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.)
Kansas legislative leadership devoting two days of interim hearings to medical marijuana
Republican Sen. Michael Fagg made a compelling case for scheduling joint House and Senate hearings on options for developing medical marijuana legislation in advance of convening the 2025 Kansas Legislature.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Treatment and Recovery Center nurses call for new leadership, policies to improve safety, patient care
Five licensed nurses who’ve worked at the Douglas County Treatment and Recovery Center are speaking out after recent injuries and security breaches — including one involving a loaded gun — have increased their fears for the safety of staff and patients.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Federal judge dismisses First Amendment lawsuit against City of Lawrence
A judge on Tuesday dismissed a federal lawsuit that alleged employees of the City of Lawrence violated two residents’ freedom of speech.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission eyes big property tax increase after pleas from firefighters
Firefighter-medics on Tuesday emphasized the worst-nightmare moments they see on a regular basis as they pleaded with the Lawrence City Commission to fund staffing levels the same way the city has in years past.
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for July 9, 2024
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
Kansas legislators, governor release $35.7 million tied to public university adherence to DEI law
Gov. Laura Kelly and top legislative leaders voted Tuesday to allocate $35.7 million to public higher education after the Board of Regents certified that administrators complied with a state law forbidding employment and admissions decisions to be based on diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Lawrence library to celebrate the ‘vibrancy’ of the city’s multicultural community
The Lawrence Public Library will host its first Multicultural Fair this weekend to offer opportunities to connect with others and “celebrate the importance and vibrancy of Lawrence’s multicultural community.”
Celebration of Life: Sidney Roedel
Sidney Roedel, 1935 – 2024
Taco Zone in downtown Lawrence closes; catering still available
Taco Zone in downtown Lawrence has closed to focus on catering, its owners say.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
Candidate forums coming up for Douglas County Commission, Lawrence-area House and Senate races
Four candidate forums are coming up, featuring candidates running for Douglas County Commission as well as the Lawrence- and Douglas County-area candidates running in the primary elections for Kansas House and Senate.
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for July 9, 2024 (Sponsored post)
”Pretty funny that a store known for its cats has a Dog Man book as its number one bestseller of the last two weeks,” the Raven Book Store writes.
Lawrence school board renews contract for AI student monitoring software, increases student meal prices
As part of a busy annual organizational meeting Monday, Lawrence school board members approved a renewal of Gaggle, the district’s student surveillance software, and a 10-cent increase to student meal prices. They also voted on the next board president and VP.
Lawrence school district will likely pay $65K for boundary analysis; school board postpones approval
The Lawrence school district will likely pay $65,000 for a consultant’s boundary and enrollment analysis, and while some board members voiced concerns about the consultants, others defended the data they deliver.
Contributed photo
Entire board and interim director of HeadQuarters Kansas resign; new staff letter highlights concerns
The interim executive director of HeadQuarters Kansas and its entire board of directors have resigned. A new staff letter highlights ongoing concerns about the nonprofit suicide prevention organization.
Obituary: Buford “Bo” Campbell
Buford “Bo” Campbell, 10/27/1952 – 6/20/2024
Lawrence school district announces two administrative position changes
The Lawrence school district has announced a new deputy superintendent and executive director of curriculum and instruction, which also represent two changes to administrative position titles.
One-fourth of Kansas nursing homes labeled ‘problem’ facilities because of persistently poor care
A national coalition’s report says one-fourth of Kansas’ 300 nursing homes were categorized as problem facilities due to substandard care and persistent compliance issues.
To save the bees, a Kansas scientist is building an app to identify thousands of species
Scientists want to know how well bees are coping with habitat loss. But first, they need to be able to tell nearly identical species apart.
Kaw Valley Almanac for July 8-14, 2024
Here is a working dung beetle, pushing a large marble sized globe of dung with its hind legs to a patch of dirt, where it dug a hole and buried it.
Raven Book Store opens free book collection for queer youths
With a new free book collection now available, the Raven Book Store is aiming to support local youths who are “perfectly queer.”
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider increasing meal prices, some student fees
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider approving a 10-cent increase to lunch and breakfast prices in addition to some student fee increases for the 2024-25 year.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider $100K contract for enrollment analysis, renewing Gaggle for $53K
Another contract with RSP & Associates, a consulting firm that provides analyses for the Lawrence school district, and a renewal for the district’s student surveillance software are up for the school board’s consideration Monday.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City budget would hike property taxes, seek to double .05% sales tax to support homelessness solutions
The Lawrence city manager’s proposed budget for 2025 would increase the property tax rate, and it proposes asking voters to double the .05% affordable housing sales tax to support homelessness initiatives. It would also cut some of Parks & Rec’s budget.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Better luck next year? City of Lawrence will have $30K credit for drone show in 2025
The City of Lawrence has a $30,000 credit for a drone show set for July 3, 2025, following technical difficulties that prevented the drones from functioning Wednesday evening.
