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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
Owner plans to demolish East Lawrence building amid ongoing court case
A Lawrence developer says he’s now forced to demolish an old stone building in East Lawrence because of a parking-related lawsuit filed by the owner of properties across the street.
Lawrence Historic Resources Commission denies revised plans for downtown row houses
Lawrence’s Historic Resource Commission on Thursday voted 2-2 against a plan to build 15 row houses next to the former Borders book store downtown. The developers can appeal the denial.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence police chief shares new data reports, outcomes from community meetings
Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart shared with city commissioners on Tuesday how the department is trying to improve community relations. He provided new data and said crime is down, yet the fear of crime is up in some areas.
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
Lawrence Times graphic
Lawrence school board to hear administrative comparison study
Lawrence school board members on Monday will hear a report comparing USD 497’s administrative structures and salaries to comparable and nearby school districts.
Lawrence school board asks for budget cut list that minimizes harm to students
Lawrence school board members on Monday asked building leaders and administrators to provide them with a long list of potential budget cuts, prioritized by those least harmful to students, so they can make final decisions at their March 28 meeting.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to meet for special budget discussion
The Lawrence school board is set for a special meeting on Monday to discuss cost-cutting proposals as the district faces a budget shortfall estimated between $3.2 and $3.85 million.
