Lawrence News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

City leaders are pushing a bold 2027 budget totaling $415 million, centered on expanding fire and medical services, boosting public transit, and giving city workers a raise — all funded by a proposed 2-mill property tax hike, dubbed a “last resort” to avoid deep cuts. The plan includes 21 new hires tied to a new fire station opening in 2029, restoring a cut fire truck, and a 2.5% wage bump plus ex...

Senator Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized over three weeks after his initial admission, with his office offering vague updates about his recovery while he continues to work remotely on Senate business. Recent phone calls with Majority Leader John Thune and top Republican Senator John Barrasso reveal he’s engaged and optimistic about returning to the Senate floor. This marks another chapter in a...

Prosecutors are moving swiftly to seek the death penalty for Tyler Robinson, accused of shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September — a crime they argue was premeditated, politically motivated, and posed a deadly threat to others. Evidence shows Robinson scouted the venue, returned later to fire a rifle from a rooftop, and left behind a weapon wrapped in a towel with his DNA and his r...

A federal rule change could let political appointees cancel grants based on vague “national interest” claims, threatening heritage programs like Freedom’s Frontier. Critics fear this undermines Congress’s intent and opens the door for partisan funding cuts. The OMB says it’s to curb waste, but opponents warn it could weaponize federal dollars. With a deadline of October 1, 2026, the group is rally...

Costco’s Midtown, Kansas City location is set for a dramatic transformation into a business-only center, sparking outrage among locals who feel abandoned — the move eliminates everyday staples like TVs, clothes, and food courts, and neighbors say they were ignored during the announcement. While employees worry about job security and the location’s car-free accessibility, the new Lee’s Summit store...

A federal appeals court has struck down Trump’s mandatory detention policy for immigrants, ordering bond hearings within 90 days — with one judge pushing for just 30 — sparking legal chaos and forcing DHS to brace for a potential Supreme Court showdown. The ruling, impacting Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, centers on real human stories: longtime residents with U.S. citizen kids detained during...

Step into Lawrence’s queer past at The Trans Liberation Front’s free, all-ages event on Saturday, July 11th at 6 PM at Ecumenical Campus Ministries. Featuring powerful speakers like Kathy Rose-Mockry, Lee Hubbell, and Ruth Lichtwardt, this night blends education, history, and free cocktails — a celebration of the pioneers who shaped LGBTQ+ visibility in Kansas. RSVP now and join the conversation....

Don’t let old tech end up in landfills—Lawrence’s free electronics recycling event is this Saturday, August 8th, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Last year, over 70,000 pounds of e-waste were safely recycled, including computers, phones, gaming consoles, and more. Teknix Solutions handles secure data destruction and environmental protection. Fees apply: $40 for CRT TVs/monitors...

Douglas County’s commissioners are weighing a bold new deal with KU Innovation Park: a 10-year payment plan that would let the tax-exempt park cover public services like police and fire for its long-term, for-profit tenants — without those businesses paying directly. The move follows last year’s funding cut, which sparked outrage over businesses benefiting from the park’s resources without contrib...

Douglas County is stepping up to fund critical legal roles at the Self-Help Center to combat evictions, including a district court navigator and eviction diversion coordinator—both of whose grants expire soon—plus exploring expanded legal access with licensed attorneys. The county also plans to bolster courthouse security with two new deputy positions, all while managing the budget to keep propert...