WRITER: Josie Heimsoth

Invasive species and flood management are among the challenges a new partnership hopes to address at the Baker Wetlands

Floodwater management and controlling invasive species of plants are a couple of the challenges at the Baker Wetlands that Baker University's new nonprofit partnerships are aiming to address. Earlier this month, Baker University announced its partnerships with Ducks Unlimited and the Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams, or KAWS. It also announced the hiring of a full-time wetlands director with expertise ...

Many candidates concerned about County Commission taking action on solar project before new commissioners are seated; incumbents see it differently

After Monday's announcement that the current Douglas County Commission may approve a large-scale solar project by year's end, many of the candidates running for the commission have concerns about taking action on it before the new members are seated. The two incumbents in the race, meanwhile, say they don't see a need to alter the timeline, and one of them said to do so would be "irresponsible." As the ...

There's still time to enjoy some fall fun at Lawrence-area agricultural businesses

The Halloween season may be drawing to a close, but there's still time to get into the fall spirit at local farms and agricultural businesses. From pumpkin patches to locally produced cider, these agricultural hubs are offering unique experiences that capture the essence of the season. Here’s a closer look: South Baldwin Farms, 22 East 1700 Road This farm maintains 70 acres and 100,000 fruit trees for ...

Douglas County is expected to break early voting record ahead of the general election

Douglas County is on track to see its highest-ever number of early voters for this year's election, approaching its record just one week before Election Day. County Clerk Jamie Shew told the Journal-World that there have been 11,805 in-person advance voters so far. He said the county was likely to surpass its previous record for advance voting, which is around 16,000 votes. “We’re at almost 12,000 now, ...

In construction, electrical work and other trades, Lawrence-area high school students learn, 'every day is different'

Some days, working in the trades means getting a call about an electrical problem and finding out that it's just a burnt-out light bulb. Other days, working in the trades means making a 3D map of a job site with a drone, or dangling on a rope to inspect a railroad bridge while trains are passing through. That incredible variety is what high school students from around the Lawrence area got a taste of Tuesday ...

Lawrence school board raises questions on student behavior disparities amid equity progress report

According to a recent equity report, student "behavior events" in schools decreased by just over 12% from the 2022-23 to the 2023-24 school years, but after a presentation, Lawrence school board members still have questions about the specifics of how student behavior is treated across different backgrounds. On Monday, board members heard a report from leaders in the school district’s equity work, which ...