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Lawrence to ban camping effective in mid-August as shelter options expand; coalition forming in opposition
The City of Lawrence is planning to ban people from camping “anywhere in Lawrence” effective in mid-August, representing a change that has long been in the works.
Latest – All local government news

Lawrence school board to vote on purchasing MacBooks for high schoolers, hear report on AVID
The Lawrence school board on Monday will vote on whether to return to MacBooks for high school students for a contract about $1 million more than the district’s previous contract for iPads. The district believes the shift back will better serve student needs.

Lawrence, Douglas County launch homelessness data dashboard
The City of Lawrence and Douglas County have published an online dashboard tracking data on how many people are experiencing homelessness in the community: close to 600, according to the latest data.

Douglas County events selected for first round of new grants
Five annual Lawrence and Douglas County events have been selected to receive a portion of $24,000 in funds from the Heritage Conservation Council.
Lawrence city Commission

Lawrence City Commission to consider resolution pledging compliance with federal executive orders
City staff members are asking the Lawrence City Commission to pass a resolution saying the city will indefinitely suspend enforcement of its equal rights ordinances in hopes of maintaining federal funding.

Lawrence City Commission approves agreement as part of $130M municipal services campus
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved an updated agreement with contractors working on the Municipal Services and Operations campus on the eastern edge of town, altogether estimated to cost $130.2 million.

Lawrence City Commission general public comment for May 13, 2025
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

Lawrence, Douglas County launch homelessness data dashboard
The City of Lawrence and Douglas County have published an online dashboard tracking data on how many people are experiencing homelessness in the community: close to 600, according to the latest data.

Douglas County events selected for first round of new grants
Five annual Lawrence and Douglas County events have been selected to receive a portion of $24,000 in funds from the Heritage Conservation Council.

Lawrence, Douglas County cultural events can seek up to $10K from new grant program
Annual events that “celebrate, honor and uplift the county’s diverse cultural heritage” could receive up to $10,000 in funding from a new Heritage Conservation Council grant program.
Lawrence School Board

No new business, reports on Lawrence school board meeting agenda
The agenda for the Lawrence school board’s meeting on Monday lacks any regular business items and only includes opening items, the consent agenda and public comment.

Cell phones less visible in high school classes under new Lawrence school district policy
Lawrence school district administrators say visible cell phone use in class has gone down in both high schools since the new policy took effect, but engagement with younger students requires continued attention.

Lawrence school district facing underfunded special education, enrollment decrease
The Lawrence school district is bracing for another year of underfunded special education from the state while the federal government picks systems apart.