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Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission votes to keep Community Building open for exercise access on trial basis
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday voted to keep the Community Building open and free to residents for a three-month trial basis once access fees to use the city’s other recreation centers go into effect in January.
Latest – All local government news
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board approves contract with new superintendent
Lawrence school board members on Monday approved a contract with Jeanice Swift to serve as the permanent superintendent of Lawrence Public Schools.
Lawrence repairing sewers with cheaper method that studies show could pose health risks
Lawrence is repairing miles of underground sewer pipe across the city using a cheaper and less invasive method that studies show could pose health risks for workers and community members due to chemical emissions.
Lawrence school board to hear update on snow day makeup time, consider approving 2025-26 calendar
The Lawrence school board on Monday will learn where the district is with its instructional hours following several snow days and consider approving the 2025-26 district calendar.
Lawrence city Commission
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission votes to keep Community Building open for exercise access on trial basis
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday voted to keep the Community Building open and free to residents for a three-month trial basis once access fees to use the city’s other recreation centers go into effect in January.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence city commissioners to discuss rec center access fees; vice mayor proposes new plan
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will revisit the access fees the city is planning to charge people to use rec centers. A new commissioner has a proposal to patch a budget deficit that staff members say would result without fee revenue.
Lawrence advisory boards will reevaluate city’s goal to achieve fully renewable energy usage
Members of two Lawrence advisory boards will soon put their heads together to evaluate whether the city’s renewable energy goals are realistic, and how they line up with overarching sustainability plans for the county.
Douglas County Commission
Nathan Kramer/Lawrence Times
Douglas County Commission to consider a limited tenant right to counsel pilot program
The Douglas County Commission on Wednesday will review staff recommendations to create a limited tenant right to counsel pilot program for 2027, despite an advocacy group’s calls for a program to support all renters facing eviction.
Douglas County commissioners vote to allow environmental testing for proposed solar farm; will now seek judicial review
Douglas County commissioners voted to allow a proposed solar farm to begin environmental testing on land in Grant Township amid pending litigation and opposition from the township board.
Douglas County to expand property tax rebate program for seniors, disabled veterans
Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday voted to expand a property tax rebate program with a goal of offering further assistance to seniors with low incomes and veterans who are disabled.
Lawrence School Board
Lawrence Times graphic; contributed photos
Where do they stand? Lawrence school board members share thoughts on school closure proposals
As of Friday, where do Lawrence school board members stand on school closure proposals?
Carter Gaskins / Lawrence Times file photo
Longtime Lawrence school board member explains how district’s budget crisis has unfolded
Lawrence school board Vice President Shannon Kimball took the board commentary portion of Monday’s meeting as an opportunity to provide some insight into the history of USD 497’s funding woes.
Screenshot
Lawrence school board approves nixing some high school classes
Lawrence school board members on Monday agreed to curriculum changes that include eliminating the district’s driver’s education offering. Staff said students will still have alternative options to take the class.





