WRITER: Josie Heimsoth

Douglas County commissioner raises concerns about the city and county's progress toward ‘functional zero’ homelessness goal

A new analysis written by a Douglas County commissioner argues that the city and county are not on track to meet the goal of reaching “functional zero” homelessness by 2028. The review was put together by County Commissioner Erica Anderson alongside John Ims, a Lawrence resident and frequent public commenter at city and county meetings. The 25-page document evaluated the city and county’s five-year plan ...

Lawrence school district will soon implement changes to its cellphone, electronic devices policy to comply with state law

The Lawrence school board is expected to approve a new policy in August to comply with a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones in schools that's mandated by state law. On Monday, school board members had their first reading of the district’s new policy for wireless electronic communication devices, such as cellphones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, wireless headphones or earbuds, along with other text ...

Farmland’s legacy: How what used to be the largest farmer-owned co-op left contaminated sites in Lawrence and beyond

For almost 50 years, the eastern edge of Lawrence was home to a plant that helped fuel America’s agricultural boom. Today, there’s been a lot of activity at the former nitrogen plant site. It is being transformed into an industrial park and a future city campus — but beneath the new development are the remnants of its fertilizer-making past. What was left behind remains a cleanup challenge, despite the ...

Lawrence school board members to consider renewing contract for wearable panic alert system

Lawrence school board members will consider renewing a contract for the Centegix Wearable Panic Alert System on Monday. The system comes with "CrisisAlert" badges that are worn by selected district staff members that can call for help in a variety of situations, and the Lawrence school district began utilizing the system at the beginning of 2024. The badges are described as a "mobile panic button" on the ...

Douglas County commissioners review five-year capital plan as major spending looms

Douglas County's capital improvement fund balance has grown significantly in recent years, and the county is preparing for a large wave of spending over the next two years. The 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan outlines plans for transportation investments, bridge replacements, and long-term courthouse and other upcoming building projects. At the start of 2026, the administration CIP fund held nearly $66 ...

Roads, bridges and building projects headline Douglas County's five-year capital plan

Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday will review the county's five-year capital plan that includes major investments in roads, bridges and county buildings. The 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan outlines plans for transportation investments, bridge replacements, and long-term courthouse and other upcoming building projects. The presentation on the CIP will be given during a work session ahead of county ...