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Latest IN HEALTH NEWS
Wulfe Wulfemeyer/Lawrence Times
Free meditation, movement classes offer space for queer, trans people in Lawrence to ‘let it all out’
In a time when queer and trans people are politically and socially under attack, a free movement and meditation class in Lawrence seeks to be a space where the community can soothe their nervous systems and unpack all of the real, gnarly emotions.
MORe HEALTH NEWS
Kansas abortions rose 57% in 2022, fueled by out-of-state patients
Kansas reported its highest number of abortions in decades last year, after the overturning of Roe sent thousands of out-of-state patients to Kansas clinics.
Kansas may be outlier in national decrease in abortions since Dobbs decision
In Kansas, where abortion rights are still protected, a surge is predicted for the 2022 year due to out-of-state abortion seekers.
Kobach and Kansas clinics agree to delay enforcement of ‘abortion pill reversal’ law
Kansas will not enforce its new “abortion pill reversal” law, set to take effect July 1, until a court rules on abortion providers’ request for a temporary injunction.
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health board selects new director
The board of Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health has selected Jonathan Smith, of Lawrence, as the next director of the health department.
Red tape is costing 45,000-plus Medicaid coverage in Kansas. The state blames slow mail
The Kansas Medicaid disenrollment rate is one of the highest in the country. Almost two-thirds of Kansans have lost coverage because of procedural issues.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Former tenant seeks accountability for water leaks, mold issues in rental home
Hillary Jones, a single mom and disabled veteran, felt frustrated and powerless when water leaks sprang up at her former Lawrence home. She blames mold for aggravating her kids’ asthma and wants accountability within a system she views as once helping her family but ultimately failing it.
Kansas faces mental health crisis for kids suffering from COVID-19 pandemic, anti-LGBTQ legislation
Kansas mental health needs are at a crisis point, especially for teenagers, and increased funding could help the state move forward.
A ‘life-threatening’ shortage of cancer drugs has Kansas doctors rationing medications
Kansas health care providers are scrambling to respond to a global shortage of chemotherapy drugs.
Kansas abortion rights groups file lawsuit against junk science ‘abortion reversal’ law
Kansas abortion providers filed a lawsuit combating an “abortion reversal” law based on a debunked study, calling the state’s tightened abortion regulations increasingly “inaccurate” and a violation of bodily integrity.
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.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City releases wastewater into Kansas River following pump failure; stream advisory issued
The city released wastewater into the Kansas River Wednesday morning after heavy rain led to a pump failure in a wastewater pump station near Bowersock Dam.
Mike Shaw Photography/Contributed
Gracious people, interesting pets boost Lawrence volunteer’s spirits during record-breaking fundraising effort
If you’ve lived in Lawrence more than a few years, you’ve probably crossed paths with Bob Silipigni. Since 2001, he’s traversed the streets of his hometown and raised almost a million dollars in the fight to end cancer.
Douglas County Commission approves plan to boost access to opioid overdose reversal drug
Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday signed off on a plan for Lawrence-based nonprofit DCCCA to increase distribution of Narcan, the lifesaving opioid overdose reversal drug, throughout the county.
Contributed photos
Lawrence families navigate life with neurofibromatosis
When 5-year-old Leo Peper was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis at 9 months old, his family was devastated. They had never heard of the genetic disease, which currently has no cure. But they’re hopeful that could someday change.
Kansas governor vetoes bill on child COVID-19 vaccines, authority of health officials
Gov. Laura Kelly shot down an anti-vaccination bill that would have blocked child COVID-19 vaccination requirements and stripped authority from public health officials, a move greeted with outrage from Republican leaders in the Legislature.


