WRITER: Chad Lawhorn

LMH to give raises, bonuses to employees as hospital's finances face new pressures; COVID cases creating new concerns

Most employees of LMH Health are set to get a $500 bonus next month and a 3% wage increase for 2022. Members of the LMH Board of Trustees were told that a $500 bonus would be given to full-time, non-executive staff members of LMH Health, while part-time employees would receive a $250 bonus. LMH leaders also confirmed after the meeting that it will move ahead with a 3% across-the-board wage increase for ...

Regents give approval for a 'test-free' option for students to enter KU; strong high school GPA will assure admittance

The ACT standardized test took a beating during the pandemic as tests were delayed and students put off taking it as many high schools went to a hybrid or remote learning mode. On Wednesday, members of the Kansas Board of Regents took action to ensure that the ACT and its counterpart the SAT won’t be making a full comeback at the University of Kansas. The board unanimously approved new admission standards ...

Students who buy health insurance through KU to see big increase; Regents to consider English standards for faculty, other issues

All KU students who need health insurance through the university’s system are likely to pay more next year, but some students are set to see a nearly 30% hike in their rates. The Kansas Board of Regents at its Wednesday meeting is being asked to approve new insurance rates for students and to endorse the concept that some students should see much larger increases than others. The board’s Student ...

Golf group hopes to buy KU property to create new scholarship hall; KU, KU Endowment propose multiple land swaps

A nonprofit that provides full-ride scholarships to golf caddies hopes to swing a deal to buy a University of Kansas building along Jayhawk Boulevard to convert into a residence hall. KU and KU Endowment leaders are beginning the process to sell the Wesley Building, 1314 Jayhawk Boulevard, to the Evans Scholars Foundation, which plans to house scholarship recipients in the old building that essentially is ...

Over-the-top Christmas-themed bar and restaurant back in Lawrence, with live reindeer and plans for a major Midwest expansion

The thrills are multiplying — and maybe the reindeer too. After starting Snow Globe, an over-the-top, Christmas-themed pop-up bar and restaurant in downtown Lawrence last year, local entrepreneur Ryan Robinson is on the way to expanding the idea across the Midwest. Snow Globe opened again in Lawrence earlier this month, although this year it is located at Dempsey’s, the bar and hamburger restaurant at ...

University of Kansas halts employee vaccine mandate after federal judge in Georgia issues injunction

Story updated at 4 p.m. Tuesday: The University of Kansas is pausing its employee vaccine mandate process, effective immediately, after a federal judge in Georgia issued an injunction halting implementation of the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal government contractors and subcontractors. KU employees do not need to take any further action related to the mandate at this time, Chancellor Douglas ...