Lawrence Arts Center names new interim director; permanent hire still to come
The Lawrence Arts Center has named ceramic artist and longtime staff member Ben Ahlvers as the organization’s next interim director as the search for a permanent director continues.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence Parks & Rec board opposes fees for rec centers
Members of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Monday said they would not be representing the community if they did not oppose a proposal to charge fees to use the city’s recreation centers.
Lawrence Arts Center names new interim director; permanent hire still to come
The Lawrence Arts Center has named ceramic artist and longtime staff member Ben Ahlvers as the organization’s next interim director as the search for a permanent director continues.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence Parks & Rec board opposes fees for rec centers
Members of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Monday said they would not be representing the community if they did not oppose a proposal to charge fees to use the city’s recreation centers.
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Marley is a clever gentleman who loves learning, kiddie pools
Marley, a 3-year-old male pit bull, is stealing the spotlight this week. He arrived at the shelter with no prior training but has been making rapid progress.
Lawrence school board elects new president, approves renovations for preschool at Woodlawn
Lawrence school board members at their meeting Monday elected GR Gordon-Ross as the next board president and approved a bid to renovate Woodlawn Elementary School to implement a preschool program there.
Lawrence school district could lose $468K in federal grants
Lawrence Public Schools stand to lose about $468,151 in federal grants because of action by the Trump administration earlier this month freezing distribution of already-approved federal support.
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Marley is a clever gentleman who loves learning, kiddie pools
Marley, a 3-year-old male pit bull, is stealing the spotlight this week. He arrived at the shelter with no prior training but has been making rapid progress.
Lawrence school board elects new president, approves renovations for preschool at Woodlawn
Lawrence school board members at their meeting Monday elected GR Gordon-Ross as the next board president and approved a bid to renovate Woodlawn Elementary School to implement a preschool program there.
Lawrence school district could lose $468K in federal grants
Lawrence Public Schools stand to lose about $468,151 in federal grants because of action by the Trump administration earlier this month freezing distribution of already-approved federal support.
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Marley is a clever gentleman who loves learning, kiddie pools
Marley, a 3-year-old male pit bull, is stealing the spotlight this week. He arrived at the shelter with no prior training but has been making rapid progress.
Lawrence school board elects new president, approves renovations for preschool at Woodlawn
Lawrence school board members at their meeting Monday elected GR Gordon-Ross as the next board president and approved a bid to renovate Woodlawn Elementary School to implement a preschool program there.
Lawrence school district could lose $468K in federal grants
Lawrence Public Schools stand to lose about $468,151 in federal grants because of action by the Trump administration earlier this month freezing distribution of already-approved federal support.
LAWRENCE NEWS
Panasonic’s vision for massive Kansas battery plant becomes reality with grand opening
Hundreds from around the world gathered Monday to celebrate the grand opening of the Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto and tour the 4.7 million-square-foot facility that claims the tag of the state’s biggest economic development project ever.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Know Your Rights event empowers renters with knowledge, recourse to fight evictions in court
A recent “Know Your Rights” presentation provided legal resources to tenants in Lawrence, demonstrating that they have recourse to fight evictions in court.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission to vote on maximum budget; property taxes would increase under proposal
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will vote on the city’s maximum property tax rate for 2026. They could decrease the rate before they approve the final budget, but the proposed rate would mean increased property taxes.
Kaw Valley Almanac for July 14-20, 2025
Wasps have a practice of stinging and paralyzing caterpillars and insects to lay eggs into so their offspring will have something to eat. But most wasps, such as this Parazumia, live by eating flower nectar.
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STATE NEWS
Kansas attorney general seeks removal of anti-discrimination text from school district contracts
The Kansas State Board of Education and AG Kris Kobach have been fighting about whether Kansas should drop a ban on discrimination against persons based on sexual orientation or gender identity from public school district contracts tied to federally funded nutrition programs.
Kansas regulators approve Evergy natural gas plants, solar plant despite rate concerns
The Kansas Corporation Commission gave Evergy the go-ahead to build two natural gas plants and a new solar plant, over the objections of multiple parties.
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COMMUNITY VOICES (OPINION)
Letter to the Times: City is obfuscating data, increasing debt
“We believe it is disingenuous of the city to claim a static property mill levy while assessments increase year after year. And to anticipate those increases as a basis for more debt is foolish and shortsighted,” John Richardson and Deborah Snyder write in this letter.
Tai Amri Spann-Ryan: Lawrence organizations need to center healing in their work (Column)
“Our communities should not have to rest on one or two people. But what’s more, the fracturing has to end,” Tai Amri Spann-Ryan writes in this column.
MORE …
LAWRENCE LIFE
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for July 15, 2025 (Sponsored post)
“Preorder campaigns, local author events and front-desk books prevail with this most recent edition of Raven Bestsellers,” the Raven Book Store writes.
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Marley is a clever gentleman who loves learning, kiddie pools
Marley, a 3-year-old male pit bull, is stealing the spotlight this week. He arrived at the shelter with no prior training but has been making rapid progress.
LMH Cancer Center to launch with a public open house and tour
The Lawrence community is invited to attend an open house and tour of LMH Health’s expanded and renovated Cancer Center, opening next week.
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for July 15, 2025 (Sponsored post)
“Preorder campaigns, local author events and front-desk books prevail with this most recent edition of Raven Bestsellers,” the Raven Book Store writes.
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Marley is a clever gentleman who loves learning, kiddie pools
Marley, a 3-year-old male pit bull, is stealing the spotlight this week. He arrived at the shelter with no prior training but has been making rapid progress.
LMH Cancer Center to launch with a public open house and tour
The Lawrence community is invited to attend an open house and tour of LMH Health’s expanded and renovated Cancer Center, opening next week.
MORE …
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
Meet the 2025 primary candidates for Lawrence City Commission
We asked Lawrence City Commission candidates about the experience that they believe qualifies them to run, what pressing issues they see in the city and how they’d resolve them, and much more.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Parks & Rec releases proposed fees to use recreation centers
Annual memberships to use Lawrence’s recreation centers — currently admission-free — will cost $250 per adult, or $150 per senior or youth, if the Parks and Recreation department’s proposal is approved.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
KU students sue, alleging university crackdown on pro-Palestine protests violated their rights
Two KU students and the campus group Students for Justice in Palestine have filed a lawsuit against university administrators, alleging the students were unfairly targeted and punished for participating in peaceful pro-Palestine protests last spring.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City of Lawrence’s proposed 2026 budget varies from community’s direction
The Lawrence city manager’s proposed 2026 budget indicates departments had broad discretion to recommend funding cuts. Some cuts align with community feedback; some counter it.
Meet the 2025 primary candidates for Lawrence City Commission
We asked Lawrence City Commission candidates about the experience that they believe qualifies them to run, what pressing issues they see in the city and how they’d resolve them, and much more.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Parks & Rec releases proposed fees to use recreation centers
Annual memberships to use Lawrence’s recreation centers — currently admission-free — will cost $250 per adult, or $150 per senior or youth, if the Parks and Recreation department’s proposal is approved.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
KU students sue, alleging university crackdown on pro-Palestine protests violated their rights
Two KU students and the campus group Students for Justice in Palestine have filed a lawsuit against university administrators, alleging the students were unfairly targeted and punished for participating in peaceful pro-Palestine protests last spring.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City of Lawrence’s proposed 2026 budget varies from community’s direction
The Lawrence city manager’s proposed 2026 budget indicates departments had broad discretion to recommend funding cuts. Some cuts align with community feedback; some counter it.
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.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Shawn Alexander: Whose history? Experiential knowledge takes us closer to the truth (Column)
“There is not one American experience! … Let us resist the persistent push to limit the narrative of our nation’s past,” Shawn Alexander writes in his latest column.
John Clayton / Contributed photo
Tom Harper: Community to gather in ‘precious love’ to celebrate the life of Rob Blank (Column)
The family of Rob Blank — “Peace Man” and “Precious Love” — wants to thank the Lawrence community for the love and support it gave Rob throughout his life. They’re planning a gathering in his memory next month, Tom Harper writes in this column.
Clay Wirestone: Lawrence doesn’t hate immigrants enough. So the Trump administration plots vengeance. (Column)
“The Trump administration has put my town — the place my family and I call home — on its hit list for a thought crime,” Clay Wirestone 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.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Shawn Alexander: Whose history? Experiential knowledge takes us closer to the truth (Column)
“There is not one American experience! … Let us resist the persistent push to limit the narrative of our nation’s past,” Shawn Alexander writes in his latest column.
John Clayton / Contributed photo
Tom Harper: Community to gather in ‘precious love’ to celebrate the life of Rob Blank (Column)
The family of Rob Blank — “Peace Man” and “Precious Love” — wants to thank the Lawrence community for the love and support it gave Rob throughout his life. They’re planning a gathering in his memory next month, Tom Harper writes in this column.
Clay Wirestone: Lawrence doesn’t hate immigrants enough. So the Trump administration plots vengeance. (Column)
“The Trump administration has put my town — the place my family and I call home — on its hit list for a thought crime,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
MORE …
