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.)
Historic Resources Commission approves demolition of former Jayhawk Bookstore building
Demolition of the former Jayhawk Bookstore building at Crescent Road and Naismith Drive could get underway as soon as next week with the approval of the Historic Resources Commission.
Seminar from retired economist will answer resident questions about property taxes
An upcoming seminar given by Chris Courtwright, retired chief economist for the Kansas Legislature, will illuminate the inner workings of property taxes for Douglas County residents.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Prosecutors charge former Prairie Park speech pathologist with sex crimes against 6 additional kids
Douglas County prosecutors have filed 12 additional charges against a former Prairie Park Elementary School employee, now alleging that he sexually assaulted seven children.
Max Kautsch: Largest Kansas counties grapple with closed-door meetings and public’s rights (Column)
“A majority of commissions for the five most populous counties in the state,” including Douglas, “recently fell short of providing the information legally required before entering executive session,” Max Kautsch writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
Judge again blocks CoreCivic from opening Leavenworth prison as court skirmishes continue
A Leavenworth District Court judge reaffirmed his decision to bar CoreCivic from housing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement prisoners at its closed facility, rejecting the private prison company’s appeal to reconsider.
Douglas County Commission sets maximum property tax rate for 2026
Douglas County commissioners — following about 21 hours of budget hearings and deliberations over the past week and a half — set their maximum property tax rate for 2026.
When school starts in Lawrence Public Schools and more to know for 2025-26
Here’s info on when students go back to Lawrence Public Schools, when breaks are scheduled, school supply lists and more for the 2025-26 school year.
Evergy Kansas agreement raises residential base rates 9.6%, pending regulator approval
Evergy Kansas residential customers will see a rate increase of about $9 per month for the average home if the Kansas Corporation Commission accepts a unanimous settlement agreement filed Tuesday.
Kansas has worst policies in nation for contraceptive access, report finds
Kansas has the nation’s most restrictive policies for accessing contraceptives, resulting in health disparities for low-income and uninsured residents, a new report found.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Early voting underway for Lawrence City Commission primary
Early voting is now underway for a stacked Lawrence City Commission primary that will narrow a field of 13 candidates down to four.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence city commissioners set maximum property tax rate for 2026
Lawrence city commissioners voted to set their maximum property tax rate for 2026 above city staff members’ recommendation. However, they said they aim to reduce it as they continue budget discussions in the coming weeks and months.
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for July 15, 2025
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission supports fees to use recreation centers
A majority of Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday said they’d support charging residents fees to use recreation centers.
Kansas lawmakers outline vision for finding solutions to water crisis, and paying for them
The leaders of the state’s new Water Program Task Force say they are committed to finding elusive solutions to the state’s long-simmering water crisis.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence advocacy event provides knowledge, resources to resist anti-transgender legislation
Advocacy leaders gathered Monday to discuss the future of the Kansas transgender community and share resources in the face of state and federal anti-trans laws.
Lawrence Arts Center names new interim director; permanent hire still to come
The Lawrence Arts Center has named ceramic artist and longtime staff member Ben Ahlvers as the organization’s next interim director as the search for a permanent director continues.
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for July 15, 2025 (Sponsored post)
“Preorder campaigns, local author events and front-desk books prevail with this most recent edition of Raven Bestsellers,” the Raven Book Store writes.
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Marley is a clever gentleman who loves learning, kiddie pools
Marley, a 3-year-old male pit bull, is stealing the spotlight this week. He arrived at the shelter with no prior training but has been making rapid progress.
Lawrence school board elects new president, approves renovations for preschool at Woodlawn
Lawrence school board members at their meeting Monday elected GR Gordon-Ross as the next board president and approved a bid to renovate Woodlawn Elementary School to implement a preschool program there.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence Parks & Rec board opposes fees for rec centers
Members of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Monday said they would not be representing the community if they did not oppose a proposal to charge fees to use the city’s recreation centers.
Lawrence school district could lose $468K in federal grants
Lawrence Public Schools stand to lose about $468,151 in federal grants because of action by the Trump administration earlier this month freezing distribution of already-approved federal support.
Panasonic’s vision for massive Kansas battery plant becomes reality with grand opening
Hundreds from around the world gathered Monday to celebrate the grand opening of the Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto and tour the 4.7 million-square-foot facility that claims the tag of the state’s biggest economic development project ever.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Know Your Rights event empowers renters with knowledge, recourse to fight evictions in court
A recent “Know Your Rights” presentation provided legal resources to tenants in Lawrence, demonstrating that they have recourse to fight evictions in court.
Obituary: John Ward Hillebert, III
John Ward Hillebert, III, 3/25/1956 – 7/10/2025
