The cold broke overnight. Schools reopened this morning. But the weekend brought difficult news the community is still processing. Here are the five things you need to know this Tuesday morning.

A KU pre-med student was killed in a hit-and-run crash Saturday night.

Lawrence Police are actively investigating and asking anyone with information to come forward.

If you have information: Contact Lawrence Police at (785) 832-7509.

Why this matters beyond the tragedy itself:

Campus safety is on everyone's mind right now. This isn't just a news story or a statistic — this is someone's classmate, friend, study partner, roommate. This is a loss that's being felt in dorm rooms, lecture halls and family homes across Lawrence.

Hit-and-run crashes are particularly painful because someone made a choice to leave instead of stopping or calling for help.

What happens next:

The investigation is ongoing. The KU community is coming together , and reminders about pedestrian safety are circulating across campus.

If you're a driver in Lawrence — especially near campus — slow down. Pay attention. Put your phone away.

After Monday's extreme cold closures, Lawrence is moving again. Here's what you need to know:

Schools & Transit:

Roads & Conditions: Most main roads are clear, but secondary streets and shaded areas still have ice patches. If the sun hasn't hit a spot yet, assume it's slippery.

Pro driving tip: Give yourself an extra 10 minutes this morning. Everyone's a little rusty after a disrupted Monday, and nobody needs the stress of a close call on an icy turn.

What the weekend snow operation actually looked like:

The City of Lawrence posted a behind-the-scenes recap on Monday showing what went into clearing those streets. City crews dealt with snow removal, multiple water main breaks, frozen water meters, sewer backups, traffic signal malfunctions, and equipment repairs - all while facing -22°F wind chills

The city specifically highlighted Fleet Maintenance — the behind-the-scenes team that keeps plows, trucks, and equipment running shift after shift, often working through the night to repair breakdowns so snow removal can continue.

Why this matters: Cleared streets don't just happen. If you saw a city truck, or a utility crew this weekend, the city says thank-you messages actually mean a lot to the teams. You can leave comments on their Facebook page or email public works directly.

Haskell Indian Nations University announced a new interim president Monday.

Who's stepping in: The Director of Indigenous Studies from the University of Kansas will serve as interim president.

Why this matters to Lawrence (not just Haskell students):

Haskell is a cornerstone of Lawrence's identity. It's one of only a handful of tribal universities in the United States. Leadership stability matters for students, faculty, and the broader Lawrence community that shares the city with this vital institution.

What happens next: The search for a permanent president continues. The interim leader brings experience from KU's Indigenous Studies program.

Winter birds are gathering near the Bowersock dam downtown.

The brutal cold froze most of Lawrence's rivers solid. But there's one spot where the current stays strong enough to keep water open — near the Bowersock dam in downtown Lawrence.

And that's where the birds are.

What you'll see if you go: Eagles, geese, ducks, and other migratory birds are clustering around the open water in numbers you wouldn't normally see concentrated in one spot. They're there for food, shelter, and protection from the cold.

It's an unexpected pocket of wildlife right in the middle of the city, one of those moments where harsh weather creates a striking spectacle most people will miss because they're staying inside.

Nature moment: Sometimes the city's coldest, hardest days bring the most surprising beauty. If you're willing to brave the lingering chill and bundle up for an early morning walk, the area near the dam might reward you with one of Lawrence's quiet winter spectacles.

Practical tip: Dress warmer than you think you need to. Wind chill is still a factor, and standing still to watch birds will make you feel colder faster than walking.

Two updates worth knowing about:

Art exhibition opening this week:

A posthumous show is celebrating the feminist textile art of Becky Johnson, a talented KU graduate student and textile artist who died last year. The exhibition is running at a local Lawrence gallery and features her work alongside an interactive element.

What makes it special: Visitors are invited to contribute to a communal weaving . It's tactile, participatory, and deeply community-oriented — exactly the kind of art experience that reminds you why Lawrence's creative scene matters.

If you've been stuck inside all week dealing with cold and disruption, this is a beautiful reason to get out of the house and engage with something meaningful.

Where: Check the Lawrence Times for gallery details and hours.

Healthcare partnership announced:

LMH Health, the University of Kansas Health System, and Newman Regional Health announced a strategic affiliation this week. Not a merger — the organizations remain independent — but they'll coordinate services and share resources to improve care quality and access across the region.

What it means for you: Better coordinated care when you need it, stronger local healthcare infrastructure, and more resources available to patients in Lawrence and surrounding areas.

Kansas weather: giving you frostbite stories so you have something better to talk about than your commute.

(We've all earned this joke this week.)

That's it — five things, five minutes, Tuesday covered.

If this helped you start your day with useful context and a clearer picture of what's happening in Lawrence, forward it to one person who needs it.

See you tomorrow at 5 a.m. Same time, same commitment, same city.

— Mitch

Lawrence in 5

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