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.)
Kansas health officials: Schools see COVID-19 case rates decline, but youth vaccination rates lag
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported fewer new school-related COVID outbreaks this week — the first decline after several consecutive weeks. However, schools and students continue to lag in other key metrics.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Construction project at Lawrence High School to culminate in ribbon cutting, alumni Hall of Honor ceremony Saturday
As an extreme makeover of Lawrence High School nears completion after a two-year renovation, the public is invited to view the Chesty Lions’ new digs.
Lawrence City Commission candidates talk climate resiliency at Douglas County Democrats forum
Lawrence City Commission candidates shared their ideas to make Lawrence more “climate resilient” during Thursday’s Douglas County Democrat forum.
Conner Mitchell/The Lawrence Times
‘We must tell the truth of our past before we can improve it,’ Lawrence NAACP chair says
Remembering what happened to three Black men lynched in Lawrence more than 139 years ago is crucially important to improving racial equity now, Lawrence NAACP chair Ursula Minor said Thursday.
Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3
Kansas lawmakers want to challenge a COVID-19 vaccine policy that doesn’t exist yet
Republicans in Kansas are intent on pushing back against a forthcoming federal vaccine policy for private employers. The only problem? It isn’t written yet. But the politics of a nonexistent policy are benefiting both sides.
Courtesy of the Indigenous Community Center of Lawrence
Indigenous Community Center to host art show, cultural event this weekend
The Indigenous Community Center (ICC), a local organization focused on healing and connection for our Native community, is hosting an Indigenous Day Art Show this Saturday alongside educational opportunities to promote intercultural understanding.
For-profit Kansas prison an understaffed ‘hell hole’ of violence, death and drugs
The Leavenworth Detention Center, a pretrial lockup run by the nation’s largest private prison operator, CoreCivic, has been the site of two suicides and at least 10 severe beatings and stabbings this year, according to attorneys representing inmates there. Guards have quit rather than face the dangers.
Lawrence school board candidates share guiding values for pandemic safety decisions
The moderator of the Douglas County Democrats’ school board forum Wednesday asked the candidates to name the greatest successes and struggles in the district’s adaptations to the pandemic, and what values would guide their decision-making about safety policies.
Douglas County Sheriff's Office / @DGSOSheriff on Twitter
Driver flown to hospital after crash in Douglas County
The driver of a cement truck was flown by helicopter to an area hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening following a crash Wednesday afternoon, according to a tweet from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence’s municipal services workers petition for election to unionize
Municipal Services and Operations workers are the latest City of Lawrence group to seek unionization with Teamsters Local 696.
Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service
20 things to know about 20 years of Kansas wind farming
From the total power Kansas wind generates to the county with the most turbines, here’s 20 interesting facts about Kansas wind.
Kansas hospitals see off-season surge of RSV cases, sickening children and straining system
The highly contagious RSV is usually a winter virus, which means Kansas doctors typically see fewer cases over the summer. This year, however, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows state cases of RSV in Kansas took off in August.
City of Lawrence still needs church volunteers for winter shelter program; commissioners discuss $1.5M soccer field project
The Lawrence city manager gave city staff and commissioners an update Tuesday on the winter weather shelter program, which is anticipating demand of about 200 people and so far only has the capacity for 40. The commission also discussed a $1.5M soccer field project.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
KU administrators engage in conversation on sexual assault with student protesters
What was planned to be a protest against ongoing complaints of sexual assault on college campuses turned into a closed-door conversation between University of Kansas students and administrators Tuesday night.
Lawrence Times graphic
Attorney files complaint against Douglas County district attorney, calls for investigation of coroner
A Lawrence attorney has filed a complaint against the Douglas County district attorney for “spiteful, malicious” conduct, called for an investigation of the former coroner, and says the DA’s office should be disqualified from handling his client’s case.
House Creative Committee
Kansas Rep. Jake LaTurner to hold town hall at Lawrence Public Library
Rep. Jake LaTurner, whose district includes the Lawrence/Douglas County area, will hold a town hall this week at the Lawrence Public Library.
Audit: Inadequate IT security at Kansas schools leaves vital information exposed
A legislative audit revealing many school districts are not practicing basic security measures for information technology systems raised eyebrows Tuesday from a panel of legislators.
Clay Wirestone: This Kansas senator wants to stifle talk of systemic racism — never mind the research (Column)
“Compelling figures apparently weren’t enough for (Sen. Richard) Hilderbrand to see systemic or institutional racism at work,” Clay Wirestone writes in this column for Kansas Reflector.
Kansans create special chamber of commerce to advance business of medical cannabis
Advocates of legalizing marijuana sales formed the Kansas Cannabis Chamber of Commerce to move the political, business and health debate forward in a state bordered by dispensaries in Colorado, Oklahoma and Missouri and a renewed push to open markets in Nebraska.
Douglas County Democrats to host Lawrence City Commission, school board candidate forums this week
The Lawrence community can tune in this week to hear more from Lawrence City Commission and school board candidates through two upcoming virtual forums sponsored by the Douglas County Democrats.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Douglas County crosses threshold of 100 COVID-19 deaths after state verification
Douglas County has hit a grim milestone of 100 deaths from COVID-19, according to Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health’s Monday update.
Lawrence Schools Foundation / Contributed Photos
Lawrence Schools Foundation celebrates 4 high school seniors as champions of the arts
Four accomplished young artists — Free State High School seniors Matt Chappell and Devon Janus and Lawrence High School seniors Ashton Rapp and Rachel Schmaus — have been honored as the Lawrence Schools Foundation’s 2021 Student Champions.
Mackenzie Clark / The Lawrence Times
Rontarus Washington Jr. doesn’t have to keep ankle monitor on, judge rules
Rontarus Washington Jr. will be able to have his GPS ankle monitor removed, the judge ruled Monday. Washington appeared overcome with relief.
Marlo Angell / Contributed Photo
A moment in Lawrence: Former residents of La Yarda and their descendants attend film screening
Former residents of La Yarda, the East Lawrence housing unit built for Mexican American railroad workers from 1920-51, and many of their descendants attended a screening of a film about the neighborhood Saturday evening.
