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.)
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Planning Commission advances Family Promise plan for affordable housing
Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission members voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend approving four items related to an affordable housing project at Ninth and Tennessee streets.
Lawrence drama teacher earns Lied Center IMPACT Award
Lawrence teacher Trish Averill Neuteboom has been named as a 2024-25 Lied Center IMPACT Award recipient for her dedication to arts education.
Leavenworth city leaders say CoreCivic needs permission to open immigration detention center
The Leavenworth City Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday for a resolution that says a private prison operator must get permission before reopening its facility in the city, rebuking the for-profit company’s plan to work with ICE.
Kansas House backs antisemitism bill but refuses to condemn all racism and discrimination
House Republicans refused to consider a plea from Democratic Rep. Valdenia Winn to send a message that there is no place for racism in the state of Kansas.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Housing Authority to temporarily close wait list for one of its programs
The Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority will soon pause accepting applications for a transitional housing program that currently has a four-year waitlist.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence UPS hub set to close this year
The UPS hub in Lawrence is one of two Kansas sites set to close in a few months, raising concerns and questions about the future for several dozen local employees.
Kansas Legislature overrides governor’s veto of bill to limit advance voting
The House and Senate on Tuesday overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of legislation that could result in thousands of advance ballots being disqualified.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Planning Commission to consider Family Promise plan for affordable housing development
The planning commission on Wednesday will discuss advancing six proposed new units of affordable housing at Ninth and Tennessee streets.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Cell phones less visible in high school classes under new Lawrence school district policy
Lawrence school district administrators say visible cell phone use in class has gone down in both high schools since the new policy took effect, but engagement with younger students requires continued attention.
Kansas lawmakers want to loosen vaccine requirements amid a measles outbreak in the state
At least 10 Kansans under age 18 have tested positive for measles already this year. Kansas lawmakers are considering a bill that includes loosening vaccine requirements in child care regulations.
Baker University announces next president
Baker University has announced Jody Fournier — recent provost and vice president of Capital University in Columbus, Ohio — as its next president.
LMH Health CEO announces plans to retire
Russ Johnson, LMH Health president and CEO since 2016, plans to retire in August, the hospital announced Tuesday.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district facing underfunded special education, enrollment decrease
The Lawrence school district is bracing for another year of underfunded special education from the state while the federal government picks systems apart.
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for March 25, 2025 (Sponsored post)
“K. O’Neill, author/illustrator of the beloved ‘Tea Dragon Society‘ series, debuted a new graphic novel for kids called ‘A Song for You and I.’ We still have lots of signed copies available — perfect for this week’s Trans Rights Readathon!” the Raven Book Store writes.
Lawrence police looking for missing woman, 74; silver alert issued
Lawrence police are looking for Wanda Dyer, 74, who has been missing since Friday morning.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district looking to add preschool classes at neighborhood schools
Preschool classrooms will be added to two Lawrence elementary schools next year, with the district’s vision to make enough seats for 3- and 4-year-olds accessible. The district also has plans to expand other programming.
‘Stolen Focus’ author is Lawrence library’s 2025 Ross and Marianna Beach Author
The Lawrence Public Library has announced Johann Hari as this year’s Ross and Marianna Beach Author, and he’s set to speak in Lawrence in June.
Kansas Supreme Court justice to step down, citing Lou Gehrig’s disease
Kansas Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Wilson will retire, effective July 4, following a recent ALS diagnosis.
Kansas governor vetoes legislation that would disqualify slow-arriving mail-in ballots
Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday vetoed legislation that would eliminate a three-day grace period for advance mail-in ballots to arrive after Election Day.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
ACLU of Kansas, Loud Light to share info on anti-trans bills moving through statehouse
Local advocates will discuss current anti-trans legislation and community resources at a Trans Day of Visibility event in Lawrence.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence, Douglas County cultural events can seek up to $10K from new grant program
Annual events that “celebrate, honor and uplift the county’s diverse cultural heritage” could receive up to $10,000 in funding from a new Heritage Conservation Council grant program.
Letter to the Times: Planning Commission should deny 3rd and Michigan upzoning request
“Please encourage the development interests — public and private — to engage the neighborhood so that the results reflect sensible density that adds value for all concerned,” Phil and Peggi Englehart write in this open letter to the Planning Commission.
Kaw Valley Almanac for March 24-30, 2025
A wave of pink, red and white redbud blossoms is sweeping south to north across Kansas right now. The flowers and early green pods are quite edible and delicious.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district reports state and federal aid setbacks; board to hear budget update
The Lawrence school district may have to return funds already spent on security equipment, among other changes to state and federal funding the school board will hear about on Monday.
