being incarcerated there capriciously and needlessly,” Ralph Planthold writes in this letter to the Times.

Letter to the Times: To those disillusioned and troubled by the church
”If you are deeply troubled by the increased prominence of Christian Nationalism in American culture, by the degradation of our civic discourse, and by the neverending vitriol of the ‘culture wars,’ I want to encourage you: you are not alone,” Deacon Godsey 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.

Clay Wirestone: In its wisdom, Kansas Legislature puts mugging transgender children ahead of all other priorities (Column)
”(Kansas legislators) are making antihuman choices that will destroy lives and rip apart families for cheap political gain. The fact that we all knew this was coming does not make it any easier to bear,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.

Letter to the Times: Mixed messages about the jail
”To some of us who have been in this battle for nearly 10 years, (the sheriff comes across as) trying to protect the jail from overcrowding rather than protecting people from being incarcerated there capriciously and needlessly,” Ralph Planthold writes in this letter to the Times.

Letter to the Times: To those disillusioned and troubled by the church
”If you are deeply troubled by the increased prominence of Christian Nationalism in American culture, by the degradation of our civic discourse, and by the neverending vitriol of the ‘culture wars,’ I want to encourage you: you are not alone,” Deacon Godsey writes in this letter to the Times.