WRITER: Chad Lawhorn

While KU touts big prize vaccination winner, group ups pressure for KU to increase COVID protocols

When University of Kansas student Santiago Patiño heard KU was giving away prizes to students who had been vaccinated, he was thinking fairly small when he uploaded his proof-of-vaccination form to enter the drawing. “I thought I might as well enter and get a gift card or something,” Patiño said Wednesday. He’s thinking bigger now after winning a $5,091 cash prize — the equivalent of one semester ...

Taking a look at how hot Lawrence's real estate market is compared to those around us

I’ve frequently had problems gauging how hot something is (which is why you never want to dine across from me when I’m taking my first spoonful of soup). The latest numbers from the Lawrence Board of Realtors indicate the local housing market is still very hot, but there’s also reason to question whether it is beginning to cool. So, this month I have some local numbers to report but also have statistics ...

Lawrence sales tax collections take a turn downward, ending streak of strong growth

The summer did not start with a sizzle in Lawrence. It seems odd to say this now as the weather recently has caused me to contemplate whether I have any ties that would go with my collection of sleeveless T-shirts. But, I am talking about consumer spending, not temperatures. The latest sales tax numbers are out, and they weren’t particularly good for Lawrence. The Kansas Department of Revenue has released ...

Local COVID cases on the rise; general population testing positive at greater rate than KU students

As school has started, COVID case numbers in Douglas County are creeping up, but the latest figures indicate University of Kansas students currently are producing a fraction of the new cases. Both Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health and KU updated their COVID numbers on Friday, and the new statistics showed that the overall Douglas County community is producing positive test results at a greater rate than KU ...

Economic development leaders launch $2.5 million fundraising campaign to boost county's fortunes post pandemic

Post-pandemic life — whenever that begins — is likely to feature a race. It will be between communities looking to prosper. Local leaders are betting that the winners will be those communities that have the ability and resources to adjust to the new environment left in the wake of the pandemic. Leaders with The Chamber and the Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence and Douglas County on Tuesday ...

At KU a mask may help the unvaccinated not miss class due to quarantine, but not at Lawrence public schools

Updated at 2:09 p.m. Wednesday Students at both KU and at Lawrence public schools are required to wear masks while in classes, but university students appear to be getting a much bigger benefit from wearing those masks. KU leaders are openly telling even unvaccinated students that they are unlikely to have to miss school due to being a close contact to a fellow classmate who has tested positive, as long as ...