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.)
A giant solar farm project is pitting neighbor against neighbor
Johnson and Douglas counties approved regulations allowing the construction of what would be the largest utility-scale solar farm in Kansas. But while residents say they support green energy, there’s a vocal contingent pushing back against building 2,000 acres of panels so close to their communities.
Wichita decriminalizes fentanyl test strips, ditches city charges for marijuana possession
The Wichita City Council passed a city ordinance that decriminalizes the possession of fentanyl test strips and removes the city’s municipal courts from charging people with possessing marijuana.
Emporia State receives green light to move rapidly with faculty, program realignment
The Kansas Board of Regents endorsed a request Wednesday by Emporia State University administrators to initiate a process of transforming the campus workforce and realigning academic offerings to address harsh financial and enrollment trends.
Public comment from the Sept. 14, 2022 Douglas County Commission meeting
Here’s an audio recording of general public comment from the Douglas County Commission’s Wednesday meeting, taken via the Zoom virtual meeting.
A Shafer Photography via Just Food
Just Food’s interim executive director leaving position; staff will report to board
A few months in as interim executive director of Just Food, Brett Salsbury has decided to return to his previous home of Las Vegas to pursue other career opportunities.
Obituary: Earl E. Ryan
Earl E. Ryan, 8/18/1931 – 8/31/2022
Open enrollment for Kansas schools raises concerns about equity, representation and funding, local leaders say
Open enrollment in Kansas public schools will worsen existing inequities and funding issues as well as diminish the importance of voters’ representation on local school boards, some local leaders say.
Max Kautsch: Attorney General’s Office ignores plain text of Kansas open records law, sets poor example (Column)
”It is reasonable for the public to expect not only that the office fairly enforces (open records and open meeting) laws, but also that it follows them,” Max Kautsch writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
‘A traumatic and fatal conclusion’: Kansas school district debates potential transgender policy
Debate over a potential policy covering transgender students exposed a school district’s ideological rifts on Monday night, complete with two legal letters and details from anonymous teachers.
Kitten Yoga, Catstravaganza coming up this weekend in Lawrence
The projected forecast for cuteness this weekend is high. Two kitten-centered events are scheduled in partnership with the Lawrence Humane Society.
KU School of Music students, Marching Jayhawks to perform in free concert
KU School of Music students are tuning up for the big return of the free Collage Concert this weekend.
Letter to the Times: Thanks to those who gave blood
”As blood drive coordinator and supervisor of the blood bank at LMH Health, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Lawrence community for donating a total of 179 units of blood over two days last week at the LMH blood drives,” Faith Friesen writes in this letter to the Times.
Lawrence high school seniors earn academic recognition from College Board
Four Lawrence district students — two from Free State High School and two from Lawrence High School — have been awarded special recognition from the College Board.
Kansas family struggles to adopt foster daughter, says system is broken
Nicole DeHaven broke down in tears while giving testimony about her foster care experience during a meeting Monday with state lawmakers.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Lawrence High to assist Special Olympics film crew with national inclusion campaign
The efforts of students in Lawrence High’s Interpersonal Skills class have not gone unnoticed. Students will be under the bright lights Wednesday when a Special Olympics film crew visits the school.
Vehicle overturns in crash in northwestern Lawrence
A vehicle rolled onto its roof Monday night as the result of a crash at Kasold Drive and Tillerman Drive in northwestern Lawrence.
Lawrence school board approves maximum budget, hears update on future planning committee
Lawrence school board members on Monday approved the 2022-23 budget and heard an overview of the committee that will help shape the district’s future.
Food service workers at Lawrence retirement community file petition to unionize
Food service workers at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community in Lawrence have filed for an election to join Teamsters Local 696, according to a news release from the union.
Lawrence’s Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center to host 50th anniversary soiree this week
The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center will host a celebration Thursday for its 50th anniversary, with drinks, mocktails, food trucks and a walking historical timeline.
Foster kids in Kansas can’t get the mental health care they need, but there might be a fix
Changes in state law should help expand mental health services, but it will take years to get everyone on board.
Kansas gets ‘once in a lifetime’ funds to plug thousands of abandoned gas wells
A “once in a lifetime” federal investment will clean up more than 2,300 abandoned gas wells — some of which may be leaking super-polluting methane — in Kansas.
Disability studies highlighted in new KU exhibition; activist to speak at opening reception
A chosen book and sculpture as well as an upcoming exhibition through KU Libraries aim to foster learning and discussion of disabled people’s experiences. Reyma McCoy Hyten, a disability activist, will speak at the exhibition’s opening reception.
Ken Lassman
Kaw Valley Almanac for Sept. 12-18, 2022
This gayfeather/blazing star can be found blooming into October. Its flowers attract many types of bees, butterflies and even hummingbirds, and other birds like its seeds in the winter.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board on Monday to consider approving maximum budget
Lawrence school board members on Monday will look to approve the district’s maximum budget for 2022-23, hear an update on the new ”Futures Planning Committee” and more.
