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 Home Show to return this weekend after long hiatus
Following two years with no show, organizers are excited for the Lawrence Home Show to return this weekend.
Kansas parental rights legislation folded into unrelated bill
A modified form of parental rights legislation would require school districts to create an online portal for parents and publish district curriculum yearly.
Kansas ethics director unleashes fury over ‘shameless’ attempt to stifle investigation
House Republicans launched a “brazen” plan Thursday to stifle an investigation into alleged illegal campaign activities by rewriting numerous ethics rules and weakening the authority of the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission.
Kansas organizations denounce Tarwater’s claim people with disabilities ‘can’t do anything’
Two Kansas disability advocacy organizations condemned Thursday an assertion by Rep. Sean Tarwater that people with disabilities would “rot at home” because they “really can’t do anything” in terms of securing employment outside of sheltered workshops allowed to pay workers less than minimum wage.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
100 Good Women’s annual accessory exchange set for Sunday
Volunteer group 100 Good Women is hosting its annual accessory exchange Sunday at the fairgrounds. People can pick through jewelry, purses, shoes, hats, scarves and belts — all for $1 apiece — then stick around and mingle.
Should the Lawrence City Commission expand to 6 members plus a mayor? Voters will decide next year
Lawrence voters in November 2024 will vote on one question that actually decides a lot more questions: Should we directly elect a mayor? Should the Lawrence City Commission expand to 6 members? Should they be elected by districts?
Lawrence Style Scout — Winter 2023
In this episode, join us as we cruise the alleyways of downtown Lawrence in search of stylish folks. From flirty styles to industrial looks, everyone has a different way of showing their colors.
Inside one of the anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers that might get millions from Kansas
Anti-abortion lawmakers in Kansas want to dramatically expand taxpayer funding for crisis pregnancy centers. Critics say they’re dangerous.
‘I was paralyzed’: Kansas advocate urges lawmakers to add protections against date rape drug
Paula Mitchell, a mother and an advocate for sexual assault victims, said there’s a need for protections against the date rape drug. She said her own daughter recently was in danger.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
As Lawrence school closure talks loom, report identifies lowest-scoring district buildings
The Lawrence school district’s budget committee’s recommendation for the 2023-24 year remained unspecified at the end of the group’s final meeting Wednesday, but the committee did learn how elementary and middle schools scored on an assessment of district facilities.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
Rontarus Washington Jr., detained more than 5 years before murder case was dismissed, files lawsuit against Douglas County
A man who was in custody of the Douglas County jail for more than five years while his case was still pending has filed a federal lawsuit against the county and its top elected law enforcement officials.
Kansas cities push back against House bill nullifying local anti-discrimination ordinances
Rep. Patrick Penn introduced a section of a bill that would strike down local government measures against discrimination and forbid cities from adopting restraints on discrimination beyond state or federal law.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
1900 Barker expanding to downtown Lawrence with a ‘restaurant vibe’
Taylor Petrehn, of 1900 Barker Bakery and Cafe, is excited to expand his bakery’s presence to Mass Street.
Critics call proposed Kansas ‘women’s bill of rights’ sexist, transphobic
Lawmakers unrolled a new bill that would bar transgender women from female-only spaces under the assumption that biological women tend to be naturally weaker and more vulnerable to violence than men.
Lawrence school district graduation rates have increased, accreditation report shows
High school graduation rates in the Lawrence school district increased last year, adding onto its gradual improvement over the years, a new accreditation report states.
Lawrence City Commission approves ordinance changes aimed at helping people find housing
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved an ordinance change that creates a protected class based on source of income, as well as status as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking. The change also disallows discrimination based on prospective tenants’ immigration status.
Douglas County could see snow Wednesday and Thursday
Douglas County could see 1 to 2 inches of snow overnight Wednesday into Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Topeka.
Kansas lawmaker questions fairness of flat tax plan that would benefit state’s top earners
Rep. Christina Haswood, a Lawrence Democrat, questioned during a House committee hearing today why the Legislature should favor a flat tax over more equitable tax cut proposals.
Some Kansas lawmakers want to punish doctors who help transgender kids transition
Kansas lawmakers are taking aim at gender-affirming care, with a bill trying to create penalties for doctors who carry out the treatments.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
‘This was not a good Samaritan out giving food’: Residents of North Lawrence camp, advocate counter narrative about fight
Two residents of the North Lawrence camp for people experiencing homelessness were charged with crimes after a fight Saturday, but other residents and an advocate say the alleged victim was not supposed to be at the support site at all.
Lawrence school board approves calendar for next year with 5-day weeks
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved the district’s 2023-24 school calendar that keeps students in attendance five days a week. Research on a four-day week option will be presented to the board next month.
Donnavan Dillon: Kansas has no place for hate in 2023. When will legislators get the memo? (Column)
“We as Kansans must change our organizing and engagement tactics to ensure anti-LGBTQ+ legislation ceases to appear in our state,” Donnavan Dillon writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Kansas Democrats describe attempt to ban transgender student athletes as ‘crushing weight’
Kansas Democrats in the House said a hearing Monday, on an attempt to ban transgender athletes from participating in school sports, marked the start of “hate week,” a reference to planned discussions on multiple bills attacking the LGBTQ community.
Mardi Gras parade to return to downtown Lawrence
Get your beads ready: The 15th annual Mardi Gras parade will hit downtown Lawrence next week.
