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.)
Lee Norman steps down as Kansas health secretary, months after internal dispute
Lee Norman stepped down Thursday from his high-profile cabinet post as the chief medical officer in Kansas, where he managed the state’s response to COVID-19 throughout the pandemic.
Norman retreated from public view in June following a tense exchange with the governor’s chief of staff, who wanted Norman to stay in his lane and avoid sensitive political issues when speaking to news reporters.
Health agency urges Kansans to take COVID-19 precautions for holiday season
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is advising Kansans to follow the pillars of infection control and take steps to keep themselves and family safe from COVID-19 during the holiday season.
Screenshot/YouTube
Lawrence school board votes to postpone its meeting until return from fall break
The school board voted 5-0 to approve moving its board report meeting scheduled for Monday, Nov. 22 to the following Monday, Nov. 29.
Paul Samberg: Kansans who compare COVID-19 mandates to Holocaust fuel antisemitism (Column)
“Likening the greatest act of antisemitism in history to mask requirements and vaccine mandates is abhorrent and downplays the reality of the Holocaust,” Paul Samberg writes in this column for Kansas Reflector.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence police chief candidate shares experience, philosophies at meet-and-greet
In the final stage of recruitment for police chief, Rich Lockhart met with community members Thursday and said he thinks a consultant group’s report completed in the spring is a “great roadmap” for the Lawrence Police Department.
Tricia Masenthin/The Lawrence Times
Fairytale faves and zombies mix it up in West Middle School production
With two casts and two endings, there’s a lot to keep organized in West Middle School’s all-school play, “The Walking Dwarves.” There’s no sugar-coating the scene at Thursday morning’s preview show: It’s pure, loud chaos. It’s also a celebration.
Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3
A private company asked Kansas to hide public information, so the state obliged
Emails between an auditing firm and Kansas show how quickly the state bent to the company’s wishes to keep information out of public view. Experts say this reflects a disturbing national trend.
Douglas County Commission selects Kansas Holistic Defenders for misdemeanor defense
After hours of questions and public comments about two competing proposals for criminal defense services, the Douglas County Commission on Wednesday selected Kansas Holistic Defenders.
Theatre Lawrence / Contributed Photo
All are invited to embrace their inner elves at Theatre Lawrence’s winter production
Lawrence community members — even cottonheaded ninnymuggins — are invited to Theatre Lawrence’s in-person and streamed winter production, “Elf: The Musical.”
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to hold special meeting Friday to consider meeting schedule change
Lawrence school board President Erica Hill has called a special meeting for 8:30 a.m. Friday to consider a change in the board’s meeting schedule.
Locations, other details released for Kansas redistricting town halls
Kansas legislative staff released details Wednesday about how to participate in upcoming public meetings on redistricting.
Kansas makes COVID-19 booster shots available for all adults
All fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday.
City of Lawrence/Contributed Photo
Lawrence’s director of municipal services and operations to retire
Dave Wagner, a City of Lawrence employee for more than four decades, will retire at the end of the year.
Obituary: Jon M. Woodward
Jon M. Woodward, 10/29/1946 – 11/15/2021
Listing: Reporters — The Lawrence Times
The Lawrence Times — a young but rapidly growing startup online publication covering Lawrence and Douglas County, Kansas — is looking for journalists to join our team, help us tell this community’s stories, and revolutionize local news.
Aaron Coleman For Kansas / Contributed Photo
Kansas state Rep. Aaron Coleman allegedly hit brother, threatened grandfather on night of his arrest
Coleman tried to “shame” his brother for wanting to get baptized, according to an affidavit. Coleman then pushed his brother backwards, hit him in the chest and spit on him, the document says.
Lawrence residents to pay more for city utilities in 2022; collections to resume soon
The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday approved utility rate hikes that will cost residents of single-family homes about $75 more per year, and collections will resume soon for nearly 4,000 accounts.
Kansans should focus on geography, culture, policy in redistricting forums, advocates say
While guidelines for testimony and the redistricting process remain up in the air, advocates for fair maps in Kansas are advising residents to look at past frameworks when speaking to lawmakers at upcoming town halls.
Clay Wirestone: Reality and conspiracy collide at Lawrence COVID-19 vaccine clinic for kids (Column)
“Saturday should have been a banner day for my family. I brought my 10-year-old son to West Middle School in Lawrence, where he received his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine,” Clay Wirestone writes in this column for Kansas Reflector.
Tom Harper / Contributed Photo
A moment in Lawrence: Community celebrates new mural at Cottin’s Hardware
A crowd gathered Sunday to celebrate the completion of a new mural at Cottin’s Hardware in Lawrence.
Lucie Krisman / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence-based sculptor wins design title in nationwide metalworking competition
Lori Norwood took inspiration from Lawrence’s Pooch Plunge tradition to create a steel sculpture. Her piece was recently selected for a metalworking award.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Cutting food sales tax shouldn’t lead to cuts in services for low-income families, advocate says
Bipartisan proposals to cut or reduce the state sales tax on groceries will help Kansans who are forced to choose between food and other basic needs, an advocate says.
Ken Lassman
Kaw Valley Almanac for Nov. 15-21, 2021
Nov. 17 is the peak day for deer-car accidents, with some 700 of the 10,000 annual collisions in Kansas occurring on that day. Drive carefully, especially around dawn and dusk.
Longest-serving CASA in Douglas County retires, leaves legacy of care, dedication
In her 30 years working with children as a court appointed special advocate in Douglas County, Georgia Orchard always loved to teach those she worked with how to read.
