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.)
Contributed and file photos
Lawrence High School journalism adviser named Kansas Master Teacher
Barb Tholen — “life-changing” journalism adviser and graphic design teacher, whose classroom students call “a magical place” at Lawrence High School — has been named a Kansas Master Teacher.
Doug Stremel via Van Go/Contributed Photo
A moment in Lawrence: Van Go artists, hospitality workers celebrate completion of new mural
The young artists of Van Go and members of the Lawrence Restaurant Association on Saturday celebrated the completion of a new mural, “Sustenance,” in downtown Lawrence.
Kansas House advances constitutional amendment requiring elected sheriffs
Rep. Eric Smith encouraged House members Tuesday to support a constitutional amendment requiring counties to elect sheriffs, rather than risk the possibility of a county commission gaining authority to appoint the position.
Senators give preliminary approval to funnel $500K into Kansas stem cell therapy COVID-19 trial
A plan to invest $500K in a Kansas stem cell therapy center’s COVID-19 trials received preliminary Senate approval Tuesday, along with a handful of law enforcement-related bills.
USD 497 school board agenda materials
AVID ‘rebranding’ proposed in Lawrence school district’s budget cuts; here’s what that means
A proposed budget cut for the Lawrence schools’ AVID program would mean that one instructor at each high school would teach all AVID elective sections and train other teachers in AVID strategies.
Watkins Museum launching new Community Remembrance Project exhibit; events to kick off with screening of ‘Just Mercy’
The Watkins Museum of History will soon host an exhibit, “Confronting the Past: The Douglas County Community Remembrance Project,” telling the stories of three Black men lynched in Lawrence in 1882 and their memorialization.
Tara Wallace: Kansas lawmakers axed diversity training plan for psychologists, but the need persists (Column)
“Despite the efforts of legislators to hinder progress, psychologists and other helping professionals can and should seek diversity, equity and inclusion education resources on their own,” Tara Wallace writes in this column for Kansas Reflector.
Lawrence school board asks for budget cut list that minimizes harm to students
Lawrence school board members on Monday asked building leaders and administrators to provide them with a long list of potential budget cuts, prioritized by those least harmful to students, so they can make final decisions at their March 28 meeting.
Infusions Bakery Facebook page
Voting open for Deerfield 3rd graders’ unique doughnuts; top 12 creations to be sold at Lawrence bakery
Voting is now open for the public to decide which 12 doughnuts designed by Deerfield Elementary third graders will be sold for a limited time at Infusions Bakery in Lawrence.
Contributed images
Live performance event invites storytellers to engage with Black history, futures
A KU student’s hip-hop anthology and art installation have inspired another creative outlet for makers. Pass Me the Mic is the third iteration of Naomi Madu’s ode to the birthplace of hip-hop and a reminder of the power in telling one’s own story.
Senate panel signs off on Kansas income tax deduction increase, credit for teachers
A Kansas Senate panel backed two bills Monday providing tax relief for everyday Kansans and teachers using their own money to fund classroom needs.
‘We can’t wait 15 years’: Legislative committee works to overhaul Kansas water policy
Parts of the aquifer in far western Kansas may only have 10 years of water left. Small towns are struggling to provide clean drinking water, and upgrading their facilities would bankrupt them.
Ken Lassman
Kaw Valley Almanac for Feb. 21-27, 2022
A seagull-seeking field trip coming up; bobcats, raccoons, skunks and coyotes are in the midst of their mating seasons; plus a surprising amount of conflict between feathered foes in this week’s Kaw Valley Almanac.
Michael L Pomes/Contributed Photo
Late classical guitarist John Jervis inspires program that will offer free lessons in Lawrence
Before his death last year, John Jervis touched countless people through his classical guitar performances and lessons. One of those people has now been inspired to start a program to provide free guitar instruction to anyone with the desire to learn.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to meet for special budget discussion
The Lawrence school board is set for a special meeting on Monday to discuss cost-cutting proposals as the district faces a budget shortfall estimated between $3.2 and $3.85 million.
Carter Gaskins / The Lawrence Times
Quilter Marla Jackson preserves African American history in Lawrence through art and education
Lawrence quilter and historian Marla Jackson tells powerful stories of Black resistance and freedom through textile art with vibrant colors, patterns and pieces of history.
Proposal to ban cities from banning plastic bags pits Sierra Club against Kansas Chamber
Sierra Club lobbyist Zack Pistora told lawmakers he could talk at length about the “big mess” plastic bags have created for aquatic ecosystems, landscape and infrastructure in Kansas.
Courtesy of Kenna McNally/The Budget
Lawrence High newspaper editor credits staff after being named state journalist of the year
High school senior Cuyler Dunn might appear to be just starting out on a career in journalism, but those who know him best were not surprised this week when the Kansas Scholastic Press Association named him the state’s Student Journalist of the Year.
Mackenzie Clark / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence man found guilty of lesser offense in 2017 ‘doorway shooting’ case
A Douglas County jury on Friday convicted Steven A. Drake, 25, of Lawrence, of voluntary manslaughter in a fatal 2017 shooting.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Save Our Schools 497 group continues to fight for education at local, state levels
With school closures off the table for now, Lawrence’s Save Our Schools 497 group is now focused on finding a stopgap to make it through the year, looking at the district’s long-term financial health, and ensuring the community’s involvement in these processes.
Obituary: Jean Dirks
Jean Dirks, 2/16/1949 – 2/8/2022
Ask Cody: Queering intimacy (Column)
“Intimacy is often weaponized by power and not afforded to many divine Black humans,” Cody Charles writes in this column.
Kansas election official urges legislators to avoid restricting drop boxes for advance ballots
The Kansas Secretary of State’s office and voting rights advocates are urging Senate lawmakers to reject a bill banning the use of drop boxes for advance ballots except under certain conditions.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
School canceled again Friday for Lawrence, Eudora districts; KU to delay opening
There will be a second snow day Friday for Lawrence and Eudora Public Schools, the districts announced Thursday afternoon.
