Our favorite kinds of stories to tell — highlighting good things happening in Lawrence and Douglas County.
The image at the top of this page is from the August 2022 Pooch Plunge. Check out the full gallery at this link.
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LATEST GOOD NEWS
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
For a welcoming adult choir in Lawrence, singing brings connections, joy
Crescendo, an adult choir in Lawrence with a “come one, come all” attitude, wants every voice to shine, regardless of musical experience. They’ll showcase their harmonies at an upcoming concert with a local children’s choir.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
For a welcoming adult choir in Lawrence, singing brings connections, joy
Crescendo, an adult choir in Lawrence with a “come one, come all” attitude, wants every voice to shine, regardless of musical experience. They’ll showcase their harmonies at an upcoming concert with a local children’s choir.
MORE GOOD NEWS
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Split Lip Rayfield, massive Lawrence crowd celebrate 30 years of music
Split Lip Rayfield and thousands of their Lawrence fans gathered on Mass Street late Saturday to celebrate 30 years of the band.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Watkins Museum of History celebrates completed restoration of stained glass windows
The Watkins Museum of History is celebrating a successful stained glass window restoration project — a community-funded effort to maintain a local historical landmark.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Hope Project breaks ground, will offer 10 affordable housing units
Collaboration was the common theme Monday evening as supporters and community members gathered at the corner of Ninth and Tennessee streets to break ground on the Hope Project affordable housing development.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
‘So spot on’: Van Go artists, business CEO celebrate new mural in downtown Lawrence
Young artists of Van Go celebrated the completion of their latest mural, “Building Community,” on Friday evening with a ribbon-cutting and community gathering in downtown Lawrence.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Gina Carter wins $10K Bobs Award for bringing ‘warmth and energy’ to Woodlawn students
Gina Carter, a title reading and math teacher at Woodlawn Elementary, said she doesn’t come to a job every day — she comes to a place she truly loves. She was announced as the 2025 Bobs Award winner Friday morning.
Free State senior wins national forensics title
Free State High School senior Anwen Williams added to her impressive list of forensics accomplishments by claiming a national championship in extemporaneous speaking over the weekend.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Peers, educators support students of all abilities in Lawrence school district’s adaptive triathlon
A vibe of camaraderie and encouragement filled Lawrence High School’s athletic facilities Wednesday morning at the annual Pat Grzenda Adaptive Triathlon.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Haskell graduates encouraged to press on while leaning on community
There’s no place like Haskell Indian Nations University, the university’s commencement speaker said Friday, speaking from experience. Nearly 180 graduates were recognized.
Lawrence high school journalism programs bring home state awards
Student journalists from Lawrence High and Free State both took home awards from the Kansas Scholastic Press Association this year, adding to a tally of recent honors for the programs.
Free State wins 6th straight speech title, completes season sweep
The Free State High School speech team claimed its sixth straight state championship, completing a sweep of state titles this year after winning the debate crown in January.
‘I want to uplift and inspire’: Education advocate, KU student crowned Miss Indian World
KU student Dania Wahwasuck, Prairie Band Potawatomi and Pyramid Lake Paiute, has been named the 2025-26 Miss Indian World. As a cultural ambassador, she plans to continue advocating for youth education.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Powwow at Hillcrest Elementary School draws hundreds of community members
School powwows are common in areas with large Native American populations, but Saturday’s powwow at Hillcrest Elementary was a first for Lawrence schools.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Art students, teachers celebrated at Lawrence Arts Center’s Vanguard Awards
Art students and their teachers celebrated their award-winning artwork Friday evening at the annual Vanguard Awards during the opening reception for the USD 497 Exhibition.
(Contributed)
Youth-led inclusive period pantry to host block party in Lawrence amid leadership shift
As the founders of Honor Moon’s period pantry and nonprofit foundation make their transition from high school to college, they’re teaming up with incoming leaders for a community event.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Young woman who had a stroke at last KU powwow returns, walks powwow circle a year later
Corrin Lamere, 23, on Saturday evening walked around the powwow circle where she suffered a severe stroke last year, and her family thanked community members for their support throughout her healing.
Lawrence Times earns Best Investigative Story, Best Community Service Project and more from Kansas Press Association
The Lawrence Times news team has won seven first-place awards from the Kansas Press Association, including best Investigative Story and Best Community Service Project for our accountability work.
KU Debate pair, including Free State alum, place 2nd at national tournament
KU Debate’s pair of Graham Revare and John Marshall finished as runners-up at the National Debate Tournament, capping off a season that saw the duo cement themselves as one of the best teams in the country.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Free State journalism teacher wins KSPA award for excellent new adviser
Free State High School journalism adviser Jared Shuff has been recognized by the Kansas Scholastic Press Association for his zeal for building a strong program.
Lawrence community member earns Native Advocacy Award named for KU staff member
Elwood Ott, a Lawrence advocate for suicide prevention and mental health, has earned an inaugural award celebrating support of Native American students.
Lawrence drama teacher earns Lied Center IMPACT Award
Lawrence teacher Trish Averill Neuteboom has been named as a 2024-25 Lied Center IMPACT Award recipient for her dedication to arts education.
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