WRITER: Josie Heimsoth

Douglas County planning officials to explore potential rules for energy storage systems, data centers and cryptocurrency mining

After several requests from energy storage companies curious about expanding to Douglas County, the county's Zoning and Codes division will start the process of drawing up specific rules for those kinds of uses — as well as high-tech operations that store data and mine cryptocurrencies. At its meeting on Wednesday, the County Commission voted 2-0, with Commissioner Shannon Reid absent, to initiate a text ...

KU researchers strive to make the solar panel industry more sustainable

The University of Kansas has invested in numerous research projects to understand the mechanics of solar panels. Lately, however, some researchers are looking into improving sustainability and environmental friendliness. The researchers have turned their own energy to several new topics, including improving organic semiconductors to replace silicon versions in harnessing the sun's rays and finding new and ...

Lawrence Chamber asks Douglas County leaders to release $105,000 for minority business loan program

The Lawrence chamber of commerce is asking the Douglas County Commission to release more than $100,000 of funding for a minority business loan program, which the commission has been holding onto amid some questions about how the program would work. As the Journal-World reported, county leaders in 2023 set aside $105,000 for the Diversify Douglas County program, which aims to provide loans to minority-owned ...

Skittish, stubborn or sweet? At the Douglas County Fair's 4-H goat show, there's no shortage of personality

Before the evening goat show on Tuesday at the Douglas County Fair, many 4-H kids made sure their goats were ready for the eyes of the judges — carefully grooming them and keeping them well-hydrated even as the heat index climbed to 101 degrees. The goat show was one of many livestock and agriculture competitions that local 4-Hers had been preparing for as part of this year's fair, which began in earnest this ...

Advocates, agencies and parents of shooting victims share their thoughts on Lawrence's relationship with police at DOJ-facilitated workshop

Activists, civic groups and two local parents who lost their children to gun violence were among those sharing their thoughts with Lawrence police and Department of Justice facilitators on Saturday about how to improve the community's relationships with law enforcement. The half-day workshop on Saturday was the first of two that the DOJ will be facilitating in Lawrence as part of the Lawrence Police ...

Superintendent Anthony Lewis says goodbye to Lawrence school district, challenges next leader to make even more progress

As he prepares to leave for a job in North Carolina, Lawrence Superintendent Anthony Lewis says the district had made strides in equity, graduation rates and more during his tenure — and he told the Journal-World he wanted the district's next leader to improve it even more. “What I tried to do during my six years here was set up the system so that the next leader could continue to take it higher,” Lewis ...