WRITER: Josie Heimsoth

School safety, administrative overhead among the public's top concerns, Lawrence school district report says

Too much administration and a need for more safety measures, including metal detectors and extra police officers in schools, are among the biggest concerns the Lawrence school district has been hearing from the community in its recent public feedback efforts. The results from a series of in-person feedback sessions and an online survey were presented in a report to Lawrence school board members on Monday. As ...

Douglas County Commissioner Patrick Kelly elected as chair of the County Commission for 2025

Douglas County Commissioner Patrick Kelly was elected the new chair of the commission on Wednesday night, after his colleagues said his experience and leadership skills would be valuable amid the commission’s transition from three members to five. Kelly, who represents the 1st District, takes over as chair from Commissioner Karen Willey of the 3rd District. The chair position is tasked with presiding over ...

Some rural small businesses wouldn't have to register with Douglas County under new proposal; county leaders will vote on it Wednesday

Certain kinds of rural, home-based small businesses wouldn't have to register or pay a fee to Douglas County under a proposed code change that county leaders will be voting on this week. At its meeting Wednesday, the County Commission will consider changing the registration process for small-scale businesses run out of people's homes in the county's unincorporated areas. If the proposed change is approved, some ...

Lawrence school board reviews fall community feedback to shape future direction

The Lawrence school board reviewed feedback from fall community conversations, focusing on teaching quality, equity, safety, and transparency to guide future decisions. On Monday, school board members heard a report on the results of Interim Superintendent Jeanice Swift’s fall community conversations with students, staff, families and the public, as well as input from an online survey. The public engagement ...

With $5M grant, KU and partners will study ways to make clean hydrogen fuel more affordable

With a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, the University of Kansas and its partners will be working to make clean hydrogen fuel more affordable. Clean hydrogen, also referred to as green hydrogen, is a sustainable fuel source that is made by using renewable electricity such as solar or wind power to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. That hydrogen can then be stored in fuel cells ...

Lawrence school board to discuss fall community conversation feedback and results from online survey

The Lawrence school board will soon learn what community members had to say in feedback sessions last fall about the district's priorities and biggest challenges. At its meeting on Monday, the board will hear a report on the results of Interim Superintendent Jeanice Swift's fall community conversations with students, staff, families and the public, as well as input from an online survey. The public engagement ...