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.)

Ask Cody: Are your articles only for People of Color? (Column)
“When I answer questions, I attempt to center the most marginalized people — that way the answer applies to everyone, not just white folks,” Cody writes.

New law helps drivers with suspended licenses get back on the road
A new law now in effect gives Kansans with suspended driver’s licenses a clearer avenue to get back on the road.

Where did the livestreams go? Most Douglas County District Court hearings are off YouTube
Although many Douglas County District Court hearings are still occurring via Zoom videoconferencing, few are now being publicly livestreamed on YouTube, in large part because of the burden to court staff.

Who killed Nick Rice? Part 5: Decades of misinformation
The KBI determined that Nick Rice was not the man who tried to torch a car on KU’s campus in July 1970. But following his death, local officials sowed doubt about that fact in public statements. Even five decades later, one former officer likened Rice to BTK or John Wayne Gacy.

Nate Morsches: Businesses can and must be part of the solution to the mental health crisis (Column)
“We as businesses, having access to resources and network connections, must do our part to reach a collective solution to the rapid increase in mental illness,” Nate Morsches writes.

Bert Nash expanding hours for mental health services, adding staff
Starting next month, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center will add about 18 operating hours per week. The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. most weekdays.

Kansas governor denounces effort to tie college athlete pay to transgender athlete ban
An effort to pass a bill allowing collegiate student-athletes to receive compensation for their name and likeness in exchange for pushing through a ban on transgender athletes in school sports drew scorn Thursday from Gov. Laura Kelly.

Fire on Colorado Street caused by smoking materials, fire department says
A fire that displaced 10 residents from an apartment building in Lawrence last week was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials, and it caused more than $263K in estimated damages, an official says.

Racial disparities in infant mortalities persist despite record low rates in Kansas
Studies done in past years have demonstrated Black and Hispanic Kansas communities experience infant mortality at a much higher rate than their white counterparts.

Lawrence High course provides space for students of all abilities to explore leadership
Originally, a yearlong interpersonal skills course at Lawrence High focused on helping students with autism develop social skills alongside their peers. Through the years, it’s become a team-building leadership course for all — and an “IPS family.”

Who killed Nick Rice? Part 4: An officer with a checkered past ‘believed that he shot someone’
Hours after Nick Rice was killed in July 1970, Lawrence police officer Jimmy Joe Stroud asked authorities if he’d be charged with shooting the teen. But then the coverup began.
Five decades later, Stroud still says “They didn’t have no evidence.”

People ages 12-15 can get COVID-19 vaccines in Douglas County starting Thursday
Based on updated recommendations from the CDC, people ages 12-15 can get Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in Douglas County starting Thursday.

Longtime Lawrence advocate Melinda Henderson has died at 68
Melinda Henderson was passionately involved in community affairs, most recently focusing on affordable housing and community issues. She died Tuesday at 68.

Lawrence families: Here’s your guide to fun in summer 2021
Here is a list of the Lawrence summer to-dos that are still enrolling. Find your family’s summer fit and sunny happiness.

A view of Lawrence: Sunrise on Mount Oread
Bailey Mareu, of Lawrence, submitted this photo of Wednesday morning’s sunrise to the Times.

Kansas agencies to reopen June 13 with face masks required for visitors, employees
Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration revealed plans Wednesday for state agencies to return to normal operations on June 13.

Who killed Nick Rice? Part 3: Days of Rage and death on Mount Oread
Some protesters tried to set a VW on fire as tensions rose on July 20, 1970. Lawrence police officers fired tear gas, then guns. Suddenly, Nick Rice’s fiancée realized Nick wasn’t holding her hand anymore.

Tom Harper: Open house planned for student-designed Monarch Village project at Lawrence Community Shelter (Column)
An open house for Monarch Village will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Mask up and come take a tour of the latest Studio 804 project that will provide temporary noncongregate housing for many folks who need it.

Douglas County data analyst: Racial disparities in bail bonds may be further evidence of systemic racism
After a presentation on racial disparities in bail bonds, the CJCC wants to take a broader look at bond overall, the role it plays, and whether it’s effective in its overall purpose — and drill deeper to get more data.

Kansas Democrats launch nonprofit to drive turnout for progressive candidates, issues
Three Kansas Democrats formed the nucleus of a new nonprofit providing financial, strategic and logistical support for a year-round volunteer operation that reaches out to low-turnout voters in support of progressive candidates and issues.

Short-term health insurance expansion passed by Kansas Legislature raises bipartisan concerns
A bill passed by the Kansas Legislature last week will expand the usage period on short-term health insurance plans if approved by Gov. Laura Kelly.

Who killed Nick Rice? Part 2: Staying carefree in a time of strife
Friends said Nick Rice was a nice, carefree guy who didn’t pay much attention to the unrest around him. So how did he get swept up in the tense protest at KU the night of his death?

Recap: Lawrence school board meeting, May 10, 2021
The Lawrence school board received an update on the rollout of restorative practice, approved an equity policy and more at its meeting Monday.

Kansas lawmakers make sexual extortion a crime, raise penalties for eluding police
A criminal justice bill passed by the House and Senate makes sexual extortion a crime, enforces stronger penalties for attempting to elude a police officer and allows a spouse to be charged with sexual battery.