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).
Want to submit a letter or column to the Times? Great! Click here to find out how.
Don’t miss a beat … Click here to sign up for our email newsletters
Click here to learn more about our newsletters first
OPINION COLUMNS
Doug Anstaett: Kansas Reporters’ Shield Law, passed by huge majorities, should have prevented raid on Marion paper (Column)
”Under the shield law, those who wish to subpoena interview recordings, unpublished notes and other information gained through the newsgathering process must allow those being subpoenaed to have their day in court before proceeding,” Doug Anstaett writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Clay Wirestone: Powerful voices speak up for Kansas paper after shocking raid. Meanwhile, where’s the affidavit? (Column)
“The question isn’t whether reporters are above the law. It’s whether Marion law enforcement is above the law,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Clay Wirestone: In Marion County newspaper raid, a grim threat to Kansans’ First Amendment rights (Column)
”The outrageous law enforcement assault on the Marion County Record newspaper raises a veritable forest of red flags,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Rachel Sweet: One year ago, Kansas made history. The fight to protect abortion rights isn’t over. (Column)
”One year ago, Kansas became the first state in the nation to vote on reproductive rights following the fall of Roe v. Wade and the first to boldly protect the constitutional right to abortion,” Rachel Sweet writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Dot Nary: Celebrating a nation with disability rights (Column)
”Many would be surprised to learn of the rights that the ADA protects and of the far-reaching effect of this law on the lives of people of all disability types and life stages,” Dot Nary writes in this column.
Nick Kuzmyak: Lawrence’s land development code update’s first major deliverable is ready, and your input is important (Column)
”We can have our voices heard now, when the fundamental laws are being set, rather than later when we hear of a development we don’t agree with or are frustrated at the slow pace of housing construction,” Nick Kuzmyak writes in this column on the city’s land development code update.
Clay Wirestone: A powerful storm sledgehammered northeast Kansas. Amidst the chaos, I spotted lessons for us all. (Column)
”Can you imagine living without a home? Can you imagine living without the fundamental comfort of — as an architect friend of mine once put it — a thermally controlled space?” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Clay Wirestone: This Lawrence, Kansas, gathering spot held a special place in my heart. I’ll miss it terribly. (Column)
”Being a regular, having a place, having a group of people you know and see every few days, that makes a difference in one’s life,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Clay Wirestone: Kris Kobach comes for trans Kansans’ birth certificates. Did legislators want this to happen? (Column)
”Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s move to strip trans Kansans of the right to change their gender markers came late Friday, a notorious dumping ground for unpleasant news,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Eric Lynch, IAFF Local 1596: Lawrence and Douglas County leaders must budget more money for public safety (Column)
”More than a decade of increased workload and city/county growth without increased help has left our first responders at their breaking point,” Eric Lynch, of IAFF Local 1596, writes in this column.
Rick Cagan: Local action is needed for renewable energy (Column)
”It’s important that we speak out so that commissioners know that the majority of Douglas County residents support large-scale clean energy projects along with community and rooftop solar. We can’t afford to delay action based on misinformation,” Rick Cagan writes in this column.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Clay Wirestone: Pride Month arrives in Kansas. So does organized hate, political wrangling and advocacy for change. (Column)
“In the past couple of years, voices of hate have reemerged, louder than ever. In the Kansas Legislature, these voices supported legislation targeting the transgender community,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
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.
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.
