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.)
Stephen R Ausmus USDA-ARS
Kansas bird flu outbreak is worst in nation
Kansas is suffering from the worst outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the country, with nearly 414,000 birds affected, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Douglas County treasurer’s office to move services out of courthouse, into satellite location
The Douglas County treasurer’s office will soon close its public-facing services in the historic courthouse […]
Lawrence Municipal Court judge to retire
Chris Kopecky, the judge who presides over Lawrence Municipal Court, is set to retire at the beginning of March.
Obituary: Julie Ann Abel
Julie Ann Abel, 11/21/1958 – 1/6/2026
Kansas Legislature launches 2026 session with Democrat Laura Kelly in final year as governor
The Kansas Legislature convenes Monday for the final session with Gov. Laura Kelly amid uncertainty about potential redrawing of the state’s congressional map to disenfranchise voters who elected U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Jan. 12-18, 2026
Sycamore trees are white barked and easy to spot. Their smooth round seed balls stay on the trees all winter long and persist into the spring when they can be pulled off and thrown at a wall, exploding into seeds.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence protesters speak out against fatal ICE shooting, immigration policy
Peaceful protesters congregated Sunday afternoon in downtown Lawrence to denounce American immigration policy, prior to and during the Trump administration, in the wake of an ICE agent fatally shooting a woman in Minneapolis.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider hiring consultants for enrollment projections, online map
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider contracting with a consulting firm to complete enrollment projections and launch an online map for the district. Four board members will also begin their new terms.
Lawrence Farmers Market to present studies of possible park locations amid some pushback
The Lawrence Farmers Market will soon present a city board with a study on whether South Park or Watson Park could be an appropriate place for the market’s permanent location, though there has been some pushback against those sites.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
‘This shop will fail’: ECM leadership hopes new punk bookstore will be lightning rod to get community in the door
If Lawrencians are going to confuse the Ecumenical Campus Ministries for a church, executive director Jessie Duke at least wants it to seem like a wild one. That’s why she opened a punk, anarchist bookstore in the building.
Lawrence Restaurant Week to feature specials from dozens of local restaurants, bars
The local hospitality industry is gearing up a slew of special menu items for this year’s Lawrence Restaurant Week, a 10-day culinary affair.
Carter Gaskins/Lawrence Times
Here’s a sneak peek at Runner, service-dog-in-training and future Watkins Museum volunteer
Runner, the latest service-dog-in-training being raised by a Watkins Museum volunteer, stopped by the museum Thursday to greet her future colleagues.
GOP legislative leaders enlist former Emporia State president to slash Kansas university budgets
Republican legislative leaders agreed to pay former Emporia State University president Ken Hush $50,000 to spearhead their efforts to slash spending at public universities.
Kansas Supreme Court Justice Eric Rosen sworn in as chief of state’s highest court
Kansas Supreme Court Justice Eric Rosen formally stepped into the job of chief justice Thursday by framing the delicate work of the state’s highest court as a crucial public service and proclaiming the citizenry’s diversity of perspective strengthened the rule of law rather than challenged it.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Man shot in Lawrence City Hall had no firearm, had asked to go to train station, law enforcement says
The man who was shot and killed by a city employee in Lawrence City Hall Monday had asked to be brought to the local Amtrak station and did not have a firearm, according to law enforcement spokespeople.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
KU’s living library of fungi, key to restoration and sustainability, threatened by shrinking federal funds
For a team of researchers at KU, fungal doomsday looks less like parasitic mushrooms transforming people into zombies, and more like the loss of a fungi collection that serves as a major global resource for sustainability and restoration.
This Kansas house being built with hemp is designed to keep down electricity bills
K-State University and Habitat for Humanity are working on an affordable house in Ogden, Kansas, that will use hemp insulation to keep its residents warm in winter and cool in summer.
Obituary: Connor Thellman
Connor Thellman, 2/11/1995 – 1/1/2026
Obituary: Patricia Jean Lindholm Gilges
Patricia Jean Lindholm Gilges, 5/9/1924 – 1/6/2026
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Sanctuary Alliance to hold solidarity demonstration in downtown Lawrence
Sanctuary Alliance will hold a solidarity demonstration Sunday in downtown Lawrence in the wake of an ICE officer’s fatal shooting of a woman in Minnesota Wednesday morning.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Spring programming at Dole Institute themed on America’s 250th birthday
The Dole Institute of Politics will recognize America’s 250th birthday with its spring 2026 programming, including a series by a Kansas journalist and a former state senator and a Holocaust film screening.
Contributed photo
Former Lawrence substitute teacher, basketball coach and community mentor dies at 79
Craig Butler was known for far more than the bass heard in the words he spoke. He also helped many Lawrence youths find their own voices.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Lawrence Olive Garden set to open Feb. 2
Months after the building began to tease those passing by, the Olive Garden in Lawrence will finally open on Feb. 2.
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Fritz bored by Douglas County meetings, prefers pup cups
Don’t let Fritz’s regal appearance fool you. He’s demonstrated that he’ll take a pup cup over a Douglas County staff meeting any day.
