WRITER: Bremen Keasey

Alcohol 'is not the only option' — this Lawrence bar doesn't serve any, and it's not alone in its dry offerings

For many years, Emily Kate’s goal in life was to open up her own bar and serve people in Lawrence. Kate started working in the service industry at 17 and became a cocktail bartender as soon as she could at 21, starting at the Bourgeois Pig, and loved it from the jump. But her time in the service industry also led to addiction, and that forced her to rethink her relationship with alcohol. In 2021, Kate got ...

Leaders and students hope new coffee shop will make Haskell's student union more inviting

Not long ago, Haskell Indian Nations University's student union hardly ever had students in it at all. It was frequently “closed, and opened, then closed again,” Haskell President Frank Arpan said, and even when students could gather there, there wasn't much there for them to do. So, it was quite a difference on Friday when 80 or 90 students, faculty and community leaders came out for the ribbon cutting of ...

Haskell leaders to host informational webinars about proposed legislation that would allow for self-governance

Haskell Indian Nations University leaders will be hosting feedback sessions regarding proposed legislation that could transform the governance structure of the school. Haskell’s Board of Regents will host three webinars that will present more information to tribal leaders, Haskell alumni and others about proposed legislation from U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, both Kansas Republicans, that ...

City hosting two public feedback sessions on final details for Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center renovation

The City of Lawrence is holding two public feedback sessions this week as officials work to finalize the details of a renovation project at the city's Outdoor Aquatic Center. The renovation will include a rehabilitation of the current pool space, including plans to separate the shallow pool from the main pool. The city specifically is looking for feedback on the orientation and shape of the separate shallow ...

Workers at Bert Nash vote to form union, which will represent over 300 employees

Employees at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center voted Tuesday night to form a union that will represent over 300 workers at the Lawrence nonprofit. In the election, held by the National Labor Relations Board, 180 votes were cast, with 168 voting yes to form a union, according to Jason Ianacone, the business manager with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 304, the union that ...

As $6.5M budget hole looms, leaders want to recharge city's savings account and haven't ruled out raising the mill levy

As the city of Lawrence stares down a projected $6.5 million budget hole for 2026, city commissioners say they want to recharge the city's savings account, and they haven't yet ruled out raising the mill levy. City commissioners provided some early feedback at their meeting on Tuesday about the 2026 budget process, and they agreed they wanted to set aside $2 million in the city's reserve fund. They also wanted ...