Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district celebrates opening of Family Engagement Center with ribbon cutting
Lawrence Public Schools celebrated the opening of a new Family Engagement Center that aims to provide a space to connect with families and provide them with resources.
What is the Kansas accent? Depends on whether you ask Kansans or non-Kansans, research finds
Linguists at KU revealed that the way Kansas speak is much more diverse than some people think, and perceptions of a Kansas accent differ, depending on whether listeners are Kansans or non-Kansans.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district celebrates opening of Family Engagement Center with ribbon cutting
Lawrence Public Schools celebrated the opening of a new Family Engagement Center that aims to provide a space to connect with families and provide them with resources.
What is the Kansas accent? Depends on whether you ask Kansans or non-Kansans, research finds
Linguists at KU revealed that the way Kansas speak is much more diverse than some people think, and perceptions of a Kansas accent differ, depending on whether listeners are Kansans or non-Kansans.
Lawrence school board approves contract for enrollment study
Lawrence school board members on Monday approved a new contract with RSP & Associates for enrollment projections for each district building over the next five to 10 years.
Section of Bob Billings Parkway to be reduced to one lane; Tennessee Street milling work to begin
A section of Bob Billings Parkway will be reduced to one lane each way, and Tennessee Street is set for milling and asphalt soon as work continues on road projects around Lawrence.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Día de los Muertos celebration to honor nourishers; workshops coming up
This year’s Día de los Muertos celebration in Lawrence will serve as a tribute to nourishers. Arts and crafts workshops are planned throughout this week ahead of Sunday’s event.
Lawrence school board approves contract for enrollment study
Lawrence school board members on Monday approved a new contract with RSP & Associates for enrollment projections for each district building over the next five to 10 years.
Section of Bob Billings Parkway to be reduced to one lane; Tennessee Street milling work to begin
A section of Bob Billings Parkway will be reduced to one lane each way, and Tennessee Street is set for milling and asphalt soon as work continues on road projects around Lawrence.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Día de los Muertos celebration to honor nourishers; workshops coming up
This year’s Día de los Muertos celebration in Lawrence will serve as a tribute to nourishers. Arts and crafts workshops are planned throughout this week ahead of Sunday’s event.
Lawrence school board approves contract for enrollment study
Lawrence school board members on Monday approved a new contract with RSP & Associates for enrollment projections for each district building over the next five to 10 years.
Section of Bob Billings Parkway to be reduced to one lane; Tennessee Street milling work to begin
A section of Bob Billings Parkway will be reduced to one lane each way, and Tennessee Street is set for milling and asphalt soon as work continues on road projects around Lawrence.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Día de los Muertos celebration to honor nourishers; workshops coming up
This year’s Día de los Muertos celebration in Lawrence will serve as a tribute to nourishers. Arts and crafts workshops are planned throughout this week ahead of Sunday’s event.
LAWRENCE NEWS
Kaw Valley Almanac for Oct. 26 – Nov. 1, 2026
Wild prairie rose rosehips are easy to spot. They can be collected and mixed with hibiscus flowers to make a tea that’s high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Rosehips soften and sweeten after a frost.
Wulfe Wulfemeyer/Lawrence Times
Debut novel from Lawrence author puts a Black woman in the romantasy spotlight
Lawrence readers hungry for a love-conquers-all fantasy story with a Black woman lead need look no further than local independent author Jordan Lanio-Burns.
Lawrence school board to hear special education report, consider contract for enrollment analysis
Lawrence school board members on Monday will hear a report on the district’s special education services, and they’ll consider contracting with a familiar firm for an enrollment analysis.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Pet World to close its 23rd and Louisiana location; new warehouse to remain open
Pet World’s owners are planning to close the store at 23rd and Louisiana streets in Lawrence on Thanksgiving Day, and it will not reopen, they’ve announced.
MORE …
STATE NEWS
Former Kansas employee sues Republican legislators who wanted her fired over Charlie Kirk post
A former state employee sued Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson and two other Republican legislators for demanding she be fired over a comment she posted to Facebook when Charlie Kirk was killed in September 2025.
Roger Marshall, Adam Hamilton clash at last debate in U.S. Senate race
In their final debate, Democrat Adam Hamilton sold a centrist message while Republican Sen. Roger Marshall urged Trump voters to show up to the polls to continue the president’s agenda.
MORE …
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
Brandon Colbert / Contributed photo
MacArthur Fellow says climate research project is infused with Haskell’s purpose
As Haskell researchers and collaborators wrap up a $20 million federal grant, a Lawrence instructor and Colorado MacArthur Fellow reflect on how they’re working with Indigenous knowledge-holders to address climate change.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Election security, or stripping citizens’ voting rights? FAQs about the amendment on Kansans’ ballots
Kansas’ Constitution already says voters must be citizens. A proposed amendment would add a small yet loaded distinction that opponents say could disenfranchise many eligible voters.
MORE …
LAWRENCE LIFE
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Chewy lives up to his name with bone toys, not furniture
Pet of the Week Chewy is a smart cookie who won’t say no to gnawing on a Nylabone but won’t replicate the effects on home furnishings if home alone and unkenneled.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Coffee shop at Pinckney holds ribbon cutting; teacher surprised with $1,000
The first round of coffee and pastries was served and a teacher received $1,000 as Lawrence community members celebrated the opening of Empowering Brew, a student-centered coffee shop at Community Connections at Pinckney.
Wulfe Wulfemeyer/Lawrence Times
Midco Prairie is opening in downtown Lawrence; here’s how to be a good steward
The Midco Prairie in downtown Lawrence bloomed with people during a celebration before the space opens to the public Thursday. Stewards have tips for early visitors on this tender ground.
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Chewy lives up to his name with bone toys, not furniture
Pet of the Week Chewy is a smart cookie who won’t say no to gnawing on a Nylabone but won’t replicate the effects on home furnishings if home alone and unkenneled.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Coffee shop at Pinckney holds ribbon cutting; teacher surprised with $1,000
The first round of coffee and pastries was served and a teacher received $1,000 as Lawrence community members celebrated the opening of Empowering Brew, a student-centered coffee shop at Community Connections at Pinckney.
Wulfe Wulfemeyer/Lawrence Times
Midco Prairie is opening in downtown Lawrence; here’s how to be a good steward
The Midco Prairie in downtown Lawrence bloomed with people during a celebration before the space opens to the public Thursday. Stewards have tips for early visitors on this tender ground.
MORE …
MORE ICYMI …
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district’s AI committee disbanded with no specific policy recommendations
The Lawrence school board ended its AI committee after the group met only four times and had no chance to recommend specific policy, all more than two years after the board agreed to create the committee.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence voters: Here’s the info you need to cast your ballot in the Nov. 3, 2026 election
Here’s info to help Lawrence-area voters make informed decisions in the local, state and federal races on ballots in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Early voting is open in Douglas County; Lawrence rally to encourage folks to cast their ballots
Here’s info on early voting, which is underway Wednesday in Douglas County. Some Lawrence community members are also planning a rally to encourage folks to cast their ballots sooner rather than later.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City asking Lawrence voters to increase and extend transit sales tax; here’s what to know
Lawrence’s transit director says if residents don’t approve a sales tax increase, the number of city bus routes will shrink, among other changes. Here’s what the increase would cost and more to know about the question on your Nov. 3 ballot.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district’s AI committee disbanded with no specific policy recommendations
The Lawrence school board ended its AI committee after the group met only four times and had no chance to recommend specific policy, all more than two years after the board agreed to create the committee.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence voters: Here’s the info you need to cast your ballot in the Nov. 3, 2026 election
Here’s info to help Lawrence-area voters make informed decisions in the local, state and federal races on ballots in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Early voting is open in Douglas County; Lawrence rally to encourage folks to cast their ballots
Here’s info on early voting, which is underway Wednesday in Douglas County. Some Lawrence community members are also planning a rally to encourage folks to cast their ballots sooner rather than later.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City asking Lawrence voters to increase and extend transit sales tax; here’s what to know
Lawrence’s transit director says if residents don’t approve a sales tax increase, the number of city bus routes will shrink, among other changes. Here’s what the increase would cost and more to know about the question on your Nov. 3 ballot.
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.
Tom Harper/Contributed Photo
Tom Harper: It’s showtime – ‘Beetlejuice’ screening coming up at Lawrence’s Oak Hill Cemetery (Column)
It’s showtime: The Lawrence Film Club is inviting the community to a free, outdoor screening of “Beetlejuice” in Oak Hill Cemetery, Tom Harper writes in this column.
Dot Nary: Government jeopardizes rights of Lawrence residents with disabilities (Column)
Currently, people who are supported to live in the Lawrence community and their caregivers fear institutionalization resulting from the federal government’s potential withdrawal of support for home-based services, Dot Nary writes in this column.
Amii Castle: Amendment on Kansas ballot this fall would provide pretext for voter suppression laws (Column)
“On Nov. 3, Kansans will vote on whether to amend our state constitution, again. This time, we’ll be voting on whether to make it harder for many American citizens who live in Kansas to vote in future elections,” Amii Castle writes in this Kansas Reflector 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.
Tom Harper/Contributed Photo
Tom Harper: It’s showtime – ‘Beetlejuice’ screening coming up at Lawrence’s Oak Hill Cemetery (Column)
It’s showtime: The Lawrence Film Club is inviting the community to a free, outdoor screening of “Beetlejuice” in Oak Hill Cemetery, Tom Harper writes in this column.
Dot Nary: Government jeopardizes rights of Lawrence residents with disabilities (Column)
Currently, people who are supported to live in the Lawrence community and their caregivers fear institutionalization resulting from the federal government’s potential withdrawal of support for home-based services, Dot Nary writes in this column.
Amii Castle: Amendment on Kansas ballot this fall would provide pretext for voter suppression laws (Column)
“On Nov. 3, Kansans will vote on whether to amend our state constitution, again. This time, we’ll be voting on whether to make it harder for many American citizens who live in Kansas to vote in future elections,” Amii Castle writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
MORE …
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