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Defense attorney, Baldwin City prosecutor announces run for Douglas County DA
Dakota Loomis, a Lawrence defense attorney and the Baldwin City prosecutor, has announced his plans to run as a Democrat for Douglas County district attorney.
Latest – All local government news
Lawrence City Commission faces criticism after proclamation on crisis in Gaza
Mayor Bart Littlejohn on Tuesday proclaimed “Advocating for Peace Month,” a response to months of community pressure for the city to take action on the conflict in Gaza. Many of those same community members, though, said the measure fell short.
Lawrence City Commission to consider plan for downtown bus station site selection
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will hear an update on transit staff members’ process to pick a spot for a downtown bus station and vote on a draft resolution to create a steering committee.
Looking ahead in Lawrence: Big changes coming in 2024
From major updates to Lawrence’s public transportation system to the election of every seat in the legislature, 2024 is going to be a big year for Lawrence and for Kansas as a whole. Here’s a roundup of big changes to know about, dates to mark and more.
Lawrence city Commission
Lawrence City Commission approves $3M contract as part of municipal services campus, estimated at $133M
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved a $3 million agreement for design and construction phase services for a new Municipal Services and Operations campus, estimated at $133 million total.
Sacred Red Rock arrives at new home in Council Grove; future of Robinson Park to be determined
The Sacred Red Rock recently arrived at its new home on Kaw Nation land, and future plans for Lawrence’s now-vacant Robinson Park are up for discussion.
People living outside, advocates tell Lawrence City Commission trust is broken
Following an update on the city’s homelessness programs, many Lawrence community members who are living outside and advocates told city commissioners Tuesday that the city has broken their trust.
Douglas County Commission
Lawrence’s homelessness response team soon to launch; Artists Helping the Homeless to add peer outreach worker
The City of Lawrence’s multidisciplinary Homelessness Response Team will soon launch, and one member of that team will be a peer outreach worker with Artists Helping the Homeless.
Douglas County Commission approves property tax rebate pilot program for seniors, disabled veterans
Some Douglas County residents ages 65 and up as well as some veterans with disabilities will be eligible to apply for property tax rebates starting in 2025.
Douglas County Commission approves permit for solar farm north of Lawrence
Following a nearly 10-hour meeting Saturday, Douglas County commissioners voted to approve a permit for the Kansas Sky Energy Center, a massive solar farm to be built north of Lawrence.
Lawrence School Board
Save Our Schools 497 group rallies ahead of Lawrence school board special meeting
Supporters of keeping neighborhood schools open rallied outside of Lawrence school district offices Tuesday evening ahead of a special school board meeting.
Lawrence school board to consider budget cuts and school closures at special meeting
The Lawrence school board will meet Tuesday to discuss a list of proposed budget cuts, including potentially closing three schools that have not yet been publicly named and increasing staffing ratios at middle and high schools.
Lawrence school district graduation rates have increased, accreditation report shows
High school graduation rates in the Lawrence school district increased last year, adding onto its gradual improvement over the years, a new accreditation report states.