IN 1978

Reacting to a state attorney general’s opinion that “lay midwifery” was illegal in Kansas, some local advocates of home-birthing predicted the ruling would not halt the practice. They said some prospective parents’ feelings about the advantages attributed to home births were so strong that they might proceed with plans for the out-of-hospital deliveries despite potential legal liability.

A “philosophy change” in the granting of water storage contracts for Army Corps of Engineers lakes had delayed final approval of a contract between the corps and the Kansas Water Resources Board for distribution of water at Clinton Lake. The delay, however, was not expected to endanger pacts for the resources board to provide Clinton water for use by Lawrence and other water districts and cities in the region. Lawrence had voted for and was installing a Clinton Water Treatment Plant to tap lake resources.