WRITER: Josie Heimsoth

Lawrence MLK breakfast reflects on centuries of Black strength and community in Kansas

An archivist specializing in African American historical documents told a Lawrence crowd on Martin Luther King Jr. Day that civic engagement and mutual support are proven ways of battling oppression. Deborah Dandridge, a retired archivist at the University of Kansas, said civic engagement is a long-standing tradition among African Americans, and she said it took many individual efforts of self-help to survive ...

What to know as motor vehicle services prepare to leave office at courthouse

As all motor vehicle services prepare to trade downtown for Sixth Street, the Douglas County Treasurer says the change will improve training and efficiency. Here’s what to know about the move. Douglas County Treasurer Adam Rains said the reasoning behind the change is to support the Treasurer's Office staff through immersive training experiences together. With all the staff moving to the new treasurer’s ...

Celebrate MLK Day in Lawrence: library events, community breakfast, performances and more

Lawrence will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a lineup of talks, performances, family activities, and community events. Here’s a look at what’s happening in the community on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and which offices and services will be closed or adjusted for the holiday. THINGS TO DO • The Lawrence Public Library will host several events in celebration of the holiday. At 2 p.m. on ...

Consolidated Fire District 1 strengthens full-time staffing, eyes continued growth

Consolidated Fire District 1 has made strides in strengthening its full-time staffing while continuing to recruit volunteers, but leaders say more hires will be beneficial moving forward. On Wednesday, county commissioners met during a work session with Consolidated Fire District 1, which serves 228 square miles in the unincorporated parts of the county, to provide an update on which recommendations from a ...

Douglas County Housing Stabilization Collaborative proposes need-based assistance model following funding cuts

After the city reduced its funding award to the Douglas County Housing Stabilization Collaborative, the organization that works to prevent evictions and housing instability is proposing a new need-based assistance model for 2026. The Housing Stabilization Collaborative, HSC, was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide rent and utility assistance to low-income residents. Right now, it uses a lottery ...

2025 election winners and fourth-place finisher sworn in on Lawrence school board

The winners of the 2025 general election for Lawrence school board were sworn in at the board's meeting on Monday, as was the fourth-place finisher who was chosen to fill a vacant seat. The three top finishers in November were incumbents Kelly Jones and Shannon Kimball and newcomer Matt Lancaster, and they were sworn in by Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew. In addition, incumbent Bob Byers — the fourth-place ...