At The Lawrence Times, we believe that community journalism is not just about providing traditional news coverage — it’s also about providing information that the people of this community need in order to live and thrive as informed citizens.
We are working to create collections of resources that we hope will be helpful to our readers in Lawrence and Douglas County, and perhaps even beyond.
The posts below are part of that effort, and this page aims to curate our most helpful articles in one place. It’s our “News you can use.”
Please be aware that some of these posts may have “shelf lives,” meaning they may pertain to limited-time sources of help. Even so, the posts that appear here should also contain information and links to resources that can be helpful anytime.
LATEST HELPFUL ARTICLES
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
How to get help from Douglas County’s Tenant Eviction Defense pilot program
Douglas County’s Tenant Eviction Defense pilot program has served 37 people since launching in June, and the legal service providers running it are taking more support requests from renters facing eviction.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Health department offers family planning services in Douglas County again
The Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health department has started offering expanded reproductive healthcare options again, including annual family planning exams, contraception counseling and Nexplanon placement and removal.
When school starts in Lawrence Public Schools and more to know for 2026-27
Here’s info on when students go back to Lawrence Public Schools, when breaks are scheduled, school supply lists and more for the 2026-27 school year.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Reminder: Lawrence’s electronics recycling day coming up
Reminder: The City of Lawrence’s annual electronics recycling event is coming up, and it will be hosted at the Douglas County Fairgrounds this year.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence workshops to guide first-time homebuyers, advise on renters’ rights
Two free workshops coming up at the Lawrence Public Library will help residents navigate from renting to buying housing.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Some Lawrence Transit routes, schedules to change; SafeRide to return
Some Lawrence Transit schedule and route changes, as part of an annual review process, will take effect Saturday, Aug. 1. Also, SafeRide is set to return to KU.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Get help applying for SNAP benefits at these events, plus more summer food support
Extension Master Food Volunteers host regular sessions to help Douglas County folks apply for SNAP. Here is their July schedule, plus more summer food support.
Kansans can now seek to expunge evictions via online portal
A new online portal allows people in Kansas to file motions asking the court to remove their eviction records.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Save the date: Lawrence’s electronics recycling day coming up
The City of Lawrence’s annual electronics recycling event is coming up, and it will be hosted at the Douglas County Fairgrounds this year.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Where to cool off in Lawrence during this week’s extreme heat
With Lawrence facing an extreme heat warning for the remainder of the week, folks in town should take precautions and make use of local cooling resources.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence’s Community Building to remain fee-free for the rest of the year
Lawrence city commissioners voted 3-1 Tuesday to keep the recreational facilities at the Community Building fee-free to use for the remainder of the year.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Lawrence’s summer of soccer continues with these events
With less than three weeks until the World Cup arrives in the United States, Lawrence is in celebration mode with these upcoming events.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Band to kick off summer of free concerts
The Lawrence City Band will kick off its summer series of free concerts this week at South Park.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times
Free lunches and meal kits will be available for Lawrence kids this summer
Lawrence Public Schools will offer free meals and meal kits to all kids in the community this summer, as well as special event days with storytellers and the library’s bookmobile.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
LINK community meals are now a program of Lawrence’s Homeless Resource Center
LINK community meals will continue as a program of Lawrence’s Homeless Resource Center, the HRC has announced.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Lawrence gearing up for summer of soccer
For Oumar Seck, his family and his team, futbol is not just a sport; it’s about bringing people together. As Lawrence prepares to host Team Algeria’s base camp for the World Cup, the community is invited to join in the fun and build memories.
August Rudisell / Lawrence Times
City staff will load compost, woodchips for residents at upcoming event
Lawrence’s City Compost Facility will soon host the first city-load event of the year, where staffers load compost and woodchips into residents’ trucks or trailers.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Public Library launches free tutoring program to promote literacy
Folks ages 16 and older can now get free, one-on-one tutoring sessions to improve their literacy skills through the Lawrence Public Library.
August Rudisell / Lawrence Times
City of Lawrence compost facility reopening for the season
The City of Lawrence’s compost facility is set to open for the season on Saturday, March 7.
Logan Pierson / Lawrence Times
Lawrence bike collective aims to make cycling affordable, teach repair skills
A local bicycle collective called Lawrence Community Cycles is not only a place to buy or earn a repaired bicycle — it’s also a community hub that aims to teach people how to fix their own bikes, and to expand access to cycling.
Local resources available to help Lawrence residents file taxes
Free local helpers and resources are available to help Lawrencians navigate the 2026 tax season, including services intended for older people and Spanish speakers.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Humane Society takes in pets surrendered because owners fear deportation, detainment
The Lawrence Humane Society has taken in three dogs so far this year who were surrendered because their owners were afraid of detainment and deportation. The shelter had never documented cases like this before.
Douglas County/Contributed Photo
Reminder: Douglas County treasurer’s office to move all services into satellite location from courthouse
Reminder: The Douglas County treasurer’s office will close its public-facing services in the historic courthouse downtown after this week and move all operations to the satellite location on Sixth Street.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Sanctuary Alliance asks people to call hotline if they spot possible ICE activity in Lawrence
A Lawrence-based collective advocating for immigrant rights is asking people to call their rapid response hotline if they spot any potential ICE activity around town.
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