Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
KU faculty union still without contract nearly two years in; city commissioner urges progress
Contract negotiations between KU’s administration and faculty union remain stalled after more than 600 days of bargaining, and a Lawrence city commissioner has joined those urging KU to end the delays.
Kansas GOP House members renew attacks on DEI, CRT at public universities
Kansas House Republicans stirred an academic hornet’s nest Tuesday with a bill imposing a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion as well as critical race theory in most classes counted toward degree requirements at the state’s public universities.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
KU faculty union still without contract nearly two years in; city commissioner urges progress
Contract negotiations between KU’s administration and faculty union remain stalled after more than 600 days of bargaining, and a Lawrence city commissioner has joined those urging KU to end the delays.
Kansas GOP House members renew attacks on DEI, CRT at public universities
Kansas House Republicans stirred an academic hornet’s nest Tuesday with a bill imposing a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion as well as critical race theory in most classes counted toward degree requirements at the state’s public universities.
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Feb. 3, 2026
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
City Commission pledges tax breaks for west Lawrence affordable housing project
A majority of Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday pledged their support for tax breaks to offset development costs of an affordable housing project planned for the far western edge of town.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Fundraisers for the Lawrence Arts Center offer a smorgasbord of culinary-themed creations
As football fans gear up for the 60th Super Bowl, Lawrencians are readying their utensils for an annual soup and ceramics jubilee. The Lawrence Arts Center’s Souper Bowl is set for Saturday.
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Feb. 3, 2026
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
City Commission pledges tax breaks for west Lawrence affordable housing project
A majority of Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday pledged their support for tax breaks to offset development costs of an affordable housing project planned for the far western edge of town.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Fundraisers for the Lawrence Arts Center offer a smorgasbord of culinary-themed creations
As football fans gear up for the 60th Super Bowl, Lawrencians are readying their utensils for an annual soup and ceramics jubilee. The Lawrence Arts Center’s Souper Bowl is set for Saturday.
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Feb. 3, 2026
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
City Commission pledges tax breaks for west Lawrence affordable housing project
A majority of Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday pledged their support for tax breaks to offset development costs of an affordable housing project planned for the far western edge of town.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Fundraisers for the Lawrence Arts Center offer a smorgasbord of culinary-themed creations
As football fans gear up for the 60th Super Bowl, Lawrencians are readying their utensils for an annual soup and ceramics jubilee. The Lawrence Arts Center’s Souper Bowl is set for Saturday.
LAWRENCE NEWS
Tom Harper/Contributed photo
Former KU professor to give talk on biography of George ‘Nash’ Walker
A former KU professor will give a talk on his new book, a biography on the trailblazing Black performer George “Nash” Walker who spent formative years in Lawrence.
De Soto Panasonic battery plant nearing 50% production, second wing underway
Panasonic’s Kansas battery plant will ramp up to 50% of its production capacity in the next few months, a company executive said Monday.
Contributed image
Lawrence High School student artists shine in regional competition, advance to nationals
Lawrence High School students are celebrating success in a prestigious regional art competition, and many of their works will advance to the national level.
Tom Harper/Contributed photo
Student-curated collections on Indigenous literature, human connection with ecology to launch at KU
A dual exhibition will celebrate two new student-curated collections at KU Libraries focused on contemporary Indigenous literature and human connection to the flora and fauna of China and Japan.
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STATE NEWS
CoreCivic receives Leavenworth planning commission approval in contentious meeting
CoreCivic is a step closer to reopening its private prison in Leavenworth as a lucrative immigration detention center after the city planning commission approved a special use permit over objections from local advocates.
Kansas bill eliminates mail-in ballots if court strikes down signature verification law
A Senate bill would end advance voting by mail if a court strikes down state law requiring election officials to verify a voter’s signature. The prospect of such a ruling is playing out in Shawnee County.
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COMMUNITY VOICES (OPINION)
Tom Harper/Lawrence Times
Tom Harper: Lawrence volunteers craft a story we need right now (Column)
Kim Brook brings the supplies and encouragement for Lawrence volunteers to come together and create hundreds of handmade valentines for Meals on Wheels recipients, Tom Harper writes in this column.
Letter to the Times: Lifting short-term rental cap could harm Lawrence residents
“The need for long-term rentals won’t decrease because the World Cup is coming and the need for short-term rentals is increasing,” Chris Flowers writes in this letter to the Times.
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LAWRENCE LIFE
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Young artists of Van Go, community celebrate new mural at downtown Lawrence bridal shop
Community members gathered Friday afternoon to celebrate the completion of the latest mural by the young artists of Van Go. The mural now decorates a wall of J.Lynn Bridal & Suiting in downtown Lawrence.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence forum expands on ways to improve accessibility in arts
Folks involved in Lawrence’s arts scene during a forum Wednesday came up with ways beyond audio description that they can incorporate accessibility into the arts for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
‘War is hell’: 102-year-old Lawrence WWII veteran speaks so history isn’t forgotten
Nate Ericson, a Lawrence resident who turned 102 this month, says he thinks people need a reminder of what he learned eight decades ago in the Battle of the Bulge: “War is hell.”
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Young artists of Van Go, community celebrate new mural at downtown Lawrence bridal shop
Community members gathered Friday afternoon to celebrate the completion of the latest mural by the young artists of Van Go. The mural now decorates a wall of J.Lynn Bridal & Suiting in downtown Lawrence.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence forum expands on ways to improve accessibility in arts
Folks involved in Lawrence’s arts scene during a forum Wednesday came up with ways beyond audio description that they can incorporate accessibility into the arts for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
‘War is hell’: 102-year-old Lawrence WWII veteran speaks so history isn’t forgotten
Nate Ericson, a Lawrence resident who turned 102 this month, says he thinks people need a reminder of what he learned eight decades ago in the Battle of the Bulge: “War is hell.”
MORE …
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Fatal shooting at Hawk stemmed from argument with bar staff, Lawrence police allege
A confrontation at the Hawk, a popular bar near KU’s campus, escalated from a dispute with bar staff members to gunfire that killed an 18-year-old and left a 16-year-old critically injured, court records show.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence, Free State high school students hold walkouts to protest ICE
Students walked out of Lawrence and Free State high schools Tuesday to protest ICE. They were joined by middle schoolers, teachers, college students and community members of all ages.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Haskell has a new temporary president as search to fill the position continues
Alex Red Corn will serve as the next temporary president of Haskell as the search to fill the position continues, according to an announcement Monday.
City of Lawrence staff to propose new climate neutrality resolution
City of Lawrence staff will recommend commissioners repeal a 2020 renewable energy ordinance and instate a resolution aimed at attaining climate neutrality by 2050.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Fatal shooting at Hawk stemmed from argument with bar staff, Lawrence police allege
A confrontation at the Hawk, a popular bar near KU’s campus, escalated from a dispute with bar staff members to gunfire that killed an 18-year-old and left a 16-year-old critically injured, court records show.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence, Free State high school students hold walkouts to protest ICE
Students walked out of Lawrence and Free State high schools Tuesday to protest ICE. They were joined by middle schoolers, teachers, college students and community members of all ages.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Haskell has a new temporary president as search to fill the position continues
Alex Red Corn will serve as the next temporary president of Haskell as the search to fill the position continues, according to an announcement Monday.
City of Lawrence staff to propose new climate neutrality resolution
City of Lawrence staff will recommend commissioners repeal a 2020 renewable energy ordinance and instate a resolution aimed at attaining climate neutrality by 2050.
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.
Letter to the Times: A 3-point plan to achieve more accessible and affordable housing
“Local data … makes clear that Lawrence needs more housing that is both affordable and accessible,” members of the Accessibility in Affordable Housing Workgroup write in this letter to the Times.
Letter to the Times: Raise the age for free rec center access
“Lawrence city commissioners should increase the age limit for youths to be eligible for free access to recreation facilities from 17 to 26,” Irene Ratzlaff Soderstrom writes in this letter to the Times.
Contributed photo
Ken Lassman: Wakarusa River Valley is a key wildlife corridor (Column)
“It is important in the current conversations about developments along the South Lawrence Trafficway … to have a better appreciation of what the Wakarusa Valley represents to the larger community of wildlife,” Ken Lassman 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: A 3-point plan to achieve more accessible and affordable housing
“Local data … makes clear that Lawrence needs more housing that is both affordable and accessible,” members of the Accessibility in Affordable Housing Workgroup write in this letter to the Times.
Letter to the Times: Raise the age for free rec center access
“Lawrence city commissioners should increase the age limit for youths to be eligible for free access to recreation facilities from 17 to 26,” Irene Ratzlaff Soderstrom writes in this letter to the Times.
Contributed photo
Ken Lassman: Wakarusa River Valley is a key wildlife corridor (Column)
“It is important in the current conversations about developments along the South Lawrence Trafficway … to have a better appreciation of what the Wakarusa Valley represents to the larger community of wildlife,” Ken Lassman writes in this column.
MORE …
