The Lawrence Times runs opinion columns written by community members with varying perspectives on local issues. Occasionally, we’ll also pick up columns from other nearby news outlets. These pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Times staff.
The Lawrence Times does not publish staff editorials (unsigned opinion columns, usually about the topics we cover, that many news publications run).
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OPINION COLUMNS
Amii Castle: Amendment on Kansas ballot this fall would provide pretext for voter suppression laws (Column)
“On Nov. 3, Kansans will vote on whether to amend our state constitution, again. This time, we’ll be voting on whether to make it harder for many American citizens who live in Kansas to vote in future elections,” Amii Castle writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
TJ Campsey: We must struggle together to reach bold, brave solutions (Column)
“We need to find our common strength. That means rejecting the fear and hatred the GOP manufactures to keep us divided and weak,” TJ Campsey writes in this column.
Suzanne Wikle: The future of public education in Kansas will be decided at the polls (Column)
“On Aug. 4, voters will see a ballot question asking if we should start directly electing our Kansas Supreme Court justices. … The threat to fairness of our public schools is one of the main reasons I’ll be voting ‘no,’” Suzanne Wikle writes in this column.
Clay Wirestone: As Pride Month dawns, Kansas governor helps celebrate rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker (Column)
“Happy Gilbert Baker Day! … He created a piece of American iconography that has spread across the globe and into the hearts of those who care for their gay neighbors: the rainbow pride flag,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Holly Krebs: City of Lawrence is increasing employee pay at unsustainable levels (Column)
One major reason the City of Lawrence’s costs have outpaced its revenue is because its personnel expenses increased 40%, from $90 million to $126 million, in the last six years, Holly Krebs writes in this column.
Tom Harper: Ben Graham’s craftsmanship preserves Lawrence buildings, compels with its details (Column)
Lawrence has benefited from Ben Graham’s generous spirit and broad skillset, particularly as a plasterer, since 1985, Tom Harper writes in this column.
Shawn Alexander: When W. E. B. Du Bois came to Lawrence (Column)
W. E. B. Du Bois spoke in Lawrence 105 years ago today. “We should draw inspiration from those who have come before us and dare to envision a better world,” Shawn Alexander writes in this column.
Holly Krebs: Looking at the bigger picture as Lawrence City Commission considers $184M in debt (Column)
“Can our community afford an extra $21 million per year in debt payments when the city had to cut $6.6 million to balance the 2026 operating budget?” Holly Krebs writes in this column.
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.
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.
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.
Tom Harper: La Prima Tazza celebrating 35 years serving Lawrence (Column)
For 35 years, La Prima Tazza has functioned as a coffee shop, community gathering place and a “little tugboat” helping Liberty Hall move forward in the turbulent waters of Massachusetts Street, Tom Harper writes in this column.
Holly Krebs: How will Lawrence’s utility rate increases affect your household? Here are the numbers (Column)
“The Lawrence City Commission has increased the city utility rates each of the last five years and are planning substantial increases for the next three years, too,” Holly Krebs writes in this column.
Tom Harper/Lawrence Times
Tom Harper: Walt Hull has forged functional metal works of art throughout Lawrence (Column)
Walt Hull’s path to become a blacksmith had twists and turns not unlike the functional works of art he’s shaped all over Lawrence. Now 83, he has no intentions of retiring. Tom Harper shares Hull’s story in this column.
Max Kautsch: In loco parentis, or just plain loco – Surveilling Kansas students doesn’t make sense (Column)
“The outcome of the case will depend largely on whether the district can show that implementing software designed to monitor students the way it did was closely related enough to an important government interest — namely, student safety — to justify Gaggle’s intrusion into the students’ lives,” Max Kautsch writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
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