WRITER: Bremen Keasey

Minor injuries, significant damage in Ottawa after tornado; forecasters warn of more severe weather in region

Severe thunderstorms Monday evening led to a confirmed tornado in Ottawa, several reported injuries across Kansas and significant damage, and forecasters warn severe weather could return to region Tuesday night. Three people in Franklin County were left with minor injuries after the storms, according to the sheriff’s office, while two people reported minor injuries in neighboring Miami County, according to ...

'Think higher': Lawrence business leaders hear more about demographics of expected 2026 FIFA World Cup visitors

When the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to Kansas City this summer, expect lots of tourists from South America, Algerians from outside of Algeria, and a ton of younger people looking for fun things to do. That's what several dozen members of Lawrence's business community heard on Monday at the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce's “Ready, Set, Score!” World Cup preparation event. This was the third planning and ...

Midco to convert vacant lot in downtown Lawrence to prairie 'oasis’ with help from local partners

As the old Joni Mitchell song goes, “they paved paradise, and put up a parking lot.” But one project in downtown Lawrence aims to do the reverse and create an urban oasis with native plants. Pat McAdaragh, the chair and CEO of Midco, told the Journal-World via email that after the remodeling of the company’s store in downtown Lawrence on 644 New Hampshire St., the company saw an opportunity to turn a ...

'It honestly changes everything:' Haskell student journalists thankful for $8,500 grant from community to support school's newspaper

Student journalists at Haskell Indian Nations University are thankful for the Lawrence community’s support after the campus newspaper was presented with a $8,500 grant Wednesday evening. The grant will go to support The Indian Leader, Haskell’s student-run newspaper. The funds to support the grant were raised by the Haskell Family/Friends Network, an advocacy group created by local community members which ...

Haskell to host 'Summer of Soccer' events that hope to promote Native culture for global visitors during World Cup

To introduce international tourists to Native American culture, Haskell Indian Nations University is planning an art market, a series of talks and a powwow this summer to coincide with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It's called the “Summer of Soccer Native American Events” series, and Travis Campbell, director of the Haskell Cultural Center and Museum, said it's meant to engage the international soccer fans who ...

With prompts for tipping rising over the past few years, KU professor looks for ways to make it less stressful for all

It’s not just you — most Americans believe that prompts for tipping have become more prevalent in recent years. Approximately 72% of Americans reported that they have seen more tipping prompts in recent years, according to a November 2023 report from the Pew Research Center, and customers are being asked to tip not just at traditional service places — sit-down restaurants or hairstylists — but at fast ...