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.)
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Haskell fashion show to return to campus with featured musical guests
The second installment of a Haskell Indian Nations University fashion runway show will feature two young music artists, in celebration of Indigenous strength and resilience.
Kansas Medicaid advocates share dire forecast of potential congressional funding cuts
Analysis of potential congressional cuts to Medicaid indicated Kansas’ loss of more than $3 billion over 10 years could shrink coverage for vulnerable populations, escalate family medical debt and raise the risk of hospital closures.
Obituary: Bradford ‘Brad’ Slocum Smith
Bradford “Brad” Slocum Smith, 6/26/1947 – 4/20/2025
Obituary: Heath David Morris
Heath David Morris, 8/31/1972 – 4/24/2025
Obituary: Charlotte Hastings
Charlotte Hastings, 1/10/1945 – 4/22/2025
Free State High School announces next assistant principal
A current career and technical education teacher and coach at Olathe South High School has been named the next assistant principal of Free State.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
New parent messaging tool, MacBooks among possible Lawrence school district ‘enhancements’
A new parent communication tool and a potential comeback for MacBook laptops in high schools are part of changes the Lawrence school district plans to make in 2025-26. Enrollment is also open for two new preschool classes.
Lawrence schools working to mitigate large class sizes; board sets non-district transfer seats
The Lawrence school district expects some large class sizes will continue in the 2025-26 year while enrollment is on the decline and more teachers are needed.
Lawrence school district names assistant director of special education
The current assistant principal and athletic director of Southwest Middle School has been named assistant director of special education for Lawrence Public Schools.
KU to host virtual event with filmmaker behind ‘Coded Bias’ and ‘TikTok, Boom’
KU on Wednesday will host a virtual event with filmmaker Shalini Kantayya, speaking on how human prejudice creates corrupt technology.
Kansas Legislature steps back from terminating popular affordable housing tax credit program
Instead of Kansas’ low-income housing tax credit being terminated in July, the program will survive, in a reduced capacity, until 2028.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Powwow at Hillcrest Elementary School draws hundreds of community members
School powwows are common in areas with large Native American populations, but Saturday’s powwow at Hillcrest Elementary was a first for Lawrence schools.
Kansas’ former top public health official reflects on five years since COVID-19
Five years ago, Lee Norman was trying to dissuade Kansans from ingesting chemical cleaners to prevent COVID-19, preparing for the end of a statewide stay-at-home order and deciding whether to send tests for everyone in long-term care facilities and prisons.
Kaw Valley Almanac for April 28 – May 4, 2025
Verbena is a showy prairie wildflower blooming right now. Flower clusters start blooming around the edges and work their way toward the center as the season progresses.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
‘This isn’t our first rodeo’: Kansas, Lawrence Democrats rally, prep for vote against amendment in August 2026
Local Democrats urged community members during a rally Sunday to help people register and get out the vote — and in particular, to vote against a constitutional amendment coming to ballots in August 2026.
Kansas Supreme Court affirms product liability immunity of gun maker, seller in civil suit
The Kansas Supreme Court agreed Friday with a district court decision tossing a lawsuit filed by a former Emporia State football player shot by a teammate who mistakenly believed that disassembling his handgun required pulling the trigger.
Lawrence artists to open studios to the public during Art Spaces event (Sponsored post)
Area artists will open their studios, homes and creative spaces to guests during Lawrence’s free, self-guided, open-studio tour, Art Spaces.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider approving 2025-26 classroom capacities; public comment not on agenda
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider approving classroom ratios and enrollment capacities for the 2025-26 year. General public comment is not on the board’s agenda.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Art students, teachers celebrated at Lawrence Arts Center’s Vanguard Awards
Art students and their teachers celebrated their award-winning artwork Friday evening at the annual Vanguard Awards during the opening reception for the USD 497 Exhibition.
Obituary: Paul Joseph Corcoran
Paul Joseph Corcoran, 10/29/1949 – 3/21/2025
(Contributed)
Youth-led inclusive period pantry to host block party in Lawrence amid leadership shift
As the founders of Honor Moon’s period pantry and nonprofit foundation make their transition from high school to college, they’re teaming up with incoming leaders for a community event.
Black Hills Energy asks to raise natural gas rates for Kansas customers by 17.6%
A public hearing Tuesday in Wichita and online will give Black Hills Energy customers an opportunity to comment on a proposal that would raise residential bills by about 17.6%.
August Rudisell / Lawrence Times
Rally at South Park to look ahead to 2026 election
The Democratic Parties of Douglas County and Kansas will soon hold a rally at South Park to discuss the 2026 election, including who will run for governor.
Kansas Legislature turns cold shoulder to child reading program after less than one year
The Kansas Legislature’s budget bill that eventually passed with bipartisan support contained no new funding of Blueprint for Literacy, which aims to intervene on behalf of 33% of Kansas students not meeting fundamental levels of reading.
