Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Mahjong Night at KU builds community between domestic and international students
KU students came together to play mahjong and explore its cultural ties during the Global Awareness Program’s first Mahjong Night. Because of their enthusiasm, more mahjong events will be scheduled.
Kansas House passes election bills targeting noncitizens, advance voting
Kansas lawmakers could transform elections with a series of bills that squeeze advance voting timelines, stamp out rare instances of noncitizen voting and tinker with some candidate filing and advocacy rules.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Mahjong Night at KU builds community between domestic and international students
KU students came together to play mahjong and explore its cultural ties during the Global Awareness Program’s first Mahjong Night. Because of their enthusiasm, more mahjong events will be scheduled.
Kansas House passes election bills targeting noncitizens, advance voting
Kansas lawmakers could transform elections with a series of bills that squeeze advance voting timelines, stamp out rare instances of noncitizen voting and tinker with some candidate filing and advocacy rules.
Bakery in west Lawrence announces impending closure
Lawrencians with sweet teeth still have a few days to order from Smallcakes, a locally owned bakery in west Lawrence, before its upcoming closure.
Bert Nash names interim as new CEO
Dr. Kirsten Watkins has been named the permanent CEO of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center following eight months in the interim role.
Maya Smith/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board signs off on facility upgrades, hears update on state legislation
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved some capital project bids and received updates on state legislation that could impact schools in the district.
Bakery in west Lawrence announces impending closure
Lawrencians with sweet teeth still have a few days to order from Smallcakes, a locally owned bakery in west Lawrence, before its upcoming closure.
Bert Nash names interim as new CEO
Dr. Kirsten Watkins has been named the permanent CEO of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center following eight months in the interim role.
Maya Smith/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board signs off on facility upgrades, hears update on state legislation
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved some capital project bids and received updates on state legislation that could impact schools in the district.
Bakery in west Lawrence announces impending closure
Lawrencians with sweet teeth still have a few days to order from Smallcakes, a locally owned bakery in west Lawrence, before its upcoming closure.
Bert Nash names interim as new CEO
Dr. Kirsten Watkins has been named the permanent CEO of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center following eight months in the interim role.
Maya Smith/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board signs off on facility upgrades, hears update on state legislation
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved some capital project bids and received updates on state legislation that could impact schools in the district.
LAWRENCE NEWS
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
City of Lawrence receives grant to support county-city climate plan
The City of Lawrence is receiving a grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to put toward reducing climate pollution.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Public Library community survey to close soon
The Lawrence Public Library wants to remind community members — patrons or not — that its survey to help shape the future of the institution’s building and offerings will close soon.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Feb. 23 – March 1, 2026
This blackbird-leafed elm tree is shedding its bird leaves in a gust of spring migration. We will gain 14 minutes of daylight this week.
Logan Pierson / Lawrence Times
Lawrence High powwow highlights young dancers’ self-expression, provides community fellowship
The Lawrence High School Intertribal Club Powwow on Saturday gave young dancers a place to express themselves and provided attendees a space for fellowship following recent ICE detentions in town.
MORE …
STATE NEWS
Kansas state officials begin process of interpreting ‘poorly drafted’ bathroom law
State officials are delving into the language of the law that will force people to use bathroom and private facilities in government buildings that match their sex assigned at birth, challenged by vague language that makes it difficult to know what to do.
Kansas Republicans force transgender bathroom restrictions into law, overriding a veto
Republicans in the Kansas Legislature have forced restrictions on bathroom use by transgender people into state law by overriding the governor’s veto.
MORE …
COMMUNITY VOICES (OPINION)
Amy Helmer/Contributed photo
Amy Helmer: Life, liberty, and the right to pee (Column)
“Fearmongering over the alleged safety risks of peeing is so deeply American, it is hardly surprising that the modern-day politician increasingly attempts to frame transgender people as political scapegoats,” Amy Helmer writes in this column.
Letter to the Times: City of Lawrence should revise, not rescind, sustainability ordinance
“While the federal government is undoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Lawrence can and should lead the way,” members of the League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County write in this letter to the Times.
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LAWRENCE LIFE
Local resources available to help Lawrence residents file taxes
Free local helpers and resources are available to help Lawrencians navigate the 2026 tax season, including services intended for older people and Spanish speakers.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Mardi Gras parade draws energetic crowd
The Lawrence Mardi Gras parade drew a crowd of energetic and festive paradegoers who sang, danced and cheered their way through downtown Lawrence Tuesday.
Lawrence Transit On Demand to start charging per ride; here’s how to pay
Lawrence Transit will start charging $3 for each one-way on demand ride starting next month, and the city will only accept credit card payments.
Local resources available to help Lawrence residents file taxes
Free local helpers and resources are available to help Lawrencians navigate the 2026 tax season, including services intended for older people and Spanish speakers.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Mardi Gras parade draws energetic crowd
The Lawrence Mardi Gras parade drew a crowd of energetic and festive paradegoers who sang, danced and cheered their way through downtown Lawrence Tuesday.
Lawrence Transit On Demand to start charging per ride; here’s how to pay
Lawrence Transit will start charging $3 for each one-way on demand ride starting next month, and the city will only accept credit card payments.
MORE …
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
via Sanctuary Alliance
Lawrence police, Douglas County Sheriff say they had no notice ahead of ICE arrests
Spokespeople for the Lawrence Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said that neither agency was involved in Tuesday’s ICE sightings and arrests, nor did they know they were coming.
via Sanctuary Alliance
Multiple reports of ICE detainments, sightings in Lawrence; 5 arrests confirmed, advocates say
Lawrence was swept with reports of ICE sightings and arrests Tuesday. Advocates say they’ve confirmed five people were detained.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Humane Society takes in pets surrendered because owners fear deportation, detainment
The Lawrence Humane Society has taken in three dogs so far this year who were surrendered because their owners were afraid of detainment and deportation. The shelter had never documented cases like this before.
Lawrence city commissioners approve historic markers to honor teens killed by police in 1970
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved historic markers to pay tribute to Rick “Tiger” Dowdell and Nick Rice, teens who were shot and killed by Lawrence police officers in 1970, despite objections from the police chief.
via Sanctuary Alliance
Lawrence police, Douglas County Sheriff say they had no notice ahead of ICE arrests
Spokespeople for the Lawrence Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said that neither agency was involved in Tuesday’s ICE sightings and arrests, nor did they know they were coming.
via Sanctuary Alliance
Multiple reports of ICE detainments, sightings in Lawrence; 5 arrests confirmed, advocates say
Lawrence was swept with reports of ICE sightings and arrests Tuesday. Advocates say they’ve confirmed five people were detained.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Humane Society takes in pets surrendered because owners fear deportation, detainment
The Lawrence Humane Society has taken in three dogs so far this year who were surrendered because their owners were afraid of detainment and deportation. The shelter had never documented cases like this before.
Lawrence city commissioners approve historic markers to honor teens killed by police in 1970
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved historic markers to pay tribute to Rick “Tiger” Dowdell and Nick Rice, teens who were shot and killed by Lawrence police officers in 1970, despite objections from the police chief.
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.
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.
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.
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/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.
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.
MORE …
