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.)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Jake-LaTurner-ottawa-town-hall-carp-1536x864-2.jpg?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
LaTurner urges COVID-19 vaccination, dismisses idea of state or federal mandates
U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, whose district includes Douglas County, is convinced the United States faces crisis on five fronts tied to the economy, energy independence, border security, cyber attacks and cultural erosion. He said American culture was under attack and critical race theory was a grave obstacle.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Sunflower-summer.png?fit=768%2C396&ssl=1)
New app helps pre-K to 12th grade students explore Kansas attractions for free
Looking for fun, no-cost learning adventures in the Sunflower State? The Kansas State Department of Education has unveiled a new program to help families tour the state and enjoy attractions together for free.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-08-at-10.31.24-PM.png?fit=768%2C436&ssl=1)
NAACP forum asks Lawrence school board candidates to offer solutions on district inequities
Candidates for Lawrence school board answered questions about the district’s biggest obstacles during a forum hosted by the Lawrence branch of the NAACP on Thursday.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/20210708-CPRB-1.png?fit=768%2C330&ssl=1)
Lawrence’s Community Police Review Board plans special meeting to tweak ordinance
As the discussion heated up over the draft ordinance revamping the responsibilities of Lawrence’s Community Police Review Board, the members opted to call it a night Thursday and come back for another meeting before their next regular one.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Replay-RedLyon.jpg?fit=768%2C398&ssl=1)
Steering committee and consultants agree to make changes to proposed Downtown Master Plan
The Downtown Master Plan Steering Committee gave unanimous approval Thursday evening to a final version of the proposed plan to govern downtown development after making a series of tweaks to the proposal on topics including historic preservation, homelessness and inclusion.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/kvkl.png?fit=763%2C438&ssl=1)
Kaw Valley Kickball League to host clinic ‘for all’ on Saturday
The Kaw Valley Kickball League is holding its annual kickball clinic this weekend, but this time, under a new name: Kickball is For All. The event was first held in 2013 as the “Girl on Girl” clinic.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Rials-Nicole.jpg?fit=657%2C438&ssl=1)
Mental health practitioner’s new solo venture focuses on BIPOC and first responders
Nicole Rials is excited to build on the mental health work she’s done in this community for 20 years — and she’s excited to host the Black Resilience Summit online next week.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/schmidt.jpg?fit=657%2C438&ssl=1)
Schmidt urges Kansas Supreme Court to reconsider ruling on constitutional right to abortion
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is asking the Kansas Supreme Court to reconsider its decision that a law prohibiting an abortion procedure violates the state constitution.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/BIPOCclinic.png?fit=584%2C438&ssl=1)
Free gift cards for those who get saliva tests, vaccines at Lawrence clinic
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health and some community partners are coupling family fun with a BIPOC Clinic to combat COVID-19 on Saturday.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/E5unksbWEAgoOZ1.jpg?fit=550%2C376&ssl=1)
One driver injured, one arrested in 3-vehicle crash southeast of Clinton Lake
One person suffered injuries that were serious but not life-threatening in a crash Wednesday afternoon […]
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Big-Boy.jpg?fit=658%2C438&ssl=1)
Enormous Big Boy steam railroad locomotive to make brief stops in Lawrence in August and September
The Union Pacific Big Boy, the largest steam railroad locomotive ever built, will be making a return visit to Lawrence next month — and another in September.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Meg.jpg?fit=679%2C438&ssl=1)
After 15 months, Ladybird Diner is back, same as before — but different
Fifteen months after the pandemic closed it down — at least in its original form — Ladybird Diner has reopened under the big “EAT” sign on Massachusetts Street.
The new version of the spunky, funky diner is a product of everything that’s happened to it and its proprietor.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Lawrence-Energy-Center-1-scaled-1.jpg?fit=657%2C438&ssl=1)
Both Kansas and Missouri now have legislation to help utilities shutter coal power plants
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri utilities will be able to shutter more coal plants, speeding […]
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/advancedvotingfile-1536x1023-1.jpg?fit=658%2C438&ssl=1)
Jessica Huseman: Here’s how Kansas Republicans could actually make elections more secure (Column)
“The state has long prided itself on its status as the home to the voter roll police, but it has among the worst list maintenance procedures in the country given its failure to use any technology that allows it to check its rolls against the rolls of other states — a far cry from the state’s public image,” Jessica Huseman writes.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/lied.jpg?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
Lied Center raises curtain on in-person shows for 2021-2022 season
The Lied Center of Kansas will kick off its upcoming season Friday, Sept. 17, at full capacity with “The Magic of Bill Blagg Live!”
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Pinckney-front-2.jpeg?fit=745%2C438&ssl=1)
Neighborhood association passes baton to community to decide whether Pinckney Elementary school name should change, too
While the renamed Pinkney Neighborhood Association prepares to ratify its new moniker, the question lingers of whether Pinckney Elementary will also change its name.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20210525-SGM-11.jpeg?fit=655%2C438&ssl=1)
Douglas County DA signs letter condemning criminalization of transgender people, gender-affirming healthcare
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez has signed on to a statement that decries efforts across the country to criminalize transgender people and gender-affirming healthcare, her office announced Tuesday.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Shaleigh-K-submission-768x768-1-copy.png?fit=768%2C403&ssl=1)
Steve Devore: To help prevent suicide, Kansas youths created these messages of love and reassurance (Column)
“As my team at Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ looks back at the wonderful success of the 2021 Youth Art Contest, we are overwhelmed by the love, support, and care that these students embedded into their works of art,” Steve Devore writes.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/npr.brightspotcdn-2.jpg?fit=646%2C438&ssl=1)
Right-wing extremism has been taking root in rural Kansas for decades
The fringe beliefs of right-wing extremists in Kansas, dating back at least to groups like Posse Comitatus, who trained for war against their government 40 years ago have now migrated to the mainstream of American politics.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Flat-Ridge-Wind-Farm-near-Medicine-Lodge_Evergy.png?fit=768%2C423&ssl=1)
Consumer watchdog wants feds to acknowledge investors’ influence on Evergy expenses
A consumer watchdog wants federal regulators to acknowledge the influence of activist shareholders on Evergy’s decision-making, mirroring a local push that Kansas regulators rejected.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/20210706-bestellers.png?fit=768%2C388&ssl=1)
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for the week of July 6, 2021 (Sponsored post)
Every bookstore is a reflection of its local community, and our local community has some pretty good taste.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Pinckney-1.png?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
Residents select new name for Pinckney neighborhood: Pinkney
The residents of the neighborhood formerly known as Pinckney have spoken.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/commride1-1.jpg?fit=614%2C438&ssl=1)
Lawrence’s Community Bike Ride to return for 10th anniversary
The Lawrence Central Rotary is looking forward to celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Community Bike Ride in person this year.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/July-5-2020-bumblebee-on-coneflower.png?fit=698%2C438&ssl=1)
Kaw Valley Almanac for July 5–11, 2021
Recent rains have caused many mushrooms to emerge, including fairy rings, which are caused by the fungus spreading out in an ever expanding circle from where it started, living on dead plant material that it breaks down.