The pieces in this section are generally written by members of the Lawrence community and those who have close ties. In addition, the Times is offering some space for area organizations and organizers to provide updates and attempt to reach other folks who might share their mission.
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.
OPINION COLUMNS
Tom Harper/Lawrence Times
Tom Harper: What’s old is new again at Liberty Hall (Column)
Repertory movies have made a comeback, cultivating community in downtown Lawrence, and “During these uncertain times, we need Liberty Hall as much as Liberty Hall needs us,” Tom Harper writes in this column.
Shawn Alexander: Black history prevails, despite persistent threats (Column)
“Despite backlash, the Black community has consistently pushed to teach Black history, whether sanctioned or not. … We should all champion their efforts,” Shawn Alexander writes in this column.
Clay Wirestone: In its wisdom, Kansas Legislature puts mugging transgender children ahead of all other priorities (Column)
”(Kansas legislators) are making antihuman choices that will destroy lives and rip apart families for cheap political gain. The fact that we all knew this was coming does not make it any easier to bear,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Tom Harper/Lawrence Times
Tom Harper: A new and improved Volume 1 of ‘Embattled Lawrence’ is coming soon (Column)
Since the release of Embattled Lawrence, Vol. 2, people have asked editor Dennis Domer frequently where they can find a copy of Vol. 1. A new version of the local history book — long out of print — will soon be available, Tom Harper writes in this column.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Shawn Alexander: The new year, with apologies to and inspiration from Langston Hughes (Column)
”Let us see and hear in the new year the faint voices captured in the Kaw and all ancient rivers ‘older than the flow of human blood in human veins’ that are carrying the calls and dreams of a more hopeful, peaceful, tolerant, and just world,” Shawn Alexander writes in this column.
Tom Harper: A ‘Thanksgiving miracle’ in Lawrence (Column)
”Simple acts of kindness and generosity happen daily. Sometimes they are small, such as holding a door open for a stranger; other times, they’re as monumental as gifting a vehicle to someone in need,” Tom Harper writes in this column.
LETTERS TO THE TIMES
Letter to the Times: A message from the Haskell Faculty Senate
”To our incredible students, we say be strong and together we will get through this. We must. … To the public, rest assured we will communicate soon ways you may enact your support,” the Haskell Faculty Senate writes in this letter.
Letter to the Times: Haskell has been unfairly maligned
”Let us not in 2025 allow Haskell to be lost — to our Lawrence community, as well as to young Native students across the country who count on an educational experience unattainable to them anywhere else in the world,” Carole Tomlinson writes in this letter.
Letter to the Times: Haskell firings are unacceptable
”This irresponsible action has devastating effects on those fired and on all university staff and students. … Haskell Indian Nations University is an integral part of our community and an important higher education resource,” Pat Willer and Pat Kehde write in this letter to the Times.
ORG CORNER
Watkins Museum of History: Curtis Marsh book talk set to celebrate KU’s 160th anniversary
“Over the course of his 30-plus years of service to the University of Kansas, (Curtis) Marsh has amassed a wealth of knowledge about Jayhawk stats, history, and traditions,” Will Haynes writes in this piece from the Watkins Museum of History.
Letter to the Times: Bail fund overregulation would keep ‘justice’ system in hands of the elite
”The idea that community bail funds should be regulated with insurance requirements is an absurd overregulation of what amounts to voluntary mutual aid within a community,” Douglas County Community Bail Fund directors write in this letter to the Times.
Bert Nash Center: Community Resource Fair to offer food, demos, dozens of agencies (Announcement)
”This will be the third year for the Bert Nash Center’s Community Resource Fair. And this year’s will be the most interactive one yet,” Jeff Burkhead writes in this Org Corner piece from Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center.
FROM THE STACKS
Note: Staff members at the Lawrence Public Library write blog posts about books, bookish things and other media. The Times is reposting some of those blogs in this feature, From the Stacks. Find many other blog posts, titles referenced in these posts and much more on the library’s website, lplks.org.
From the Stacks: Who is David Lowery?
“David Lowery fans: I hope you’re free to join us on Nov. 3 at the Lawrence Arts Center. You can expect an irreverent, wide-ranging conversation about the business of rock music, the Internet, capitalism, and maybe even a little math,” Library Director Brad Allen writes.
Lawrence Public Library/Contributed Image
From the Stacks: Unsolicited reading recommendations for Lawrence candidates
Here’s a series of unsolicited reading recommendations for Lawrence City Commission and Lawrence school board candidates, based on favorite books they shared with the Times.
Contributed Image
From the Stacks: An interview with Bathsheba Demuth ahead of her Wednesday event
“One of my favorite books of the past couple years is Bathsheba Demuth’s award-winning ‘Floating Coast,’ so I was pleased to see that the author is part of this season’s speaker series at KU’s Hall Center for the Humanities,” Jake Vail of Lawrence Public Library writes.
