SPONSORED BY WOMEN FOR KANSAS

Featuring-

District 1, August Primary

Patrick Kelly and Milton Scott

District 4, August Primary

Gene Dorsey and Ethan Spurling

District 5, Nov. General Election

Erica Anderson and Kirsten Kuhn

From “The Lawrence Times” ~

“Women for Kansas’ Lawrence/Douglas County chapter will soon host a Douglas County Commission candidate forum at the library.

The forum is scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16 in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St.

Three of the five county commission seats are up for election this year. In District 1, incumbent Patrick Kelly will face Milton Scott, and in District 4, Gene Dorsey will face Ethan Spurling in the Democratic primary on Aug. 4.

In the Nov. 3 general election, Democratic incumbent Erica Anderson will face Libertarian Kirsten Kuhn for the District 5 seat.

Former city commissioner Courtney Shipley will moderate the forum, which is intended to give candidates a chance to address issues important to Douglas County voters.

Douglas County Commission candidates answered questions from the community about data centers, property taxes and transparency at a Douglas County Rural Preservation Alliance candidate forum in June. Read more in this article.”

From Iris Craver-

“Lawrencians! Please show up on Tuesday, July 14th at City Hall when the City Commission considers Data Center agenda items.”

“We want them to pass the 1-year moratorium and remove the loophole that allows for exceptions. We also want them to instruct the city staff to remove data centers from the land use code. Now that it is on the regular agenda, we will have the opportunity to speak to these issues during the discussion, which will begin at 5:45 after they review the consent agenda. I recommend arriving at 5 pm, as I am hoping we pack City Hall with hundreds demanding NO HYPERSCALE DATA CENTERS! Bring signs! Help get the word out to your people! Distribute widely!

PS: I realize that there is no place to build a mega-data center within the city limits, however, KU is encouraging the city to annex their land next to the airport. If that happens, and there is BIG $$ pushing for this, they could in fact build one out by the airport, destroying the beautiful Kaw Valley and North Lawrence.

The Big $$ possibly includes the Chamber of Commerce and a cryptocurrency company which has donated $2 billion to KU.”

Friday July 10

6pm departure, 5:30 prep time

Union Pacific Depot, 402 N 2nd St

The next Vehicle Parade tour this Friday, July 10^th departing at 6 pm.

We gather by 5:30 pm to complete vehicle decorations like attaching signs and balloons etc.

The tour begins at 6:00 pm for a duration of 45-60 minutes.

We’ll be traveling a route along Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire streets.

• To be added to the email list for the Lawrence Vehicle Parade Group contact lawrencevehicleparade@gmail.com to sign-up to include your vehicle in upcoming parades OR to be a passenger in a participating vehicle. It isn’t mandatory to sign up but it would allow you to receive updates or cancellations and to be able to have questions answered.

• Vehicle Parade tours consist of street legal vehicles, including trailers, decorated with attached signs, flags, balloons, window chalk and other displays with “family friendly” messaging to recruit new followers. Messaging will exclude expletives or suggestive text like FDT.

• Multiple dates are promoted in advance to allow individuals to sign up for upcoming tours. Tours can be as short as 30 minutes and up to 90 minutes depending on the area being covered. To get on the mailing list, contact lawrencevehicleparade@gmail.com.

Map of depot location. The entrance is on Locust Street.

From Mobilize.US,

“Indivisible Project, Boots on the Ground Midwest, and Indivisible Kansas City are bringing together group leaders and members from across Missouri and Kansas for a weekend of training, strategy, and movement building.

The Emerging Power States Kansas City Convening runs July 17 through 19, 2026 at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS. This convening falls on Good Trouble Weekend, and staff from Indivisible Project’s movement growth and political teams will be on-site leading sessions, holding office hours, and working alongside attendees throughout the weekend.

Weekend Overview

Friday, July 17 - The weekend opens with a cocktail hour reception beginning at 7:00 PM. This is an opportunity to connect with fellow group leaders and Indivisible staff ahead of the full programming days. Location TBD

Saturday, July 18 - A full day of training and strategy sessions running 9:00 AM through the evening, including:

• Indivisible 101: History, national structure, and the role of group leaders

• Organizing in Your Network: Resources, relationships, and how local and national connect

• How to Build and Run a Local Group: Organizational models and sustainable fundraising

• Dealing with Burnout: Wellness strategies for the long-haul organizer

• Lunch Keynote: Reverend Dr. Shannon Fleck on “Confronting Christian Nationalism”

• State Structures: Building power in Emerging Power States

• State Breakouts: Missouri and Kansas-specific programming and partner engagement

Saturday evening is open for dinner on your own and time to explore the city.

Sunday, July 19 - Programming continues Sunday morning before a midday close, including:

• Organizing Foundations and Movement Ecosystem Strategy

• Political Team Overview with Indivisible Project’s political staff

• Primaries and General: Endorsements, national electoral strategy, and state targets

• State Breakouts: Missouri and Kansas

• Closing remarks and lunch before departure

Who Should Attend: This convening is open to Indivisible group leaders, members, and allied local partner organizations in Missouri and Kansas.

Lodging: Limited lodging reimbursement is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registered attendees will receive a lodging interest form with hotel options and next steps.”

The event address will be shared on registration.

Register now to secure your place.

***** SIGN UP HERE *****

From the Lawrence Journal World —

“Lawrence’s July 4th Freedom Fest, which debuted last year, will return this Independence Day.

The grassroots festival will celebrate the Declaration of Independence and provide entertainment from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 4, on the east side of South Park.”

“Our grassroots coalition is proud again to celebrate our Constitution and especially this year the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” said Robin Gingerich, lead coordinator of the free festival.

The highlight, according to a news release from organizers, will be a program providing an overview of the nation’s progress in the areas of civil rights, women’s rights and voting rights.

Amii Castle, a University of Kansas law professor, will act as emcee and also talk about the proposed amendments to the Kansas Constitution that will be on ballots this year.

The program will be preceded at 10:45 a.m. by the PerSisters, a group of Lawrence women who sing protest songs. Other musical entertainment will include performances by Mike Yoder and Terry Moore, Ardys Ramberg, Linda Sue Clark and Byron James.

Natalie Weiss will read “The Hill We Climb,” a poem by awarding-winning writer and activist Amanda Gorman. ASL/English interpretation will be provided.

Kid-friendly activities will include face painting, balloons, big bubbles, an art table, sidewalk chalk, corn hole, fishing and giant bowling and Jenga. Food trucks will also be onsite.”

We’ll keep you updated!

From “Lawrence Times”

“Two downtown Lawrence music venues will host a Rock the Vote concert to help residents prepare for the August primary election.

The Granada,1020 Massachusetts St., and Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts St., will host the event Sunday, July 5. Doors open at 1 p.m. and the shows start at 2 p.m.”

“The concert will feature 17 local artists, voter registration resources, and education about various ballot initiatives in the upcoming primary election, which is Tuesday, Aug. 4.

The event will have four stages between the two venues and is free and open to the public. Local acts include MAW, 95 Sweetbird and Wayne Gottstine. See the full lineup at this link.

Dan Cook, the event organizer, said in a news release that this year is a crucial time for civic engagement because constitutional amendments will appear on voters’ Aug. 4 and Nov. 3 ballots.

“We felt it was important to mobilize our community and ensure voters are ready to make their voices heard,” Cook said.

The deadline to register to vote or update your voter registration is Tuesday, July 14. Douglas County voters can register quickly and/or request a mail ballot online at KSVotes.org. In-person advance voting begins Wednesday, July 15.”

June 27,

12:30-2:30

Kansas State Capitol, Topeka

Hosted by Kansas 50501

From Kansas 50501-

“On June 27th, All of US will stand for liberty and demand equality over erasure.

The MAGA regime is in the midst of trying to whitewash our past to lay the groundwork for a white supremacist future, erasing both the ongoing impacts from enslavement, Jim Crow, and genocide, and the gains won by our ancestors.

Reckoning with our full history is how we make this country live up to its ideals.”

From All Of Us:

“At the end of June, we expect Supreme Court rulings on the Voting Rights Act and birthright citizenship– a flagrant attempt by the MAGA regime to roll back the clock on progress and set the groundwork for a white nationalist agenda. When they cross these red lines, we must be ready to capture and funnel the energy of the American public toward asserting a future of freedom and equality for all.”

These ideas and demands are directly related to Kansas, as we see our own representatives attempting to redistrict and gerrymander our state. Thankfully, there was not enough votes last session to approve the map changes. In many other states, this is not the case, and rampant unfair voting tactics continue to rise.”

From Lawrence Journal World

“Lawrence’s July 4th Freedom Fest, which debuted last year, will return this Independence Day.

The grassroots festival will celebrate the Declaration of Independence and provide entertainment from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 4, on the east side of South Park.

“Our grassroots coalition is proud again to celebrate our Constitution and especially this year the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” said Robin Gingerich, lead coordinator of the free festival.

The highlight, according to a news release from organizers, will be a program providing an overview of the nation’s progress in the areas of civil rights, women’s rights and voting rights.

Amii Castle, a University of Kansas law professor, will act as emcee and also talk about the proposed amendments to the Kansas Constitution that will be on ballots this year.

The program will be preceded at 10:45 a.m. by the PerSisters, a group of Lawrence women who sing protest songs. Other musical entertainment will include performances by Mike Yoder and Terry Moore, Ardys Ramberg, Linda Sue Clark and Byron James.

Natalie Weiss will read “The Hill We Climb,” a poem by awarding-winning writer and activist Amanda Gorman. ASL/English interpretation will be provided.

Kid-friendly activities will include face painting, balloons, big bubbles, an art table, sidewalk chalk, corn hole, fishing and giant bowling and Jenga. Food trucks will also be onsite.”

We’ll keep you updated!

From the organizers-

“Each June, Lawrence comes together to honor the history, culture, and spirit of Juneteenth through music, food, community, and celebration. Whether you’re a longtime attendee or joining us for the first time, there’s a place for you at this year’s celebration.”

Lawrence Kansas Juneteenth Organization

There are multiple slots still available to help out. Sign up below.

Sign Up Here to Volunteer!

From Lawrence Journal World -

The national holiday recognizes the day the last enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas learned of the Emancipation Proclamation — June 19, 1865 — and celebrates Black liberation, heritage and independence.

The Lawrence Kansas Juneteenth Organization will host the event from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 19, and from 8 a.m. through the afternoon Saturday, June 20, at South Park in downtown Lawrence. Events are free to attend and open to the public.

Friday’s lineup includes readings from the Juneteenth contest essay winners, food, and live performances from B.L.A.C.K. Lawrence artists and several local DJs.

Saturday begins with a 2.5-hour tour of the history of the Underground Railroad in Lawrence. Two buses will load up at the southeast corner of South Park before heading out. Tours are free, but those interested in joining must register in advance on Eventbrite to reserve a spot on either the first or second bus.

The annual multicultural parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, featuring Unity High Steppers, KU Hip Hop Dance, Topeka Drum line, North KC Purple Diamond, Coleman Family, NAACP, Intertribal Club, the Boys & Girls Club and more.

The public celebration begins at noon on Saturday in South Park. Michael Coleman will MC the event. Live music will include Barry Barnes, CJ Thomas, VCMN, YUNG FLOSSA, Stranded in the city, Approach, Deepa Reality, Dre Logic, Silent Ave & Friends, D Twist, Almighty Oz and DJ Bizzy. Essay contest winners will read their work at 2:15 p.m.

Organizers also plan to have several food vendors, a kids’ corner, fire trucks, a Sporting Kaw Valley Soccer Zone, Lawrence Public Library’s Dottie, and other educational activities, including lessons on Kwanzaa.

The League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County will be sponsoring a forum for Douglas County citizens to hear from our County Clerk, Jamie Shew. He will share what he knows regarding the Facts vs Myths concerning our upcoming elections.

Here is more information from an earlier post.

June 16 at 6:30 pm

Lawrence Public Library Auditorium

From League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County —

“Some questions that will be asked of Mr. Shew.-

1. What changes, if any, will there be to the election process in 2026? (We need to see if any of the governor’s vetoes get overridden)

2. Can the president interfere with the midterm elections? If so, how?

3. What can citizens do to protect the right to vote, and keep voting fair and accessible? (In Douglas County and nationally)”

Jamie Shew was elected County Clerk and County Election Officer for Douglas County, Kansas in 2004 and is currently serving his sixth term. Prior to his election, he worked in higher education administration and business management.

Bring your questions!

From - Lawrence Kansas Pride

It’s time for LAWRENCE PRIDE 2026!!

Lawrence PRIDE is on Saturday, June 6, 2025, with a parade in Downtown Lawrence at 11:00 a.m. and a block party in South Park after the parade. This event is FREE and open to EVERYONE!

What to Expect:

Parade along Mass Street, It starts at 7th and Massachusetts and moves south to the park.

Drag Performers

Vendors featuring everything from crafts to delicious treats and PRIDE merch

Live Performances

Fun for All Ages, including a kid’s corner

We would like to encourage everyone to bring their own reusable water bottles in order to cut down on waste. The City of Lawrence now has water refilling stations conveniently located in South Park.

Best of all, this event is FREE for the entire community to attend!

Sponsor, Parade, and Vendor Applications:

Want to be a part of the excitement? Vendor, entertainer, sponsor, parade, and volunteer applications are now open! Visit https://www.lawrencekspride.com/support to sign up and secure your spot!

Schedule:

11:00 AM Parade

Park opens immediately following parade

12:00 PM Last Carnival Acrobats

1:00 PM Drag Showcase with Host Deja Brooks

3:00 - 5:00 PM Kid’s Stage with Hosts Helena Handbasket and Magyk

4:00 PM Live Music

5:30 PM Drag Showcase with Host Vantas

7:00 PM Kids Area Closes

8:00 PM Park Closes

Colin McRoberts is competing against Lauren Reinhold in The August primary for the 1st congressional District currently held by Tracey Mann.

Our Tuesday group meetings will now begin at 6pm at the Lawrence Public Library. They are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. The meeting room may change from one time to the next but we will let you know in advance. Tomorrow’s meeting will take place in Room A.

Our new Zoom link for the meetings is-

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7575229510?pwd=JX5HexfOM7Q59iprwam6k1bNbB1tMy.1

Password (if it’s requested)

123

See the previous post about this meeting.

In response to a membership survey about communication preferences, Lawrence Indivisible has established a Signal chat group for upcoming announcements, including but not limited to our local meetings and events.

“Signal is a free, open-source messaging app designed for maximum privacy and security, offering top-tier end-to-end encryption for text, voice, and video calls. It protects against data surveillance by minimizing metadata, features disappearing messages, and functions without ads or trackers, making it a trusted tool for secure communication.”

In addition to receiving notices of upcoming announcements, participation in the Signal chat allows members of Lawrence Indivisible to share ideas and resources with others and to cultivate dialogue about strategy and tactics that improve our ability to push back against the anti-democratic policies of the current administration.

If you are currently a Signal user, click here to request access to the chat group.

If you are interested and not currently on Signal, you can download the Signal app at the following link for use on a computer or phone at https://signal.org/download/, after which you can submit a request to join the group as noted above.

If you have problems or questions about the process, feel free to reach out to lawrenceindivisible@gmail.com.

Colin McRoberts is competing against Lauren Reinhold in The August primary for the 1st congressional District currently held by Tracey Mann.

From Take BAC Congress-

“Colin McRoberts is running for Kansas’s 1st Congressional District to bring the skills of a professional negotiator to Washington. A legal expert and educator who chose Kansas to raise his family, McRoberts is committed to making the district competitive again by fighting back against gerrymandering. His platform prioritizes affordability, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and restoring Congressional oversight on trade. By advocating for government accountability and defending the rights of workers and teachers, McRoberts aims to move past partisanship and deliver results that prioritize the dignity and economic stability of every Kansan across the district.”

From Colin’s LinkedIn page-

“I’m running to represent the Kansas First District in the House of Representatives. Currently, I teach law at the University of Kansas School of Business. In my private consulting practice, I’ve helped improve negotiations for many Fortune 500 companies, diplomats, military teams, NGOs, and indigenous people.”

“I'm running to flip the Kansas First District, one of the largest in the country. Congress has stopped doing the job the Constitution gave it. To make it a check and a balance again, we need to elect dealmakers instead of weak partisans. Come check us out at www.colinforkansas.com.”

New Zoom Link!

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7575229510?pwd=JX5HexfOM7Q59iprwam6k1bNbB1tMy.1

***. NEW ZOOM LINK ***

Sam Allison-Natale is a public defender, organizer, and the Executive Director of Kansas Holistic Defenders whose mission is --

“To defend Kansans effectively, zealously, and respectfully. We practice an interdisciplinary, holistic approach to champion client goals and address the root causes of involvement in the legal system.”

“We work to prevent unjust incarceration and eviction by addressing the root causes of legal involvement. Achieving this goal involves providing effective legal representation, implementing data-driven practices, and dedicating our focus to improving client outcomes for the betterment of our communities.”

Sam is also a member of the Kansas for All organization that is working to build grassroots political power in communities across Kansas.

“Kansas for All is a coalition of seasoned organizers who collectively have over five decades of expertise in electoral campaign organizing, progressive policy, community organizing, leadership development and base building.”

“Our team is diverse, multi-disciplinary and adaptive, achieving success in system changes and social justice issues in housing, racial equity, ending mass incarceration, reproductive rights, and immigration justice. We believe the people of Kansas’ core values are rooted in the determination to thrive.”

“We’re growing grassroots people power to stop billionaire-backed attacks on our courts, schools, and freedoms and win a Kansas that works for working people.”

Please join us-

Tuesday, May 19, at 4:30pm

Lawrence Public Library, Room A

or join remotely on Zoom.

Link-

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83028622640?pwd=kISYTlhSyv2q0IcGNXvaccaLFnhMaa.1

Zoom Link

First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Pkwy

From Michael Almon, Coordinator, Sustainability Action Network

“At this year’s annual meeting, we will feature a screening of a short film, the Economics of Happiness. This film is provided by Films For Action, a local not-for-profit run by one of Sustainability Action’s founders, Tim Hjersted. He says that of his more than 1000 films, the Economics of Happiness is his favorite.

The Economics of Happiness describes a world moving simultaneously in two opposing directions. On the one hand, an unholy alliance of governments and big business continues to promote globalization and the consolidation of corporate power. At the same time, people all over the world are coming together to re-build more human scale, ecological economies based on a new paradigm – an economics of localization.

The film portrays Ladakh, on the Tibetan Plateau in northernmost India. It is isolated from the outside world by almost impenetrable mountain passes. In 1962 the first road was constructed over the mountains into Ladakh, and in 1975, the Indian government opened the region up to “development” and tourism.

Helena Norberg-Hodge was one of the first westerners to arrive, working as a translator with a film team. One of the first things she noticed was how happy the people were. Also there was no pollution, no shortage of resources, no unemployment, poverty, or hunger.

But with the opening up of the region, cheap subsidized food, trucked in on subsidized roads undermined the local economy. Meanwhile, the Ladakhis were bombarded with advertising and media images that romanticized western-style consumerism and made their own culture seem pitiful by comparison.

It is by generating discontent that the psychology of advertising creates consumer markets. This is a primary feature of expansive capitalism. It must continuously expand it’s level of profit, or it will collapse. But to do so, it must plunder sustainable cultures and nature itself.

The Economics of Happiness is a beautiful film, a disturbing film, and an inspiring film.”



Tuesday, May 5, 2-3pm at the Riverfront Community Center

123 S. Esplanade, Leavenworth, KS

More Information can be found here.

Community Conversation about the CoreCivic ICE Detention Facility in Leavenworth

Saturday, May 9, 2pm at the Leavenworth Public Library

In the Jahn meeting room.

“Join us on Saturday, May 9 for a Community Conversation about the CoreCivic ICE detention facility in Leavenworth. We will discuss what has happened since the Special Use Permit was approved March 10. (CoreCivic began housing detainees less than 48 hours after the permit was granted and the Oversight Committee has yet to meet, so there is PLENTY to discuss 👀)”

”Community members are invited to attend to ask questions and share ideas. This is a great opportunity to stay informed about CoreCivic and learn ways to get involved!”

”Oh, and there will be DONUTS 🍩”

Lauren Reinhold is running for the 1st District congressional seat currently held by Republican Rep. Tracey Mann.

From Lauren for Congress website-

Career & Experience

FEDERAL SERVICE & UNION LEADERSHIP

​She served at the Social Security Administration, focusing on workforce modernization and employee support.

Worked to strengthen the federal workforce and resist efforts to politicize civil service.

Served as a federal union officer, advocating for worker protections, fair wages, and stronger enforcement of labor law.

Served as an investigator and election officer for the National Labor Relations Board, where she ensured fair play in the employer-employee collective bargaining process.

ATTORNEY & ADVOCATE

​Represented low-income Kansans in Legal Aid organizations fighting for their housing, consumer, and family rights in the legal system.

Practiced immigration law in a legal clinic and in private practice, advising families, employers, and immigrants navigating complex federal systems.

Advocated for disabled Kansans facing the long process of obtaining their Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Built her own practice and later returned to SSA to support national operations.

Meet at the Lawrence Public Library. Room A

You can also join us on ZOOM.

***** ZOOM LINK *****

Hosted by Eudora Democrats of Douglas County, KS

From Eudora Democrats-

“All are invited to an evening of BBQ and conversation with three Kansas candidates on the ballot for very important upcoming elections!

Visit with these candidates while supporting Barbwire Barbecue!”

“Meet Don Coover - Candidate for 2nd Congressional District, US Congress

Born & raised on a farm southwest Kansas, Don Coover is a West Point grad, Army veteran, veterinarian, farmer, and businessman. Coover believes American politics are broken, and wants to be the man to fix it! For him, this isn’t about party or politics. “We just need to get folks in the room who actually feel the impacts of the policies being made in Washington on communities like mine. We need folks willing to work together, who know how to spend within their means, and try to reward hard work for the folks at home.”

Meet Chris Mann - Candidate for Attorney General

Chris Mann has dedicated his life to serving and protecting Kansas communities – as a police officer prosecutor, and victim’s advocate. In 2002, Mann was struck by a drunk driver while on duty, an event which changed the trajectory of his career. He attended law school at Washburn University and went on to become a prosecutor for Wyandotte County. Mann later played a key role in the advocacy and passage of significant drunk driving legislation in Kansas. He went on to open his own law firm where he provided representation to underserved Kansans who couldn’t afford a lawyer.

Meet Dinah Sykes - Candidate for Kansas Insurance Commissioner

Dinah Sykes has seen firsthand how honest and independent leadership can actually improve people’s lives. She’s the only candidate for Insurance Commissioner with a real track record of delivering results that matter, and she’s ready to bring a new generation of energy and common sense to the Commissioner’s office.

Dinah understands that far too many Kansans are struggling under the weight of high health insurance costs - or worse, going without coverage at all because they simply can’t afford it. She knows that our state can do better, and she is committed to making sure every single person in Kansas has access to quality health insurance that doesn’t break the bank.

For Dinah, it all comes down to two things: fairness and affordability. She’s tired of seeing the insurance industry denying payment or blocking treatment for consumers, so she’s making it her mission to hold the insurance industry accountable so that they play by the rules.”

Location of Barbwire BBQ-