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.)

Advocate hopes Kansas governor grants clemency in murder of rapist, but holds back optimism
Dave Ranney says few people disagree with his assertion that Gov. Laura Kelly should grant clemency to Sarah Gonzales-McLinn, who slit her rapist’s throat in 2014. But when he hears opposition, he asks, “Why don’t you tell me what you think was going on in that house?”

Lawrence city commissioners request some tweaks to plastic bag ban, but most voice general support
Lawrence city commissioners indicated Tuesday that they will likely approve a ban on single-use plastic bags when a revision of the ordinance comes back to them in the near future.

Transgender and nonbinary people and allies push Lawrence City Commission to stand against anti-trans law
Nearly three dozen people spoke to the Lawrence City Commission Tuesday, asking commissioners to make Lawrence a sanctuary city for transgender and nonbinary people by taking a stand against the Kansas Legislature.

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.

Applications now open for vacant Lawrence school board seat
Those who are interested in serving out a 2.5-year term on the Lawrence school board can now apply for the position.

The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for June 6, 2023 (Sponsored post)
“What do tornadoes, Oklahoma oil rights, rural running, shipwrecks, and hot dogs have in common? They’re all subjects of the many great nonfiction books on this week’s Raven bestseller list!” the Raven Book Store writes.

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.

More photos: Lawrence PRIDE block party
Here’s a little more joy from Lawrence PRIDE’s Saturday celebrations. The block party featured community organizations, drag artists, families, friends, lots of love, and even an engagement.

Lawrence City Commission to weigh in on proposed plastic bag ban
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider next steps for a proposed citywide ban on single-use plastic bags, as well as a full-time code compliance official to enforce the ban.

Kansas Sierra Club expresses optimism despite CAFO case dismissal by state Supreme Court
The Kansas Sierra Club found reason for optimism in the Kansas Supreme Court’s dismissal of a case challenging state permits issued for confined feeding facilities on property divided in a way to allow substantial increase in the number of hogs on the site despite proximity of surface water.

Kaw Valley Almanac for June 5-11, 2023
The hackberry butterfly can be found near many woodlands that contain hackberry trees right now. They are happy to sun themselves on your body!

Timeline update: City of Lawrence hopes to open Pallet Shelter Village by winter
The city’s village of cabin-style shelters for people experiencing homelessness, previously slated to open in July, is running a few months behind schedule.

Lawrence PRIDE celebrates with parade, block party; activists plan push to protect trans rights
The Lawrence PRIDE parade and block party brought colorful celebration to downtown Saturday, but they also included messages of support and resistance for transgender and gender-nonconforming folks who have been targeted by legislation in Kansas and beyond.

Community members show their colors at Lawrence PRIDE parade and block party
Lawrence PRIDE celebrated the first weekend of Pride Month with a downtown parade and block party. As people waved rainbow flags and walked dogs wearing rainbow tutus, the event showed what it can look like when a community comes together for the sake of diversity, love and acceptance.

June tours, workshops to focus on Sacred Red Rock before park closes ahead of move
Four guided tours and interactive workshops this month will aim to educate participants about the Sacred Red Rock before it is returned to the Kaw Nation, and to foster ideas for the future of the park where it’s currently on display.

Man shot, killed in Lawrence; no suspect in custody yet, police say
An unidentified man was shot and killed early Saturday, and Lawrence police are asking for the public’s help.

Judge hears evidence in teen’s motion for immunity in shooting death of Lawrence boy, 14
A 14-year-old boy was nearly 200 feet away from his alleged shooter, a judge heard Friday, though the defendant charged with his murder is claiming self-defense.

Blade & Timber ax-throwing venue to return to Lawrence; owner will add mini golf, too
Matt Baysinger has a handle on what to do with his newly acquired space at 722 Massachusetts St., which formerly housed Signs of Life.

RPG to close its doors at the end of the month
It’s game over for RPG. The game-themed restaurant on Massachusetts Street is closing June 30 after four years of offering food, drinks, social events and providing a space for people to gather and play games.

Lawrence PRIDE to bring street parade, block party to Mass Street
Lawrence PRIDE will return Saturday, bigger than ever before. Featuring a street parade, block party and drag show, the event will also include info about Kansas’ new anti-trans legislation and a gender marker clinic.

Lawrence Adult Learning Center graduates, families and supporters celebrate
It’s been 20 years since Kattie Ferguson dropped out of high school. Earning her GED was a dream placed in the periphery until a couple years ago, when she set her sights on going back to school.

School district announces interim principals for Lawrence High School, West Middle School
The Lawrence school district has announced that Quentin Rials will serve as interim principal of Lawrence High School in the upcoming school year, and Therese Brink Edgecomb will take over that role at West Middle School.

Here’s where kids can eat free lunches in Lawrence this summer
Children ages 18 and younger will be able to eat a free lunch on weekdays at six locations in Lawrence throughout the summer, starting June 5.

Lawrence City Commission, school board will have primary elections; here’s who’s running
Noon Thursday was the deadline to file to run for local office. Here are the candidates for Lawrence City Commission and the Lawrence school board.