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.)
Tricia Masenthin / The Lawrence Times
Free State’s Sam Rabiola wins $10,000 excellence in teaching prize from Lawrence Schools Foundation
Sam Rabiola, English teacher at Free State High School, has won the 2022 Special Award for Excellence in Teaching, also known as the Bobs award.
Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman, other reps join list of retiring lawmakers
House Speaker Ron Ryckman confirmed Monday he would not seek reelection, along with nearly a dozen other representatives who announced plans to step away from the Legislature.
Sunflower first-graders proudly present their donation to feathered friend from Operation Wildlife
A unique guest visited Sunflower Elementary on a mission. The kestrel falcon’s task: Pick up a donation from Jessica Brown and her first grade class.
Lawrence City Hall closed because of power outage
Lawrence City Hall and City Hall Riverfront will be closed for the day on Tuesday, May 24, because of a power outage affecting phone and internet systems.
5K Home Run returns from 3-year hiatus to raise money for Family Promise
The 5K Home Run benefitting Family Promise of Lawrence will bring athletes to South Park over the long weekend for the organization’s first in-person race in three years.
Lawrence Public Schools cut 72 teaching jobs; will add third Montessori classroom
The Lawrence school district has cut six dozen education positions, 11.5 classified staff positions and 6.5 district-level administrator positions, according to a staff presentation Monday evening.
Lawrence school district announces director of nutrition and wellness
Julie Henry has been selected as director of nutrition and wellness for the Lawrence school district, according to an announcement Monday.
Kansas Legislature overrides veto, extends Medicaid contracts past election
Republicans in the Kansas Legislature on Monday blocked Gov. Laura Kelly from reworking contracts for the state-run Medicaid program, downplaying concerns from Democrats about political motivations and clandestine deal-making involved in extending the $3.9 billion deals.
Kansas legislative session closes with pair of overrides, calls for better drug policy
Kansas lawmakers wrapped the 2022 legislative session Monday by overturning a series of vetoes from the governor, tying up loose ends on remaining bills and debating a resolution taking issue with proposed Word Health Organization regulations.
Advisory board calls for transparency in city’s social services funding process
As the city formulates its 2023 budget, some social services leaders and advisory board members want more transparency, equity and public engagement in the process used to distribute funding for social service agencies.
Legislature sends governor tax bill with $50 million for small businesses hurt by COVID-19
The Legislature voted Monday to send tax-reform legislation to Gov. Laura Kelly, but not before a Senate Republican supporting the bill insisted the governor receive no credit for earmarking $50 million to reimburse small businesses that suffered in early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Obituary: Heidi Karn Barker
Heidi Karn Barker, 7/27/1983 – 5/8/2022
Free State’s graduation moved to Thursday
Free State High School’s commencement has been moved to Thursday evening because of bad weather predicted for Tuesday.
Huascar Medina: Anti-immigrant law motivated by xenophobia and racism makes Kansas less welcoming (Column)
“In 70 days, the state of Kansas was able to endanger and alienate immigrants, their families, friends and allies by embracing white supremacist ideologies like xenophobia and racism,” Huascar Medina writes in this column for Kansas Reflector.
Ken Lassman
Kaw Valley Almanac for May 23-29, 2022
Oxeye daisy is a “naturalized” prairie wildflower that some consider invasive, but it is an important food source for many pollinators, such as this beetle.
Kansas Legislature’s final day of 2022 session may involve more than ceremonial activities
State lawmakers have urged action on fentanyl, taxes and automated vehicle issues during their return on Monday.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to hear update on staff cuts, report from accreditation team
The Lawrence school board on Monday will hear updates on multi-age classrooms and staffing reductions following $6.41M in budget cuts, the new Montessori program, and state accreditation.
Letter to the Times: Lawrence school district’s path is not sustainable
“The recent considerations by the school district to eliminate Latin classes from USD 497 are just the tip of the iceberg,” Rob Chestnut writes in this letter to the Times.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
A view of Lawrence: Heart sculpture celebrates Jayhawks’ championship
The Kansas City Parade of Hearts has unveiled a special heart sculpture to honor the 2022 National Championship-winning Jayhawks, and it’s now on display outside Allen Fieldhouse.
Molly Adams / The Lawrence Times
Students celebrate graduating from Lawrence Virtual School, ‘where everyone can find a home’
Dozens of Lawrence Virtual School graduates crossed the stage to collect their diplomas Saturday, and dozens of others not present in person were celebrated along with them.
Contributed Photo
Red flags can help identify dangerous, abusive situations
A former neighbor said she knew what happened as soon as she saw Regan Gibbs’ face on the news. She’d called police twice after witnessing altercations in the apartment complex parking lot.
Lawrence school district announces new administrator, interim principals for Pinckney and Prairie Park
The Lawrence school district on Friday announced three new administrator selections.
Carter Gaskins / The Lawrence Times
Family of murder victim asks public never to ignore domestic violence warning signs
Regan Gibbs’ mother and four sisters traveled to Lawrence on Friday to share memories of her and ask the public never to ignore signs of domestic violence.
Theatre Lawrence founder, longtime director to retire
Mary Doveton, who founded what was then called Lawrence Community Theatre in 1977 and has remained at the helm for more than four decades, will soon be retiring as executive director of Theatre Lawrence.
