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.)
Kamarjay Shaw ‘loved hard’ and ‘had the heart of a lion,’ parents of slain Lawrence teen say
Fearless and big-hearted are how family members of a 14-year-old Lawrence boy recently shot and killed remember him. Kamarjay Shaw’s parents and loved ones said they won’t quit until he gets justice.
Leave those good vibes behind! Grief expert Nora McInerny to bring humor, real talk to Lawrence show
The pressure to wear a smile and a veil of optimism — no matter how it feels inside — pervades culture. Nora McInerny has spent the last decade bucking that system.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Save Our Schools 497 plans to livestream public hearings on Broken Arrow, Pinckney closures
Local activist group Save Our Schools 497 has tentative plans to livestream Saturday’s public hearings on possible closures of Broken Arrow and Pinckney elementary schools.
Letter to the Times: Closing Broken Arrow would compound systemic issues
”(The Lawrence school board’s) vote to hold a hearing on closing Broken Arrow Elementary School is a great disappointment and a clear testament that the winds of prejudice are still blowing across the land,” a group of community members write in this letter to the Times.
Lawrence school district releases new proposed boundary map ahead of closure hearings
The Lawrence school district has released a map showing how elementary boundaries could change if the school board chooses to move forward with closing two elementary schools after public hearings, which are set for Saturday.
Raven Book Store to host ‘Henry, Like Always’ author for craft and story time
Young readers of all ages and their grownups are invited to the Raven Book Store this weekend for story time and crafts with the author of “Henry, Like Always.”
‘I buried this terrifying experience’: Survivors of child sex crimes urge changes to Kansas law
Earl McIntosh wants state lawmakers to look at a photo of himself as a young boy, to see him as an innocent child full of joy and potential, and to think about how his life forever changed when he was sexually assaulted.
Updated: Kansas lawmakers advance bill making it easier to get a religious vaccine exemption
A bill that would have broadened vaccine exemptions in day care, schools and workplaces in Kansas got rejected Thursday by a legislative committee.
Grant funding available to conserve Douglas County landmarks, open space and natural areas
Douglas County community members will have an opportunity next week to learn about nearly $300,000 in grant funding available for projects that conserve cultural, natural, agricultural or environmental resources.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district’s boundary committee agrees on proposal; final map not yet public
As two Lawrence elementary schools potentially face closures, the school district’s Boundary Advisory Committee on Wednesday evening decided on a proposal for new boundaries, though it’s still unclear what they’ll look like.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Douglas County Treatment and Recovery Center on track for phase 1 opening next month
The county is on a timeline to bring a final operating agreement for the Douglas County Treatment & Recovery Center to the county commission early next month, with the center to partially open soon thereafter, staff said Wednesday.
Lawrence Accountability
A Lawrence Times reporter was ordered to leave the city campsite for unhoused people. ‘That’s a problem,’ First Amendment attorney says
Lawrence Times reporter Chansi Long was targeted by city staff and ordered by police to leave the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness Tuesday night while other members of the public were allowed to remain. “That’s a problem,” a local First Amendment expert said.
GOP-led House endorses K-12 school funding measure bundled with policy from handful of bills
Complex details of the Kansas House’s plan for state funding of K-12 education were woven Wednesday into contents of nine other bills that included policy allowing private school students to take part in extra-curricular activities at public schools and expanding opportunities for more than two-dozen wealthy districts to raise taxes to increase salaries of teachers.
Letter to the Times: We can prevent more deaths of unhoused community members
”Those of us who care about Lawrence and who care about the state of our society must come together to help unhoused people,” Nancy Snow writes in this letter to the Times.
Interfaith dialogue scholar to speak at several events in Lawrence
Scholar, educator and author Celene Ibrahim, whose expertise is focused on Islamic tradition, is set to visit with local faith-based institutions in Lawrence and discuss her research about dialogue among religions.
Lawrence City Commission approves developer’s request to annex land north of Rock Chalk Park to build 300-plus homes
The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday approved annexing and rezoning land north of city limits, where a developer plans to build 300 or more market-rate homes.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Woman dead at North Lawrence campsite; Times reporter ordered to leave
Camp residents found a woman dead in her tent at the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness Tuesday night, and police forced a reporter who was interviewing camp residents to leave.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission approves plans for Pallet Shelter Village on former Veritas property
The Lawrence City Commission has approved the purchase of land on North Michigan Street and a contract for temporary shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Teen seeks immunity in shooting death of Lawrence 14-year-old
A Lawrence 17-year-old charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy is seeking immunity from prosecution.
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for March 21, 2023 (Sponsored post)
”We always have an eclectic mix of titles on our staff picks table and this month, we’ve shared our love for everything from middle-grade graphic novels to ’smotherly’ horror (and yes, smother + motherly = smotherly),” the Raven Book Store writes.
Obituary: Sandra Kay (Herschell) Adams
Sandra Kay (Herschell) Adams, 10/5/1958 – 3/17/2023
Kansas lawmakers advance unproven, scientifically questionable ‘abortion reversal’ legislation
Going against professional medical advice, lawmakers advanced a bill requiring health care providers to tell people undergoing drug-induced abortions they can still change their minds. Providers who refuse to do so could face thousands in fines and potential jail time.
Author Jacqueline Woodson to speak in Lawrence as library’s 2023 Ross and Marianna Beach Author
Jacqueline Woodson, an award-winning author and MacArthur fellow, will speak in Lawrence next month as the library’s 2023 Ross and Marianna Beach Author.
‘Some kids do need Jesus first’: Kansas lawmaker explains voucher-like program to Augusta community
Kansas children don’t generally find a “spiritual perspective” in public schools, Rep. Kristey Williams said, defending a voucher-like program that would funnel state tax dollars to unregulated private schools to her Augusta constituents.
