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.)
Tricia Masenthin/Lawrence Times
Bert Nash announces cuts to staff, salaries; center offering voluntary early retirement
Nearly every area of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center will see job cuts, and some employees will see salary cuts between 2% and 15% as the center has “reached the level of a financial exigency,” according to the center’s CEO.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Busker Festival, Art Tougeau set for this weekend in downtown Lawrence
Two summer staple events bringing performing artists and mobile art to downtown Lawrence streets are back again.
Bishop Seabury Academy announces the Class of 2025 (Announcement)
“The 17 members of the Class of 2025 have received 120 acceptances to 80 different colleges and were offered more than $10 million in four-year renewable scholarships and institutional grants,” Bishop Seabury Academy writes.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence High Class of 2025 graduates, prepares to seize a changing world
Adele Erickson imparted some advice from a fortune cookie to her fellow Lawrence High School graduates: “One must look back to learn to look forward.” The Chesty Lions Class of 2025 graduated Tuesday night.
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for May 20, 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 rezoning for apartment complex at 3rd and Michigan
The Lawrence City Commission voted 3-2 Tuesday evening to approve a rezoning request to allow for developers to build a two-story, 24-unit apartment building near LMH Health.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
City of Lawrence cites potential loss of $8M in federal funds as reason for resolution that sparked uproar
The City of Lawrence is “exploring the risks associated with potentially losing $8M in funding,” according to a statement regarding a draft resolution that pledged the city would stop enforcing its equal rights ordinances in order to comply with Trump’s executive orders.
Federal judge questions Leavenworth’s attempt to block CoreCivic immigration detention center
CoreCivic will know by Friday whether it will have to delay plans to begin holding Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees in June at its Leavenworth facility.
Kansas abortion rights advocacy group sues state officials over law banning foreign contributions
A Kansas reproductive rights advocacy group, backed by a Washington, D.C. law firm, is suing state officials over a new law banning financial contributions from “foreign nationals” to support or oppose constitutional amendments.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Resolution pledging Lawrence would comply with executive orders is no longer on commission agenda
A resolution city staff members were asking the Lawrence City Commission to approve, which pledged to indefinitely suspend enforcement of equal rights ordinances in hopes of maintaining federal funding, is no longer on Tuesday’s meeting agenda.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Screening set for documentary on Sacred Red Rock’s return to the Kaw Nation
A documentary film telling the story of the Sacred Red Rock’s return to the Kaw Nation is set for a screening at Liberty Hall in Lawrence.
Free State senior wins national forensics title
Free State High School senior Anwen Williams added to her impressive list of forensics accomplishments by claiming a national championship in extemporaneous speaking over the weekend.
Gov. Laura Kelly warns of undercutting Kansas schools, judicial independence, budget stability
Gov. Laura Kelly wants the Republican-dominated committee drafting a new state funding formula for K-12 public schools to resist pressure to funnel tax dollars into private schools.
Lawrence, Douglas County likely to see thunderstorms; tornado watch issued
Eastern Kansas is at an enhanced risk for severe weather Monday afternoon and evening, including possible hail and tornados, according to the National Weather Service.
Kaw Valley Almanac for May 19-25, 2025
The three-petaled triangular blue spiderwort blooms for a day, but there is another bud below it, ready to step up and open the next day. Butterflies and hummingbirds love this plant.
Nathan Kramer
‘Uncertainty is always full of opportunity,’ KU chancellor tells Class of 2025
KU Chancellor Douglas A. Girod told the Class of 2025 graduates that they’ve been educated and trained for this moment in time, and they will rise to the occasion.
Obituary: Terri Durgan
Terri Durgan, 12/28/1959 – 2/8/2025
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence Virtual School grads told to ‘be the best you that you can be’
The Lawrence Virtual School Class of 2025 heard a lot of advice from speakers during their graduation ceremony Saturday, including some pearls of wisdom from their classmate’s time working at a nursing home — “Don’t be a snitch,” for instance.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Loved ones remember Lawrence teen killed last year on what would’ve been his 18th birthday
When Natasha Neal embraces her late son Isaiah Neal’s child, familiar eyes look back at her. The 4-month-old baby never got to meet his father but carries his name and more. Isaiah would’ve turned 18 on Wednesday, but he was shot and killed in June 2024.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence to ban camping effective in mid-August as shelter options expand; coalition forming in opposition
The City of Lawrence is planning to ban people from camping “anywhere in Lawrence” effective in mid-August, representing a change that has long been in the works.
Obituary: Norma Jean (Jeanie) Wheelock
Norma Jean (Jeanie) Wheelock, 12/12/1952 – 5/10/2025
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
State court upholds Lawrence’s ordinance to protect against housing voucher discrimination
Kansas Court of Appeals judges have upheld Lawrence’s ordinance intended to ensure voucher recipients can secure housing, finding that “State and local governments have a legitimate interest in protecting the affordability and quality of housing.”
Leavenworth sues to keep CoreCivic from reopening Kansas prison as ICE detention facility
The city of Leavenworth and CoreCivic will take their fight to court June 9 to determine whether the company can reopen its prison facility as an ICE detention center without going through a permitting process.
Historic Resources Commission advances plans for row houses near former Borders building
Plans to build 15 row houses next to the former Borders building in downtown Lawrence got a 3-2 nod of approval from the Historic Resources Commission Thursday evening, and the city is considering the former book store building for a City Hall annex.
