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.)
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Douglas County Commission says goodbye to Shannon Portillo
Shannon Portillo adjourned her last Douglas County Commission meeting Wednesday evening.
Public comment from the Sept. 7, 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.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
City of Lawrence-run camp for people experiencing homelessness raises concerns for ‘family’ members who already live there
Jennifer Adams is anxious. She soon has to relocate the tent where she currently lives nestled near a shade tree. In the year and a half Adams has been homeless, the city has swept her camps six times, she said.
Obituary: Michael Rush Westheffer
Michael Rush Westheffer, 5/10/1990 – 8/31/2022
More than 30,000 Kansans with suspended licenses could have kept driving legally last year
Kansas wants to to make it easier for some people with suspended licenses to get some driving privileges with restricted licenses. But more than 30,000 people are still missing out.
Kansas lawmakers award $50,000 in wrongful conviction case involving knife possession
The State Finance Council approved settlements Tuesday of a $50,000 wrongful conviction case and two other legal conflicts, but the council did not disclose information about those claims nor amounts of tax dollars spent to settle them.
Summoning inspiration from solitary, Kansas native wins PEN America prison writing award
Alex Tretbar scratched Lou Reed lyrics into the concrete “rhomboid exoskeleton” of an Oregon jail’s solitary confinement hole, then found the strength to write about it.
Will Averill/Contributed Photo
Will Averill: What are M@ssholes, and why should I see them? (Column)
“Here are three questions that I guarantee you will bother townies,” Will Averill begins this column …
Watkins Museum of History to debut third floor after 8 years of planning
Following years in the making, the Watkins Museum of History this weekend will open its […]
Tricia Masenthin / Lawrence Times
Student taken into custody following alleged comment about shooting at Free State High School
A Free State High School student was taken into custody after a report that they had made a comment on Friday about “shooting up the school” on Tuesday.
Kansas attorney general candidate emerges from tragedy with refined sense of public service
Democrat Chris Mann looks at the job of Kansas attorney general through the lens of personal experience as a law enforcement officer, crime victim, prosecutor and defense lawyer.
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for Sept. 6, 2022 (Sponsored post)
“Our No. 1 bestseller this week is Michael Travis’ ‘Celebrating Kansas Breweries,’ but the list as a whole might as well be called ‘Celebrating Kansas Books,’” the Raven Book Store writes.
Kansas teacher receives $95,000 after refusing to use student’s preferred name and pronouns
Attorneys for Pamela Ricard say the teacher’s First Amendment rights were violated when she was disciplined for refusing to use a student’s preferred name and pronouns.
Letter to the Times: Benghazi, the Capitol riot and our democracy
“Candidates should be judged this year on their position regarding the defense of our democracy. Did they condone the Big Lie about voter fraud, or worse, help spread the lie?” Thomas Weiss writes in this letter to the Times.
The Commons at KU to launch series of discussions on reproductive justice
The Commons at KU is planning a series of discussions this fall with researchers in disciplines from across the university that will highlight the complexities of reproductive justice.
Caps and signups for public comments among staff suggestions to streamline Lawrence City Commission meetings
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider some suggestions from staff to make meetings more efficient, including limiting general public comments or taking them out of the meeting livestreams.
Ken Lassman
Kaw Valley Almanac for Sept. 5-11, 2022
Ashy sunflowers continue blooming this week. They are shorter perennial sunflowers with lighter green leaves than many other sunflowers.
What voters should know about the Kansas Supreme Court and the next abortion battleground
Six of the seven Kansas Supreme Court justices face retention during the Nov. 8 election. Conservatives who disagree with the ruling that concluded the state constitution includes the right to an abortion could try to change the court.
Contributed Photo
Lawrence pickleball players plan tournament to fund pediatric cancer research
Some local pickleball players are using their passion for the sport to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and there’s still time to learn to play ahead of the Oct. 1 tournament.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Haskell Indian Art Market makes big return; event continues Sunday
The Haskell Indian Art Market returned Saturday for the first time since 2019. The two-day event continues Sunday.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence police detective not injured but arrested on suspicion of DUI after crash
An off-duty Lawrence police officer was uninjured but was arrested shortly after midnight Saturday after allegedly crashing into a parked vehicle.
Mackenzie Clark / The Lawrence Times
Rontarus Washington Jr. takes first step toward wrongful incarceration lawsuit against Douglas County
Rontarus Washington Jr., who spent several years behind bars charged with murder in a case that was eventually dismissed, has taken the first step toward filing a $3 million wrongful incarceration lawsuit against Douglas County.
Lawrence school district names new Native American Student Services coordinator
The Lawrence school district has named Kenneth St. Pierre, an Ihanktonwan/Yankton Sioux, as the new Native American Student Services coordinator.
Clay Wirestone: Derek Schmidt, are you willing to trade the lives of Kansas trans kids for the governor’s office? (Column)
“(Derek Schmidt) has, in a single news conference, shown the people of Kansas that he’s willing to sacrifice their children on the altar of political expediency,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
