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 lawmakers propose state funding of anti-abortion advocacy programs
A new bill would divert an estimated $1.7 million in state funding away from low-income families and into programs that promote childbirth, in an effort to reduce abortions statewide.
A Kansas bill hopes to weed out bad cops by sharing job applications
A proposed bill would require law enforcement agencies to share information used on job applications and, more importantly, share information on why a candidate was rejected.
Consultants recommend City of Lawrence allocate $1.4M in grant funds to affordable housing
Statistics and survey responses made clear that affordable housing is Lawrence’s most pressing need in order to alleviate and prevent homelessness, consultants told the city commission on Tuesday.
It’s Women’s History Month in Lawrence – officially
The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday proclaimed March as Women’s History Month in Lawrence … apparently for the first time.
Kansas state representative calls rainbow drawings proof of indoctrination at Leavenworth school
A Leavenworth parent was outraged when she opened up her state rep’s February newsletter and found her daughter’s rainbow drawing published as an example of indoctrination in the school system.
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for March 7, 2023 (Sponsored post)
“This week’s bestseller list is anchored by two massive fantasy prequels,” the Raven Book Store writes.
Clay Wirestone: Lawmakers have declared war on the poor. They betray the 340,000 Kansans living in poverty. (Column)
”Not one person is better because he or she earned a million dollars or a billion dollars. That wealth buys comfort and corruption, but it cannot buy virtue,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Kansas House panel bundles voucher-like program with teacher, special education spending
The Republican majority on the Kansas House K-12 budget committee bundled into one bill controversial diversion of state tax dollars to private schools with an expansion in state aid for special education in public schools and a mandate half of public school budget increases tied to an inflation index be devoted to raising teacher salaries.
Liberty Memorial Central Middle School principal to resign
Anne Hawks, principal of Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, will resign effective June 30, the school district announced Monday.
As Kansas lawmakers target abortion rights, opposition unites at Statehouse
If Lila and Margaret Bhattarai had their way, they would replace “incredibly misogynistic” legislation floating around the Statehouse with laws that protect people’s rights to do what they want with their own bodies. The sisters from Lawrence joined a coalition of people from across the state who gathered Monday at the Capitol to leverage their voices against a multitude of anti-abortion and anti-transgender proposals.
Transgender Kansans alarmed by bills seeking to undermine constitutional rights
Adam Kellog says the transgender community in Kansas is terrified by bills advancing through the Legislature this session that include efforts to criminalize gender-affirming care, ban transgender athletes from competing with cisgender athletes, and narrowly define what it means to be a woman.
Obituary: Justin Newell
Justin Newell, 11/30/1984 – 12/6/2022
Public hearings on two Lawrence elementary school closures scheduled
The Lawrence school district announced Monday morning it will hold public hearings at the end of March on the possible closures of Broken Arrow and Pinckney elementary schools.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City sets sights on 18th & Haskell for Lawrence’s Pallet Shelter Village, old Veritas building for shelter
The City of Lawrence is planning to raise modular shelters for people experiencing homelessness at a site near 18th Street and Haskell Avenue, sources say. In addition, the city plans to buy the old Veritas Christian School property on North Michigan Street, possibly for use as a family shelter.
Obituary: Edna Jean Van Schmus
Edna Jean Van Schmus, 7/3/1938 – 2/23/2023
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
1900 Barker on Mass holds soft opening
The downtown expansion of 1900 Barker Bakery and Cafe — called 1900 Barker on Mass — opened its doors Monday morning.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
City to install hygiene trailer at North Lawrence campsite, following questions about staff trailer
The city will install a bathroom and shower trailer at the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness, despite the plan violating city code. The city recently brought an office trailer to the support site, sparking confusion and controversy.
Ken Lassman
Kaw Valley Almanac for March 6-12, 2023
After a grassland burn, rodent trails under the grasses become visible, such as these vole trails. It’s interesting to see where they go, including holes that go to burrows and nests.
Kansas Craft Brewers Expo attendees share tips, top hangover remedies
The Kansas Craft Brewers Exposition returned to Lawrence on Saturday. Celebrating the 11th annual expo, hundreds of beer connoisseurs, brewers from across the state, and local food vendors flocked to Abe & Jake’s Landing for two sold-out sessions.
Who’s your health champion? Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health seeks nominations
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health wants to recognize residents of the county for “exceptional efforts to model, encourage, and promote health in the community.”
Lawrence police warn of scam: Caller asks victim to download a computer program
The Lawrence Police Department issued a warning Friday about a scam in which a caller asks potential victims to download a computer program, then hacks their bank accounts.
Clay Wirestone: Statehouse scraps – Turnaround twaddle, stacked hearings multiply, another abortion ban proposed (Column)
”Turnaround, you see, works as another tool to silence dissent and make inconvenient bills disappear,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Mountain biking in Kansas? It exists, and it’s thriving: Meet Oona Nelson
Oona Nelson, 18, has played nearly every sport in the book. This coming fall, she’ll head off on an athletic scholarship to pursue her favorite sport of all: cycling.
Kansas business interests eager to expand statutory shield against ‘abusive’ ADA lawsuits
Advocates say a bill in the hands of the House Judiciary Committee would protect businesses unfairly targeted by “abusive” lawsuits alleging Americans with Disabilities Act compliance issues.
