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.)
Trans Kansas women barred from women’s bathrooms, female-only spaces under new law
The Legislature resurrected a transgender bathroom ban that bars transgender and intersex women from restrooms, locker rooms, rape crisis centers and other female-specific spaces, making Kansas the first state to enact such a wide-ranging measure.
Kansas senator’s message to non-Christian constituents: ‘I would be happy to try and convert you’
A Republican senator told a Muslim woman that he would be happy to convert her to Christianity when she asked him how he planned to fairly represent all his constituents, not just those who shared his religion.
KU grad student to share research on the racial integration of Lawrence’s public pool
Lawrence’s public pool wasn’t always welcoming for everyone. A KU grad student will share at a community gathering on Saturday her research on the pool’s integration.
Kansas House rejects governor’s veto of bill further limiting access to food subsidies
The Kansas House gathered the two-thirds majority Wednesday to initiate an override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of legislation stripping federally funded food assistance from people 50 to 59 years of age not working at least 30 hours a week or taking part in employment training.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Lawrence High School’s annual ‘Showtime’ variety show returns
Members of Lawrence High School choirs will hit the stage Thursday, Friday and Saturday with “Showtime,” the choral department’s annual variety show.
Kansas lawmakers polish plan to fully fund public schools, revive voucher program
Kansas lawmakers have restored language in the public school finance plan to ensure K-12 schools continue to be fully funded beyond the upcoming academic year and revived a voucher program.
Douglas County Commission delays approving plan for opioid overdose reversal drug distribution
Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday held off on approving a plan for DCCCA to distribute a lifesaving opioid overdose reversal drug throughout the community in order to get more specifics.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Military family new to Lawrence disheartened by West Hills neighbors’ response to paint job
A military family, the Bonuras looked forward to settling down in Lawrence. But they’ve been surprised and disheartened recently by anonymous letters their West Hills neighbors have sent, objecting to the colors the family painted their home.
Kansas House overrides governor’s vetoes of three anti-abortion bills
The GOP-dominated House overrode Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of three anti-abortion laws Wednesday over objections about state-mandated misinformation, alienating OB-GYN workers and ignoring the will of voters.
Senate attempts to override slew of vetoed anti-transgender bills, but care ban fails
The Senate revived a wide-ranging transgender bathroom ban, despite concerns that the ban is overly intrusive, but narrowly allowed Kelly’s veto of a bill essentially banning gender-affirming care for Kansans under the age of 18 to stand.
Kansas Senate falls short in attempt to override governor’s veto of flat tax proposal
Senators failed to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a flat tax proposal that primarily benefits the state’s wealthiest residents.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
KU student to revive ‘The Wizard of AIDS*,’ a health education parody, in honor of queer theatremakers
Brad Mathewson, a senior at KU, is bringing back to the stage a parody that aims to educate about safe sex, consent and queer survival, all while “laughing in the face of hatred.”
Rockin’ Red Music Fest to return, celebrating 75 years of Lawrence Community Nursery School
The “Little Red Schoolhouse” will celebrate 75 years serving Lawrence with a festival of music, food and fun on Sunday that is open to the community.
Jordan Winter/Lawrence Times
Sunrise Project hosts plant sale fundraisers to support its community programs
Sunrise Project, a Lawrence nonprofit designed to build community through social connection and food equity, is hosting its eighth annual plant sale fundraiser this month.
Mike Ford to speak at Watkins Museum about project to preserve culture of Munsee Tribe in Kansas
People of the Munsee Tribe in Kansas have started a cultural preservation project and series of events to protect archival materials and educate residents of Douglas, Franklin, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte counties about the history of their tribe in those areas.
Obituary: James Franklin ‘Jim’ Seymour
James Franklin “Jim” Seymour, 6/3/1941 – 4/25/2023
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
El Jimador opens in Lawrence, serving up tacos, ‘mojitaritas’ and more
Taco-loving Lawrencians have a new place to satisfy their cravings. El Jimador, a family-owned Mexican restaurant and bar, is now open seven days a week.
Kansas teachers ask lawmakers to fully fund special education, support public schools
Kansas teachers of the year rallied at the Statehouse to push for a clean K-12 education funding bill, joined by Gov. Laura Kelly in an attempt to sway lawmakers before the veto override session begins.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Earthwork artist Stan Herd breaks ground on project honoring Bob Dole
Kansas artist Stan Herd, known worldwide for his earthworks, broke ground Tuesday on a project that will honor U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, who died in December 2021 at age 98.
Plan would distribute opioid overdose reversal drug in Douglas County; commission to consider funding request
Lawrence-based nonprofit DCCCA has a plan to distribute a lifesaving opioid overdose reversal drug throughout Douglas County. Commissioners will consider the funding request on Wednesday.
With the legislative session drawing to a close, Kansas action on marijuana remains unlikely
Kansas has seen all smoke and no fire on the cannabis front, despite efforts from Democrats who say the state is losing business to neighbors where marijuana is legalized.
Lawrence school board opposed to 4-day week in the near future
Switching to a four-day student/five-day staff school week could save the Lawrence school district money and provide more plan time for teachers, according to some staff members, but it raises equity concerns for families and students. School board members said Monday they don’t believe the district in the near future will be ready to consider the switch.
‘It’s set up to fail’: Kansas youth justice leaders discuss state’s lack of progress
The Kansas juvenile justice system is like a festering wound, said an activist saddened by lawmakers’ lack of action to help at-risk children and youths.
Lawrence school board approves new elementary boundaries
New boundaries approved by the Lawrence school board on a 5-2 vote Monday will reassign students from the two elementary schools that are closing and some students from two schools that aren’t, based on where they reside.
