WRITER: Dylan Lysen

Lawrence school board to discuss new equity policy that aims to address institutional injustice in education

Noting the historic failure of government agencies to address systemic racism and other inequities in education, the Lawrence school district is developing a new equity policy aimed at tackling those issues in its schools. During a meeting on Monday, the Lawrence school board will review a proposed equity policy that focuses on addressing inequities experienced by marginalized groups, such as people of color, ...

Lawrence deputy superintendent leaving to take over top post at Kansas City, Kan., school district

The Lawrence school district’s second-highest-ranking administrator will leave her position at the end of the school year, the district announced on Friday. Superintendent Anthony Lewis said in a news release that Anna Stubblefield, the district’s deputy superintendent, has accepted the top leadership position at the Kansas City, Kan., school district. Stubblefield — who is currently serving her 13th ...

Lawrence man to face trial on charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated burglary; witnesses describe stabbing, beating

A Lawrence man accused of stabbing another man for insulting him will stand trial on felony charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated burglary. After hearing testimony during a preliminary hearing Thursday in Douglas County District Court, Judge Kay Huff bound Brian Samuel Stubbs, 24, over for trial on four charges. Along with the felony charges, Stubbs is facing the misdemeanor charges of ...

2 teens injured in crash on U.S. Highway 59

Updated at 1:42 p.m. Wednesday Two teenagers were injured Tuesday evening in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 59 in southern Douglas County. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to the wreck around 9:15 p.m. A car with three people heading north had rear-ended a semitrailer near the intersection of North 650 Road, Deputy Charlie Cooper said. The two passengers in the car were injured in the ...

Rontarus Washington Jr.'s counsel withdraws from long-running murder case; he might soon be represented by Innocence Project

Rontarus Washington Jr. will soon have new counsel representing him in a long-running murder case — possibly an attorney from the Innocence Project. During a hearing on Tuesday, Chief Judge James McCabria allowed Washington’s current counsel — attorneys Adam Hall and Angela Keck — to withdraw from the case after serving as his representatives for five years. They filed a motion to withdraw from the case ...

Paola man charged with felonies after reportedly leading Lawrence police on pursuit, running through bystander's home

A Paola man is facing felony charges after allegedly fleeing from Lawrence police in a stolen vehicle and running through a bystander’s home last week. Lt. David Ernst of the Lawrence Police Department told the Journal-World Monday that officers arrested James F. Korgol around 8 p.m. Thursday in the 5800 block of Silverstone Drive after the incident. Korgol, 36, was formally charged in Douglas County District ...