WRITER: Chris Conde

Despite recent rainfall, 'extreme drought' conditions continue in Douglas County

Recent rainfall hasn't done much to ease dry conditions in Douglas County, and more dry weather is ahead over the next couple of months, weather and climate monitoring agencies say. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration currently ranks Douglas County's drought condition as “extreme drought," unchanged from its rating in late July. According to the National Weather Service rain gauges at ...

Free State Festival to kick off next month with Cheech Marin, Fantastic Negrito and a smorgasbord of culture

Lawrence's Free State Festival — a showcase of film, music, art and ideas — will be back Sept. 17-23 for its seventh year, this time with an emphasis on activism. While some of the events will be free to attend, others will cost anywhere from $5 to $30 per ticket. Here are a few of the scheduled highlights: The festival will kick off with Cheech Marin, who will headline the "Ideas" portion of the festival ...