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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
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.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
State court upholds Lawrence’s ordinance to protect against housing voucher discrimination
Kansas Court of Appeals judges have upheld Lawrence’s ordinance intended to ensure voucher recipients can secure housing, finding that “State and local governments have a legitimate interest in protecting the affordability and quality of housing.”
Historic Resources Commission advances plans for row houses near former Borders building
Plans to build 15 row houses next to the former Borders building in downtown Lawrence got a 3-2 nod of approval from the Historic Resources Commission Thursday evening, and the city is considering the former book store building for a City Hall annex.
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
Jack Ritter / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district plans switch from Adidas to Nike; Jock’s Nitch wants to call timeout
The Lawrence school district will soon likely switch from Adidas to Nike because Adidas no longer carries the crimson shade that matches Lawrence High School’s color, according to district staff. But the owner of longtime supplier Jock’s Nitch says that’s just not true.
Lawrence school board to consider agreement raising PAL-CWA base hourly wage to $9.70
Lawrence school board members on Monday will consider a tentative agreement with the classified staff union that would raise members’ base hourly wages to $9.70 per hour, continue a discussion on student fees, and more.
Lawrence Times graphic
Lawrence Public Schools report forecasts drop in Black high school students enrolling in AP courses
As Black high school students’ enrollment in Advanced Placement courses is expected to drop by 26% this fall, most of their peers will increase their AP enrollment by 21% to 41%. The disparity raises questions about whether or not all students feel empowered to take these college-level courses.
