Young Artists Build Meaningful Benches | Lawrence News

Sacred Boulder Returns Home | Lawrence News

A 28-ton sacred quartzite boulder, In’zhúje’waxóbe, has returned to the Kaw Nation after a multiyear journey, marking a powerful act of rematriation. The Sacred Red Rock project, launched in 2020, culminated in April with the boulder’s ceremonial homecoming, accompanied by a new book set for August 26th. This collection of essays, poems, oral histories, and art captures the boulder’s story and the voices behind its return — from artists to tribal leaders — while confronting painful histories like lynchings and forced removal. Public forums and education were central to the process, fostering community understanding. The book also includes what may be the first formal apology from an American city to a tribal nation. More than a monument’s return, this story is a blueprint for grassroots reconciliation — proving that healing begins with listening, honoring, and acting locally. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/dc07332d296023fe

Legacy of a Fertilizer Plant | Lawrence News

A once-vital nitrogen plant in Lawrence, Kansas, now lies at the heart of a massive environmental cleanup as the site transforms into a thriving industrial and municipal hub. For decades, Farmland Industries’ fertilizer operations left behind toxic soil and groundwater, forcing the city to pump hundreds of millions of gallons of contaminated water and spend over $20 million—still rising—with no end in sight. Though the plant shut down in 2001 amid market collapse and bankruptcy, its legacy lingers, with Lawrence far from alone: Farmland’s former sites across Kansas and Missouri still battle contamination, including one officially labeled a Superfund site. Despite progress, pollutant levels remain dangerously high, and cleanup efforts will stretch for years, turning a symbol of agricultural might into a cautionary tale of environmental persistence. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/bb5699780bfd3b4b

Floating Wetland Cleans Mary's Lake | Lawrence News

Prairie Park’s new floating wetland island in Mary’s Lake isn’t just pretty—it’s a nature-powered water filter. Built with grant money and designed with plant zones for wildlife, pollinators, and shade, it’s already attracting birds, insects, and amphibians. But the real innovation? Its underwater roots and periphyton microbes are actively cleaning nutrient pollution from lawn fertilizers, preventing harmful algae blooms and boosting water quality. While it’ll take a few years to reach full potential, this self-sustaining ecosystem proves that even small-scale versions could work in backyards—showing how urban waterways thrive with simple, smart solutions. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/72968c499868593b

Lawrence School Board Meets for 2026-27 Prep | Lawrence News

Lawrence school board meets Monday for a back-to-school update as enrollment closes July 31—discussing the $131K Centegix panic button renewal, grant funding, and a 15-meeting streak without public comment, with new president Bob Byers hinting at bringing it back. Live stream available on YouTube and local cable. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/010d2187af356352

Crime Decline Across U.S. Cities | Lawrence News

Crime’s on a steady decline across major U.S. cities in the first half of 2026, with homicides down 18% — a trend building on last year’s drop and pointing toward another historic low. Nine out of thirteen crime categories fell, though drug offenses rose 12% and domestic violence climbed 8%. The drop isn’t tied to one policy but likely stems from a mix of law enforcement changes, tech, and broader social shifts — happening across diverse cities with different leadership and economies. It’s a hopeful sign, but the full story’s still unfolding. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/8a52c480aee763e8