Articles on this page generally required more “digging” than much of the rest of the coverage our award-winning journalists have produced. This collection of articles includes what we consider to be some of the most important coverage we publish. We are always willing to ask the hard questions. In fact, that’s one of the biggest reasons we launched The Lawrence Times in February 2021 — to fearlessly challenge power and injustice.
Whether these investigations took a few days, a few weeks or more than a year, we believe they’re important, and we appreciate our readers’ support to pursue this kind of coverage.
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Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
‘It’s not right’: Pallet village guests voice concerns about Lawrence’s community for unhoused people
Sarah Swan was apprehensive about moving from a camp into Pallet shelter village. Now, as one of dozens of people who have been exited back to the streets, she’s angry, sad and concerned about how the program is being operated.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
‘It’s not right’: Pallet village guests voice concerns about Lawrence’s community for unhoused people
Sarah Swan was apprehensive about moving from a camp into Pallet shelter village. Now, as one of dozens of people who have been exited back to the streets, she’s angry, sad and concerned about how the program is being operated.
Top tags
In addition to the key articles linked on this page, we have a lot more coverage on some of the big topics we’ve investigated:
Animal Control • Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center • Brady/Giglio • HeadQuarters Kansas • Open records • NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) • Treatment and Recovery Center •
MORe Investigative work
Lawrence Police Department
Ex-deputy, ex-Lawrence police officer could lose certification for alleged biased policing of young women
The writing may be on the wall for a former Douglas County sheriff’s deputy and Lawrence police officer.
Despite numerous complaints and red flags, years passed before Brad Williams’ peace officer certification was challenged.
Native American students mourn after ancestral remains discovered in KU’s possession
Many Native American students, staff and faculty as well as their surrounding community were left in mourning after they learned that unidentified ancestors’ remains were discovered in KU’s museum collections.
KU is in possession of Native American remains
The University of Kansas has remains of Native American people in its museum collections, according to a statement from administrators.
Tricia Masenthin/Lawrence Times
‘Tired of seeing friends and community members thrown into crisis,’ Bert Nash clients voice their concerns
Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center has two listening sessions coming up, but some clients are sounding off now. They say unfilled medications, a lack of available appointments, and unresponsiveness are keeping them from staying on track with their mental health care.
Open enrollment for Kansas schools raises concerns about equity, representation and funding, local leaders say
Open enrollment in Kansas public schools will worsen existing inequities and funding issues as well as diminish the importance of voters’ representation on local school boards, some local leaders say.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Unclear why Lawrence police detective is on paid leave after being accused of crashing vehicle in alleged DUI
A Lawrence police detective was placed on paid leave following his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence last week, though city policy suggests the suspension should be without pay.
Mackenzie Clark / The Lawrence Times
Rontarus Washington Jr. takes first step toward wrongful incarceration lawsuit against Douglas County
Rontarus Washington Jr., who spent several years behind bars charged with murder in a case that was eventually dismissed, has taken the first step toward filing a $3 million wrongful incarceration lawsuit against Douglas County.
The Murder of Tiger Dowdell: July 16, 1970
“We could’ve killed him, gone home and had dinner. That’s how strong the hate was,” Sakeim Dowdell recalled, 52 years after a Lawrence police officer shot and killed his younger brother, Rick “Tiger” Dowdell.
The Murder of Tiger Dowdell: A lasting impact
All told, Tiger Dowdell’s murder — at the hands of a police department that had threatened to kill him shortly before his death, his grandmother told the KBI — drastically changed the fabric of Lawrence.
The Murder of Tiger Dowdell: More questions than answers
A KBI case file leaves one prevailing question which may ultimately be lost to history: Why did Lawrence Police Officer William Garrett shoot and kill Rick “Tiger” Dowdell on July 16, 1970?
Advisory board calls for transparency in city’s social services funding process
As the city formulates its 2023 budget, some social services leaders and advisory board members want more transparency, equity and public engagement in the process used to distribute funding for social service agencies.
Haskell coach barred from team for 5 months, then fired after requesting administrative hearing
Haskell cross-country coach Clay Mayes has been unable to lead practices for five months, he said, pending an investigation into complaints made by a few students. Days after his lawyer made a formal request for an administrative hearing, Mayes’ contract with the university was terminated.
Douglas County sheriff’s personnel file was not reviewed, cleared by judge as he stated
No judge reviewed Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister’s personnel file and cleared him of untruthful behavior, as the sheriff wrote in response to questions last month.
Contributed photo
Conflicting policies of police and prosecutors jeopardize high-stakes criminal cases
The Douglas County DA’s office has dropped an estimated 50 cases because of officer integrity issues — including one homicide case. And dueling policies about officer truthfulness and bias are straining the relationship between police and prosecutors.
Full disclosure: How law enforcement answered questions about officer truthfulness policies
In the interest of giving each Douglas County law enforcement agency a fair opportunity to respond to questions about complex issues surrounding officer truthfulness, we are publishing each agency’s full responses.
Investigative SerieS: Days of Rage — Lawrence, 1970
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