The Douglas County Clerk’s Office has launched two new online tools on its website – dgcoks.gov/elections – to provide residents with easy access to up-to-date voting and election information.

Area cultural organizations are rolling out the red carpet  — or rather the green turf — to welcome visitors and engage residents in the cultural context for the international soccer phenomenon coming to Greater Kansas City this summer.

The Lawrence community is getting the ball rolling on a full playing field of fun during tournament season, from exhibitions to events to viewing parties and other celebrations. Here are some pre-game highlights:

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council (HCC) announces the recipients of the 2026 Natural and Cultural Heritage grant program after receiving approval from the Board of County Commissioners on April 15. A total of $250,000 was awarded to 22 projects.

Douglas County will celebrate National County Government Month with Discovery Day, a community event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, in the Open Pavilion at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 21st and Harper Streets.

After 17 years on the bench and nearly five decades in the legal profession, Kansas Seventh Judicial District Court Judge Sally Davis Pokorny announces her retirement, marking the conclusion of a distinguished career defined by service, fairness and innovation in the justice system.

The Douglas County Appraiser’s Office will mail Change of Value Notices for real estate properties for the 2026 tax year on Feb. 27.

The office’s annual market study found overall increases in residential and commercial real estate prices, with roughly 90% of properties seeing an increase from 2025 to 2026. The analysis reviewed more than 2,000 sales, cost data from the Marshall & Swift Valuation Service, and rent and expense information for leased properties. Demand continues to outpace supply in several neighborhoods and property types.

Eighth-grader Daniel Dao, of Lawrence Virtual School, received first place in the 2025-2026 Douglas County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on Feb. 20 at the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center. He received a $1,250 check and now qualifies for the state competition in April in Manhattan. His business idea, BrainQuest, is an app that offers carefully curated exercises grounded in educational research that is designed to strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills for users of all ages and backgrounds.

After nearly two years of preparation and planning, it’s official: Lawrence will be a base camp for the Algerian men’s soccer team during this summer’s FIFA World Cup™.

K-State Extension Douglas County invites residents to learn how fire shapes our landscapes and how to protect lives and property from wildfires from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 14, at Flory Meeting Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St.

Douglas County Emergency Management is accepting registrations for its Spring 2026 CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) weekend class. The course is designed to teach individuals to be better prepared to help themselves, their families and communities before, during and after a disaster. 

The training will be April 17-19 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St., in Flory Meeting Hall. It is held on Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon.

Public Works is accepting applications for the 2026 user-fee dust control program. The deadline for applying is Friday, March 6.

The program consists of applying liquid calcium chloride or magnesium chloride to rock roads typically in front of houses in an effort to reduce dust created by vehicles. Both products consist of a brine solution found naturally in various regions of the United States. The products have been found to control dust by attracting moisture from the atmosphere causing dust to clump together.

Topeka-based Omni Circle Group, host organization for the Shawnee Startups eCommunity, is expanding its “Ignite: New Venture Discovery” program to the Lawrence area through a collaborative partnership with the Douglas County eCommunity. The partnership represents the first time two Network Kansas eCommunity partners have teamed up to expand access to resources for Kansas entrepreneurs.