WRITER: Chad Lawhorn

Soon, 18-year-olds will be able to carry concealed handguns on KU campus; Regents set to adopt new policy this week

For those lucky school employees who get to work the summer season, there are all types of tasks — cleaning classrooms, reordering supplies, preparing budgets and, of course, brushing up on handgun rules and regulations. At least, that’s the case for university administrators in Kansas this year. State lawmakers approved new concealed carry language that allows people 18 to 20 years old to carry a ...

An update on Lawrence's major new snack food manufacturer, plus how it helped the state win nationwide eco devo award

I’ve never won an award for bringing peanut butter-filled pretzels to a Lawrence party. (Now, if there was an award for eating them in the car on the way to a party, I would be a strong contender.) But the state’s economic development leaders have landed a prestigious award, and it does involve peanut butter-filled pretzels and Lawrence. The state of Kansas this week was awarded one of the top economic ...

After long wait, four leaders join Lawrence Business Hall of Fame

I once thought I was being inducted into a hall of fame. Come to find out, it was just a closet with a door that locked behind you. A quartet of Lawrence business leaders have no such worry. They indeed are the newest inductees in the Lawrence Business Hall of Fame. The Lawrence branch of the nonprofit Junior Achievement of Kansas oversees Lawrence’s Business Hall of Fame and hosts an annual gala to ...

New women's clothing boutique with sunny disposition opens in downtown; update on KU mask, event policies

Maybe the pandemic won’t cause the entire world to go online after all. One new downtown clothing boutique is betting that’s the case. Chronic Sunshine opened recently at 1023 Massachusetts St., and owner Melissa Garcia said the thought of giving people a chance to shop without a keyboard was appealing. “We really focus on the experience of shopping,” Garcia said. “I wanted to do something to bring ...

Part of the Douglas County Courthouse is moving to The Malls Shopping Center; space will be new home for election workers

UPDATED 5:25 P.M. I’m not sure many people would say the American electoral system has been epic fun lately. But in Douglas County, we soon will be able to say the headquarters for local elections is located in the former home of the arcade business Epic Fun. Douglas County officials have announced that the elections division of the county clerk’s office is moving into The Malls Shopping Center at 23rd ...

With the mask mandate done, there are signs Lawrence's live music industry is coming back to life

The masks are off, but it is still a bit early to say the shows are back on. One of the city’s largest promoters, though, thinks the day that Lawrence is again full of live music is getting nearer. “I hope people are ready to see some music soon,” said Mike Logan, who owns two of the largest music venues in Lawrence, The Granada and The Bottleneck. Logan said he thinks there will be some live music ...