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New lawsuit challenges City of Lawrence’s housing discrimination ordinance
A real estate company has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Lawrence challenging an ordinance that bans discrimination based on where a potential tenant’s rent payments would come from, such as housing vouchers.
Lawrence board signs off on markers to honor teens killed by police in 1970
A city board has finally approved historic markers to pay tribute to Rick “Tiger” Dowdell and Nick Rice, teens who were shot and killed by Lawrence police officers in 1970, though the board wants the shooters named on both markers.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Rec centers to close, trash pickup not delayed and more notes for MLK Jr. Day in Lawrence
Recreation centers will be closed, parking downtown will be free and trash pickup will run as scheduled. Here are details and more notes ahead of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in Lawrence.
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Jan. 13, 2026
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
New lawsuit challenges City of Lawrence’s housing discrimination ordinance
A real estate company has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Lawrence challenging an ordinance that bans discrimination based on where a potential tenant’s rent payments would come from, such as housing vouchers.
Latest – All local government news
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Newcomers win Lawrence City Commission race; incumbents hold 2 school board seats
Newcomers Mike Courtney and Kristine Polian won the race for Lawrence City Commission, and incumbents Shannon Kimball and Kelly Jones held strong to their Lawrence school board seats Tuesday night. The third school board seat was too close to call.
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Nov. 4, 2025
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
Costco’s proposal to open Lawrence store with gas pumps, tire center and food court under city review
Costco has filed plans to open a full-service store with many of its classic amenities south of Rock Chalk Park, and the site proposal is now under administrative review by City of Lawrence staff.
Lawrence city Commission
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Jan. 13, 2026
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
Plans for a family emergency shelter in Lawrence have fallen through
A shelter for families experiencing homelessness in Lawrence will not come to fruition because of a lack of funding, a city staff member told the Lawrence City Commission Tuesday evening.
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Jan. 6, 2026
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
Douglas County Commission
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Applications open in Douglas County for cultural, natural heritage and historic preservation grants
People in Douglas County can apply to receive grant funding for projects focused on cultural and natural heritage as well as historic preservation.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
‘We’re regressing’: Douglas County commissioners again bump tenant right to counsel program to back burner
Although Douglas County has expressed commitment to tenant right to counsel and has engaged in implementation discussions for months, a majority of county commissioners Wednesday opted instead to have county staff do more research on mediation.
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.
Lawrence School Board
Natasha Torkzaban/Lawrence Times
More snow days could lead to makeup time in Lawrence schools; staff monitoring heat in buildings
School cancellations could add up and require the district to make up time. Also, the district says staff members are working to make sure buildings will be warm enough when students come back to school.
Lawrence school board votes to ban cell phones during school with exceptions
Students in Lawrence Public Schools will be mostly prohibited access to their cell phones during school hours based on a new policy the school board approved Monday, though the policy includes a number of exceptions.
Lawrence school board to consider approving policy limiting cell phone use
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider approving the final draft of a new policy that would implement a generally cell phone-free instructional day effective in January.
