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.)
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for Aug. 20, 2025 (Sponsored post)
“This week’s bestsellers run the gamut — from serious nonfiction to lighthearted sci-fi, Lawrence is reading a wide array of genres!” the Raven Book Store writes.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence’s Parks and Rec director leaving position
Luis Ruiz, the city’s director of parks, recreation and culture, is leaving his position, effective Oct. 3.
Obituary: Elizabeth Stout Weaver
Elizabeth Stout Weaver, 8/14/1943 – 8/18/2025
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Aug. 19, 2025
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
Lawrence city commissioners approve increase to tax on hotel stays
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday voted 4-1 to increase the special tax that applies to hotel stays in hopes of better preparing for and capitalizing on an influx of World Cup visitors.
Nathan Kramer
Free State High School wins statewide performing arts excellence award for the second time
Free State High School has won a statewide award for excellence across all performing arts programs for the second time, marking a first in the award’s history.
Lawrence Humane Pets of the Week: Clear the Shelter Day is this weekend. These shy fuzzballs’ fees are waived now
Saturday is Clear the Shelter Day, meaning this round of Pet of the Week is a special, expanded edition to feature 13 pups who get a little stage fright — their adoption fees are already waived.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
FidPick to return this weekend in Lawrence
Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius will headline the 44th Annual Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championships, also known as FidPick, in Lawrence.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence sees higher than normal voter turnout in 2025 city primary
Around 11.7% of registered Lawrence voters cast a ballot in the 2025 city primary election — more than average, as city-level primaries typically end up around 10%.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City hopes to open lane of Tennessee Street and more traffic updates
The city aims to open one lane of Tennessee Street between Sixth and Ninth streets this week, while keeping blocks of Eighth Street east and west of Tennessee closed.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
A sneak peek at ‘Americans’: Smithsonian exhibit in Lawrence will confront depictions of Native Americans
A traveling Smithsonian exhibit opening this weekend at the Watkins will provide a looking glass for issues of Native representation that hit as close to home as Haskell and Arrowhead Stadium.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
KU stadium donation doesn’t change Lawrence city commissioners’ stance on tax breaks; some faculty members voice concerns
When Lawrence city commissioners voted to offer KU up to $94.6M in tax incentives last week for the Gateway District, at least three of five were not aware of a $300M donation that would be announced hours later. Some faculty members have concerns about the project.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission to consider hiking tax on hotel stays
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider increasing the special tax that applies to hotel stays in hopes of capitalizing on an influx of World Cup visitors.
Obituary: Julie Ann Tucker
Julie Ann Tucker, 12/3/1947 – 8/6/2025
Kaw Valley Almanac for Aug. 18-24, 2025
Big bluestem has seeded out and is pollinating. Their seedheads can be taller than a person, and is also known by the name “turkey foot” due to the resemblance to the footprint of a turkey.
Lawrence runner, 15, completes ultramarathon, encourages others to ‘challenge yourself’
Free State sophomore Moses Minor, 15, recently completed his first ultramarathon. While he accomplishes his running goals, he encourages others to join and stay active to their abilities.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence Transit to offer bus service from downtown to KU football games and back
Football devotees can park downtown and take fare-free Lawrence Transit buses to get to the Jayhawks’ games this fall.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Fall programming at Dole Institute to hit hot-button issues from electoral college to affordable housing
KU’s Dole Institute of Politics has unveiled fall 2025 programming that hits on hot-button issues, including constitutional law, lessons from local governance, housing affordability, the electoral college and more.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center rebuilds from crisis
While the Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center began to rebuild from a financial and management crisis six months ago, the community need was growing.
Greg Kramos / USFWS
Kansas lesser prairie chicken loses endangered species act protections after Texas court order
The lesser prairie chicken, a dancing grouse that has long teetered between threatened and endangered classifications, lost its federal protections in court in a victory for Great Plains petroleum and cattle industries.
KU Reads programming to include free John Green author talk at Lied Center
KU Reads programming this school year will include a free community talk from John Green on his essay collection “The Anthropocene Reviewed,” which is this year’s common book.
Extra law enforcement patrolling through Labor Day in Douglas County; some options to get home safe
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will have more deputies on patrol than usual this weekend through Labor Day, looking for impaired and distracted drivers. Here are some ways to get home safely.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district offers 54-cent hourly raise for support professionals seeking living wage
Union members representing education support specialists hoped they would draw closer to a living wage this year, but the Lawrence school district’s offer on Thursday hit far below their mark.
KU Department of Theatre & Dance/Courtesy photo
KU Theatre & Dance season aims for the stars with performances on astronomers, astronauts and more
KU’s Departments of Theatre and Dance have announced a 2025 season balancing the zero-gravity trailblazing of astronomers and astronauts with more grounded narratives of grief and belonging.
