Latest
Justice Matters invites community to annual Action Assembly
Justice Matters will host its annual Action Assembly on Sunday, calling for a boost to the elder care workforce and an end to chronic homelessness in Douglas County.
Latest – All local government news
Lawrence City Commission allows Fall Creek Villas development plan to advance
City commissioners on Tuesday gave initial approval to a preliminary development plan for a strip of duplexes in northwestern Lawrence months after they denied an earlier plan for the property.
Lawrence Community Shelter to receive $2.7M in funding agreement with city
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a $2.7 million funding agreement with the Lawrence Community Shelter, which is vastly expanding its services to support people amid a growing homelessness crisis.
Planning commission splits on plan for massive solar farm north of Lawrence
Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission members voted on a 4-4 tie to recommend denial of a permit for a massive solar farm north of Lawrence after a meeting that stretched hours into early Tuesday morning.
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
Lawrence school board approves calendar for next year with 5-day weeks
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved the district’s 2023-24 school calendar that keeps students in attendance five days a week. Research on a four-day week option will be presented to the board next month.
Lawrence school board to consider approving next year’s school calendar, hear accreditation report
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider a draft school calendar for 2023-24, which includes a few changes but keeps five-day weeks — for now. A four-day student week proposal will come back to the board next month.
Lawrence school administrators discuss chronic absenteeism, behavior approaches in report to board
Chronic absenteeism has increased in Lawrence Public Schools since the first quarter, data in recent district reports shows; meanwhile, increased behavior incidents in middle schools need tailored approaches, administrators say.