Lawrence news
LATEST
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Loving Paws therapy dogs provide a fuzzy shoulder to lean on
Even if dogs can’t solve the world’s biggest problems, they can be present at just the right moment for folks who need a fuzzy shoulder to lean on, Loving Paws Animal Therapy’s volunteer coordinator believes.
FORECAST
Lawrence, KS WeatherMORE LAWRENCE NEWS
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Closure proposals missing from Lawrence school board agenda; board will consider nixing some classes and more
Nothing on the Lawrence school board’s Monday agenda indicated whether members will discuss proposals to close several district schools. But the board will consider deleting some high school classes, approving a calendar with a weeklong fall break and Juneteenth as a holiday in 2023, and more.
Contributed Photos
Lawrence’s high school debate teams compete at State, reflect on season
Lawrence high school debate teams recently competed at the State tournament, completing the season and another year of remote competitions.
Kansas Republican senators approve map to split KC metro, splinter Democratic vote
Kansas Republican senators on Friday countered criticisms of their plan for the state’s congressional district boundaries, passing the controversial “Ad Astra” map that moves Lawrence into a rural district that stretches to Colorado.
Carter Gaskins / The Lawrence Times
JD Woods caps off his college football career, commits to NFL dreams
Star football player and community organizer Ja’Darius “JD” Woods, 24, moved to Lawrence when he was 10 years old and quickly dove into the youth sports scene. He’s shattered records and earned a multitude of honors since, but he hasn’t limited his influence to the football field.
Fact check: Kansas senators make false claims about COVID-19 deaths, vaccines, PCR test
Specific statements made this week by Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, and Sen. Beverly Gossage, R-Eudora, are false.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence youth, mentors and advocates honored with awards at One Dream MLK event
A night of cultural performances and honors for equity advocates, students and educators capped off a week of Lawrence school district tributes to Martin Luther King Jr. on Thursday.
Andrea Albright / The Lawrence Times
Advantages of Lawrence’s parking payment apps outweighed by dissatisfaction for some downtown users
Mobile payment options added to metered parking in downtown Lawrence have provided a new level of convenience for many shoppers and diners, but the change has left others fighting tickets and feeling frustrated.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Closing 5 Lawrence schools would save about $3.25 million; timeline for decisions is tightening
A proposal to close four Lawrence elementary schools and a middle school could save the district about $3.25 million, and the school board will have to decide by the end of the month whether to keep that option on the table.
Contributed Photo
Young entrepreneurs open shoe store, Soled Out LK, in downtown Lawrence
With aspirations to level up from online shoe resales, business partners Anthony Wahquah, 19, and Riley Henley, 20, opened Soled Out LK in October, reaching their goal of owning a shoe store in their hometown of Lawrence by age 21 with time to spare.
USD 497
Lawrence school district to present awards at One Dream MLK event
Students, educators and community members will be honored Thursday during the Lawrence school district’s annual One Dream Martin Luther King Jr. tribute. The event celebrates the vision of the slain civil rights leader and those making efforts locally to bring MLK’s dreams to reality.
Lawrence Times graphic
More than 100 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Lawrence schools; Douglas County again breaks record high
The number of new COVID-19 cases reported in Lawrence Public Schools Tuesday more than doubles the district’s recent single-day high of 53.
Douglas County
Douglas County accepting grant applications to fund conservation, educational projects
The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council has launched its application cycle for the 2022 Natural and Cultural Grant program.
Screenshot
Douglas County health officer stepping down; says the local ‘team response to this pandemic serves as a model for other communities’
Dr. Thomas Marcellino, who has served as Douglas County health officer since before the COVID-19 pandemic, has submitted his resignation.
Lawrence school district’s budget and boundary advisory committees to meet Wednesday, hear details on Hillcrest proposal
The Lawrence school district’s Boundary Advisory Committee and its Budget and Program Evaluation Committee will both meet Wednesday, and the BAC will hear details about a proposal to close Hillcrest Elementary.
Andrea Albright / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence parents, students begin campaign against school closures with sidewalk messages of support
Parents, students, and neighbors on Monday covered sidewalks with chalk messages of hope at Lawrence schools that could face closures.





