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.)
Douglas County bail fund to host event on ‘the trouble with polygraphs’
The Douglas County Community Bail Fund will soon host a talk on the “history, application, and pitfalls of the use of polygraphs in our legal system,” according to organizers.
HIV, hepatitis testing to expand for underinsured Douglas County residents
New funding will allow two local health service providers to expand testing for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C through outreach for people who are uninsured and underinsured in Douglas County.
Kansas district attorney, sheriff raise alarm about implications of Legislature’s bail mandate
The Kansas House acted with urgency to pass a bill endorsed by a jail bond lobbyist that mandates arrest warrants for people charged with felonies and restricts judges’ discretion to set bond conditions for defendants.
Kaw Valley Almanac for March 30-April 5, 2026
Five-petaled false rue anemone is one of the first spring flowers to start blooming in native oak hickory woods. See if you’ve had enough rain for these to bloom!
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Part of 19th Street to close, Wakarusa lanes reduced and more Lawrence roadwork coming up
Roadwork is popping up all over Lawrence, including a closure at 19th and Mass, reduced lanes for about a mile of Wakarusa, and more.
Some Kansas lawmakers use AI chatbots in the Statehouse — with no guidelines on responsible use
More and more Kansas legislators are using chatbots to summarize bills, write their remarks and more. There are no guidelines for how lawmakers use ChatGPT, Claude and other services.
Obituary: Jane Kay Bacon Unruh
Jane Kay Bacon Unruh, 6/15/1956 – 3/29/2026
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Third ‘No Kings’ rally brings generations together to protest Trump administration
Huge crowds of Lawrence community members of all ages showed up Saturday to protest the Trump administration as part of a string of No Kings Protests across the nation.
Obituary: Dennis Edward Nystrom
Dennis Edward Nystrom, 10/6/1947 – 3/21/2026
Obituary: Cheri Ann Richardson
Cheri Ann Richardson, 2/15/1932 – 3/21/2026
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Free State High School launching hall of fame to commemorate 30 years; nominations open
Free State High School has launched a nomination form for its first round of hall of fame inductees, which the school will celebrate as part of its 30-year anniversary.
Douglas County District Judge Sally Pokorny to retire next month
Douglas County District Judge Sally Pokorny has announced her plans to retire next month after nearly 50 years of legal service, including establishing and presiding over behavioral health court for the last decade.
Kansas governor, attorney general both declare victory in Supreme Court decision on executive power
A divided Kansas Supreme Court issued a narrow decision Friday resulting in dismissal of Gov. Laura Kelly’s petition alleging AG Kris Kobach interfered with her constitutional authority to engage in litigation on behalf of the state. Both sides declared victory.
KU debate coach named Coach of the Year at national tournament
Brett Bricker, KU’s head debate coach, has won the Coach of the Year award at the National Debate Tournament.
Lawrence-area law enforcement officers to participate in NAACP panel
Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister, Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart and KU Police Chief Nelson Mosley will soon participate in a panel hosted by the local NAACP branch.
Kansas Legislature imposes overhaul of state nursing board, voids 20 years of disciplinary actions
A bill forcing extensive changes at the Kansas State Board of Nursing and voiding 20 years of disciplinary actions passed both legislative chambers and will land on the governor’s desk amid concerns about its impact.
Kansas Legislature’s debate exposes bitter dissent, and buried treasure, in the spending bill
Thin majorities in the Kansas Legislature early Friday passed a budget bill around bipartisan opposition. The bill spends vastly more than anticipated tax revenue.
Kansas Legislature overrides governor’s veto of tax breaks for nontraditional health plan users
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed legislation Thursday that provides income tax deductions for Kansans enrolled in health care sharing ministries plans, but one day later, the Legislature overrode her decision.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence advisory board to ask commission to boost sustainability department funding in 2027
Lawrence’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Board will ask city commissioners to beef up the sustainability department’s budget in 2027 after its operating budget was slashed 89% from 2025 to 2026.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence mayor asks environmental board to prioritize; board champions clean energy ordinance
A Lawrence advisory board and the mayor negotiated a vision for city sustainability initiatives Thursday as board members pushed for an energy benchmarking policy and a clean energy ordinance.
Legislature sends Kansas governor bill enticing World Cup soccer fans with booze, housing
The Kansas Legislature has passed a bill giving municipalities the opportunity to allow liquor stores, restaurants and bars to remain open 23 hours a day and allowing people to open their homes for lodging during the World Cup.
MixMaster2026 to offer resources, connections for local musicians
Lawrence’s MixMaster Music Conference is set to return Sunday, aiming to provide valuable information and connections for local musicians and all involved in the city’s music scene.
Contributed photo
Lawrence Humane to celebrate 75th anniversary with fee-waived adoptions and more
The Lawrence Humane Society is celebrating 75 years with a weekend of fee-waived adoptions, community stories about shelter pets and more.
Kansas smoke shops sue state alleging illegal search and seizure during THC raids
Three smoke and vape shops are suing the state of Kansas, accusing officials of Fourth Amendment violations in a series of October raids.
