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.)
Fally Afani / On the Town Photo
Performers make history at Blackout drag show in Lawrence
Black and Brown performers made history at the Thirsty Thursday “Blackout” drag show, which featured only People of Color, at the Jazzhaus in downtown Lawrence.
Letter to the Times: Women survivors who are incarcerated need support, too
“At some point, I hope the protesters will broaden their cause to include the women at Topeka Correctional Facility who killed the men who were raping them. Their stories, too, have been covered up,” Michelle Gonzales writes in this letter to the Times.
Tribal health providers working to build on Kansas vaccination successes
In light of data showing Indigenous people are more likely to contract COVID-19, tribal health leaders are working toward further successes in vaccinating Native populations.
Contributed Photos
Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice, ECM honor community leaders with peace awards
Three Lawrence leaders were honored with Tom and Anne Moore Peace and Justice Awards during a ceremony this week: Meg Heriford; Dana Ortiz, for Family Promise of Lawrence; and Graham Kreicker.
Jill Hummels/Kansas Reflector
Evergy scales back plans to add solar power by 2024, will keep Lawrence plant partially open
Evergy will convert part of its Lawrence coal plant to run occasionally on natural gas despite earlier plans to shutter it completely and fall short of earlier pledges to add massive amounts of solar power to the electric grid, the utility revealed in regulatory filings this week.
City Commission candidates undecided on vacancy tax, they say during Downtown Lawrence forum
An audience member at the Downtown Lawrence forum asked the Lawrence City Commission candidates on Wednesday whether they would support a vacancy tax. None of the six candidates gave a firm answer, but they shared some views on the idea.
Douglas County Commission passes extension of mask mandate for children through December
The Douglas County Commission on Wednesday unanimously passed an extension of the current countywide mask mandate for children through the end of the school semester.
Kansan charged in Jan. 6 riot at U.S. Capitol near scene of fatal shooting
A Wichita man involved in the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol faces eight criminal counts for allegedly surging to the front of the crowd and pushing a law enforcement officer down a flight of stairs.
Kansas middle schooler death prompts urgency from COVID-19 school safety panel
The recent death of a Kansas middle school student from COVID-19 raised the urgency Wednesday of a panel focused on pandemic school safety to implement precautionary measures across the state.
Courtesy of Drone Lawrence/dronelawrence.com
A view of Lawrence: Repair of Wescoe’s roof brings giant new landmark
A repair of the roof at Wescoe Hall has left behind a massive new campus landmark — 80-foot blue letters spelling “KU.”
#BeMoreLikeClaire
#BeMoreLikeClaire: Fall 2021 grant cycle now open to applicants (Announcement)
“#BeMoreLikeClaire has opened its Fall 2021 Grant Cycle and is looking to support projects that further its mission to cultivate the power of collective generosity so that all may live a safe and healthy life.”
KU maps bring into colorful focus lingering racial segregation of K-12 schools
Researchers at the University of Kansas produced colorful interactive maps providing visual representations of an increasingly multicultural society that sustains a K-12 school system characterized by racial segregation.
Clay Wirestone: ‘Mission critical’: Four numbers that explain why abortion rights in Kansas face an urgent test (Column)
“Next summer, Kansas voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that, if passed, would make a Texas-style ban (on abortion) plausible here. States across the country are watching, and women could pay the price,” Clay Wirestone writes in this column.
David Condos / Kansas News Service
Here’s a glimmer of hope that the delta surge in Kansas is slowing
This summer, the delta variant of COVID-19 filled Kansas hospital beds at a dizzying speed. A month ago, the numbers plateaued, then started a gradual downward slope.
Former prosecutor, cop Chris Mann, of Lawrence, launches campaign for Kansas attorney general
Lawrence attorney and former police officer Chris Mann is the first Democrat to launch a campaign for the party’s nomination for Kansas attorney general.
Group’s plans would enhance access to Kansas Riverfront in Lawrence; city commissioners receptive
The Lawrence City Commission heard a presentation on Tuesday night about a transportation project that seeks to add connectivity and access to the Kansas River.
Lucy Peterson / The Lawrence Times
KU quietly reorganizes office that investigates sexual violence; longest-serving director left a month ago
In less than four months, the office at the University of Kansas that receives and investigates reports of sexual and gender-based violence has undergone a rebranding and replaced all but one of its staff members — including the former director — unbeknownst to most of the KU community.
Kansas criminal justice commission reviews cost-effective recommendations for state lawmakers
Legal experts and state legislators serving on a panel to reform the Kansas criminal justice system are optimistic their next set of recommendations will gain traction when lawmakers return to the Capitol in January.
Linda Ditch: Feeling singled out, female students protest high school’s dress code (Column)
“All Kansas school districts need to take a closer look at inherent sexism in their dress codes. The first step should be an open conversation with students to forge a policy acceptable to the entire school community,” Linda Ditch writes in this column.
Kansas foes of COVID-19 vaccinations push for political protection from mandates
A program sponsored by an anti-vax group offered a concentrated sample of activists, politicians and health professionals with an interest in minimizing government’s role in dictating individual health decisions, especially as it related to vaccines. Few wore masks.
Contributed
Wondering how testing out of school quarantines works? The Eudora school district shares a look at the process
A COVID-19 testing program used since August in the Eudora school district aims to reduce quarantines. Students and staff exposed to a positive case can “test out” of quarantine as long as they don’t have symptoms and continue to test negative for the virus.
Douglas County Commission to consider extending mask mandate for children ages 2-11
The Douglas County Commission on Wednesday will discuss a possible extension of the countywide mask mandate for kids put into place last month.
Criminal justice panel hashes out potential changes to Kansas criminal offender registry
Criminal justice advocates, experts and law enforcement are debating potential changes to the Kansas drug and sex offender registry, including whether registries should be made public and an exit mechanism for some offenders.
Lawrence Memorial Hospital awaiting FDA approval to give COVID-19 booster shots
Lawrence health officials are ready and waiting for the FDA to give the word about COVID-19 booster doses, according to a community update from LMH Health. Also, here’s an update on COVID-19 inpatients by vaccination status.
