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Lawrence city commissioners voted to keep the Community Building open for free for three months, while new recreation center fees are set to begin in January. The decision was made to address a budget deficit, with 320 residents already signing up for memberships. However, concerns arise as the system for low-income free memberships is not yet fully in place. Commissioners had requested a re-evaluation of fees, but the motion to pause them for six months failed, with the new fees set to proceed as planned.

Embattled Lawrence series, edited by Dennis Domer, offers a fresh look at Lawrences history. The revised first volume, Conflict and Community, includes over 100 photos and is now available. The series aims to provide a valuable resource for understanding the areas past and present.

Cardi B., a three-year-old brindle shepherd mix at Lawrence Humane Society, is a calm and affectionate dog waiting for her forever home. Despite her famous namesake, shes known for her patience and adaptability, even in a middle school environment. Shes been at the shelter for six months and recently served as a school dog, bringing joy to students. Cardi B. would be perfect for a family with children, as shes well-behaved, loves attention, and even has a reindeer costume for the holidays. Her adoption fee is $150, and shes a great hiker and snuggler. If interested, visit the shelter or contact their adoptions team.

FIFA World Cup Ticket Prices Lowered: Dedicated Fans to Benefit FIFA has announced a significant reduction in ticket prices for certain matches in the 2026 World Cup, targeting loyal fans of qualifying teams. The new pricing, starting at $60 per ticket, is a response to global demand, with over 20 million requests already submitted. The random selection draw ticketing phase remains open until January 13, 2026, at 10 AM Central Time.

In a challenging journey, transgender individual Page Clements left Kansas due to political hostility, leading to a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. This law, despite opposition from health organizations, has forced families to make life-altering decisions, including relocating. One such family, R.A. and her son, moved from Kansas to Colorado to continue his gender-affirming care.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly expresses skepticism about the state legislatures ability to pass a new congressional district map in 2026, potentially impacting Democratic U.S. Representative Sharice Davids re-election. Despite political shifts since November, theres still a lack of broad support for the idea. Governor Kelly, who would likely veto the map, notes that legislators are more inclined to debate than vote. Polling shows mid-decade redistricting is unpopular in Kansas, with residents preferring the legislature focus on everyday issues.

The University of Kansas is poised to launch a groundbreaking undergraduate degree in Intelligence and National Security Studies, making it only the sixth university in the country to offer such a program. This initiative, which has been in development since 2018, received a grant from the Department of Defense and is expected to be available next school year. The Kansas Board of Regents is set to approve the new degree this week, with projections of forty students in the first year, growing to eighty by the third year. This specialized degree, combined with a defense department partnership, is expected to give KU graduates a significant advantage in securing internships and jobs with various federal agencies.

Lawrence2026.com: Your Ultimate Guide to World Cup Activities in Lawrence and Douglas County - A new website, Lawrence2026.com, is now live, serving as a central hub for all World Cup-related information in Lawrence and Douglas County. Maintained by the Unified Command, the site offers background details, important dates, news, and official notices. Its designed to keep residents informed and prepared for the influx of visitors, with continuous updates until the summer of 2026.