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.)
Two dozen people hospitalized with COVID-19 at LMH Health as cases continue to soar
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Lawrence has started to reflect the recent record-breaking numbers of new cases.
Organizers promise to keep fighting for gymnastics program in Lawrence public schools
Supporters of Firelions gymnastics at the Lawrence school district’s two high schools have ramped up efforts to keep the program afloat with the launch of an online petition. They’re also vowing to make “a large presence” at the school board meeting Monday.
Kansas officials, advocates grapple over election integrity and voting access
After a 2021 legislative session packed with election proposals, Kansas officials and advocacy groups again are looking at both election integrity and accessibility issues.
Douglas County DA seeks public feedback on in-person court hearings, jury trials
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez has launched an online survey to gauge how the public feels about in-person court hearings and jury trials amid record numbers of COVID-19 cases.
House Democrats want Kansas voters to decide on Medicaid expansion, marijuana legalization
A trio of newly proposed Kansas constitutional amendments would see the issues of Medicaid and marijuana put up to a public vote.
Where to get kids ages 12-15 their COVID-19 booster shots in Lawrence and Douglas County
Here’s a list of pharmacies and clinics in and near Lawrence and Douglas County that, as of Thursday afternoon, were offering booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 12 to 15.
Kelly signs COVID-19 disaster declaration, executive orders due to medical staff shortages
Gov. Laura Kelly responded to mounting staff shortages at Kansas hospitals and nursing homes by issuing a new COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration and companion executive orders temporarily suspending laws and regulations on health care providers.
KDHE broadening eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations, boosters for children
Kansas and federal public health officials Thursday expanded eligibility for the Pfizer booster shot to 36,000 children between ages 12-15, and moderately or severely immunocompromised children ages 5-11 can get an additional primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
A moment in Lawrence: Audio-Reader recognizes volunteers’ outstanding service
Lawrence nonprofit Audio-Reader is celebrating 50 years of service to the blind, visually impaired, and print disabled. Several volunteers were recently recognized for outstanding years of service.
Douglas County implements emergency mask mandate, effective Friday; 727 new COVID cases reported since Monday
Douglas County officials have implemented an emergency mask mandate to curb the spread of COVID-19 as case numbers have reached record highs in the past week.
‘Our most difficult point’: Unvaxxed COVID patients overflow hospitals as doctors beg for help
Jennifer Schrimsher, a physician at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, was up until 2 a.m. revising contingency plans. The hospital, like all others in Kansas, is coping with unprecedented numbers of COVID-19 patients and staff members out sick with the virus.
Legislature embarks on tumultuous redrawing of political maps with skeptical public watching
The task of serving interests of nearly 3 million Kansans falls to the state’s 125 representatives, 40 senators and one governor. The annual legislative session starts Monday and redistricting must be done by June.
Lawrence parents and teachers worry about risks, burden of omicron as return to school looms
Schools will be back in session Thursday despite record numbers of COVID-19 infections in Douglas County, leaving parents and teachers wondering how the district plans to keep people safe and buildings staffed.
Lawrence Times announces news team, changes to come for 2022
On behalf of all of us at The Lawrence Times, I’m excited to announce our news team, our equity beat and more as we charge into 2022.
Lawrence group to light the dark, honor democracy at silent vigil Thursday
Community members will gather this week to mark the one-year anniversary of the violent U.S. Capitol insurrection.
Letter to the Times: Plastic waste is everywhere
“We’ve all heard about massive amounts of plastic waste in oceans and beaches. … Now plastic has been found in the air,” Nancy Muma writes in this letter to the Times.
Transgender inmates say the way they’re treated in Kansas prisons puts them in danger
Transgender inmates say they were targets of harassment by staff and inmates that put them in danger in Kansas prisons.
Moving average of COVID-19 cases in Douglas County hits new high
The 14-day moving average of new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Douglas County has reached a new high, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health statistics showed Monday.
7 employees of Raven Book Store purchase half of store’s ownership interest
The ownership structure of Lawrence’s Raven Book Store — fresh off an August move to its new Massachusetts Street home — expanded Monday, owner Danny Caine announced.
Passenger killed in head-on crash was 20-year-old Lawrence man
The man who died from his injuries following a crash just after midnight on New Year’s Day was 20-year-old James Henderson Jr. of Lawrence, according to police.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Jan. 3-9, 2022
This female cardinal looks like she is eyeing how much bird seed is left in the feeder, a little concerned about how little is left. Birds eat a lot more seed in cold temperatures as metabolism increases and alternative food sources diminish.
Kansas organization seeks statewide removal of racist language from property documents
The Kansas chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization is urging the governor to issue an executive order aimed at stripping discriminatory language from residential property documents.
Watkins Museum exhibit traces history of Lawrence’s LGBTQ+ movement
Exploring the Watkins Museum exhibit, Mike Silverman said, brought back memories of the “thousands of people in Lawrence and throughout Kansas” who fought for LGBTQ+ civil rights and made meaningful change.
Man injured in shooting at Lawrence adult entertainment club
A man was injured in a shooting at an adult entertainment venue, and law enforcement was investigating in Saturday’s early morning hours.