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.)
Syed Jamal/Contributed Photo
Syed Jamal: Lawrence’s Islamic community gives back during Ramadan (Column)
“Every Ramadan, this city witnesses an outpouring of charitable acts, compassion for others, and outreach to the community from the Muslims of Lawrence,” Syed Jamal writes in this column.
Andrea Albright / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence High School’s Showtime returning to the stage
Lawrence High School choir members have been hard at work rehearsing for the first Showtime since the pandemic hit.
Andrea Albright / The Lawrence Times
Promise of transplant begins to awaken family from ‘nightmare’ year of illness and loss
In early 2021, Angela Dotson frequently dropped off her son with his grandpa while she worked to get on her feet. A year later, however, illness has taken her father, her job and her health — but the recent promise of a kidney transplant means hope is on the horizon.
Kansas Senate backs gradual elimination of sales tax on food by 2025
A Kansas bill providing a multiyear, staggered elimination of the state sales tax on food moved a step closer Wednesday to becoming law.
Emma Fotovich, USD 497 / Contributed photo
‘Families need to know they’re not alone’: Upcoming fair offers resources, fun for Lawrence families
Lawrence families will have the opportunity to learn more about resources for children and families in the community at an upcoming Early Childhood Family Resource Fair.
Legislature passes bill mandating Kansas counties use watermarked paper ballots
The Kansas Legislature sent Gov. Laura Kelly a multifaceted election reform bill containing an unfunded mandate that local governments use ballots printed on watermarked paper.
Congress expands Brown v. Board of Education historic site beyond Kansas
The U.S. House cleared a bill Tuesday that would expand the Kansas site honoring the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning school segregation, adding National Park Service sites in other states to commemorate their roles in the decision as well.
Contributed photo
Conflicting policies of police and prosecutors jeopardize high-stakes criminal cases
The Douglas County DA’s office has dropped an estimated 50 cases because of officer integrity issues — including one homicide case. And dueling policies about officer truthfulness and bias are straining the relationship between police and prosecutors.
Full disclosure: How law enforcement answered questions about officer truthfulness policies
In the interest of giving each Douglas County law enforcement agency a fair opportunity to respond to questions about complex issues surrounding officer truthfulness, we are publishing each agency’s full responses.
Senate overrides Kelly’s veto of legislation creating parental bill of rights for K-12 education
The Kansas Senate accomplished the first of two steps Tuesday required to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a parental bill of rights for K-12 public education that encouraged skepticism of classroom instructional materials and challenges to books on the shelf in school libraries.
Kansas senators push transgender athlete debate to new extremes in override of governor’s veto
Kansas senators pushed debate over a proposed ban on transgender athletes to new extremes involving the KU championship-winning men’s basketball team and child genital inspections.
Douglas County Sheriff's Office on Twitter
Driver killed in head-on crash was Lawrence man, 64
The driver who was pronounced dead at the hospital following a head-on crash on North 1800 Road Friday was John C. Gilroy, 64, of Lawrence, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Kansas Senate turns back Democrat’s bid to force action on clergy reporting mandate
Sen. Tom Holland found little support for a motion designed to bring to the full Senate a resolution that would require religious leaders in Kansas to become mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect.
Douglas County Sheriff's Office / Contributed Photo
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will collect unused and expired medications Saturday during national ‘take back’ event
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will join thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country this weekend collecting expired or unused prescription and over-the-counter medications from the public.
Lawrence school board approves Montessori program for New York Elementary
The Lawrence school board narrowly approved implementing a Montessori program at New York Elementary this fall to serve 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds and kindergarteners.
@LFSHS4N6andDB8 on Twitter
NATIONAL CHAMPS! Free State debate duo wins big tournament
Free State High School seniors Serena Rupp and John Marshall won the final round of the Tournament of Champions late Monday on a 2-1 decision, becoming national champions.
Girls high school gymnastics program to continue in Lawrence school district next year
The FireLions gymnastics team will go on. After hearing the findings of a Title IX report, the Lawrence school board agreed Monday to look at ways the district could boost participation in its high school gymnastics program as well as other offerings for girls.
Firebirds and Lions earn top awards, qualify for national competition during weekend speech and debate tournament
Twenty competitors from Free State and Lawrence high schools are heading to Kentucky in June for the National Speech and Debate Tournament.
Andrea LaRayne Etzel via Office of the Governor
Kansas governor proclaims KU Men’s Basketball National Championship Victory Day
Gov. Laura Kelly welcomed the University of Kansas men’s basketball team and coach Bill Self to the Statehouse Monday to recognize their success in the NCAA Tournament.
West Middle School principal to retire
After three decades of service to Lawrence Public Schools, Kathy Branson will retire at the end of June, the district announced Monday.
Kansas Republican complains about sharing Statehouse restroom with ‘transgender female’
Rep. Cheryl Helmer told a transgender college student she doesn’t appreciate sharing a restroom at the Statehouse with a “huge transgender female” and falsely claims transgender people are assaulting “wee little girls” in school restrooms.
Senator seeks alternative path to making religious ministers mandatory reporters of child abuse
Sen. Tom Holland is hoping to kickstart the process for a slow-moving measure requiring duly ordained ministers of religion to report child abuse and neglect.
Kansas activists opposed to COVID-19 mandates greet legislators with rally at Capitol
Rep. Tatum Lee and Sen. Mark Steffen heartily embraced anti-vax activists Monday at the Capitol ahead of the Legislature’s consideration of limited-government policy tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and potential overrides of a cluster of vetoes issued by Gov. Laura Kelly.
Congressional map drawn by Kansas Republicans is unconstitutional, Wyandotte County judge rules
Wyandotte County District Judge Bill Klapper ruled Monday that Kansas Republicans violated the state constitution by targeting residents on the basis of politics and race when drawing new congressional districts.
