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.)
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
‘At-risk’ student count is up, virtual school enrollment is down; numbers will help guide Lawrence school district’s budget
The Lawrence school board on Monday will hear an update on the district’s enrollment counts as part of planning for next year’s budget. The number of ”at-risk” students increased more than 50%, but other factors may offset some of that funding.
Woman, 23, killed in head-on crash north of Lawrence
A 23-year-old woman was killed in a head-on crash Saturday night north of Lawrence, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the driver of the other vehicle was arrested.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Two dogs killed in fire near Burcham Park
Two dogs died in a fire Saturday afternoon at an encampment near Burcham Park in Lawrence, according to Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical.
Lawrence Style Scout — Fall / Winter 2022
Welcome to the new Style Scout video series, hosted by Lawrence Times TV reporter Jordan Winter, for a new take on a classic concept.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Photos: Lawrence community gathers to honor veterans in parade
Despite freezing temperatures, Lawrence community members gathered on Massachusetts Street to honor veterans in the annual parade, which made a return Saturday morning after a two-year hiatus.
Federal grand jury indicts former Kansas foster care officials on fraud charges
A federal grand jury has indicted the former CEO and IT director of Saint Francis Ministries for scheming to defraud the foster care provider of at least $4.7 million in fake invoices.
Kansas school leaders urge lawmakers to fully fund special education services
School districts have been forced to shoulder the burden of paying for special education services that are underfunded by the Kansas Legislature. Advocates say there’s a dire need for more money.
Rob Holysz/Contributed photo
Hari Kondabolu to return to Free State Festival with socio-political commentary, new dad jokes
People face heavy issues these days, but comic Hari Kondabolu doesn’t think we should shy away from them — even while taking in a comedy show. After all, the best stand-up routines bring about some kind of healing, he says.
Mann surrenders quest to overtake Kobach in Kansas race for attorney general
Democratic attorney general candidate Chris Mann conceded the close race to Republican Attorney General-elect Kris Kobach despite incomplete results from mail and provisional ballots.
Contributed Photo
Just Food announces new executive director
The board of directors for Just Food, the Douglas County food bank, announced Brett Hartford as the organization’s new executive director Friday morning “following a comprehensive and inclusive search,” according to a news release.
Contributed/Justice Matters
Local control or ASAP? Opening of Treatment & Recovery Center could hinge upon competing values
If community members want the Treatment and Recovery Center of Douglas County to open its doors sooner rather than later, they might need to weigh the value of local management against the value of a timeline.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times photos
Lawrence Community Shelter leaders explain reasons for lower capacity, issues they’re facing
As community members pressure the Lawrence Community Shelter to surge capacity from 50 to 125 people, team members at the shelter say they wish more people took the time to understand their decision-making process.
Award-winning statistician and author Howard Wainer to speak at KU
Renowned statistician and author Howard Wainer will present next week at KU, discussing the power of effective written and visual communication.
‘We ought to be ashamed’: Kansas board urges schools to eliminate Native American mascots
The Kansas Board of Education is calling on the state’s public schools to eliminate Native American-themed mascots within five years.
GOP clings to Kansas House supermajority entering Kelly’s second term as governor
Republicans preserved a two-thirds supermajority in the Kansas House to mirror the GOP-dominated Kansas Senate and keep in place this substantial legislative barrier in a second term for Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
Lawrence community members share concerns about city’s camp for people experiencing homelessness
Business owners, housing advocates, and housed and unhoused community members filled Lawrence City Hall on Tuesday to speak out about the city’s handling of homelessness and management of the camp behind Johnny’s.
Lawrence school district seeks community input on budget cuts via online survey
A public survey is asking community members to share their input on how the Lawrence school district should make budget cuts, including potentially closing and consolidating schools.
Kobach claims victory in Kansas AG race, vows to fight Biden administration
Kris Kobach is set to take the Kansas attorney general seat, becoming the state’s top law enforcement officer and chief legal adviser after a series of political failures. Kobach said he will use the position to sue President Joe Biden’s administration.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly wins reelection over Republican challenger Derek Schmidt
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has won a second four-year term, defeating Republican Derek Schmidt in a campaign that pitted her economic accomplishments against his transphobic appeals and attacks on pandemic policies.
Conservatives sweep races for seats on Kansas State Board of Education
Unofficial results show four seats on the Kansas State Board of Education were won by conservative candidates who want to restrict how race and social-emotional learning are taught in schools.
Kansas Supreme Court justices retained in November vote
Kansans voted to keep all six state Supreme Court justices up for retention on the November ballot. The justices were returned with more than 60% voter support, including two who voted in favor of abortion rights.
Clay Wirestone: After an unhinged election season, results in Kansas suggest a sensible streak (Column)
“After all the drama, all the accusations and mudslinging, election evening in Kansas was — dare I say it? — a bit of an anticlimax,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Obituary: Evan Granrath Ridenour
Evan Granrath Ridenour, 7/2/1985 – 10/26/2022
Kansans pass constitutional amendment on election, removal of sheriffs
The state’s voters embraced an amendment to the Kansas Constitution on Tuesday requiring election of county sheriffs and narrowing options for ousting a wayward chief law enforcement officer, while an amendment granting the Legislature more authority to reject state administrative regulations could be headed to defeat.
