Latest new posts from ALL categories of The Lawrence Times:
Lawrence news, state news, Community Voices, Lawrence Life, obituaries and more.
(Please note that opinion pieces are included in this list, marked as columns or letters to the Times. Not all posts linked on this page were written or produced by the Lawrence Times staff.)
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Former Lawrence school speech pathologist charged with child sex crimes will face trial, judge rules
A former Prairie Park Elementary School speech pathologist was bound over for trial on Thursday on charges of child sex crimes against students.
Obituary: Derrick Charles Small
Derrick Charles Small, 8/16/1965 – 12/6/2025
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
‘We’re regressing’: Douglas County commissioners again bump tenant right to counsel program to back burner
Although Douglas County has expressed commitment to tenant right to counsel and has engaged in implementation discussions for months, a majority of county commissioners Wednesday opted instead to have county staff do more research on mediation.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Planning Commission recommends zoning changes for former Dragon’s Hoard site, Bert Nash housing
Planning commissioners gave nods of approval to one zoning request to allow houses to be built at the former Dragon’s Hoard location and another for Bert Nash to construct apartments off Sixth and Rockledge.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Topeka man sentenced to nearly 52 years in murder of Lawrence musician
A Topeka man was sentenced Wednesday to nearly 52 years for the murder of a Lawrence musician, and the victim’s family members said they were grateful for a sense of justice.
Kansas lawmakers may censor how universities talk about race in classes
A state law requires Kansas agencies and universities to eliminate any policies related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Republican lawmakers are questioning whether they should also regulate the content in college courses.
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Dec. 16, 2025
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission votes to keep Community Building open for exercise access on trial basis
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday voted to keep the Community Building open and free to residents for a three-month trial basis once access fees to use the city’s other recreation centers go into effect in January.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
New edition of first volume of ‘Embattled Lawrence’ released
An updated version of “Embattled Lawrence Vol. 1,” an original work detailing history of Lawrence, aims to fill in more gaps than its predecessor.
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Unflappable brindle shepherd mix Cardi B. is not the drama
Unlike her namesake, 3-year-old brindle shepherd mix Cardi B. doesn’t have to ask if she’s the drama. She’s guaranteed to be a human’s peace.
Kansas governor doubtful GOP legislators can pull off congressional redistricting
Gov. Laura Kelly predicted Tuesday the 2026 Legislature wouldn’t muster enough political support to implement a new congressional district map splitting Johnson County and making it easier to defeat U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in the midterm election.
Some families flee Kansas as gender-affirming care ban for minors takes effect
In January, all access to hormone treatments and other gender-affirming care for transgender youth will end in Kansas. Some families have already moved to avoid the ban.
Contributed photo
Free State High School troupe selected to perform at Wichita festival; local performance to send them off
Free State High School theatre students will take “The Addams Family: School Edition” on the road after being selected as one of five schools statewide to participate in the Kansas Thespian Festival.
‘Lawrence 2026’ launches website for World Cup info
The Lawrence area’s unified command to prep for the World Cup is now dubbed “Lawrence 2026,” and the group has launched a website to share information about plans with residents and visitors.
Nathan Kramer/Lawrence Times
Douglas County Commission to consider a limited tenant right to counsel pilot program
The Douglas County Commission on Wednesday will review staff recommendations to create a limited tenant right to counsel pilot program for 2027, despite an advocacy group’s calls for a program to support all renters facing eviction.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence city commissioners to discuss rec center access fees; vice mayor proposes new plan
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will revisit the access fees the city is planning to charge people to use rec centers. A new commissioner has a proposal to patch a budget deficit that staff members say would result without fee revenue.
Contributed photo
Deerfield Elementary teacher earns Dedication to Education award
Melissa Clover, a fourth grade teacher at Deerfield Elementary School, was surprised Monday with an award for her dedication to student success.
Obituary: Randolph C. Moredock
Randolph C. Moredock, 8/18/1950 – 11/27/2025
Kaw Valley Almanac for Dec. 15-21, 2025
This time of year is a great time to lie down in some tallgrass prairie remnant on a sunny day, and it will shield you from the wind and insulate you from the cold ground. See what you see in the deep, blue winter solstice sky.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Champions of Lawrence arts celebrated at 25th Phoenix Awards
More supportive spaces for Native American youth to grow in the arts and entrepreneurship are always needed, said Rachael Lackey, one of six Phoenix Award recipients recognized Sunday for their contributions to Lawrence arts.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Community-building on display at Winter Inclusive Market in Lawrence
Jesse and Linda Hunter carry a legacy of their family’s barbecue business through their homemade sauces. Jesse & Linny’s BBQ Sauce was one of around 100 vendors at the Winter Inclusive Market, which reopens Sunday.
Lawrence advisory boards will reevaluate city’s goal to achieve fully renewable energy usage
Members of two Lawrence advisory boards will soon put their heads together to evaluate whether the city’s renewable energy goals are realistic, and how they line up with overarching sustainability plans for the county.
Johnson County officers kill a stabbing suspect at Panasonic plant. Here’s what we know
The Panasonic plant in De Soto shut down after officers shot a person suspected of stabbing another. The suspect is dead, and the stabbing victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Prairie Band Potawatomi intends to ditch $30M ICE contract, chairman announces
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe’s chairman compared immigrant detention to Indian reservations in an online video address Friday, and declared the tribe’s intention to jettison a recently secured contract to design detention centers.
