WRITER: Josie Heimsoth

Kansas reports 17,000 lead pipes in initial count, far fewer than federal estimates; here's what that looks like in Douglas County

Kansas has compiled initial statewide data revealing how many lead pipes still deliver drinking water — an urgent step in former President Joe Biden’s push to replace them within the next decade. Currently, state data estimates that approximately 17,000 lead pipes still carry water from public supplies to private properties in Kansas — significantly fewer than the Environmental Protection Agency’s ...

Lawrence graduation rates rise, but district leaders highlight gaps for Native American and English learner students

Despite a rise in graduation rates, Lawrence school officials flagged gaps for Native American students and English learner students and outlined a few steps to address them. On Monday, school board members learned that the district’s graduation rate has risen by 4.5 percentage points over the past six years — from 82.8% in 2019 to 87.3% in 2024. Although graduation rates have trended upward in recent ...

Lawrence school board to consider 10-cent price increase for full-price school meals

The Lawrence school district next week will consider increasing the price of full-price school breakfasts and lunches for the 2025-2026 school year. On Monday, school board members will consider raising the meal prices by 10 cents per meal for students and adults paying full price, according to the board's meeting agenda. Meal prices must be approved in June so that the Nutrition & Wellness Department has ...

Peaslee Tech launches $10M endowment campaign to provide scholarships for low-income Douglas County residents

The Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center has launched a long-term campaign to create a $10 million endowment that would offer debt-free scholarships to low-income high school students and other eligible Douglas County residents. It’s called the “Peaslee Promise Campaign,” and the endowment will be managed by the Douglas County Community Foundation to support both student scholarships and Peaslee ...

As Lawrence Schools Foundation marks its 40th anniversary, a look at how it's supported the district's students in recent years

As it celebrates 40 years of supporting public schools, the Lawrence Schools Foundation continues to work behind the scenes to help students with classroom resources, emergency aid and even a new scholarship to mark the milestone anniversary. Since its establishment in 1985, LSF has invested millions of dollars to support a variety of programs in the district, but Dena Johnston, executive director of the ...

Candidate fields set for 2025 Douglas County races; a closer look at who’s running in this year’s local elections

The filing and withdrawal deadline for this year’s local elections has come and gone, and the slates are now set for key races across Douglas County — including the Lawrence City Commission, Lawrence school board, and other municipal offices. The deadline to file as a candidate for the upcoming election in the county was Monday at noon, and there were many last-minute filers, notably incumbents of the ...