
Lawrence City Commission to weigh in on proposed plastic bag ban
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider next steps for a proposed citywide ban on single-use plastic bags, as well as a full-time code compliance official to enforce the ban.

Lawrence City Commission to weigh in on proposed plastic bag ban
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider next steps for a proposed citywide ban on single-use plastic bags, as well as a full-time code compliance official to enforce the ban.

Kansas Sierra Club expresses optimism despite CAFO case dismissal by state Supreme Court
The Kansas Sierra Club found reason for optimism in the Kansas Supreme Court’s dismissal of a case challenging state permits issued for confined feeding facilities on property divided in a way to allow substantial increase in the number of hogs on the site despite proximity of surface water.

Lawrence choir events aim to help stroke survivors, people with Parkinson’s disease
Harmonic Connections will host a series of free therapeutic choir events to help stroke survivors and people with Parkinson’s disease beginning Thursday, according to owner Emily Bachert.

More photos: Lawrence PRIDE block party
Here’s a little more joy from Lawrence PRIDE’s Saturday celebrations. The block party featured community organizations, drag artists, families, friends, lots of love, and even an engagement.

Kaw Valley Almanac for June 5-11, 2023
The hackberry butterfly can be found near many woodlands that contain hackberry trees right now. They are happy to sun themselves on your body!
LAWRENCE NEWS

Timeline update: City of Lawrence hopes to open Pallet Shelter Village by winter
The city’s village of cabin-style shelters for people experiencing homelessness, previously slated to open in July, is running a few months behind schedule.

Lawrence PRIDE celebrates with parade, block party; activists plan push to protect trans rights
The Lawrence PRIDE parade and block party brought colorful celebration to downtown Saturday, but they also included messages of support and resistance for transgender and gender-nonconforming folks who have been targeted by legislation in Kansas and beyond.

Community members show their colors at Lawrence PRIDE parade and block party
Lawrence PRIDE celebrated the first weekend of Pride Month with a downtown parade and block party. As people waved rainbow flags and walked dogs wearing rainbow tutus, the event showed what it can look like when a community comes together for the sake of diversity, love and acceptance.

June tours, workshops to focus on Sacred Red Rock before park closes ahead of move
Four guided tours and interactive workshops this month will aim to educate participants about the Sacred Red Rock before it is returned to the Kaw Nation, and to foster ideas for the future of the park where it’s currently on display.
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STATE NEWS

Idea of lifting Brown v. Board of Education name from landmark 1954 case stirs Kansas dissent
Carolyn Wims-Campbell said she was shocked and disappointed to learn of a proposal by South Carolina civil rights leaders to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to change the name of the Brown v. Board of Education decision.

State Library of Kansas announces 2023 notable books list
A serial killing family, a child trying to survive WWII-era Ukraine, the 50-year history of an acoustic music festival, a plot to save a family farm: These topics are among those featured in the 2023 Kansas Notable Books list, announced Tuesday by the State Library of Kansas.
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COMMUNITY VOICES (OPINION)

Douglas County Master Gardeners: Join us this weekend for garden inspiration (Announcement)
”Douglas County Extension Master Gardeners invite you to join us for a weekend filled with garden inspiration including a Garden Tour, Native Plant Sale, and Garden Art Sale,” the gardeners write.

Community Children’s Center: Embracing the lost art of boredom (Column)
”This summer, I encourage all parents and caregivers to give yourselves a break! Allow your child to be bored and know that you are facilitating an opportunity for your child to learn to tolerate uncomfortable feelings, increase their creativity, and inspire imagination,” Chelsea Harrington writes in this column from the Community Children’s Center.
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LAWRENCE LIFE

Blade & Timber ax-throwing venue to return to Lawrence; owner will add mini golf, too
Matt Baysinger has a handle on what to do with his newly acquired space at 722 Massachusetts St., which formerly housed Signs of Life.

RPG to close its doors at the end of the month
It’s game over for RPG. The game-themed restaurant on Massachusetts Street is closing June 30 after four years of offering food, drinks, social events and providing a space for people to gather and play games.

Lawrence Adult Learning Center graduates, families and supporters celebrate
It’s been 20 years since Kattie Ferguson dropped out of high school. Earning her GED was a dream placed in the periphery until a couple years ago, when she set her sights on going back to school.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …

Judge hears evidence in teen’s motion for immunity in shooting death of Lawrence boy, 14
A 14-year-old boy was nearly 200 feet away from his alleged shooter, a judge heard Friday, though the defendant charged with his murder is claiming self-defense.

Here’s where kids can eat free lunches in Lawrence this summer
Children ages 18 and younger will be able to eat a free lunch on weekdays at six locations in Lawrence throughout the summer, starting June 5.

Judge will allow Lawrence protections for housing voucher recipients to take effect
A judge on Tuesday denied a request from a group of Lawrence landlords to halt a city ordinance that bans landlords from denying someone housing based on their source of income or immigration status.

Jury acquits ex-Lawrence police officer charged with rape
A former Lawrence police officer was found not guilty of rape and numerous computer crimes Friday following a weeklong trial in Douglas County District Court.
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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.
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Click here to find out how.

Allie Lippe-Mackey: Lawrence High students growing milkweed to help monarchs (Column)
”By engaging students in hands-on activities and fostering a sense of responsibility towards their community and the natural world, Lawrence High School is empowering the next generation of environmental advocates,” Allie Lippe-Mackey writes in this column.

Courtney Farr: Kansas is passing the same laws that powered the 1969 Stonewall raid (Column)
”Almost 54 years (after the Stonewall riots), the idea of being arrested after a genital inspection doesn’t feel all that far-fetched once again,” Courtney Farr writes in this column.

Tom Harper: Celebrating 41 years of a KU campus icon (Column)
”Today we celebrate the 41st anniversary of the installation of Moses in front of Smith Hall, gazing at the beautiful stained glass that represents the Burning Bush,” Tom Harper writes in this column.