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.)
Legislative budget proposes $7 million cut to Kansas public defenders, despite shortage
Public defenders in Kansas face borderline unethical caseloads, lower pay rates than peers and now the possibility of even less funding to address attorney shortages.
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for Jan. 15, 2025 (Sponsored post)
”The TikTok (RIP) sensation ’Fourth Wing’ has been selling like hotcakes as we anticipate our all-day launch party for the series’ third installment — ’Onyx Storm’ — from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21!” the Raven Book Store writes.
Obituary: Reta Mae Ellis
Reta Mae Ellis, 11/29/1933 – 1/12/2025
KU research suggests wind power isn’t a red vs. blue issue in Kansas
Wind power can spark passionate reactions – at times dividing neighbors and communities – but unlike many other hot-button topics, how this one shakes out across Kansas may not follow political lines.
Kansas House, Senate Democrats want to focus ’25 session on cost-of-living issues
Kansas Democrats vowed on the second day of the legislative session Tuesday to concentrate on reforms that addressed the rising cost of housing, health care, groceries, child care and fuel.
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Jan. 14, 2025
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
A moment in Lawrence: Keeping nature present in our lives
An Earth Care Forum held Sunday focused on ”the dynamic cycles of life in our local ecosystem and ways to rejoin our lives to nature,” Sam Raugewitz wrote in submitting this photo to the Times.
City of Lawrence announces next major road construction project to begin: Iowa Street
The stretch of Iowa Street from 23rd Street to Irving Hill Road is the next major construction project the city is set to undertake.
Douglas County to open applications for property tax rebates for seniors, disabled veterans
Douglas County has launched its pilot program to give older people and veterans with service-related disabilities a break on their property taxes. Here’s how to apply.
Zephyr Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence library to host several events for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The Lawrence Public Library will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a slate of family-friendly events and a food drive.
Amid prospect of future snow days, Lawrence school district watchful of instructional hours
The Lawrence school district is anticipating more snow days this winter that could result in having to make up instructional hours.
Kansas Legislature convenes 2025 session with emboldened Republican supermajority
Members of the Kansas Legislature gathered with family and friends Monday to convene the 2025 session, welcome three dozen new lawmakers and test the influence of expanded Republican majorities in the House and Senate.
Lawrence Parks and Rec board defers vote on draft master plan
Lawrence Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members opted to postpone their vote on a new comprehensive plan after suggesting some revisions and realizing that members of another city board had not yet reviewed the draft.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Renovations complete in the Douglas County Commission meeting room
The renovated Douglas County Commission meeting room in the historic courthouse was completed just in time for new elected officials to be sworn in Monday.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Douglas County elected officials sworn in
Several Douglas County elected officials — including two who will expand the county commission to five members and a new district attorney — took their oaths of office during a ceremony Monday morning at the historic county courthouse.
Obituary: Mary Ellen Saville
Mary Ellen Saville, 9/23/1947 – 1/4/2025
Kansas House speaker bans reporters from chamber floor, doesn’t say why
House Speaker Dan Hawkins banned reporting from the House chamber floor in new rules issued ahead of the legislative session, breaking from historical precedent and further exhibiting his disregard for news reporting.
Obituary: Wilma Irene (Barraclough) Morgan
Wilma Irene (Barraclough) Morgan, 6/25/1924 – 1/8/2025
Obituary: Diane Katherine Weber
Diane Katherine Weber, 8/19/1943 – 1/7/2025
Kaw Valley Almanac for Jan. 13-19, 2025
Recent ice, followed by a snow, followed by some melting has created ideal conditions for slick gravel roads in the mornings in parts of the state. Daytime melting can wet a road for refreezing at night.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
City of Lawrence reopening overflow winter emergency shelter; volunteers needed
Extremely cold temperatures and wind chills are in the forecast for Lawrence, and the city is planning to reopen an overflow emergency shelter to ensure everyone will have a warm place to sleep.
Prefiled bill would release millions in school bond funds from Kansas attorney general’s grasp
Two Kansas legislators prefiled a bill that would deliver millions in voter-approved school bonds that were blocked earlier this year because of a strict ruling from the Kansas attorney general.
Lane of K-10 closed after 5-vehicle crash in icy conditions
There were no injuries, but a lane of Kansas Highway 10 was temporarily closed Saturday evening following a five-vehicle crash, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence trans community, supporters send message to elected officials: ‘You cannot get rid of us’
Lawrence community members at a rally Saturday committed to resisting any and all upcoming efforts to suppress transgender and gender-nonconforming folks.




