Latest
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‘We’re not just loading people on a bus,’ Lawrence’s homeless solutions director says
Questions have surfaced about the city’s policy to prioritize Douglas County residents with homelessness services — among them, how does someone without an address prove they live here? Here’s more about the policy, its purpose and how it’s played out over the last few months.
Latest – All local government news
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Douglas County data analyst: Racial disparities in bail bonds may be further evidence of systemic racism
After a presentation on racial disparities in bail bonds, the CJCC wants to take a broader look at bond overall, the role it plays, and whether it’s effective in its overall purpose — and drill deeper to get more data.
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Analysis: Downtown Master Plan draft proposes a few big changes, but skirts critical local issues
The final draft of the downtown master plan suggests that such landmark buildings as the post office, the U.S. Bank building, Replay Lounge and the former Journal-World printing plant could be torn down or redeveloped, but it is all but silent on how to deal with such key local issues as affordable housing, homelessness, aging of the population, soaring vacancy rates and the fallout from COVID-19.
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Black people face higher bail bonds in Douglas County, report shows; CJCC to discuss
On average, Black people must pay higher bond amounts than people of other races to be released from the Douglas County jail, according to a new report.
Lawrence city Commission
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Lawrence City Commission agrees to put sales tax increase on ballot, continues discussion of 2025 budget
Lawrence city commissioners decided Tuesday that they will ask Lawrence residents to vote on whether to approve a sales tax increase to fund homelessness programs. Otherwise, much of the 2025 city budget is still up for discussion.
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Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Aug. 20, 2024
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
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Lawrence budget hearings coming up; here’s how the proposed budget compares to public survey
The Lawrence City Commission’s budget hearings are coming up Tuesday. City staff members asked residents to help inform the budget process. Did they listen to what people said?
Douglas County Commission
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Douglas County Commission approves 2025 budget; property tax rate is lower but taxes will increase for some
Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday approved their 2025 budget, which includes a lower property tax rate than the current budget but will still increase taxes for many property owners.
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Douglas County primary election results: Loomis wins with nearly two-thirds of vote in DA race; Francisco wins race for Senate 2
With almost all ballots counted, the incumbent Douglas County district attorney has lost her seat, a longtime incumbent state senator will hold on for the general election and a city commissioner could not unseat an incumbent county commissioner.
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Meet the candidates for Douglas County Commission District 2
Incumbent Shannon Reid and current Lawrence City Commissioner Lisa Larsen are running as Democrats to represent Douglas County Commission District 2. The candidates shared their thoughts on how wind and solar energy should be handled, property tax reductions and more.