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.)
Lawrence school district graduation rates have increased, accreditation report shows
High school graduation rates in the Lawrence school district increased last year, adding onto its gradual improvement over the years, a new accreditation report states.
Lawrence City Commission approves ordinance changes aimed at helping people find housing
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved an ordinance change that creates a protected class based on source of income, as well as status as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking. The change also disallows discrimination based on prospective tenants’ immigration status.
Douglas County could see snow Wednesday and Thursday
Douglas County could see 1 to 2 inches of snow overnight Wednesday into Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Topeka.
Kansas lawmaker questions fairness of flat tax plan that would benefit state’s top earners
Rep. Christina Haswood, a Lawrence Democrat, questioned during a House committee hearing today why the Legislature should favor a flat tax over more equitable tax cut proposals.
Some Kansas lawmakers want to punish doctors who help transgender kids transition
Kansas lawmakers are taking aim at gender-affirming care, with a bill trying to create penalties for doctors who carry out the treatments.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
‘This was not a good Samaritan out giving food’: Residents of North Lawrence camp, advocate counter narrative about fight
Two residents of the North Lawrence camp for people experiencing homelessness were charged with crimes after a fight Saturday, but other residents and an advocate say the alleged victim was not supposed to be at the support site at all.
Lawrence school board approves calendar for next year with 5-day weeks
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved the district’s 2023-24 school calendar that keeps students in attendance five days a week. Research on a four-day week option will be presented to the board next month.
Donnavan Dillon: Kansas has no place for hate in 2023. When will legislators get the memo? (Column)
“We as Kansans must change our organizing and engagement tactics to ensure anti-LGBTQ+ legislation ceases to appear in our state,” Donnavan Dillon writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Kansas Democrats describe attempt to ban transgender student athletes as ‘crushing weight’
Kansas Democrats in the House said a hearing Monday, on an attempt to ban transgender athletes from participating in school sports, marked the start of “hate week,” a reference to planned discussions on multiple bills attacking the LGBTQ community.
Mardi Gras parade to return to downtown Lawrence
Get your beads ready: The 15th annual Mardi Gras parade will hit downtown Lawrence next week.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission to vote on proposed ordinance change aimed at helping people find housing
Lawrence city commissioners are set to vote Tuesday on proposed changes to city ordinances that advocates say could help people secure housing. They’ll also decide whether to include tenant protections based on immigration status.
Kansas education advocates see vouchers and hostility as attempts to undermine public schools
Between voucher programs and new parental rights legislation, education officials say public schools are having a rough time.
Ken Lassman
Kaw Valley Almanac for Feb. 13-19, 2023
Super Bowl sunset: The sky tipped us off who it was rooting for by flashing Kansas City’s colors right before the game began. Several flocks of geese honked in their support, too!
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Super Bowl champions again! Lawrence celebrates Kansas City victory
Lawrence is celebrating Sunday night after the Kansas City football team became Super Bowl champions for the second time in four years.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider approving next year’s school calendar, hear accreditation report
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider a draft school calendar for 2023-24, which includes a few changes but keeps five-day weeks — for now. A four-day student week proposal will come back to the board next month.
Lawrence band embracing ‘the epic cheesy love song’ for Valentine’s Day Slow Dance Party
Lawrence band Carswell & Hope, with special guest vocalist Kirsten Paludan, will perform at their second annual Valentine’s Day Slow Dance Party on Tuesday, and those seeking a romantic night out are welcome.
‘He Gets Us’: A Kansas campaign spent $20 million on Super Bowl ads to rebrand Jesus Christ
This Sunday, the “He Gets Us” campaign will air two ads during the Super Bowl. The campaign will ultimately spend $1 billion to humanize Jesus and Christianity. They’re funded, in part, by Hobby Lobby, known for its advocacy of conservative causes.
Kansas Republicans select 2020 election conspiracy theorist to serve as party chairman
Former Johnson County commissioner and 2020 election conspiracy theorist Mike Brown narrowly defeated Saturday a former Republican national committeewoman to earn a two-year term as the state GOP’s chairman.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Justice Matters holds prayer vigil at Douglas County Treatment & Recovery Center
Local activists held a prayer vigil Saturday morning in hopes that the Douglas County Treatment and Recovery Center will open its doors soon.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Photos: Lawrence PRIDE’s Queer Prom gives attendees ‘the prom we always wanted’
Lawrence PRIDE, which recently expanded to become a nonprofit, hosted its Queer Prom Friday evening — ”the prom we always wanted and never got to have,” one event organizer said.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
Cordley Elementary students wrap Black Lives Matter week with march
Students, faculty and staff of Cordley Elementary School celebrated Black Lives Matter at School Week, wrapping up the events with a big rally and march on Friday.
Lawrence police, school district to team up for forum on fentanyl risks
An upcoming forum aims to help attendees understand the risks of illicit fentanyl with the goal of reducing the drug’s impact on the community.
KU hires repatriation program manager to coordinate return of Indigenous remains and artifacts
KU has hired Thomas Torma as repatriation program manager. Torma will be responsible for returning ancestors’ remains and funerary artifacts to tribes and tribal communities.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
Kansas woman who killed her rapist faces long odds for clemency
Sarah Gonzales-McLinn faces long odds in her bid for clemency based on the rarity in which the Prisoner Review Board recommends approval, the willingness of governors to wield their power, the severity of her crime and opposition from those close to Hal Sasko.
