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City budget would hike property taxes, seek to double 0.5% sales tax to support homelessness solutions
The Lawrence city manager’s proposed budget for 2025 would increase the property tax rate, and it proposes asking voters to double the .05% affordable housing sales tax to support homelessness initiatives. It would also cut some of Parks & Rec’s budget.
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Music sale raises $8K for Lawrence Public Library, $20K for Audio-Reader
A Lawrence music sale last month raised more than $8,000 for the Lawrence Public Library’s programs and more than $20,000 for Audio-Reader at the University of Kansas.
KU faculty members push for chancellor’s office to set union election date
Members of the United Academics of the University of Kansas rallied Thursday to push for KU administrators to work with them to set a date for an election — the next step to certify the faculty union and move toward contract negotiations.
Students to perform at Lawrence school district talent show, fundraiser
Middle and high school students are set to sing, dance and tell jokes as part of an upcoming Lawrence school district talent show and annual fundraiser.
Lawrence school district families weigh in on STEAM school, proposed new middle school boundaries
Families on Wednesday gave feedback on Liberty Memorial Central Middle School’s transition to a STEAM school and asked the district committee working on middle school boundaries to maintain students’ communities.
New venue, portable pool to host Lawrence Polar Plunge fundraisers
There’s a fundraising competition heating up among Chesty Lions that will culminate with a chilly dip in a pool and, if organizers meet their goal, $10,000 for Special Olympics Kansas.
Teen in custody in connection with shooting death of Lawrence girl
A teen has been taken into custody in connection with the Olathe shooting death of Brianna Higgins, a Lawrence High School sophomore, according to police.
Kansas bill ending municipal regulation of plastic bags, containers raises constitutional issue
A bill aggressively promoted by the Kansas Chamber would forbid municipal bans on plastic straws and the thin, cheap plastic shopping bags often given consumers by stores and restaurants.
Albert Wilson’s wrongful conviction case is in the judge’s hands
A Douglas County judge must decide whether to believe Albert Wilson, who says he was wrongly convicted and should be compensated, or the woman who says Wilson raped her when she was 17.
Douglas County court clerk’s office to limit public hours to address records backlog from cyberattack
The Douglas County District Court clerk’s office will reduce its public hours beginning Thursday so that staff members can catch up on a backlog caused by a cyberattack on the statewide court records system.
KU football to play all 2024 home games in Kansas City
The KU football team will play its six home games next season at stadiums in Kansas City because of ongoing construction at Memorial Stadium, the university announced Tuesday.
KU engineering alum to give Q&A from International Space Station; time and date have changed
Loral O’Hara, a NASA astronaut and KU School of Engineering graduate, will soon hold a public question and answer session from her post on the International Space Station. The date for the Q&A has changed to Feb. 9.
Committee members ask Lawrence school district to fund Native American Student Services coordinator position
As Lawrence school district administrators move toward hiring a new Native American Student Services coordinator, members of two committees are asking them to consider budget changes to free up more funds to go directly toward supporting Indigenous students.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Jan. 29 – Feb. 4, 2024
This is a wonderful time of year to take walks in area prairies and take photos of abstract patterns of tousled grasses and dried flowers.
Weigh in on proposed Lawrence middle school boundary changes
A Lawrence school district committee will ask students and families for feedback on proposed changes to boundaries of all four middle schools during meetings this week.
Person injured in 3-vehicle crash on K-10
The driver of one vehicle involved in a three-vehicle crash on K-10 was taken to the hospital Sunday morning, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.