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.)
August Rudisell / @KsScanner
People ages 12-15 can get COVID-19 vaccines in Douglas County starting Thursday
Based on updated recommendations from the CDC, people ages 12-15 can get Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in Douglas County starting Thursday.
Courtesy of Will Averill
Longtime Lawrence advocate Melinda Henderson has died at 68
Melinda Henderson was passionately involved in community affairs, most recently focusing on affordable housing and community issues. She died Tuesday at 68.
Photos by Kay Emerson
Lawrence families: Here’s your guide to fun in summer 2021
Here is a list of the Lawrence summer to-dos that are still enrolling. Find your family’s summer fit and sunny happiness.
Bailey Mareu/@bailann
A view of Lawrence: Sunrise on Mount Oread
Bailey Mareu, of Lawrence, submitted this photo of Wednesday morning’s sunrise to the Times.
Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector
Kansas agencies to reopen June 13 with face masks required for visitors, employees
Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration revealed plans Wednesday for state agencies to return to normal operations on June 13.
Who killed Nick Rice? Part 3: Days of Rage and death on Mount Oread
Some protesters tried to set a VW on fire as tensions rose on July 20, 1970. Lawrence police officers fired tear gas, then guns. Suddenly, Nick Rice’s fiancée realized Nick wasn’t holding her hand anymore.
Dan Rockhill
Tom Harper: Open house planned for student-designed Monarch Village project at Lawrence Community Shelter (Column)
An open house for Monarch Village will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Mask up and come take a tour of the latest Studio 804 project that will provide temporary noncongregate housing for many folks who need it.
Douglas County data analyst: Racial disparities in bail bonds may be further evidence of systemic racism
After a presentation on racial disparities in bail bonds, the CJCC wants to take a broader look at bond overall, the role it plays, and whether it’s effective in its overall purpose — and drill deeper to get more data.
Kansas Democrats launch nonprofit to drive turnout for progressive candidates, issues
Three Kansas Democrats formed the nucleus of a new nonprofit providing financial, strategic and logistical support for a year-round volunteer operation that reaches out to low-turnout voters in support of progressive candidates and issues.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
Short-term health insurance expansion passed by Kansas Legislature raises bipartisan concerns
A bill passed by the Kansas Legislature last week will expand the usage period on short-term health insurance plans if approved by Gov. Laura Kelly.
Who killed Nick Rice? Part 2: Staying carefree in a time of strife
Friends said Nick Rice was a nice, carefree guy who didn’t pay much attention to the unrest around him. So how did he get swept up in the tense protest at KU the night of his death?
Recap: Lawrence school board meeting, May 10, 2021
The Lawrence school board received an update on the rollout of restorative practice, approved an equity policy and more at its meeting Monday.
Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector
Kansas lawmakers make sexual extortion a crime, raise penalties for eluding police
A criminal justice bill passed by the House and Senate makes sexual extortion a crime, enforces stronger penalties for attempting to elude a police officer and allows a spouse to be charged with sexual battery.
August Rudisell/@KsScanner
Analysis: Downtown Master Plan draft proposes a few big changes, but skirts critical local issues
The final draft of the downtown master plan suggests that such landmark buildings as the post office, the U.S. Bank building, Replay Lounge and the former Journal-World printing plant could be torn down or redeveloped, but it is all but silent on how to deal with such key local issues as affordable housing, homelessness, aging of the population, soaring vacancy rates and the fallout from COVID-19.
Who killed Nick Rice? Part 1: Four days, two killings
A Lawrence Times investigation shows that Nick Rice was an innocent bystander when he was shot and killed by a Lawrence police officer on July 20, 1970. So why is there still so much ambiguity about his life and death?
Ken Lassman
Kaw Valley Almanac for May 10 – May 16, 2021
This may be the time of year with the most variety of bird
species easily visible or heard. Smartphone apps can record birds and ID them by their songs.
Report by Matt Cravens for Douglas County CJCC
Black people face higher bail bonds in Douglas County, report shows; CJCC to discuss
On average, Black people must pay higher bond amounts than people of other races to be released from the Douglas County jail, according to a new report.
Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector
Kansas businesses angry about COVID-19 mandates can get in line for piece of $500M
The Kansas Legislature pushed to the finish line an extraordinary plan to redirect as much as one-half billion dollars in federal COVID-19 relief aid to Kansas businesses claiming damages from city, county and state public health mandates during the pandemic.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Preview: Lawrence school board meeting, May 10
The Lawrence school board will hear an update from staff on the district’s equity plan, consider approving a new equity policy and more.
Darin Brunin
Tornado watch issued for Douglas County
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Douglas County until 1 a.m. Sunday, according to Douglas County Emergency Management.
Olivia Schwyhart/andromeda.beans on Instagram
Andromeda’s kittens: At 5 weeks, no pen too high to climb
Andromeda’s kittens at 5 weeks old: They are such good climbers now that they can’t be contained. They escape the pen multiple times a day.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
Kansas Legislature wraps 2021 session with late-night property tax deal
In the final day, the House and Senate came together to tie up loose ends to school finance after negotiations with the governor’s office, and finalized the state budget by injecting cash into universities, increasing pay for judges and restricting the use of vaccine passports.
Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector
Public can comment on Evergy sustainability plan after critiques over transparency
Members of the public will be allowed to comment on Evergy’s five-year sustainability plan after environmental and consumer advocates criticized regulators’ process as not transparent.
C.J. Janovy: This Lawrence Democrat likes Ike — and wonders how many Republicans still would (Column)
“It’s been the most challenging year for me so far,” said Rep. Boog Highberger, of Lawrence, who’s been in office since 2015.
