WRITER: Josie Heimsoth

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center projects a $1.5 million budget shortfall in 2025 amid financial struggles and rising costs

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center says it's facing a roughly $1.5 million budget shortfall for 2025, and it may have to adjust its fees, seek more support from Douglas County and leave many of its currently vacant jobs unfilled to make up the gap. In a memo shared with Douglas County commissioners, Bert Nash reported $41.11 million in expenses in 2024 and $40.61 million in revenue, for an almost ...

Lawrence school district hires Interim Superintendent Jeanice Swift for permanent role

The Lawrence school district celebrated the hiring of Interim Superintendent Jeanice Swift to take on the permanent role, and for Swift, she’s grateful to the community for their conversations with her thus far. “I’m really grateful to the community for engaging … I wouldn’t have faulted anyone for taking a time out and not coming, yet folks came, and because of that I feel like we have a clear and ...

City of Lawrence planning to update Bikes Plan to improve accessibility and infrastructure for cyclists

To make biking more accessible in the community, the city of Lawrence is making changes to its Bikes Plan and creating opportunities for biking infrastructure and policies. The Lawrence Bikes Plan – which was created in 2019 – is intended to be a roadmap for the city to create a safe, comfortable and accessible cycling environment. Now, the city is exploring ways to update the existing plan and provide an ...

Lawrence school board selects interim superintendent for permanent role, pending formal approval on Monday

The Lawrence school district’s interim superintendent, Jeanice Kerr Swift, has been chosen by the Lawrence school board to fill the permanent superintendent position, according to a district news release on Friday. “I am honored and grateful for this opportunity, and thankful to the Board of Education and all on the team and in this community for their amazing support,” Swift said in the release. “We ...

Lawrence school board to review enrollment and class sizes for the 2024-2025 school year

Lawrence school board members will be reviewing enrollment and class sizes for the 2024-2025 school year to guide ongoing equity efforts and district planning. At Monday's board meeting, Lawrence school district staff will share a comprehensive review of district enrollment and class sizes for the current school year and over time. The report will assess enrollment and staffing at individual schools, by levels ...

After mass layoffs, Haskell community is shaken, but its 'sense of family' endures

Some were despondent, some were defiant, and some were determined to persevere. But there was one thing all of the students and staff from Haskell Indian Nations University who gathered on Friday night felt: a sense of family. And "our family took a very hard hit last Friday,” Dan Wildcat, an instructor of Indigenous and American Indian Studies at Haskell, said. At least a hundred students, faculty and ...