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.)
Are you ready? Severe Weather Awareness Week is coming up
The annual Weather 101 severe weather safety event is returning to Lawrence on Thursday to kick off Severe Weather Awareness Week.
Union reps, community members voice concerns about staff cuts and school closures ahead of Lawrence school board vote
Lawrence community members showed up in big numbers to the school board meeting Monday evening, most opposing a budget recommendation to close neighborhood schools. The board heard almost two hours of public comment.
Rebellion against McLouth cryptocurrency data center triggers one-year application moratorium
The avalanche of complaints about threats to rural quality of life, unresolved issues of land ownership and leasing rights, an oil tank explosion that burned a truck packed with ammunition and widespread distrust of developers — even by a former white-collar criminal — compelled the Jefferson County Commission to impose a moratorium of at least one year on applications for construction of cryptocurrency processing centers.
Lawrence school district students, staff and community members rally before school board meeting
Community members joined Lawrence school district staff and students in a rally outside district offices before the school board meeting Monday to voice their concerns regarding a budget cut proposal that included possible closures of multiple schools.
Lawrence school board votes to hold hearings on closing 2 schools and to cut staff
Lawrence school board members, more than six hours into their meeting Monday, voted to hold public hearings to consider closing Broken Arrow and Pinckney elementary schools, but not Woodlawn.
Student found dead in KU dorm
A University of Kansas student was found deceased in his dorm at Lewis Residence Hall Monday, according to the KU Public Safety Office.
Douglas County law enforcement, nonprofits granted nearly $275K to support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence
Five grants totaling almost $275,000 will help local agencies serve survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape and stalking.
U.S. transportation secretary visits Kansas, gives speech at future Panasonic plant site
Surrounded by local and national leaders, U.S. transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg pointed to the Panasonic project as an example of rural revitalization through green energy transportation projects.
‘They call us gay for a reason’: Kansas LGBTQ activists talk about embracing a policy of love
Melissa Stiehler remembers her experience as the first girl to come out at her high school, back in 2006, at the height of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
“It was incredibly lonely,” Stiehler said. “I started LGBT activism at that point in time, basically, to make other gay friends, so I knew I wasn’t alone.”
Kaw Valley Almanac for Feb. 27-March 5, 2023
The tallgrass prairie can be a great place to observe striking patterns in the dormant grasses and forbs, including the abstract swirls found in this patch of eastern gamagrass.
FAQs, background info and timelines as Lawrence school board mulls closing buildings
The Lawrence Public Schools superintendent on Friday released his recommendation to close three elementary schools and repurpose a middle school. We’re looking to answer your questions about timelines, transportation, the budget and more.
Tom Harper: OmTree Shala owner brings yoga studio to new home at Sunflower (Column)
“Sharyn Harley’s OmTree Shala yoga studio has been a fixture in Lawrence since 2012. She was excited to share the new digs and vision of OmTree at Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop,” Tom Harper writes in this column.
Kansas Democrats choose Repass over Rogers in election of new state party chair
Elective politics newcomer Jeanna Repass won the race Saturday to take over as chairwoman of the Kansas Democratic Party in a close contest against former state Treasurer Lynn Rogers.
Obituary: Joseph ‘Brother B’ Scarry
Joseph “Brother B” Scarry, 1/29/1944 – 2/21/2023
Moriki Sushi opens in Lawrence, featuring traditional rolls and owners’ custom favorites
A number of local sushi restaurants shuttered during the pandemic. But those who’ve craved the dish now have a new option: Moriki Sushi in eastern Lawrence.
Lawrence superintendent’s recommendation: Close 3 elementary schools, repurpose middle school
Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Lewis is recommending that three elementary schools be closed and a middle school be repurposed into a magnet school.
Obituary: Theodora Dixon
Theodora Dixon, 02-17-1929 – 02-12-2023
Members of Lawrence school district’s budget planning committee share frustrations with process, reflections
By the end of a five-month process of analyzing potential budget cuts for next year, some members of the Lawrence school district’s budget planning committee felt facilitators and district leaders lacked transparency and dismissed their ideas. Others felt the committee achieved its purpose.
Kansas Senate supports elimination of state, local food sales tax
The Kansas Senate voted to remove all state and local sales taxes on food next year, in a last-minute reversal of an earlier proposal to curtail sales tax reductions for unhealthy food.
Sleet, freezing rain possible Friday in Lawrence; Sunday could see storms
Douglas County could see some sleet and freezing rain Friday afternoon and evening, and severe thunderstorms could be on the way Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service in Topeka.
Dogwatch: Meet Gravy and Bruno
In this episode, you’ll meet Gravy and Bruno. See how Gravy’s owner styles him in vintage clothes, and learn how Bruno is helping his new family.
Kansas House votes to legalize fentanyl test strips because the drug is ‘killing people’
Kansas lawmakers are again trying to legalize fentanyl test strips to keep people alive amid a pandemic of soaring overdoses.
City of Lawrence may consider adopting version of the CROWN Act
Lawrence’s Human Relations Commission on Thursday voiced support for the city to adopt a version of the CROWN Act, a law that blocks race-based hair discrimination.
Kansas senators give preliminary passage to sweeping flat tax proposal
The richest Kansans would receive thousands of dollars in income tax cuts while the poorest residents would save just a few under a bill Kansas senators gave initial approval to Thursday.