WRITER: Chad Lawhorn

Why Lawrence is likely to get dumped as part of congressional redistricting, and the best strategy to fight it

As the old song goes, breaking up is hard to do. But when it comes to the once-a-decade process of congressional redistricting, it is certain that someone in Kansas is going to break up. Right now, a strong contender is Lawrence. In fact, it appears set to get dumped twice. A map approved by the state Legislature, and now awaiting a signature or veto from Gov. Laura Kelly, would split Lawrence in two ways. ...

KU online graduate degree in special education ranked No. 1 in the U.S.; other KU programs also ranked

The University of Kansas' online graduate degree program in special education continues to be the top-ranked program in the country, according to the new rankings from U.S. News & World Report. In addition, two other online degree programs in the school of education were ranked in the top 20, while the University of Kansas’ online MBA program moved into the top 15 rankings among public business schools. ...

New downtown Lawrence shop focuses on selling vintage KU athletic gear; couple now own 3 boutiques on Mass Street

The sign on the new boutique in downtown Lawrence doesn’t read “The Twilight Zone,” but an odd phenomenon tends to happen when a father and his college-age son walk through the door: They both think the clothes are hip. That’s the vintage athletic apparel market for you. A shop full of 1980s/1990s gear is going to appeal to the dad who wore those items when they were new, but in a fashion-world twist, ...

Rally House opens sportswear store at 23rd and Iowa; Johnny's Tavern wins award as it continues to expand

This is the weekend where Jayhawk blue and Wildcat purple are likely to mix at watch parties for Saturday’s KU vs. K-State basketball game. It also is the weekend where I may end up wearing a bowl of cheese dip if I partake in the Rock Chalk chant a bit too loudly next to the wrong person. That’s OK. I like cheese, and now there is a big new store open in Lawrence to get plenty of fresh KU gear. As we ...

KU vice chancellor finalist for North Dakota State president position

KU’s vice chancellor who oversees public affairs and economic development is a finalist to be the president of North Dakota State University. David Cook is one of five finalists to lead North Dakota State, a land-grant and research university based in Fargo. It has about 13,000 students. Cook is scheduled to participate in public interviews at North Dakota State from Jan. 24 through Jan. 26. Cook has ...

Rusty Taco opens in downtown Lawrence with hopes of creating an island feel on Mass. Street

All these years I’ve been dealing with rusty items the wrong way — either a few squirts of WD-40 or a can of spray paint. Instead, a margarita — or maybe a fish bowl of them — is the better strategy. At least, that’s a thought that crossed my mind after checking out Rusty Taco, the new Mexican restaurant that has opened in downtown Lawrence. The first Rusty Taco restaurant in Kansas opened earlier ...