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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Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
‘A systemic failure,’ part 1: Hilltop Child Development Center staff, families say abuse reports are symptoms of bigger issues
Despite reports of abuse surfacing, current and former Hilltop Child Development Center staff members and families say they have deeper concerns, and publicized incidents are a small part of a much larger story.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
‘A systemic failure,’ part 1: Hilltop Child Development Center staff, families say abuse reports are symptoms of bigger issues
Despite reports of abuse surfacing, current and former Hilltop Child Development Center staff members and families say they have deeper concerns, and publicized incidents are a small part of a much larger story.
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
Tricia Masenthin / The Lawrence Times
Mother blames child’s heat exhaustion on lack of safety protocols at St. John Preschool in Lawrence
A local mother is demanding corrective action after her child suffered heat exhaustion in the care of a Lawrence preschool. As she’s pondered her child’s experience, her mind has gone to “dark places” — including wondering if racism played a role.
Photo by MChe Lee on Unsplash
Lawrence school district declines to give details on students, staff in quarantines
As COVID-19 case counts rise just a week into the school year, students in Lawrence schools have been directed to isolate after potential exposure to the virus. That’s problematic for learning — and for students who need meals.
KU Libraries Exhibits
The KBI declined to release its case file on Rick ‘Tiger’ Dowdell’s 1970 killing by Lawrence police; here’s why it matters (Analysis)
The KBI will, at least temporarily, continue to keep in the dark records that could finally shed light on a case of police violence that has been imprinted in the fabric of Lawrence for exactly 51 years.
Coroner’s findings skewered in appeal of murder conviction in Eudora baby’s death
An attorney argued Thursday that his client was convicted based on a coroner’s junk science, aided by a natural human desire to hold someone accountable for the tragic death of a 9-month-old baby.
Lawrence Boys & Girls Club petition cites safety, equity concerns in calls for reform
A group of current and former staffers of Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence have launched a petition complaining of unsafe conditions, systemic inequity and mismanagement, and they’re demanding an overhaul of the organization’s programs.
August Rudisell/@KsScanner
Lawrence women plan to stay in home despite actions of homeowners’ association; they hope HOA will do better in the future
After speaking out about issues with their Lawrence homeowners’ association, Breeann Bass and her family feel like they can get their quality of life back — at least somewhat.
Who killed Nick Rice? Part 8: ‘I feel like I now know the whole story’
For years after Nick Rice’s death, his family fielded an untold number of letters, phone calls and the occasional in-person visitor telling them Nick deserved what he got.
Who killed Nick Rice? Part 7: Pocketing the bullet
KBI laboratory testing released 50 years after Nick Rice was killed revealed that a bullet found almost exactly where the teen’s body lay was fired from the gun of Officer Jimmy Joe Stroud. But a Lawrence police captain had tampered with that evidence, rendering it inadmissible.
Who killed Nick Rice? Part 6: A coroner’s inquest, unquestioning media coverage — and the sniper theory
There were so many questions surrounding Nick Rice’s death in Lawrence in July 1970, but most local media failed to ask them. Instead, false narratives were allowed to thrive.
Who killed Nick Rice? Key figures in the investigation
Nick Rice was shot and killed in the 1200 block of Oread Avenue on the night of July 20, 1970 — an innocent bystander in a crowd of more than 150 protesters. These key figures were involved in Nick’s life, his death, and the subsequent investigation.
August Rudisell/@KsScanner
Lawrence women, landlord concerned about discrimination by homeowners’ association
A Lawrence family is facing harassment and discrimination, illustrated well by the vandalism of both their Black Lives Matter flag and their rainbow flag. The situation has escalated to the point that they’re living in fear.
Who killed Nick Rice? Part 5: Decades of misinformation
The KBI determined that Nick Rice was not the man who tried to torch a car on KU’s campus in July 1970. But following his death, local officials sowed doubt about that fact in public statements. Even five decades later, one former officer likened Rice to BTK or John Wayne Gacy.
Who killed Nick Rice? Part 4: An officer with a checkered past ‘believed that he shot someone’
Hours after Nick Rice was killed in July 1970, Lawrence police officer Jimmy Joe Stroud asked authorities if he’d be charged with shooting the teen. But then the coverup began.
Five decades later, Stroud still says “They didn’t have no evidence.”
Who killed Nick Rice? Part 3: Days of Rage and death on Mount Oread
Some protesters tried to set a VW on fire as tensions rose on July 20, 1970. Lawrence police officers fired tear gas, then guns. Suddenly, Nick Rice’s fiancée realized Nick wasn’t holding her hand anymore.
Who killed Nick Rice? Part 2: Staying carefree in a time of strife
Friends said Nick Rice was a nice, carefree guy who didn’t pay much attention to the unrest around him. So how did he get swept up in the tense protest at KU the night of his death?
Investigative SerieS: Days of Rage — Lawrence, 1970
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