WRITER: Bremen Keasey

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 ...

City leaders will start discussing what they'd like to see in new Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical agreement

The city and county will soon have to craft a new agreement for Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, and Lawrence city commissioners will give some initial input on what they'd like to see at their meeting on Tuesday. LDCFM, which provides fire services in Lawrence and EMS services throughout Douglas County, operates on an inter-government agreement between the city and county. That agreement was originally ...

How a relief fund created during the COVID crisis still helps Lawrence servers, bartenders and other hospitality workers today

When COVID scrambled the economy in March of 2020, one profession in particular was flipped upside down: Those who made a living feeding others in restaurants now needed help to feed their families and pay their bills after the industry practically shut down overnight. Here in Lawrence, it was the Lawrence Restaurant Association that stepped up to serve the servers — even just a month after COVID struck. As ...

City of Lawrence projects $6.5 million budget deficit in 2026; commissioners will discuss priorities, likely cuts

Early numbers show Lawrence will face a $6.5 million budget shortfall in 2026, and City Hall budget-makers say it is not too early to ask city commissioners a couple of questions. What would you cut, and would you consider raising property taxes? Commissioners at their Tuesday evening meeting will discuss multiple options for bringing down the budget gap, including whether to commit to keeping market rate ...