Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Report suggests solutions to help single mothers in Douglas County
Single mothers in Douglas County regularly endure overlapping struggles to find housing, food and health care, according to a report produced by the county, KU and a handful of other local agencies.
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.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Report suggests solutions to help single mothers in Douglas County
Single mothers in Douglas County regularly endure overlapping struggles to find housing, food and health care, according to a report produced by the county, KU and a handful of other local agencies.
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.
Kansas disaster declaration prepares state for World Cup visitor boom
The upcoming World Cup prompted Gov. Laura Kelly to declare a state of disaster emergency in Douglas and two other counties, anticipating effects from four base camps in the Kansas City-area.
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.
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.
Kansas disaster declaration prepares state for World Cup visitor boom
The upcoming World Cup prompted Gov. Laura Kelly to declare a state of disaster emergency in Douglas and two other counties, anticipating effects from four base camps in the Kansas City-area.
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.
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.
Kansas disaster declaration prepares state for World Cup visitor boom
The upcoming World Cup prompted Gov. Laura Kelly to declare a state of disaster emergency in Douglas and two other counties, anticipating effects from four base camps in the Kansas City-area.
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.
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 NEWS
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.
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.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Feb. 16-22, 2026
Here are the opened male blossoms of the silver maple, resting on tree bark. Some maples are male while others are female, and some have both types of flowers.
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.
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STATE NEWS
Kansas Senate overturns governor’s veto of anti-trans ‘bathroom bill’
The Kansas Senate overturned Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto on Tuesday, putting the state one step closer to forcing people to use bathrooms in government buildings that match their biological sex at birth.
Kansas cell phone ban applying to both public and private schools clears House
TOPEKA — Cell phones are one step closer to disappearing from Kansas classrooms after the […]
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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
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Sparky, looking for Valentine’s love, likes long naps and thoughtful wrestling with other dogs
Despite being with the Lawrence Humane Society for three months, 2-year-old Sparky has not had any adoption inquiries, and shelter staff members hope that will change for Valentine’s Day.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Lawrence Mardi Gras parade to jazz up Mass Street on Fat Tuesday
Laissez les bons temps rouler. Lawrencians can get a feel for Mardi Gras festivities at this year’s celebration downtown.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Courthouse, rec centers, city offices to close for Presidents Day
City rec centers, Douglas County District Court and more will be closed Monday for Presidents Day, but downtown parking will be free and trash pickup will occur as scheduled. Here are more notes and details for the holiday.
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Sparky, looking for Valentine’s love, likes long naps and thoughtful wrestling with other dogs
Despite being with the Lawrence Humane Society for three months, 2-year-old Sparky has not had any adoption inquiries, and shelter staff members hope that will change for Valentine’s Day.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Lawrence Mardi Gras parade to jazz up Mass Street on Fat Tuesday
Laissez les bons temps rouler. Lawrencians can get a feel for Mardi Gras festivities at this year’s celebration downtown.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Courthouse, rec centers, city offices to close for Presidents Day
City rec centers, Douglas County District Court and more will be closed Monday for Presidents Day, but downtown parking will be free and trash pickup will occur as scheduled. Here are more notes and details for the holiday.
MORE …
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
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.
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.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Prosecutors lay out evidence against teens charged in Hawk shooting; murder charge against one dropped
Bar employees, students and police testified Tuesday about what happened the night of a fatal shooting last month at the Hawk, a popular bar near KU’s campus.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Sanctuary Alliance asks people to call hotline if they spot possible ICE activity in Lawrence
A Lawrence-based collective advocating for immigrant rights is asking people to call their rapid response hotline if they spot any potential ICE activity around town.
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.
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.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Prosecutors lay out evidence against teens charged in Hawk shooting; murder charge against one dropped
Bar employees, students and police testified Tuesday about what happened the night of a fatal shooting last month at the Hawk, a popular bar near KU’s campus.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Sanctuary Alliance asks people to call hotline if they spot possible ICE activity in Lawrence
A Lawrence-based collective advocating for immigrant rights is asking people to call their rapid response hotline if they spot any potential ICE activity around town.
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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 …
