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The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

News

Holding signs and chanting, Lawrence residents protest downtown.

NEWS: Lawrence Citizens Protest the Trump Administration

Simon Williams, Online Editor-in-Chief March 10, 2025

Editor's Note: The first protest took place on Feb. 23, and has continued weekly. There is no definite end date.  On March 2, approximately 200 individuals gathered at the intersection of Ninth and Massachusetts...

In the library, freshman Crosby Kober studies for the AP Human Geography test.

NEWS: AP Test Prep

Logan Dinges, Reporter March 3, 2025

With the Advanced Placement testing season looming near, it is time for students to think about beginning their preparation. This process differs from student to student, as every AP class is different...

Design by Sarah Masterson

BREAKING NEWS: Assistant Principal Moves Up

Lilly Wall, News Editor-in-Chief February 24, 2025

Tonight at a school board meeting, Interim Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift announced the selection of Assistant Principal Tina Mitchell as the Director of Equity and Student and Family Engagement...

Design by Sarah Masterson

BREAKING NEWS: Interim Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift Named Permanent Superintendent

Eula Heriford, Reporter February 21, 2025

On Feb. 21 Jeanice Kerr Swift was named the permanent superintendent—pending official board approval—of USD 497 after over six months of serving as the interim superintendent, following Anthony Lewis’s...

Digital Illustration by Neylana Haque.

NEWS: About The Palisades Fires

Lilly Wall, News Editor-in-Chief February 17, 2025

On Tuesday, Jan. 7, a series of wildfires broke out across Los Angeles, California. The biggest of the seven, the Palisades Fire, began burning in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County. Since...

Digital Illustration by Willow Marable

NEWS: From Day One

Lilly Wall, News Editor-in-Chief February 17, 2025

President Donald J. Trump entered office on Jan. 20. Within the first week of his presidency, he signed 36 executive orders. Take a look at some of the most influential orders, what they imply and a breakdown...

Digital illustration by Allison McCall

NEWS: Debate At State

Delaney Bayliss, Assistant Social Media Editor February 17, 2025

After competing at Garden City on Jan. 17 and 18, the varsity debate team returned home with a four-speaker state championship, successfully ending their 2024-2025 season by bringing down Washburn Rural,...

Deputy Police Chief Anthony Brixius speaks to reporters at a press conference on February 11, announcing new developments in the investigation.

BREAKING NEWS: Prairie Park Elementary School Teacher Arrested For Sexual Assault Charges

Phoebe Morris, News Editor-in-Chief February 13, 2025

On Feb. 8, Prairie Park Elementary School speech and language pathologist Mark Gridley was reported of possible sexual assault allegations by two elementary schoolers according to the Lawrence Police Department. 60...

Digital illustration by Sarah Masterson

NEWS: Debate Topples Reigning Champs

Morgan Sponholtz and Rakshan Ossen January 20, 2025

After two days of debating at Garden City on Jan. 17 and 18, the varsity debate team came back home with a 4-speaker state championship, bringing down the previous reigning champions, Washburn Rural, to...

NEWS: Lawrence Opens Doors for Winter

NEWS: Lawrence Opens Doors for Winter

Evie Chancy, News Managing Editor January 9, 2025

Exposure to low temperatures is associated with deadly risks like hypothermia or frostbite, which, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless, kills over 700 unhoused people a year. When Douglas...

NEWS BRIEF: NCAA D1 Cross Country National Championship

NEWS BRIEF: NCAA D1 Cross Country National Championship

Jonah Frye, Reporter December 19, 2024

On Nov. 23, some of the top-ranked Division 1 men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in the National Championship meet at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course in Madison, Wisconsin....

NEWS: Board of Education Passes New Cell Phone Policy 7-0

NEWS: Board of Education Passes New Cell Phone Policy 7-0

Simon Williams, Online Editor-in-Chief December 19, 2024

On Monday Dec. 9, after two readings of a new district wide cell phone policy, the USD 497 Board of Education voted 7-0 in favor of the new policy. Effective Jan. 6, the policy will implement a cell phone...

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