Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 30th of January.
Good morning, Lawrence.
🏘️ Community
The Bike Plan Steering Committee is hosting an open house at the Lawrence Public Library at 707 Vermont St. from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb.
2 to gather input on closing gaps in the 22-mile Lawrence Loop — written comments are accepted through Tuesday, Feb. 3.
🚧 Accidents
A dog named Red woke his owner in time to escape a deadly house fire on Jan.
28 + his quick action is being hailed by local residents.
🎭 Culture
Local arts leaders and volunteers met Wednesday at Lied Center and online to discuss expanding accessibility in arts spaces for people who are blind or visually impaired at the Arts Accessibility Forum.
Organized by Audio-Reader Network with arts partners, the forum offered ideas for tactile indicators and accessible design changes.
The City of Lawrence and Lawrence Arts Center invite community members to join a free screening of the documentary Join or Die at Free State High School Commons on Friday, Feb.
27 at 7 p.m. A connection fair begins at 6:30 p.m. (registration is encouraged) and lasts 30 minutes after the film.
KU Reads announced a spring series featuring events themed on John Green’s essay collection 'The Anthropocene Reviewed' at local libraries and venues from Feb.
5 through April with a bee-themed event planned at KU Natural History Museum while the Public Library selects the book for its Read Across Lawrence club.
🎓 Education
On Thursday, Jan. 29, KU named Melissa Peterson as acting associate vice chancellor for Indigenous initiatives and Ward Lyles and Joseph Brewer as acting co-directors for the Indigenous Studies Program (effective immediately) following Alex Red Corn's temporary reassignment to Haskell Indian Nations University.
The University of Kansas is launching Building Bridges, a 10-day summer academy for teens starting July 12–22 on campus that offers residential and day-camp options plus leadership workshops, college tours and cultural exchanges (with a 10% discount for KU employees' children) and is open for enrollment.
The Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum named Christina Lutz as its new vertebrate paleontology lead preparator and lab manager on Jan.
29; she prepared fossils for research, teaching, and exhibits and brings over a decade of global experience (from projects in Arizona, Ecuador, and Abu Dhabi) to support KU's mission.
The University of Kansas earned national recognition in the U.S. News ranking for its online graduate programs *its education program tied for second overall and ranked first for veterans, and its special education program topped its category*.
The rankings were released Thu, Jan. 29.
🏛️ Government
City council approved plans on Jan.
29 to reopen Prospect grocery store in April — Estrada promised improved security and affordable prices to support local shoppers in Lawrence.
Douglas County Emergency Communications launched the Fire Priority Dispatch System to help dispatchers guide callers out of burning buildings using research-based questions.
The system, which mirrors medical emergency protocols, gives first responders detailed information before they arrive (all dispatchers are IAED-certified).
🎉 Lawrence Events
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Arizona Wildcats at Kansas Jayhawks Basketball
8-10 p.m. — Allen Fieldhouse — Tickets required — Witness the exciting clash between Arizona and Kansas with the iconic 'Rock. Chalk. Jayhawk!' chant filling the arena.
Pasta Night: Tortellini in Brodo
4:30-9 p.m. — Pane e Vino Wine Bar & Academy — Reservations required — Enjoy house-made tortellini in broth and a taste of authentic Italian cuisine each week.
2026 Lawrence Polar Plunge
11 a.m. — Billy Mills Middle School — Registration fee required — Take a chilly dip to support Special Olympics Kansas and make a difference.
Houston Cougars at Kansas Jayhawks Basketball
8-10 p.m. — Allen Fieldhouse — Tickets available — Experience the excitement of Kansas Jayhawk Basketball with the iconic 'Rock. Chalk. Jayhawk!' chant.
Pasta Night: Gnocchi di Coniglio
4:30-9 p.m. — Pane e Vino Wine Bar & Academy — Reservations required — Enjoy hand-made ricotta gnocchi with braised rabbit complemented by a full wine list.
Seam Finishes Discussion
1-2 a.m. — Dillon's at 6th & Wakarusa — Free entry — Engage in a friendly sewing discussion sharing seam finish techniques and ideas.
🏠 Lawrence Real Estate
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💼 Lawrence Job Board
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📣 Lawrence Announcements
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