Some transgender people in Lawrence feel Kansas law is pushing them out
Kansas’ latest “bathroom bill” is sending a message to transgender people: You have overstayed your welcome. Some folks in Lawrence are on their way out.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Community members advocate for Douglas County name change with poetry, music, zines
Community members packed into a Lawrence bookstore Friday evening to join the conversation about renaming Douglas County for abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Some transgender people in Lawrence feel Kansas law is pushing them out
Kansas’ latest “bathroom bill” is sending a message to transgender people: You have overstayed your welcome. Some folks in Lawrence are on their way out.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Community members advocate for Douglas County name change with poetry, music, zines
Community members packed into a Lawrence bookstore Friday evening to join the conversation about renaming Douglas County for abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Kaw Valley Almanac for July 6-12, 2026
This is a male Widow skimmer, so named because the black markings of both sexes of the dragonfly are suggestive of funeral garb. The males pick off insects in midair and the dragonfly nymphs eat mosquito larvae.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times
Lawrence celebrates Fourth of July at Summerfest
Community members gathered at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Saturday for food, drinks, performances, historical displays, giant bubbles and more in celebration of the Fourth of July.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
City of Lawrence proposed budget includes property tax rate hike, sales tax question
The City of Lawrence’s proposed 2027 budget would increase the property tax rate, and the city would ask voters to approve a transit sales tax increase.
Kaw Valley Almanac for July 6-12, 2026
This is a male Widow skimmer, so named because the black markings of both sexes of the dragonfly are suggestive of funeral garb. The males pick off insects in midair and the dragonfly nymphs eat mosquito larvae.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times
Lawrence celebrates Fourth of July at Summerfest
Community members gathered at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Saturday for food, drinks, performances, historical displays, giant bubbles and more in celebration of the Fourth of July.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
City of Lawrence proposed budget includes property tax rate hike, sales tax question
The City of Lawrence’s proposed 2027 budget would increase the property tax rate, and the city would ask voters to approve a transit sales tax increase.
Kaw Valley Almanac for July 6-12, 2026
This is a male Widow skimmer, so named because the black markings of both sexes of the dragonfly are suggestive of funeral garb. The males pick off insects in midair and the dragonfly nymphs eat mosquito larvae.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times
Lawrence celebrates Fourth of July at Summerfest
Community members gathered at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Saturday for food, drinks, performances, historical displays, giant bubbles and more in celebration of the Fourth of July.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
City of Lawrence proposed budget includes property tax rate hike, sales tax question
The City of Lawrence’s proposed 2027 budget would increase the property tax rate, and the city would ask voters to approve a transit sales tax increase.
LAWRENCE NEWS
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Douglas County Commission to hold budget hearings; most residents will see property tax increases under proposal
Douglas County commissioners will soon begin days of hearings for a proposed budget that includes a flat property tax rate, though most residents will still see tax increases.
Courtney Lane / Lawrence Times
Where to go for fireworks in Douglas County
For those looking to watch fireworks or set off their own, here’s info on area shows, when and where personal fireworks are OK, and locations of firework stands in Douglas County.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
‘Thank you, Lawrence’: Algeria’s World Cup run ends, but new bonds remain
As Algeria’s World Cup run came to an end, a small group of fans still showed their appreciation for the welcome the town has shown the team, chanting “Thank you, Lawrence,” as people exited downtown watch parties.
Courtney Lane / Lawrence Times
Vietnamese cafe, donut shop open in Lawrence; chicken chain to add second location
A new Vietnamese cafe and a donut shop have opened in Lawrence, and a chicken chain plans to open a second location in town.
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STATE NEWS
Kansas and Missouri are surprised by tornadoes after weather service cuts reduce early warnings
The National Weather Service has lost hundreds of employees since Trump took office, and its severe storm forecasts may be suffering. Two tornado outbreaks this year took forecasters by surprise.
How could electing the Kansas Supreme Court affect issues like abortion and school funding?
An August constitutional amendment vote would give voters the ability to directly pick Kansas Supreme Court justices. Critics say the ripple effects for issues such as abortion and school funding could be massive.
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COMMUNITY VOICES (OPINION)
Letter to the Times: Preserve the Wakarusa River ecosystem instead of building the 1059 development
“The proposed 1059 (formerly New Boston Crossing) development is a bad idea. If this project is realized, the environmental damage will be irremediable,” Dan Wildcat writes in this letter to the Times.
Clay Wirestone: As Pride Month dawns, Kansas governor helps celebrate rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker (Column)
“Happy Gilbert Baker Day! … He created a piece of American iconography that has spread across the globe and into the hearts of those who care for their gay neighbors: the rainbow pride flag,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
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LAWRENCE LIFE
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Cowboy is fixin’ to find his partner for the road
If you mix the image of a saddle-worn rancher with the goofy grin of Scooby-Doo, you’d get something close to Cowboy, this week’s Pet of the Week.
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.
Raven Book Store
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for June 16-30, 2026 (Sponsored post)
“This week’s Raven Bestsellers bring many usual suspects (hello again, ‘Carl’), but the real story is in just how many of these titles come from our local authors!” the Raven Book Store writes.
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Cowboy is fixin’ to find his partner for the road
If you mix the image of a saddle-worn rancher with the goofy grin of Scooby-Doo, you’d get something close to Cowboy, this week’s Pet of the Week.
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.
Raven Book Store
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for June 16-30, 2026 (Sponsored post)
“This week’s Raven Bestsellers bring many usual suspects (hello again, ‘Carl’), but the real story is in just how many of these titles come from our local authors!” the Raven Book Store writes.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
Maya Smith/Lawrence Times
Douglas County Commission candidates discuss data centers, property taxes and transparency at forum
Douglas County Commission candidates answered questions from the community about data centers, property taxes and transparency at a candidate forum Sunday evening.
Contributed photo
Bert Nash employees vote to unionize with Teamsters Local 696
Bert Nash employees have voted to approve union representation through Teamsters Local 696 after workers raised concerns about staffing, caseloads, and management’s response to their organizing effort.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times
Data center watchdogs urge early action in Douglas County
The first informational meeting of the Douglas County Data Center Watchdogs drew more than 100 attendees to the Lawrence Public Library Tuesday evening.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Los Guapos co-owner tells her story after partner’s deportation
Restaurateur Lourdes E. Perez Rojo’s name has made the rounds on social media lately — not for her food, but because her romantic and business partner was detained by ICE in April. She wants people to meet the woman behind the photos.
Maya Smith/Lawrence Times
Douglas County Commission candidates discuss data centers, property taxes and transparency at forum
Douglas County Commission candidates answered questions from the community about data centers, property taxes and transparency at a candidate forum Sunday evening.
Contributed photo
Bert Nash employees vote to unionize with Teamsters Local 696
Bert Nash employees have voted to approve union representation through Teamsters Local 696 after workers raised concerns about staffing, caseloads, and management’s response to their organizing effort.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times
Data center watchdogs urge early action in Douglas County
The first informational meeting of the Douglas County Data Center Watchdogs drew more than 100 attendees to the Lawrence Public Library Tuesday evening.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Los Guapos co-owner tells her story after partner’s deportation
Restaurateur Lourdes E. Perez Rojo’s name has made the rounds on social media lately — not for her food, but because her romantic and business partner was detained by ICE in April. She wants people to meet the woman behind the photos.
MORE …
MORE COMMUNITY VOICES
The opinion pieces in this section are generally written by members of the Lawrence community and those who have close ties. In addition, we’re offering some space for area organizations and organizers to provide updates and attempt to reach other folks who might share their mission.
Want to submit a letter to the Times? Great!
Click here to find out how.
Bishop Seabury Academy announces the Class of 2026 (Announcement)
“The 23 members of the Class of 2026 received acceptances to 72 different colleges and more than $8.6 million in scholarship and institutional grant offers,” Bishop Seabury Academy writes.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Holly Krebs: City of Lawrence is increasing employee pay at unsustainable levels (Column)
One major reason the City of Lawrence’s costs have outpaced its revenue is because its personnel expenses increased 40%, from $90 million to $126 million, in the last six years, Holly Krebs writes in this column.
Tom Harper: Ben Graham’s craftsmanship preserves Lawrence buildings, compels with its details (Column)
Lawrence has benefited from Ben Graham’s generous spirit and broad skillset, particularly as a plasterer, since 1985, Tom Harper writes in this column.
The opinion pieces in this section are generally written by members of the Lawrence community and those who have close ties. In addition, we’re offering some space for area organizations and organizers to provide updates and attempt to reach other folks who might share their mission.
Want to submit a letter to the Times? Great!
Click here to find out how.
Bishop Seabury Academy announces the Class of 2026 (Announcement)
“The 23 members of the Class of 2026 received acceptances to 72 different colleges and more than $8.6 million in scholarship and institutional grant offers,” Bishop Seabury Academy writes.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Holly Krebs: City of Lawrence is increasing employee pay at unsustainable levels (Column)
One major reason the City of Lawrence’s costs have outpaced its revenue is because its personnel expenses increased 40%, from $90 million to $126 million, in the last six years, Holly Krebs writes in this column.
Tom Harper: Ben Graham’s craftsmanship preserves Lawrence buildings, compels with its details (Column)
Lawrence has benefited from Ben Graham’s generous spirit and broad skillset, particularly as a plasterer, since 1985, Tom Harper writes in this column.
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