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.)
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.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Lawrence students prep for trip to Japan, but program participation is falling
Eight Lawrence middle and high schoolers spent the afternoon dancing, learning and playing games in preparation for a trip to Hiratsuka, Japan this summer.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to hear update on makeup time following 4 snow days
The Lawrence school board on Monday will hear an update from administrators on their plans if the district must make up instructional hours after four snow days already this year.
Kansas governor orders federal benefits go to foster kids savings accounts instead of state agency
A new mandate from Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly requires federal cash benefits, like social security and disability, to go directly to foster children after decades of using them to pay for state agency operating costs.
Lawrence Public Schools: District’s PowerSchool data was not breached
The Lawrence school district’s data within PowerSchool was not accessed in a recent breach, according to an email sent to school families Friday.
Auditors urge Kansas agency to better document justification for tax credit awards
Auditors say a state program distributing $4M annually in income tax credits to incentivize donations for community service projects lacks transparency because the agency doesn’t fully document its rationale when selecting recipients.
Obituary: Patrick Wayne Davis
Patrick Wayne Davis, 1/25/1979 – 12/25/2024
Lawrence gets more snow; low chance of winter precipitation forecast for Saturday
A small chance of freezing rain or snow is in the forecast for Saturday after Lawrence received some additional snowfall beginning Thursday night and ending early Friday.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence and area schools closed Friday after just one in-session day this week
Lawrence Public Schools will be closed Friday due to overnight snowfall and icy conditions.
