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 will likely see more state funding, but other factors complicate budget process
The Lawrence school district is projecting that an increase to per-pupil funding from the state will add $4 million to next year’s budget, but other factors could offset that increase.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Former tenant seeks accountability for water leaks, mold issues in rental home
Hillary Jones, a single mom and disabled veteran, felt frustrated and powerless when water leaks sprang up at her former Lawrence home. She blames mold for aggravating her kids’ asthma and wants accountability within a system she views as once helping her family but ultimately failing it.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Water leaks – obvious or hidden – can cause spikes in usage and high bills
Water leaks can wreak havoc on one’s home and finances. Here’s how to handle a sudden increase in water charges and where to go for help in Lawrence.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Clay Wirestone: Pride Month arrives in Kansas. So does organized hate, political wrangling and advocacy for change. (Column)
“In the past couple of years, voices of hate have reemerged, louder than ever. In the Kansas Legislature, these voices supported legislation targeting the transgender community,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Ken Lassman
Kaw Valley Almanac for June 12-18, 2023
Look closely and you’ll see a pair of great spangled fritillary butterflies and also a bumblebee. Milkweeds are pollinator magnets.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to hear budget update
The Lawrence school board on Monday will review updates on the district’s budget for next year. No details were available as of Sunday morning.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Margaret ‘Sis’ Vinegar memorialized with community gathering, historical marker in Lawrence
Margaret ”Sis” Vinegar, like countless other Black girls and women of her day and beyond, never saw justice during her short life. But she is now memorialized in Lawrence’s history with a marker, dedicated in her honor Saturday evening.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical demos trucks, hoses and more at open house
Despite Saturday’s rain, community members — including some potential future firefighters — showed up to see Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical personnel demonstrate how equipment works and more.
Natasha Torkzaban/Lawrence Times
Library’s How-To Festival draws Lawrence community members to learn and get their hands on new things
Community members gathered at the Lawrence Public Library’s How-To Festival Saturday to learn about a slew of hobbies, topics, volunteer opportunities and more.
Friends to open Picnic, a shop made for outdoor eating, in East Lawrence
Lou Wilson and Ryan Bowersox want to elevate your next picnic. The longtime friends and foodies have launched a picnic-inspired snack shop opening this Sunday in East Lawrence.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Haskell Cultural Center and Museum reopens after being closed for years
The Haskell Cultural Center and Museum reopened Friday after years of being mostly closed to the public. It will resume normal hours starting next week.
Lawrence Police Department victim advocate honored for her work to improve systemic issues
Natassia Records, a victim advocate with the Lawrence Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, was recognized Friday with an award for her work to improve domestic violence responses and help survivors through the legal system.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Community invited to celebrate Juneteenth in downtown Lawrence; Macy Gray to perform
Celebration of Black liberation will be in full bloom next weekend as community members gather to honor Juneteenth in downtown Lawrence. Grammy Award-winning artist Macy Gray is set to perform at the event.
Gov. Laura Kelly selects DEA administrator to take charge of Kansas Highway Patrol
A national search led Gov. Laura Kelly to nominate Friday a Drug Enforcement Administration official and former Sedgwick County sheriff’s deputy to serve as superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Director of Lawrence Parks and Recreation to retire
Derek Rogers, director of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department, has announced plans to retire at the end of 2023.
Kansas faces mental health crisis for kids suffering from COVID-19 pandemic, anti-LGBTQ legislation
Kansas mental health needs are at a crisis point, especially for teenagers, and increased funding could help the state move forward.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district’s classified staff union accepts $2 hourly base pay increase
The Lawrence school district and classified staff union, PAL-CWA, came to an agreement Thursday afternoon that each classified staff member will receive a $2.12 base increase to their hourly pay next year, falling far short of the union’s requests.
Deja’s Reading Rainbow to return to Lawrence Public Library
A Pride Month edition of Deja’s Reading Rainbow this weekend at the library will feature stories “embracing our local LGBTQ+ community and celebrating families of all kinds,” according to the host.
A ‘life-threatening’ shortage of cancer drugs has Kansas doctors rationing medications
Kansas health care providers are scrambling to respond to a global shortage of chemotherapy drugs.
Historical marker acknowledging Margaret ‘Sis’ Vinegar to be formally dedicated at Lawrence ceremony
A formal dedication is set this weekend in Lawrence for a historical marker acknowledging a young Black woman who died in prison in 1889 after being wrongly convicted of murdering the white man who raped her.
Restorative justice conference coming to Haskell Indian Nations University
People with a shared mission to repair harm and build stronger communities are converging at Haskell Indian Nations University for a large restorative justice conference.
Positive Bright Start leader retires after nearly two decades leading the early childhood center
When Anna Jenny joined Positive Bright Start in 2004 as executive director, she brought a fresh approach to the early childhood educational organization.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Learn new skills and make new connections this weekend at Lawrence library’s How-To Festival
From meditation and folk dancing to folding origami and frosting a cake, there will be a plethora of skills on display at the library’s upcoming How-To Festival.
Hannah Allison-Natale/Contributed
River Rat Print and Skate employees form union, finalize first contract
Employees of River Rat Print and Skate finalized their first union contract Wednesday morning. The union was voluntarily recognized by the store management.




